losthighway wrote: Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:31 am I don't think we can have a serious Stevie Wonder conversation without discussing the harmonica.

Yeah.. the good and bad thing about the dude is that he could do everything, and often did whether it was a great aesthetic choice or not.

Vibracobra wrote: Fri Dec 09, 2022 8:41 am I've just heard Talking book and a few Mayfield tunes. I'd vote Wonder, but wouldn't count really.

Remedy this. On both counts.

Okay, I've been thinking about this matchup all morning. I think Stevie and Curtis have some interesting differences as composer/performers. Of anyone I think the best analogy for Mayfield as a writer is Fela Kuti (along with the more obvious Marvin Gaye). Both Mayfield and Kuti compose undeniable grooves supported by each and every instrument in the arrangement. They will lock on a groove for a long time first to just get funky and let everyone dance, but also as a platform for exploring a lyrical theme. Often the lyrical exploration comes with a serviceable melody, sometimes a memorable one, but it seems to be more like hip hop in its structural priorities: the ideas and the groove.

Stevie however writes impeccable melodies and hooks. The chord changes and arrangement all serve to punch up those vocal hooks. He's much more of a pop composer in that older tradition.

This isn't to say that Stevie Wonder can't groove the fuck out, or that Curtis Mayfield doesn't have any memorable melodies but listening to each of them shows where their priorities are at. Like if you play "Sir Duke" back to back with "Move on Up" it's fascinating that two figures from arguably the same genre and obviously the same period are doing something so different. Also, I don't know if I can pick a favorite, they're both pretty badass.

Unlike Kirk Hammett and Dimebag Darrell, Curtis's use of the wah pedal was always effective.

Stevie for me, I do love Curtis too. Some excellent posts in this thread too.

No disrespect for Curtis but Stevie is possibly the greatest musician of the 20th century, or at least the second half of it.

I'm surprised that Curtis Mayfield apparently has been reassessed as a leading visionary on the level of Stevie Wonder. Seventies funk or R&B was never really my bag, but from what I know of him...basically Superfly and Move on Up, it's kinda just run of the mill. Sly and the Family Stone, Marvin Gaye, or even WAR is certainly much more in the running for me, but again, I'm not qualified to cast a responsible vote.

Stevie Wonder was a singular talent, and although I don't really enjoy his music, as it veers too far into higher-consciousness mellow grooves (even in his prime) for my tastes, he's obviously killing it.

Write in vote for Hot Chocolate.

I’d agree that Wonder was a singular talent,
more so than Mayfield. Academically, I’m on the side of Stevie.

But I voted for Mayfield, because god damn, was he great. He’s unquestionably the one I listen to more—a lot more.

Three-fourths of the way through “Right on for the Darkness,” the strings and horns drop out, leaving just bass, percussion, and some guitar. It evokes dusk during the summer in the city like nothing else. You can feel the warmth of the setting sun and see the weeds growing through cracks in the sidewalk.

Sounds corny to say that, I guess, eh, Stevie Wonder is a poll option here, so . . .

Wood Goblin wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 12:26 pm Sounds corny to say that, I guess, eh, Stevie Wonder is a poll option here, so . . .

prime shade. salut.

Wood Goblin wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 12:26 pm I’d agree that Wonder was a singular talent,
more so than Mayfield. Academically, I’m on the side of Stevie.

But I voted for Mayfield, because god damn, was he great. He’s unquestionably the one I listen to more—a lot more.

Three-fourths of the way through “Right on for the Darkness,” the strings and horns drop out, leaving just bass, percussion, and some guitar. It evokes dusk during the summer in the city like nothing else. You can feel the warmth of the setting sun and see the weeds growing through cracks in the sidewalk.

Sounds corny to say that, I guess, eh, Stevie Wonder is a poll option here, so . . .

I voted Curtis for "Right on for the Darkness." Also "Check out your Mind" and "We People Who Are Darker Than Blue."

Sly Stone and Stevie would also be up there on that version of Mount Rushmore. But I listen to Curtis more often and he was from Chicago, so I am biased.