The other day I was thinking about a couple of 80’s tunes where Stevie Wonder made cameo harmonica solo. I’d like to know if he has done harmonica work in other songs that I don’t know about.
My list was:
“I feel for you” (Chaka Khan)
“There Must Be An Angel” (Eurhythmics)
This probably seems like an oddly specific compilation subject, but if you like Stevie and you’ve heard these songs, you know what I’m talking about when I say he completely stole the show.
This link has a list of a good deal of his harmonica guest appearances (it also lists songs he’s given to others and vocal guest appearances).
I think the most famous (it was a #4 Billboard single) song he played just harmonica on was “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” by Elton John.
Personally, I love the albums he did with his ex-wife Syreeta Wright (she just died last year) in the 70’s. They are basically Stevie Wonder albums where he doesn’t sing the lead vocals. Other than that, he’s writing, producing and playing all over the place. I highly recommend them if you can find a copy (I got the Hippo Select CD with both albums on the one disc) especially if you’re a big fan of Stevie’s 70’s work.
Steve wrote and played instruments (including harmonica) on one of the songs on The Beach Boys’ self-titled 1985 album (“I Do Love You”).