Stevie Wonder

INCLUDES FREE MP3 ALBUM DOWNLOAD

PLUS 2 BONUS TRACKS

This quintessential release includes Stevie Wonder’s sensational second LP, Tribute to Uncle Ray, originally issued by Tamla Records in December 1962, and long unavailable on vinyl. The album produced by Clarence Paul contains a collection of R&B covers of Stevie’s musical idol Ray Charles. It features seven of Charles’ songs (including “Drowin’ in My Own Tears,” which was actually penned by Henry Glover but will forever be associated with Charles), as well as three Motown originals. While the young Stevie can still be heard playing a few different instruments on this album, his extraordinary vocal talents are showcased here. The vocals and arrangements were closely modeled on the original versions from Charles’ self-titled 1957 debut. Wonder was accompanied by an outstanding big band, which included piano, vibes, guitar, horns (with saxophone solos), stylish drumming and female backing vocals inabundance. Naturally, the 12-year-old Stevie didn’t have the power and convictionto match his idol. However, Little Stevie performed high-spirited renditions of legendary Charles classics such as “Hallelujah I Love Her” and “Don’t You Know” (one of his strongest vocal performances, the latter track also marks one of the earliest instances of Stevie’s trademark deep-throated growls).

In addition to the original masterpiece, this WaxTime release includes 2 bonus tracks, which consist of hard to find sides from the same period: “La La La La La,” and the splendid “Contract on Love.”

PERSONNEL:

STEVIE WONDER:lead vocals and piano, plus:

Probable personnel:

Eddie Willis (guitar), James Jamerson (bass), Joe Hunter (piano),
Earl Van Dyke (organ), Richard Allen or George McGregor (drums),
Norris Patterson, Thomas “Beans” Bowles (saxophone),
Herbie Williams or Russell Conway (trumpet),
Paul Riser or George Bohanon (trombone).
Unidentified female backing vocals and handclaps.
Stevie Wonder also plays organ, harmonica and tambourine on “La La La La La”
and “Contract on Love”.

Recorded in Detroit, Michigan, between December 1961 and December 1962.
All tracks produced by Clarence Paul.
Except: “La La La La La” (by Berry Gordy), and “Contract on Love” (by Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier).

SIDE 1

01 HALLELUJAH I LOVE HER SO
02 AIN’T THAT LOVE
03 DON’T YOU KNOW
04 THE MASQUERADE IS OVER
05 FRANKIE AND JOHNNY
06 LA LA LA LA LA *

SIDE 2

01 DROWN IN MY OWN TEARS
02 COME BACK BABY
03 MARY ANN
04 SUNSET
05 MY BABY’S GONE
06 CONTRACT ON LOVE *

* BONUS TRACKS