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The Wonder of Stevie

By: Wesley Morris
Narrated by: Wesley Morris, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Questlove, Dionne Warwick, Janelle Monáe, Smokey Robinson, Babyface, Ray Parker Jr., Deniece Williams, full cast
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Publisher's summary

The year 1972 saw the beginning of a five-year span in which Stevie Wonder released five groundbreaking, critically acclaimed albums, garnering him more than half a dozen Grammys and more than 10 million albums sold, securing his place as one of the most important American musicians and songwriters in history.

For the first time, uncover the untold story of an extraordinary artistic journey that shaped the greatest creative era in popular music history. Featuring in-depth musical and cultural analysis from legendary artists, critics, and thought leaders, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Questlove, Smokey Robinson, Janelle Monae, George Clinton, and many more, Audible's new, authorized Original invites audiences on an intimate and sweeping journey deeply infused with star-studded contributors’ unique experiences and impassioned fandom. Hosted by New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning culture critic Wesley Morris, The Wonder of Stevie revisits Wonder's iconic creative evolution, his transformative spiritual path, and the profound inspiration he drew from both the beauty and pain of the Black American experience—driving his eventual emergence as his generation’s most unflinching and uplifting artistic voice. With each episode dedicated to a particular album, listeners can follow Stevie Wonder’s classic period chronologically or jump to a favorite record or time period of interest.

Set to more than 40 of Wonder’s legendary tunes, the series culminates in a final moving episode exclusive to Audible that finds Stevie Wonder in a profound and enlightening conversation with former president Barack Obama. The Wonder of Stevie is the definitive celebration and examination of a towering icon at the absolute height of his creative powers. Sit back and "luxuriate" in his genius, as Morris puts it. It's time to discover the wonder of Stevie—once and for all.

©2024 Higher Ground, LLC (P)2024 Higher Ground, LLC.

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About the Creator and Host

Wesley Morris is a critic-at-large at the New York Times and a staff writer at the New York Times Magazine, where he writes about popular culture and hosts the podcast Still Processing with J Wortham. For three years, Morris was a staff writer at Grantland, where he wrote about movies, television, and the role of style in professional sports and co-hosted the podcast Do You Like Prince Movies? with Alex Pappademas. Before that, he spent 11 years as a film critic at the Boston Globe, where he won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for criticism. In 2021, he was awarded a second Pulitzer in criticism for his writing at the Times. He’s from Philadelphia, PA, lives in Brooklyn, NY, and is a graduate of the Yale class of 1997.

About the Creator and Guest

Michelle Robinson Obama served as First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Mrs. Obama continues to be a dedicated public servant and advocate, working to encourage the next generation to pursue higher education and participate in public service, a commitment she has upheld before, during, and after her role as First Lady.
Mrs. Obama’s passion for storytelling has earned her global acclaim. Her memoir, Becoming — a moving portrayal of her life’s journey and path to the White House — spent over 130 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list, sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, and won a Grammy Award. Her second book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times, also spent months on the New York Times Best Sellers list.
Through Higher Ground, which she co-founded with her husband in 2018, Mrs. Obama’s work to share stories has won awards and accolades. Mrs. Obama produced and stars in Waffles + Mochi, a show that teaches children about their food and cooking through an adventurous part-yeti, part-waffle tour guide. The Light We Carry Netflix special recently earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special. Mrs. Obama is reaching new, diverse audiences through the world of podcasting, most recently with The Michelle Obama Podcast on Spotify and Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast on Audible.

About the Creator and Guest

Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States, elected in November 2008 and holding office for two terms. He is the author of three New York Times bestselling books, Dreams from My Father, The Audacity of Hope, and A Promised Land, and is the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Michelle. They have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

About the Creator and Guest

Questlove is a six-time Grammy Award–winning musician, an Academy Award–winning filmmaker, and a drummer, DJ, producer, director, culinary entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, co-founder of The Roots, and musical director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where The Roots serve as the house band. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Mo’ Meta Blues, Creative Quest, Music Is History, and co-author of his first children’s book—the first in a series— The Rhythm of Time, as well as the James Beard Award–nominated somethingtofoodabout, Mixtape Potluck, and the Grammy-nominated audiobook Creative Quest.
Questlove made his directorial debut with the documentary The Summer of Soul, which won the Academy Award, Grammy Award, and BAFTA Award, which broke the record for the highest-selling documentary to come out of the Sundance Film Festival. He is the publisher of AUWA Books, an imprint of MCD / Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

What listeners say about The Wonder of Stevie

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SOOO Good

I learned alot about Stevie and some of the meanings of some his most iconic songs!
Great job narrating Mr Wesley Morris!

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Musically delightful and time stamps of the listeners life.

Very well done! I truly appreciate it the musical reflections that took me back in time. I had enjoyment while being taken back in time to reflect upon the past. I was very young during all of this but to reflect with a now adult perspective brings me great joy, appreciation, and harmony. it's solidifies the time that I actually got to live through. at the time I was living it my perspective was not that of this story being told because of my age. watching it unravel again was pure joy. the perspectives that were not my own at the time I found to be truly enjoyable. all of this was taking place while I was wrapped in my own little youth world. the Music is everything here adding to entertainment yet pinpointing a time period of life.

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Things that I never knew...

I liked the interviewer and all the different people he interviewed...the stories that the told was eye opening.

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Wonderful!

A nice foray into the most creative period of one of the greatest musicians and songwriters of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

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Lots of love and enthusiasm for the man and his music.

Loved that they worked out the rights to include many audio clips. There was decent discussion of his innovation as an electronic keyboardist.
Some of the race and religion discussion was a reach. Critics want every song to have hidden meanings. In the end interview Stevie was like ‘I’m just doing my thing.’ Glad to have this out, but it left me wanting to know more about the music.

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The Spirit of Stevie Wonder

I really enjoyed learning about Stevie Wonder, the man, and Stevie Wonder’s music. I learned a lot and many of the details were very interesting and I believe it has given me a deeper understanding of music that I already love and appreciate, and about music of his that I didn’t know. I didn’t like the super short sound clips. They could have been longer. It would have been more mellow listening. Sometimes I definitely felt an anti white vibe (not from Stevie!) but from Wesley Morris and Michele Obama and I don’t think that was what Stevie would want for a production like this but it was there. I felt it!

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Stevie

I love him even more now! What a gift he has given the world! God is good

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A Nostalgic Look at Stevie’s Amazing Music

I’ve loved Stevie’s music all my life and never delved deep into the meaning of many of his songs. I just loved them, I sang them, I visualized the story in them. This podcast took me to a whole new level of appreciation. I’m going to listen to each of his albums now with a new understanding. What I enjoyed about this podcast were the interviews and inside look to the events around some of the songs. It was a great podcast to listen to on my long drive across Texas. I think I’m going to go pull out my vinyls now and hear some Songs in the Key of Life.

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Delicious ♥️♥️♥️

So interesting and the people included to review Stevie Wonder’s songs was great! The ending was truly amazing

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Better than excellent!!

Stevie Wonder is my absolute favorite artist. This is a gift to my very being. Excellently done. So much insight, so much that I did not know. I loved it.

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