Down to Earth is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released on November 16, 1966, on the Tamla (Motown) label. The album was a departure from Wonder's earlier, teen pop-driven albums, and, along with its predecessor, Up-Tight, it re-established the sixteen-year-old Wonder, whose voice had recently changed, as a Motown hitmaker.
Down to Earth | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 16, 1966 | |||
Recorded | 1965–1966 | |||
Studio | Hitsville U.S.A., Detroit, Michigan | |||
Genre | Pop, R&B, soul | |||
Length | 33:13 | |||
Label | Tamla (Motown) | |||
Producer | Clarence Paul, Henry Cosby | |||
Stevie Wonder chronology | ||||
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Singles from Down to Earth | ||||
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The album features the hit single "A Place in the Sun". Another single, "Hey Love", became a hit for Detroit soul singer Bettye LaVette in 1969 (released as a B-side to "With a Little Help from My Friends").[1]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Rolling Stone | [3] |
Track listing
editSide One
- "A Place in the Sun" (Ron Miller, Bryan Wells) - 2:52
- "Bang Bang" (Sonny Bono) - 2:42
- "Down to Earth" (Miller, Avery Vanderberg) - 2:50
- "Thank You Love" (Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder) - 2:55
- "Be Cool, Be Calm (And Keep Yourself Together)" (Cosby, Moy, Wonder) - 2:43
- "Sylvia" (Cosby, Moy, Wonder) - 2:34
Side Two
- "My World Is Empty Without You" (Holland-Dozier-Holland) - 2:53
- "The Lonesome Road" (Gene Austin, Nat Shilkret) - 3:06
- "Angel Baby (Don't You Ever Leave Me)" (Cosby, Moy) - 2:45
- "Mr. Tambourine Man" (Bob Dylan) - 2:30
- "Sixteen Tons" (Merle Travis) - 2:42
- "Hey Love" (Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Wonder) - 2:41
Personnel
edit- Stevie Wonder – harmonica, keyboards, drums, percussion, vocals
- The Originals – backing vocals
- The Andantes – backing vocals
- Benny Benjamin – drums
- James Jamerson – bass guitar
- The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
- Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby – producers
References
edit- ^ "A Little Help From My Friends / Hey Love". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ Wynn, Ron (1966-11-16). "Down to Earth Review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ^ "Stevie Wonder: Album Guide | Rolling Stone Music". Rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-06. Retrieved 2012-09-26.