Rating: 
Summary: Excellent insight into Stevie's genius and talent.
Review: "Songs in the Key of Life" is an all-access analysis of one the landmark albums of the 20th century. Stevie, the musicians who participated and staff at the studio treat us to a glimpse back at true magic as many songs are dissected and appreciated from a true inside perspective. It's also amazing to see the heart-warming affect Stevie has on all whom work with him. There are many moments of awe and admiration as his collegues refer to the "spirituality" and "gift of kindness" that Stevie unfolds to everybody. This video is an excellent snapshot of all that is Stevie Wonder. If your not a huge fan, you will be after this tour de force!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent insight into Stevie's genius and talent.
Review: "Songs in the Key of Life" is an all-access analysis of one the landmark albums of the 20th century. Stevie, the musicians who participated and staff at the studio treat us to a glimpse back at true magic as many songs are dissected and appreciated from a true inside perspective. It's also amazing to see the heart-warming affect Stevie has on all whom work with him. There are many moments of awe and admiration as his collegues refer to the "spirituality" and "gift of kindness" that Stevie unfolds to everybody. This video is an excellent snapshot of all that is Stevie Wonder. If your not a huge fan, you will be after this tour de force!
Rating:
Summary: That's right, folks, it's a documentary...
Review: ...and a fine one, at that. Some previous reviewers seem to have been confused about what they were buying, expecting straightforward presentations of the songs from this landmark album, then being disappointed when there were none. This is, simply, a re-packaged television show ABOUT the album, part of an excellent series from the UK called Classic Albums. As such, it's extremely well done, with lots of commentary from Steve himself, along with nearly everyone else involved in the production of the album. There are actually a couple of in-the-studio performances by the re-assembled band from the original sessions, and they're great fun, but this is NOT a concert album. It's a fascinating companion to the music, but it's certainly not intended to be a substitute for buying the CD if you don't already own it.If you do already own and love the CD, and have any interest at all in how such remarkable works of art come into being, then buy this DVD right away.
Rating:
Summary: That's right, folks, it's a documentary...
Review: ...and a fine one, at that. Some previous reviewers seem to have been confused about what they were buying, expecting straightforward presentations of the songs from this landmark album, then being disappointed when there were none. This is, simply, a re-packaged television show ABOUT the album, part of an excellent series from the UK called Classic Albums. As such, it's extremely well done, with lots of commentary from Steve himself, along with nearly everyone else involved in the production of the album. There are actually a couple of in-the-studio performances by the re-assembled band from the original sessions, and they're great fun, but this is NOT a concert album. It's a fascinating companion to the music, but it's certainly not intended to be a substitute for buying the CD if you don't already own it. If you do already own and love the CD, and have any interest at all in how such remarkable works of art come into being, then buy this DVD right away.
Rating: 
Summary: I expected more
Review: As a big fan of the album, and Stevie in general, I decided to try this disc out as the litmus test for the series. I figured I'd get a hoard of features, along with great music and loads of insight. The insight is there in abundance, and it's a lot of fun to hear the comments of past and present on the album, from concept through release. It's nice to see all the amazing musicians that were on the album come together for the documentary... but that's where it stops. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad product, if you want a straight-up documentary, but I wanted more. I wanted all the music on the album, and I wanted some kind of features, but they weren't there. Perhaps it's too much to ask to have this act as an album as well, but if you're looking for the music, you won't get more than a snippet or two of each song. In general, I buy DVDs that I know I'll watch over and over, and this unfortunately isn't one of them. It's a nice first view, but now it's going to sit on my shelf. My recommendation: rent it, and buy the CD!
Rating:
Summary: I expected more
Review: As a big fan of the album, and Stevie in general, I decided to try this disc out as the litmus test for the series. I figured I'd get a hoard of features, along with great music and loads of insight. The insight is there in abundance, and it's a lot of fun to hear the comments of past and present on the album, from concept through release. It's nice to see all the amazing musicians that were on the album come together for the documentary... but that's where it stops. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad product, if you want a straight-up documentary, but I wanted more. I wanted all the music on the album, and I wanted some kind of features, but they weren't there. Perhaps it's too much to ask to have this act as an album as well, but if you're looking for the music, you won't get more than a snippet or two of each song. In general, I buy DVDs that I know I'll watch over and over, and this unfortunately isn't one of them. It's a nice first view, but now it's going to sit on my shelf. My recommendation: rent it, and buy the CD!
Rating:
Summary: DVD has the potential but lacks content
Review: I agree with another reviewer...this DVD should include the entire album on it...the documentary is only about 70 minutes and I would like to see some old concert footage as a bonus to buy the DVD...every month we see the lamest movies of the year released on DVD with maybe 2 or 3 good ones out of 100....you can't go wrong with Stevie but the VHS video offers the same for less ($13.99)
Rating:
Summary: Good background, but where are the songs?
Review: I hoped this video would have both the documentary and the songs to the album, but I was mistaken. The documentary is annoying because it gives you a sniff of some songs but leaves you wanting more. If you buy the DVD you'll want to buy the album too, but I wanted both on one disc.
Rating: 
Summary: Stevie Wonder -- Songs in the Key of Life
Review: I realize the great genius of Steviland Morris (who could miss it?) perhaps this video missed it. I just watched it last night and, although I love Stevie, it wasn't as exciting and captivating as it should have been. I think it sold Stevie short. There should have been much more performance footage, at least more complete songs than it did. Those that were shown in their entirety were fabulous...but it just didn't overshadow the possibilities with such a perfect video subject. I came away disappointed musically. A bright spot was seeing Stevie goof around with his buddies he hadn't seen in twenty years and showing how he put a song together, over-dub by over-dub. But even that was incomplete. It would start out ok showing how he built a groove, but then just as it was getting exciting... switched to something else. I give it a C+. But if you're already a Stevie fan, it's a just a "good" thing, that had the potential to be great, to add to your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Close but no cigar
Review: I realize the great genius of Steviland Morris (who could miss it?) perhaps this video missed it. I just watched it last night and, although I love Stevie, it wasn't as exciting and captivating as it should have been. I think it sold Stevie short. There should have been much more performance footage, at least more complete songs than it did. Those that were shown in their entirety were fabulous...but it just didn't overshadow the possibilities with such a perfect video subject. I came away disappointed musically. A bright spot was seeing Stevie goof around with his buddies he hadn't seen in twenty years and showing how he put a song together, over-dub by over-dub. But even that was incomplete. It would start out ok showing how he built a groove, but then just as it was getting exciting... switched to something else. I give it a C+. But if you're already a Stevie fan, it's a just a "good" thing, that had the potential to be great, to add to your collection.
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