“Tribute To Uncle Ray” by Little Stevie Wonder - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1962Album Chart of the Decade: 1960s

TJR says

Although issued as the second Stevie Wonder album in October 1962, this was the first to be recorded – when the kid was only 11 (Icons of R&B and Soul, Bob Gulla, 2008). Musically the set is strong (Stevie doesn’t play) and his voice is impressive but, ultimately, it’s kinda weird listening to a school kid and it’s difficult to take it too seriously; lyrically it’s a bit of a disaster zone at times. Billie Jean Brown’s liner notes: “One of the greatest tributes that can be paid an artist is for another to admire him enough to record his material. Little Stevie Wonder, Tamla’s 11 year old musical genius, is blind, a similarity he shares with a famed musician and vocalist of today. This man is an idol of Stevie, and it was Stevie’s wish to record some of Ray Charles’ tunes. This album then, is a tribute to Uncle Ray. In this album, Stevie forgoes his playing of the harmonica, piano, organ, drums and bongos in favor of his vocal abilities. He displays soulfulness that few adults and fewer still 11 year olds will ever attain. Though it has been said, and is admittedly true, that no one can sing these tunes like Ray Charles, it must be concluded here that Stevie does one whale of a job. As an added tribute, Stevie does some originals in the style of his idol. This then, is “A Tribute to Uncle Ray”.”

The Jukebox Rebel
15–Sep–2009

Tracklist
A1 [02:30] 4.0.png Little Stevie Wonder - Hallelujah I Love Her So (Ray Charles Robinson) Pop
A2 [02:41] 2.8.png Little Stevie Wonder - Ain’t That Love (Ray Charles Robinson) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A3 [03:05] 5.4.png Little Stevie Wonder - Don’t You Know (Ray Charles Robinson) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A4 [05:13] 2.5.png Little Stevie Wonder - The Masquerade (Herbert Magidson, Allie Wrubel) Soul Ballad
A5 [02:48] 2.7.png Little Stevie Wonder - Frankie & Johnny [live] (Traditional) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B1 [03:23] 4.2.png Little Stevie Wonder - Drown In My Own Tears [live] (Henry Glover) Soul Ballad
B2 [02:50] 5.2.png Little Stevie Wonder - Come Back Baby (Ray Charles Robinson) Soul Ballad
B3 [02:56] 3.5.png Little Stevie Wonder - Mary Ann (Ray Charles Robinson) Pop
B4 [03:34] 4.5.png Little Stevie Wonder - Sunset (Stevland Judkins, Clarence Paul) Soul Ballad
B5 [02:28] 3.3.png Little Stevie Wonder - My Baby’s Gone (Berry Gordy) Pop

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