"I had to give five stars because I grew up on this album before I heard any of his other stuff. I'm definitely a Stevie Wonder fan and to hear somebody knock the projects that he come out with upsets me. Basically I think its because don't nobody know what good music is. To me, if you are a "true" fan, you would listen to any album, anytime, anywhere! You have certain periods that you want to listen to his works. For instance, If i want to hear real instruments, I pull out his stuff in the 70's. If I want to hear his amazing change in vocals, I pull out the 80's. His stuff in the 90's is a combination of both. Though nobody claims to like this cut, I think You're full of it!! Good music doesn't matter how long a song can be. If u listen to Jazz u know that! And the message on this album is put at his best(along with a time to love). I can't explain how much I love this cd. My dad bought it when it came out cuz he was hooked on "I'm New," and we both fell in love with the record since. If you are sooo concerned about "time limits" and the genre of music that was big in that time period (which was New Jack), Naw, u don't need to buy this joint. If u don't give a damn jus cuz its Stevie and u kno he got sumthin to say, Buy this Joint. I think the only ones you might not feel too much is "My love is with You, and "Sorry," but they will grow on you too. Jus pay attention to what he's singin bout! Holla"
Can't Believe Some Of The Reviews I Have Seen On This Album
05/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being a huge Stevie Wonder fan, I am pretty taken back by some of the reviews I have seen about the album Conversation Peace. This latest offering from Stevie is everything it needs to be and more. Typical of his classic albums, Conversation Peace contains the wide array of music that only Stevie can do: CP has it's moments of R&B, Jazz, Reggae, Funk, Gospel, and Pop all rolled into one album. First off, let's take a look at each track individually.Rain Your Love Down - Great album opener, Stevie sets the table by giving a look into the troubled world that we live in and how we need God to rain his love down.Edge Of Eternity - Funky tune where Stevie flexes his R&B talents. Great horns and great vibes on this song.Taboo To Love - Originally written back in the early 80's, this is a song that is often overlooked. Stevie's vocals are impeccable on this tune.Take The Time Out - Average song, but has a very true message of today's world. The song's lyrics exemplify Stevie's belief that love can heal all and the world will be a better place if we all took the time to love one another.I'm New - Perhaps the best cut on the album. If anyone can truly say that Conversation Peace is a bad album, obviously they have overlooked this song. Listen to the lyrics, how beautiful. Conversation Peace is worth it for this song alone.My Love Is Wtih You - Another world conscious song based on an actual event. The best lyric to this song is "...they can't take what we've shared, Spread the love I've given, And I'll be there."Treat Myself - A feel good song about the places we can go in our mind when times are bad. A very happy song with an excellent harmonica ending.Tomorrow Robins Will Sing - Reggae-flavored song that lets you know that everything will be good tomorrow, so you needn't worry.Sensuous Whisper - Another great song. Very good vocals on this one, it has a very smooth ... ... feel. This song will make you wanna get up and dance. O wee, o wee, o wee.For Your Love - The pop love ballad that rounds out this album.Cold Chill - Funky tune with a great guitar solo by Ben Bridges.Sorry - Average song with OK lyrics.Conversation Peace - Great album closer, it has the same message as Rain Your Love Down. If we don't heed the call, who knows what we are headed for. After looking over all the songs, how can't Conversation Peace be a great album? It was well worth the wait. Stevie gives us a little bit of everything for this one. There are songs of love, socio-awareness, and songs of pure happiness on this album. I also think that it's not fair to judge this album to ones that Stevie did in the 70's, an artist must move on and seek new things. Stevie has evolved on this album and it is just as good as his 70's stuff, if not better. To say that this album is a 'dud', is totally out of line. Open your ears and listen. Even a so-called 'average' Stevie Wonder album is much better than some of today's 'great' albums."
This is one of Stevie Wonder's most underated albums.
06/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Conversation Peace is a great work that features great songs like I'm New, Rain Your Love Down,Treat Myself and Sensuous Whisper. Stevie presents a strong and urgent message in this album "Cause we are out of order and so out of time". Stevie's music is timeless and will never wear out or get old, and his music now is as good as, or even better than what he made in the 70s. Peace and Love to all."
