America's greatest living talent? My vote.

[Goodheart]

Stevie Wonder.

I'm sitting here listening to "I Never Dreamed You Leave in Summer" and am just marveling at the man's ability to craft melodies.... and that's before even mentioning his astonishing musical skills on the keyboard, harmonica, etc. And that voice!

And I consider his string of Innervision, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life the most impressive trifecta of consecutive albums ever produced by any musician of any genre, anywhere, and at any time.... and that's not even mentioning Talking Book which preceded those three.

[EYESORE 9001]

1. I'm inclined to agree

[mopinko]

2. i can get behind that.

love him long time. many of his songs held me up when i wanted to fall down.

[blm]

3. Tough one.

There are some legendary, extraordinary talents still among us including, most definitely, Wonder.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

4. Love me some Stevie, but those are those 3 albums better than ...

Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Peppers?

Or Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin III (or choose LZII, LZIII and LZIV instead)?

Or Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland?

Or The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A by Radiohead?

Not to take away from Stevie, he's amazing, but that's some tough sledding in my book

[Goodheart]

5. Great list

I'd give second place to the Beatles. Then third to the Stones: Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main Street.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

6. I almost posted those 3 by the Stones too since it was terrific run as well ;)

I'd also proffer Green River, Willy and the Poor Boys, and Cosmo's Factory.

And Murmur, Reckoning, and Fables of the Reconstruction (REM).

Just to get some Yanks on the list

The Head On The Door, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, and Disintegration (The Cure) would def. make my top 10 as well.

[msongs]

8. the OP cited American... nt

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. Well, maybe I misinterpreted somehow, but ...

"And I consider his string of Innervision, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life the most impressive trifecta of consecutive albums ever produced by any musician of any genre, anywhere, and at any time"

That would seem to expand the pool in global fashion, but ... I suppose I could be wrong.

[thucythucy]

10. How about

Dylan:

Bringing It All Back Home
Highway 61 Revisted
Blonde on Blonde?

Just a few highlights: Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggies Farm, Mr. Tamborine Man, It's Alright Ma (I'm only Bleeding), Like a Rolling Stone, Ballad of a Thin Man, Desolation Row, Visions of Johanna, Memphis Blues Again, Just Like a Woman...

And all of it in under two years.

But Stevie Wonder is and has always been an incredible talent. Not to mention: a way better harmonica player than Bob.

[vanlassie]

7. Sir Van Morrison.