I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t really know Stevie Wonder’s music at all, except for the ’60s hits and some exposure to his ’70s heyday. A recent feature in Mojo has reminded me that I should fill in this blind spot.

What would you experts advise? Go straight to Innervisions and wander around back and forth from there? Start with Signed Sealed Delivered and work my way through chronologically till he runs out of steam, or I do? Is there a relatively comprehensive compilation that might suit (and satisfy?) a novice better? (I recently wisely decided to get The Essential Sly & the Family Stone instead of the newly released box set, and that turned out to be exactly what was called for.) Should I get all four of the ’72-’74 acknowledged masterpieces all at once and immerse myself? Any ‘musts to avoid’?

I’m a little apprehensive, because Wonder’s voice is a little problematical for me. His over-melismatized vocal style has been such a bad influence on subsequent artists, I’m concerned about coming to it after the fact and finding it hard to get past. But everyone seems to agree that his early ’70s work is above reproach. Even my man Randy Newman always speaks of that stuff with reverence.

So anyway I’m open to suggestions on what to do about this gaping hole in my musical knowledge.

If you don’t know the drill by now, watch the others and follow their lead!

What explains the flaccid PiL single “Rise” and John Lydon’s/Johnny Rotten’s similarly flaccid subsequent career?
a) Bill Laswell
b) Getting his wish of only wanting to be loved
c) Janet Lee’s departure from the PiL organization
d) The artistic dead end of The Flowers of Romance

Is it time Chrissie Hynde tries a new haircut?

Is there a less flattering live document on film than Led Zeppelin’s The Song Remains the Same?

Has the triangle been used to more rockin’ effect in any song than on Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion”?

After hearing the triangle in “Sweet Emotion” for the first time today and a “plucked” synth string way in the background of Eno’s “By This River” last night, I got to thinking: What’s the last song you thought you knew inside and out over the years until something new suddenly jumped to the fore?

I look forward to your responses.

Late last night Mr. Moderator unexpectedly dropped in on The Back Office. To his dismay, the place was in utter chaos.

“Papers were scattered on the floor, the staff was browsing the Financial Times Weekly site for the latest on the FTSE, and a distinctive oder hung in the air,” said Mr. Moderator, when seen at the San Diego Airport tonight. “I was dismayed, to say the least,” he continued.

The staff quickly got things in order, and then a late-night business meeting followed. The team engaged in a vigorous session of thinking outside the box, “blue-skying,” and other high-level business mumbo-jumbo. “Significant developments” and “Clear objectives” resulted from the meeting. A full report is expected in the morning, and affiliates will be contacted shortly thereafter.

The most significant development is that you will soon be seeing a banner ad for eMusic. If you’re not familiar with the program, it’s a monthly subscription service that allows a set number of downloads at a reasonable rate. Details will follow along with the ad itself, but the introductory trial offer is a pretty good way to test it out, if you’re so inclined. You can cancel any time before the intro period is up for no charge and all that jazz. I’m sure others out there have checked out this service or similar ones already.

Rock Town Hall’s taking on an ad does not mean you should expect a page full of ads, many of which having nothing to do with rock ‘n roll. That looks bad and is annoying to navigate, if nothing else. We believe eMusic is a worthwhile service and potential tool for your rock learning. Thanks.