The seven-episode “The Wonder of Stevie” comes to Amazon’s Audible under its first-look deal with Higher Ground , President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s media company. The series is hosted culture critic Wesley Morris, featuring exclusive conversations with Wonder himself and a range of notable fans — including the Obamas. Higher Ground and Audacy’s Pineapple Street Studios produced the series alongside Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson through his Two One Five Entertainment banner. Wonder serves as executive producer of the podcast, which features more than 40 of his songs.
The podcast covers Wonder’s run of creativity from 1972-76, when the musician, songwriter and singer released a string of five albums on Motown Records’ Tamla imprint — “Music of My Mind,” “Talking Book,” “Innervisions,” “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” and “Songs in the Key of Life” — that “forever changed American music,” according to Audible. The records sold over 10 million units during that time, for which Wonder garnered 12 Grammy Awards plus a 13th Grammy as non-classical producer of the year.
“The Wonder of Stevie” culminates in a final episode where Wonder joins Barack Obama and Morris in the studio, giving his first-hand, personal account of the remarkable time period — and Obama and Wonder sing “Golden Lady” together. This final episode of the series will be exclusively on Audible through December.
The series launched Thursday, Sept. 12, on Audible (at this link ). It’s available as part of Audible Plus, the $7.95/month subscription service that includes thousands of audiobooks and podcasts.
Featured guests include Barack and Michelle Obama, Questlove and musicians Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, King Britt, Babyface, Bob Margouleff, Jimmy Jam, Ray Parker Jr., Janelle Monáe, Mereba, Yolanda Adams, Greg Phillinganes, Rick McLaughlin, Will Butler and Deniece Williams. Also interviewed for the podcast are journalists Robert Christgau, Maureen Orth, Alex Pappademas and Brittany Luse; art curator Thelma Golden; artist Lorna Simpson; activist Michaela Angela Davis; and entertainment executive Suzanne de Passe.
President Obama said in a statement: “The first album I ever bought with my own money was ‘Talking Book,’ by Stevie Wonder. Since then, his music has brought warmth and humanity to my life, just like it has for so many others. With an incredible array of artists, experts, and the legend himself, this podcast gives you an even greater appreciation of Stevie’s genius and his impact on American culture.”
Michelle Obama said, “We all know Stevie Wonder is a legend — the songs, the albums, the melodies take hold in your soul and just won’t let go. I’ve been a fan of his for as long as I can remember. That’s why this podcast was so surprising — Wesley walks us through the full magnitude of his work, uncovering how Stevie’s magic has shaped not just the world of music, but the world itself.”
Questlove commented: “Stevie is someone who I have looked up to for as long as I can remember, and his continued impact on music, in the 1970s and now, is undeniable. It was a no-brainer to join the production of this comprehensive study of some of my favorite Stevie Wonder tracks through Two One Five Entertainment. More importantly, I’m humbled to be a part of this historic conversation with a fellow Philly native in Wesley. I’m looking forward to reintroducing the incomparable passion in Stevie’s work to listeners old and new.”
“The Wonder of Stevie” is the third project from Audible and Higher Ground’s exclusive first-look deal, following “Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast” and “Your Mama’s Kitchen: Conversations from the Heart of the Home,” hosted by award-winning journalist Michele Norris. Audible and Higher Ground will next collaborate with the History Channel and Malcolm Gladwell’s Pushkin Industries on an eight-part original audio series about the legacy of America’s Reconstruction era.
Here’s the trailer for “The Wonder of Stevie”:
(Pictured, top: Stevie Wonder in London in January 1974)
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