Song: "Pastime Paradise"
Writer and Performer: Stevie Wonder
Original Release: September 28, 1976
Album: Songs in the Key of Life
If I have written this before, it's always worth repeating: if you wish to understand modern music, you must know Stevie Wonder's work from the early- and mid-1970s. His legacy extends to pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop and beyond, both in terms of musical elements and technological innovation. "Pastime Paradise" was one of the first songs to use a synthesizer to sound like a full string section. The recording features both a gospel choir and Hare Krishna musicians as chanters and bell ringers.
"Pastime Paradise" has been sampled and covered by numerous musicians, most famously by Coolio in "Gangsta's Paradise":
"Weird" Al Yankovic, "Amish Paradise":
Want to hear all of the songs I have featured in a convenient playlist?
Enjoy: A Window Above
What are you listening to these days?
I understand the influence, but I've never been able to get into Wonder.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I love everything he's ever done. But he had a four-album run in the early '70s that's as solid as just about anyone ever.
DeleteI just discovered The Thorns (check out "Among the Living" and tell me who it reminds you of...I need a second opinion) and I'm revisiting George Ezra.
ReplyDeleteSorry I've been an infrequent commentor, but I'll do better!
No apologies necessary. As you can see, it's been a while since I've had much time to attend to the ol' blog...
DeleteInteresting take on Stevie Wonder's music.
ReplyDeleteAll the years I lived in Laguna Beach the hare Krishna used to wander up and down the street and after years of listing to them I was tired of it all.
In the 80's there was The Dream Academy "Life In A Northern Town".they were music majors I think and used their voices as musical instruments I remember the reviews talking about it but I just can't seem to remember thing anymore. I like the song and was on a trip to the UK so it was special.
cheers, parsnip
"Life in a Northern Town" - lovely song.
DeleteI forgot what a great song Gangsta's Pradise was and I did not know where that riff came from. Stevie Wonder is pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteCoolio has a great story about hearing "Pastime Paradise" for the first time. Worth a Google.
DeleteI was never that big of a Stevie Wonder fan. Don't know why.
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
Like I commented above, he was definitely stronger in some eras than others.
DeleteThese songs are great and I love Weird Al with his brilliant parodies and this is funny especially with 2 costars from Witness
ReplyDeleteI should probably do a Weird Al tribute at some point...
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