Review: The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie

 The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie - Stevie Wonder

Rating: 6/10 (Decent)

Track Listing (highlights are bolded):

1. "Fingertips" -> the live single

2. "The Square"

3. "Soul Bongo"

4. "Manhattan at Six"

5. "Paulsby"

6. "Some Other Time"

7. "Wondering"

8. "Session Number 112"

9. "Bam"

Review:

If this album was under anyone else's name, there very little chance anyone would remember this record. It's just easy listening and not a whole lot more. Pretty much all these songs are fine background noise, but most people who immediately hear this record after his classic run are bound to be disappointed. None of the tracks are flat-out awful or dull, and for a debut album, this isn't embarrassing at all. Just don't go tell all your family and friends to buy it or something.

There are pretty much two things that make this lightweight release notable. Number 1: it is made by the greatest genius soul music ever had, and for that alone, it deserves our attention. Yes, none of these tracks are that interesting, but it is indeed Stevie who plays on every song and even has a songwriting credit on two of them (neither of which are particularly noteworthy but hey, they're hardly bad). Stevie plays harmonica, bongos, drums, piano, AND organ on this record without seriously blundering. The fact that he is already capable of this at the young age of 12 is outstanding. Let's cut him some slack for not writing "I Believe (When I Fall In Love)" already.

The other notable aspect is that it features the studio version of his first significant song, "Fingertips." The studio version is pretty decent with its lush sound, but I think there's an obvious difference in the live performance that makes it superior: his harmonica subbing out the flute. His playing is already beautiful and individualistic at this young age, showing technique and passion. He always produces this thin, high-pitched wail from the instrument that profoundly nourishes your soul, every note dripping with warmth, compassion, and friendliness. He can make it jump around, dance, scream with joy, tease, laugh: it is the musical personification of an innocently joyful child playing right in front of you. This charismatic musicianship is what energized that audience, the vibe going so strong it even captured the hearts of listeners who weren't present at the performance, sending it to the very top of the charts.

In the end, this isn't an impressive start, where a lot of this record is defined by the label more than Stevie himself (a problem with Motown in general). Yet, we already get a lot of Stevie's lovable personality visible here and in that first single. It would be a long road to get to Talking Book and Songs In The Key of Life, but when it comes to genius of his caliber, every recording of his is a priceless chapter in the journey to that summit. And besides, an easy listening record from 1963 is so more listenable and enjoyable than a sterilized electronic easy listening record from today. So throw it on if you want some nice background music that pays tribute to future greatness.