This 16-song set presents the hits Wonder scored after he negotiated artistic control for himself in the 1970s. It's a wondrous collection, ranging from the driving pop-funk of "Superstition" and the streetwise "Living for... more » the City" to the sweet "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," now a pop standard. In addition to the hits, Musiquarium includes four great new songs, two of which ("Do I Do" and "That Girl") would go on to become hits soon enough. In the years since this set was originally released, Wonder's output has been spotty at best, but Musiquarium reminds us that Stevie Wonder is a giant of soul and pop. --David Cantwell« less
This 16-song set presents the hits Wonder scored after he negotiated artistic control for himself in the 1970s. It's a wondrous collection, ranging from the driving pop-funk of "Superstition" and the streetwise "Living for the City" to the sweet "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," now a pop standard. In addition to the hits, Musiquarium includes four great new songs, two of which ("Do I Do" and "That Girl") would go on to become hits soon enough. In the years since this set was originally released, Wonder's output has been spotty at best, but Musiquarium reminds us that Stevie Wonder is a giant of soul and pop. --David Cantwell
"Believe it or not guys, it was Mariah Carey who turned me on to this double album. I think it was sometime in 2002 when I read an interview on her official website. When asked about her favourite album, she replied: "Stevie Wonder's Musiquarium."Gathering all the highlights from the super-successful 1970's and adding four classy new songs, "The Original Musiquarium I" (1982) works as a greatest hits album as well a concept long-player -- something that few entertainers ever could afford. So high was the quality of Wonder's albums between 1972-1980!This is probably the best-possible introduction to Stevie's prolific discography and maybe the best choice if you want to own one album of this artist. All tracks are just top and even if I decided to pick highlights, I would get pretty close to naming all songs here. But let's try... "Living For The City", "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "Ribbon In The Sky", "Higher Ground", "That Girl", "Do I Do" (one of the best jams I've ever heard) -- and more!If there will ever be another "musiquarium", I doubt it will be this good..."
Essential to any collection.
Augustus Caesar, Ph.D. | Eugene, Oregon United States | 06/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Despite the inclusion of a couple of overlong, pedestrian ballads ("Ribbon in the Sky" and the abominable "Superwoman"), this is one of the finest hits collections ever assembled by any artist. Three of Stevie's four new songs ("That Girl," "Do I Do" and the searing "Front Line") are first rate, while the fourth (the aforementioned "Ribbon") is one of those sugary, saccharine Stevie ballads that everyone but his most devoted fans can't abide. However, from "Living for the City" to "Master Blaster (Jammin')," these are some of the most innovative, original, fully realized pop/soul songs ever recorded. I cannot recommend this collection highly enough."
The Great Mind OF The Genius
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 04/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've had this Set for many Years.and It Reflects his Grand Genius.So Many Great Songs From A Mind that never stopped Clicking.As Writer,Arranger,Producer,Instrumentalist,Vocalist Stevie Wonder Has Inspired a WHole Generation&a half with his Quality Work.he has had time periods.his 60's stuff was hit&Miss.in the 70's UNSTOPPABLE.80's Hit,Miss&Close.90's So-So at best.but Look at how many Decades He has been Around and The Many Lives His Music has Touched?He will always be Special to me."
Everyone Should Swim In This "Musiquarium"
Anthony G Pizza | FL | 06/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Few performers in any genre compiled their own work as cohesively and beautifully as Stevie Wonder on this essential 1982 hits album. It testifies to the seamlessness of the classic 70s albums which comprise this set that no song feels any better on the originals than here. That's easy enough to do with Wonder's sensitive, moving love songs ("Superwoman," "You Are The Sunshine of My Life,".) But it also goes for "Superstition," "You Haven't Done Nothin'," "Living For The City," and the then-new anti-war song "Front Line," which are of a piece musically and in message. The same is again true for 1974's propulsive "Boogie On Reggae Woman," rubbing up against 1980's "Master Blaster."The net effect is that "Original Musiquarium" is essential even for those owning all of Stevie's 70s work (and that should be everybody). And how many performers can you say that about?"