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Fulfillingness' First Finale | 
 enlarge | Artist: Stevie Wonder
Label: Motown
Category: Music
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $5.57
You Save: $4.41 (44%)
New (44) Used (17) from $3.93
Avg. Customer Rating:  76 reviews
Sales Rank: 3083
Format: Original Recording Remastered, Original Recording Reissued
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 5 x 0.4
MPN: 157356
UPC: 601215735628
EAN: 0601215735628
ASIN: B00004S35Z
Release Date: March 21, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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| Tracks:
| • | Smile Please | | • | Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away | | • | Too Shy to Say | | • | Boogie On Reggae Woman | | • | Creepin' | | • | You Haven't Done Nothin' | | • | It Ain't No Use | | • | They Won't Go When I Go | | • | Bird of Beauty | | • | Please Don't Go |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential recording
Stevie Wonder was in the middle of a multi-album roll when he put out this funk and soul collection, clunky title and all, in 1974. As usual, he adds depth and unexpected touches to even the most straightforward love song--the moving piano ballad "Too Shy to Say" has a spooky feeling, as if "I want to fly away with you, until there's nothing more to do" is the saddest line he ever sang. The harder songs, such as the fuzzy funk of "Boogie On Reggae Woman" and the angry "doo-de-wop" attack on Richard Nixon in "You Haven't Done Nothin'," add urgency without sacrificing the album's cohesiveness. --Steve Knopper
Album Description
Limited Edition Japanese pressing comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. Universal. 2008. * Please note these are issued on Universal EU barcodes but are in fact pressed in Japan and include an OBI and booklet.
Album Details
Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 71 more reviews...
another classic, another good time December 5, 2008
Fulfillingness First Finale is a great album, just like probably everything Stevie Wonder created in the 70's (I haven't heard anything more than the "big four" albums). One thing that's STILL a bit underrated about Stevie Wonder is his ability to combine soul, funk and pop together, and make something radically new (at the time). More importantly, he combined those things and made them *interesting*. There's only one Stevie Wonder, and there will never be someone as good as this guy ever again.
Favorite songs? Well, I don't know really. Stevie Wonder is one of those musicians where you have a different favorite every time you play one of his albums. That's a sign of a great musician. Right now it's probably "Heaven is 10 Billion Light Years Away" which for some reason, reminds me of those school field trips we used to take as children. I guess the adventurous atmosphere contribues to those feelings.
"They Won't Go When I Go" is an Elton John sounding song that rules a lot. Just a chilling, haunting and eerie song. "Bird of Beauty" and "Please Don't Go" are very good melodically. "Boogie on Reggae Woman" is one of those songs that might still be heard on TV shows, radio stations, and other places. Honestly, it SHOULD be played more often because it's a classic, but you know how stubborn radio stations and whatnot can be when it comes to variety.
The funkiness of "You Haven't Done Nothin" is fantastic as well. The only song I don't really care for is "Creepin" because it sounds a bit stuck in the mid 70's and not melodic enough for me. I don't know what the general opinion of this song is, but to me, it comes up a bit short compared to the rest of the tracks.
The rest of the album is pure emotional, melodic genius. For that (which is very important obviously) this is a classic album.
FINE ALBUM FROM STEVIE OFTEN OVERLOOKED AND FORGOTTEN November 6, 2008
WHEN I THINK BACK ON ALL THE GREAT ALBUMS PUT OUT BY STEVIE WONDER IN THE EARLY-MID 70'S WHAT USUALLY COMES TO MIND IS "INNERVISIONS", "TALKING BOOK", AND "MUSIC OF MY MIND". I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT THIS ONE, WHICH WAS RELEASED IN 1974. SAW IT IN THE MUSIC STORE TODAY AND HAD TO PICK IT UP. AND I AM GLAD I DID, IT FITS RIGHT IN WITH ALL OF THE OTHER WONDERFUL MUSIC HE PRODUCED IN THAT TIME PERIOD. LOOKING THROUGH THE LINER NOTES, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT SOME OF THE OTHER MUSICAL CONTRIBUTORS ON THIS ALBUM INCLUDE "SNEAKY PETE" KLEINOW, MINNIE RIPPERTON, THE JACKSON FIVE (SINGING BACKUP ON "YOU HAVEN'T DONE NOTHIN"), DENISE WILLIAMS, SHIRLEY BREWER, THE PERSUASIONS, PAUL ANKA, AND OTHERS. GREAT ALBUM, A REAL BLAST FROM THE PAST.
Stevie's finest hour. August 25, 2008
"Fulfillingness' First Finale" does not get the recognition it deserved. While "Innervisions" and "Songs In The Key of Life" were both brilliant 5-star worthy masterpieces, neither of them come close to the beauty that is "Fulfillingness' First Finale."
Of all the records Motown put out during its existence, none have the amount of soul that is found in this album. The songs range from moody and melancholy to cheerful and uplifting, although the tempo is relatively slow and soothing through the whole album.
"Smile Please," the album's first song, sets the tone for the whole album, and is one of the best openers of Wonder's career. The keyboarding and vocals are slow and smooth, with moody but uplifting lyrics. The song is a definite gem. And this is only the first song.
From the soft and gentle guitar riffs of "Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" to the spacey "Too Shy To Say," Wonder does not fail to entertain and inspire. "Creepin'," one of the most heart-wrenching songs about love (yet still an unfathomably beautiful song) is also one of the greatest existing smooth R&B songs (and was covered by Luther Vandross for that reason.)
"Boogie on Reggae Woman" is one of the more upbeat songs while still capturing the mood of the album, and is an enjoyable song. "You Haven't Done Nothin'" is a great example of funk music. Both stand out, but fit in with the flow of the album.
The album closes with "Bird of Beauty," a psychedelic-soul song, and "Please Don't Go," a simple, upbeat song which closes the album just as beautifully as "Smile Please" opens it.
Stevie Wonder's emotions passionately flow through each song, whether it be from his voice or his instruments. The album is absolutely flawless, from the vocals to the instrumental segments. While it is the least accessible of his albums, if you buy this album, you will not be disappointed in the least. If you are any bit interested, get this album - it is a must own.
 Fulfillingness' First Finale? August 21, 2008
A phenomenal follow-up to 1973's classic release "Innervisions", tunes like "Creepin'", "Too Shy To Say", & "Boogie On Reggae Woman" expose Stevie's "carnal" side, while the tracks "Bird Of Beauty" & "Smile Please" explore the loving commonplaces of previous albums. One of Stevie's more.... "contemporary" albums. This truley unique composition will have you too wishing you had the powers of the "Wondrous" third eye.
Simply Beautiful December 8, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I just finished listening to this album again. Although I don't know every note by heart as with Songs In The Key Of Life, I love it just as much.
It starts rather slow with Smile Please, a beautiful call for people to put a smile on their faces, to stow away the frowns.
Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away to me is Stevie's all time best song. Wonderful melodies with lyrics that go so deep and stay with you forever.
Like with a concept album Stevie has never built a better tension, constructed a better flow of his different melodies on a single album. A slow start, slowing down even more, then, with Boogie Down Reggae Woman changing pace, only to slow down again. But don't worry, never boring for a second. Of course there's the mid tempo stompin' You Haven't Done Nothing with the Jackson Five as background vocals (and a great horn section). Speaking of which, Stevie's list of guests is incredible: Denise Williams, Minnie Ripperton, Syreeta of course, Paul Anka, Michael Sembello.
A beautiful romantic album that will stay with you forever.
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