Looking Back

Looking Back - Anthology
Compilation album by Stevie Wonder
Released	November 30, 1977
Recorded	1962–1971
Genre	Soul, pop, R&B, funk
Length	103:57
Label	Motown M-804LP3
Producer	Clarence Paul, William Stevenson, Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Rolling Stone link
Stevie Wonder chronology
Songs in the Key of Life (1976) Looking Back (1977) Journey through the Secret Life of Plants (1979)

Looking Back, also known as Anthology, is a triple LP anthology by American soul musician Stevie Wonder, released in 1977 on Motown Records.^[1] Since its release in 12' Triple LP format, it has not been reissued and is considered a limited edition.^[2] The album chronicles 40 songs from Wonder's first Motown period, which precedes the classic period of his critically-acclaimed albums.

Overview

Between 1963 and the end of 1971, Stevie Wonder placed over 25 songs on Billboard's charts.^[3] Twenty-four of those — including such radio staples as "Fingertips, Pt. 2", "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", "I Was Made to Love Her", "For Once in My Life", "My Cherie Amour", and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" — appear on Looking Back. Wonder's recordings in the '60s stand apart from most Motown acts partially because he was paired with producers and writers who very rarely worked with the Temptations, Supremes, etc. In his early years, Wonder was often produced by Clarence Paul and/or William Stevenson and, during the golden years, by Henry Cosby. Then in 1970, Wonder started producing himself, beginning with Signed, Sealed & Delivered. Most of his singles were written by Wonder himself in tandem with a variety of others, or by Ron Miller. The hits alternated between stomping barn-burners and mid-tempo, understated ballads.

Before the long-awaited Stevie Wonder box set, At the Close of a Century, was issued, this triple-album set was the ultimate Wonder collection. It contains every major hit and many other vital singles from 1962-1971, showing his evolution from Ray Charles' disciple to assembly-line hitmaker to individualistic artist. Unlike its other anthologies, which have been carved down from three-volume vinyl LPs to double-disc sets, Motown simply deleted this one altogether, although vigilant collectors may be able to obtain it through used record stores.

Track listing

Personnel

• Stevie Wonder - vocals, piano, harmonica, keyboards

Production

Chart history

References

External links

• Looking Back at Discogs