Reviews:
-[S]erves as a useful introduction to the music of Stevie Wonder.
—Popular Music
-The Sound of Stevie Wonder critiques and interprets the works of this notable composer and performer. Readers learn about Wonder's most famous works and lesser-known albums along with the many cover versions of his compositions. Included are a song title index, a discography of his recordings, notes, an annotated bibliography, and a general index.
—MultiCultural Review
-After revealing the social, cultural, and political context of Wonder's work, the book provides detailed analysis of his compositions and recordings, with a focus on both his well-known songs and those known only to his hardcore fans. The volume also contains discussions of cover versions of Wonder's compositions, a discography of his recordings, a song title index, an annotated bibliography, and a general index.
—Easton's Public Library eNewsletter
-The Sound of Stevie Wonder: His Words and Music, by James E. Perone, is the first work of criticism on this important American artist. The book also contains discussions of cover versions of Wonder's compositions, a discography of his recordings, a song title index, an annotated bibliography, and a general index.
—Library Media Connection
-Every pop music fan has a sense of the work and accomplishments of Stevie Wonder, from his start as a child prodigy to the acclaimed singer-songwriter he was known as throughout the Sixties, Seventies, and Eighties. Even though his heyday seems to be over, he retains a spot in the American pop music pantheon. While numerous biographies on the artist exist, this is the first to critique and interpret his work. And as Perone covers in great depth all of the artist's albums-both major and minor-readers are likely to learn a lot about some of the less well-known albums and may consequently seek them out. This thoughtfully researched and finely written book, the first in a new series edited by Perone to highlight various singer-songwriters of note, should be in all public and college libraries; highly recommended.
—Library Journal