Excellent!
J. McAndrew | USA | 07/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a fresh and hopeful sound. Wonder's hope about the world shines through on every track. A super CD. I'm glad I purchased it."
Stevie's Conversation Peace
CoolTarik | Rockaway, New York | 01/28/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I decided when I started to collect Stevie vast amount of music, I would start at his latest stuff- thus the first album I have is Conversation Peace- At first it didnt really impress, the music didnt really seem innovative except for tracks like
"Rain Your Love Down", "Taboo to Love", "Sensuous Whisper"
However, after repeated listens, there is a lot to appreciate-
Rain Your Love Down makes you singalong, which I bet what Stevie wants so grace and love can be upon us all.
Edge of Eterity has the slick lyrics that Stevie is saying what he wants, and getting what he gets- a sexy lady. The repeating base with the horns really wants to dance, definitely something to pump out the stereo- though my only complaint thats its a bit long for its own good, if you arent dancing.
Taboo to Love is perhaps the best track on the album. The backing violins and keyboard guitar gives you sense of an inner struggle to love or not love again, which is how Stevie makes music so you can truly feel the meaning of what hes trying to say. The lyrics are top notch too, and his singing is strained purposely- just awesome. Very remininsent of "If its Magic"
Take Your Time Out is the best social song he has on here. At first the beginining sounds a bit silly- with the light keyboards and sound effects, but once the base comes in with Stevie blazing vocals. Similar to Rain Your Love Down in a social mentality.
Im New is probably longer than it needs to be espically since the third verse just seems tacked on compared to the beautiful lyrics of the first and second verse. Stevie gets Take 6 to act as base, and brings a warmth to it. The percussion will have you bouncing as well, and the lyrics are just beautiful. Love the guitar solo at the end, though I think it would have done well to replace the last verse.
My Love Is With You falls prey to just being all over the place- the rythmns are there, as well as the great base, but the lyrics dont move you- and Stevie singing seems out of place to carry across the message. The best part of the song is where the chant "Ban the handgun" which is just powerful to end it with, but he doesnt, it follows up with some operator nonsense. Not nessesarily BAD, but not moving either.
Treat Myself is kind of that song thats saying more than that could be understood. I think the lyrics give you a way to give yourself some peace, like meditation. Simple straightforward songwriting prevails in this song. the light pop feel works for this uplifting song, and great harmonica solos within the song take it up another notch. And his singing is just great.
Tomorrow Robins Will Sing
For some reason, Eddie Shines apperance would had made more sense in a live cut, like say "Natural Wonder" . For a song that celebrates the tommorow, the studio version seems somewhat subduded. Nevertheless it works very well. The lyrics arent any complaint, and flow around the beats very well for me.
Sensuous Whisper works for me. Its saucy and sexy and I love the piano work. Plus Anita Baker's vocals may be understated, but work well in the chorus- which Stevie excells at. Very dancable too without it being nessesarily overlong.
For Your Love only problem is that it takes too long to get to the vocals! Otherwise, its a sweet declaration of love- cheesy, but with Stevies highest vocal ranges being heard, sincere and believable
Cold Chill heats things up once more, with the drumming which we can assume its Stevie (yay!) and the guitars and solos are just awesome. Lyrically its sound and I like how its about a woman mistreating a guy maybe because hes being too full of himself.
Sorry is a misstep, In my opinion. its sure experimental, and insturmental wise, its sound, but the lyrics arent moving nor is Stevie's singing
Conversation Peace almost makes it but the lyrics, while consice and to the point dont work for the message of a Conversation Peace. And also the last verse gives you feeling that hes talking to Christians which excludes a lot of other peoples. Love the music though.
Conversation Peace at first doesnt accomplish its goal for me; too many love songs all though good, dont address a bevy of issues that Stevie could have written about. Despite all of its blemishes, its a deep album, with songs most R and B artists would crave to have. I'd give 3 3/4 stars, but you cant, this works