M. Jones 2009-09-28
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I remember growing up listening to the songs off of this album and being amazed at how one man could capture the social scene of that day. The songs are so crisp, clean & relevant still today as much as they were back in the early 70's when the album was first released.
1) Too High: Song written warning of the lows of continued drug use. Many artists of that day wrote about it's "highs", but Stevie was one of the 1st to talk about the "lows" of that culture and how it was tearing at the very fabric of the black community especially. Great lyrics and he once again is playing all the instruments! Genius....
2) Visions: This is probably my favorite on the whole album. Stevie takes us on a ride through the visions in his mind and shows us a what the world could be if only love and respect were the order of the day. This song shows why his songwriting skills are unmatched historically. Acoustic guitar is simply outstanding!
3) Living for the City: An "epic" that gives the listener an inside perspective of life in america for those of African descent. It's an incredibly written & produced walk through the life of a person "born in hard time Mississippi" & who, although, is able to get out and make to the "North" where things are supposed to better for blacks finds out the hard way that the song remains the same no matter the geographic location.
4) Golden Lady: One of the most beautiful songs ever written. The progession at the end of the song keeps building to a cresendo going up a key & is a highlight as he sings about the love of his life and how he sees her through the love in his eyes.
5) Higher Ground: This is a jam that showcases Stevie using the synthesizer much the way a bass guitar would be used in a song. He was one of the 1st to use the instrument in place of bass or strings or even guitar. The lyrics are stunning in this song of a man reaching for something higher than himself and the status quo of that day. Has incredibly meaning even today
6) Jesus Children of America: Stevie was one of the 1st mainstream artist to call Christianity to task for the hypocrisy of that day as well as other mainstream religions. It's call to examine what you're praying and saying vs. what you're actually doing & making sure the 2 match. Great drums and keyboards by Stevie in this song!
7) All is Fair in Love: This is a song with lyrics describing what every lover has experienced at some point. The crushing agony of a relationship on the brink and a heartfelt cry of a lover unable to deal with it's difficulties. Beautifully written song.
8) Don't You Worry Bout a Thing: Latin-funk based song about the true meaning of having someone's back in the good times and bad times. The song deals with letting those you love know they don't have to worry cause if no one else is there for them, you will be.
9) Mistra Know-It-All: This is said to be the 1st of Stevie's tongue lashings aimed towards then President Nixon about his "so called" policies of that day and how out of touch washington was with the realities of life for most people living in this country at that time.
No one matches Stevie's uncanny ability give you a snapshot of the world at that moment & his unparelled musicianship set's him apart as one of the True innovators of music history. I highly recommend this album, especially for those who may be just getting into his work. Not his first but a great starting point to understand his true genius.
