Early Classics

• Artist: Stevie Wonder
• Rating:
• Release Date: 2000
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Early Classics features the gifted singer/writer/musician transcending from Little Stevie Wonder into maturity. The 18 selections are OK, but would have been stronger if "Sunset," "Purple Raindrops," "Hey Love," "Contract on Love," and "Old People Call It the Blues (But I Call It Pretty Music)" had been included; they would have compensated somewhat for another weak mastering job by Spectrum. Still, there are many treats here, including Vicky Basemore, Henry Cosby, and Sylvia Moy's wonderful "With a Child's Heart," the pumping "Workout Stevie, Workout" (where Stevie gives credence to the title with a high-energy workout on vocals, harmonica, and bongos), the full six minutes and 24 seconds of "Fingertips," the blockbusters "Uptight" and "I Was Made to Love Her," and selections from his Tribute to Uncle Ray album. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Uptight (Everything's Alright)	Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy	Stevie Wonder	(2:56)
Fingertips, Pts. 1-2	Henry Cosby, Clarence Paul	Stevie Wonder	(6:24)
Little Water Boy	Clarence Paul	Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder	(2:37)
Music Talk	Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder	Stevie Wonder	(2:54)
Workout Stevie, Workout	Henry Cosby, Clarence Paul	Stevie Wonder	(2:45)
Monkey Talk	Clarence Paul	Stevie Wonder	(2:43)
Frankie and Johnny	Ray Charles	Stevie Wonder	(2:51)
Mary Ann	Ray Charles	Stevie Wonder	(2:59)
Blowin' in the Wind	Bob Dylan	Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder	(3:48)
Sad Boy		Stevie Wonder	(2:33)
With a Child's Heart (Lyrics)	Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Vicky Basemore	Stevie Wonder	(3:11)
I Was Made to Love Her	Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy, Lula Mae Hardaway	Stevie Wonder	(2:37)
Ain't That Love	Ray Charles	Stevie Wonder	(2:44)
My Baby's Gone	Berry Gordy, Jr.	Stevie Wonder	(2:30)
Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday	Ron Miller, Bryan Wells	Stevie Wonder	(3:06)
Teach Me Tonight	Sammy Cahn, Gene DePaul	Levi Stubbs, Stevie Wonder	(2:42)
Ebb Tide	Robert Maxwell, Carl Sigman	Stevie Wonder	(1:48)
Beyond the Sea	Charles Trenet, Jack Lawrence	Stevie Wonder	(2:48)

Credits

Levi Stubbs (Performer), Clarence Paul (Performer)