A Breathtaking Retrospective

Stevie Wonder is arguably the greatest solo artist in the history of recorded music. With over 40 years of classic music to his name, which includes an amazing string of early '70s' masterpieces, some even may say a four disc boxed ste like "At The Close Of A Century" is enough to compile all of his best work. Well, even it doesn't, it's pretty damn close.



Whether you're a beginning or hardcore Stevie fan, this boxed has everything you could possibly want, from the big hits ("Fingertips", "Uptight", "My Cherie Amour", "Superstition", "I Just Called To Say I Love You" and so much more) to the classic album cuts ("Golden Lady", my all time favorite "As", "Happy Birthday") to some underrated gems ("Rocket Love", "I Love Every Little Thing About You", "These Three Words"), this has everything.



There's also a beautiful 92 - page booklet filled with a great essay and nice photots of Stevie. It also comes with song information and a list of songs Stevie wrote and/or played on for other artists.



I'm sure people have some songs they would have loved to have seen included. Hell, even I do. They are:



"Ebony And Ivory" (I'm kind of surprised they left this one off)

"Stay Gold" (preferrably the live version from 1995's "Natural Wonder", but the studio version would have satisfied me as well)

"Hold On To Your Dream" (from "Song Review")

"Love's In Need Of Love Today" (judging from its major presence in his concerts, I was surprised this was omitted)

"Village Ghetto Land"

"Tomorrow Robins Will Sing"

"Mr. And Mrs. Little Ones" (from "Natural Wonder")

"Dancing To The Rhythm" (from "Natural Wondeer")

"Jesus Children Of America" (the only song from "Innervisions" not to make the set)

"Kiss Lonely Goodbye" (from "Song Review")

"Redemption Song" (from "Song Review")



But to include all these songs would require a fifth disc, which would have been nice but four is just as good. Hey, it's Stevie Wonder, so why complain?

Definite Collection of Gems!

One of the finest talents finally gets a proper collection. I can't add much to what has already been said about Stevie Wonder and this massive and well compiled set! Like others there are a few favorites missing, such as (Summer Soft, Joy Inside My Tears, Saturn, Ordinary Pain, Front Line, Fun Day and Tuesday Heartbreak), but I own them on other projects by this dynamic talent, so it doesn't bother me. This is an outstanding collection! So often, when compilations are put together, you often get ripped off or some of the best songs are left out...but this TRULY is a superb tribute from start to finish. Maybe Mr. Natural Wonder needs a 5th disc! Anyway, you still can't go wrong...worth every single penny, plus some gold and platinum.

The Best Of The Best

For someone whose career has spanned 4 decades, compiling a boxed set for someone as important to the world of pop music Stevie Wonder is a daunting task. Fortunately, the good people at Motown pulled it off, with 70 tracks over 4 discs spanning

Wonder's entire career.



Over these 4 discs you will see wonder grow from a teeny bopper idol into one of the most respected musicians of our time (or anyone's for that matter). Over these 4 discs, you will hear the cream of the crop of Stevie's career, including classics such as

"Uptight (Everything's Alright)", "My Cherie Amour", "Superstition", "I Wish" and "I Just Called To Say I Love You", to name a few.



The disc focuses mostly on the classic 1972 - 1980 period when he made 5 of the greatest albums ever made: "Talking Book", "Innervisions", "Fulfillingness' First Finale", "Songs In The Key Of Life" and "Hotter Than July". Each album is heavily represented on discs 2 and 3, with 4 tracks for "TB", 8 for "Innervisions", 5 for "FFF", 9 for the 2 - lp "SITKOL" and 6 for "HTJ".



This cd may include solely previously released material, but it features some songs that are rarely heard and thus are great to see here, including "Hey Love", "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer", "Too High", "If It's Magic", "As", "Another Star", "Rocket Love", "Go Home", "Skeletons" and "These Three Words".



Overall, an excellent of Stevie's long and fruitful career. It may be pricey for some, but it is definitely worth the entire price...and then some.