A six-episode series charting an incredible five-year (or seven-year) run by Stevie Wonder, the Pulitzer Prize-winning culture critic Wesley Morris is our host on The Wonder of Stevie, guiding us through the 1970s. Morris will be familiar to listeners of the Bill Simmons Podcast and The Rewatchables, appearing occasionally on both. He’s enthusiastic and loud, and brings that energy to the Audible Originals series, which is available on all platforms.
The episode titles reflect Wonder’s albums run: Music of my Mind | 1972; Talking Book | 1972; Innervisions | 1973; Fulfillingness’ First Finale | 1974; Songs in the Key of Life | 1976; Confetti Cannon | 1979. By the end, you won’t need any more convincing that Wonder is the greatest artist we’ve ever had. Partnered by the Obamas’ Higher Ground production company (that name is a giveaway), talking heads throughout the series include Barack and Michelle, Questlove, Smokey Robinson, Janelle Monae, George Clinton, gospel singers and experts, and more. It’s a cultural tour de force with no room for cynics as Wonder’s music soundtracks life itself.
Muhammad Ali is another obvious icon of the 1970s and October 30 marks 50 years since the Rumble in the Jungle, when he took on the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman in Zaire, now known as Democratic Republic of Congo.
Written and hosted by journalist Zaren Burnett, Rumble tells the story leading up to that fight, which was preceded by a music festival headlined by James Brown and BB King, among others. With talk of fixed fights and the immortal words of Cassius Clay, the first episode of the series features actors voicing the stars, such as the fearsome Sonny Liston. The story has been told many times over the years, but rightfully so; it’s about one of the greatest sporting events in history.
Returning to musical icons, Joni Mitchell is one of the biggest and most beloved – and most elusive. She came to prominence in the late 1960s but rarely plays live these days, having suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015. But she does indeed still play live, and it’s hard to quantify what she means to different people – the connection goes deep.
That’s why Carmel Holt has created this travelogue/limited audio series: She’s travelling across the States. Her destination is the Joni Jam at the Hollywood Bowl. Holt talks to various fans and musicians along the way.
Like The Wonder of Stevie, the tone here is most definitely one of adoration. The Road to Joni eschews straight biography though, dipping in and out of moments in Joni’s life that touched our talking heads. The episodes are a little too long but there are nuggets of inspiration throughout.
