Stevie Wonder - With a Song in My Heart (CD)

Awkwardness As An Artform

By Andre  Apr 23, 2006

Pros: Very Good Musical Arrangements

Cons: Very Awkward Singing

In the liner notes to this CD it asks for the listener to judge Stevie Wonder's interpretations yourself.1963's 'With A Song In My Heart' is one of Motown's first expiriment with pre rock pop standards.The musical arrangements are... very good-suitable for Sinatra if not for the primative recording equiptment.He does an interesting variety of songs-the title track,"Put On A Happy Face","Smile&qu
ot;,"On The Sunny Side Of The Street" and "Get Happy".Stevie's take on "When You Wish Upon A Star" is very surreal-mainly because of how stark it is and Stevie's voice,now changing in register as grew up-going from his youthful high alto to his more adanoidal,adult low tenor.And here it just can't decide where it wants to go.The quality of his voice is very good but this register problem gets in the way a lot.His best songs vocally are "Get Happy" (an old Johnny Mercer song" and "Put On A Happy Face"-he does them both in a very charming way,especially for a teenager.Stevie Wonder always had a gentle,relaxed and mellow additude and that shown to good effect here.It was also one of many steps in his classic sound-his ability to write and interpret classic balladry.If only so many artist has so many examples of them excersing their influences as Stevie Wonder.And 'With A Song In My Heart' is not his best album of the 60's by any means upon several listens it is interesting.Not to mention one of his few releases that would appeal to non rock fans. Read more Less