Search - Various Artists :: Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs

Excellent (allthough erractic) tribute to "The Greatest"

Karl Miller | Phoenixville, PA United States | 03/18/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For my money, the most important musician of the 70's-80's was Stevie Wonder. From "Music Of My Mind" through "Hotter Than July", the guy couldn't miss. And while today, his personal recordings might not meet the high water mark of some earlier work, his influence can be heard in 3 out of every 5 songs heard on the radio. That is part of what is so frustrating about this tribute. While it focuses on the period of music I mentioned, and has some incredible performances, it just doesn't flow as perfectly as one might think.
To hear some high points of the disc, go straight to Black Coffey's "Rocket Love". It's the finest moment on this tribute, and the band's recreation of this classic is performed with the sense of longing and love that is apparent in Stevie's original. The vocals, while not imitative, are clearly inspired by the Wonderman. And the rhythm section on this track alone makes buying the CD worthwhile. Then cut right to Dave Hollister (whose voice is directly imitative of Stevie) singing "Love's In Need Of Love Today". It's a perfect song for any day and age, and sounds incredibly fresh in this version. Angie Stone's take on "You Will Know" is also a big winner, but the suprise for me came from Caron Wheeler (the voice from Soul II Soul) performance of "Another Star". She NAILS this song, and its great to her that Afro-centric musical backdrop playing against her vocals - its the kind if stylings that worked so well in her recordings with Soul II Soul and Nellie Hooper, and here is hoping that this girl spends more time in the studio soon (if you don't have her solo album, UK Blak, do everything you can to locate a copy!!).
Other nice tracks include the Marley Family's take on "Masterblaster (Jammin') , Joe and Mr' Cheek's "That Girl" and India.Arie's "Wonderful".
Suprisingly, it is the "big" stars versions of Stevie's songs that are the most disappointing - MAry J. Blige adds nothing original to "Overjoyed" (I wish she would have taken a crack at "Superwoman", because she could work miracles with that tune), and Eric CLapton's version of "Higher Ground" just doesn't flow correctly - check out the Red Hot Chili Pepper's version if you want to here a great performance of this song.
All in all, there are definitely more good than bad cuts on this disc, and a couple are geniune classics. But Stevie deserves just a little bit more than this CD gives. Or maybe he has set the bar so high, that no tribute will ever feel entirely correct."

A hit or miss effort

guillermoj | Washington, DC United States | 10/12/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It's very hard to write a review that involves one of the greatest talents in the history of music as one could find so many reasons for staying away from remaking or reinterpreting songs that, for the most part, are perfect to begin with; however I had to buy this CD when I heard Mary J. Blige's version of "Overjoyed" a while back. I also bought it because although there is only one Stevie, and great songs CAN come alive with the personal stamp of other great artists. For example, some of Luther Vandross' covers are better than many of the originals, but this might be the exception.The CD gets off to a surprisingly good start with Eric Clapton's take on "Higher Ground". He enlisted the help of Billy Preston and basically sings the heck out of a tough song. Next comes Glenn Lewis with "Superstition" and he also knocks it out of the ball park. I also enjoyed the Joe/Mr Cheeks version of "That Girl" but I could have done with just Joe on the cut as the rap was OK but not needed. Here's where things start looking a little ominous, as Stephen Marley's version of "Master Blaster" just can't touch the original. Caron Wheeler does a passable job with "Another Star", while Mary J.Blige's "Overjoyed" begins to get the CD going back in the right direction, but no cigar just yet.Although I love Angie Stone, I don't like her take on "You Will Know" and references to Stevie at the end of the song.The next two songs are probably my favorites in the entire CD, which are Brian Mcknight's rendition of "Send One Your Love" and Marc Anthony's vibrant version of "All In Love Is fair". Everything else on the CD goes down hill as I don't like Black Coffeys "Rocket Love", nor Musiq's take on "Visions". Dave Hollister is ok with "Love's In Need of Love Today" and they saved the worst for last as John Mellencamp makes an appearance with "I Don't Know Why I Love You" that does not sound like John at all, and India.Arie wraps up the CD with a dreadful original called "Wonderful" which tries to mention as many Stevie songs as she can in the alloted time.For me this was a mixed bag and as is to be expected leaves one thinking of other Stevie songs ("Ribbon in The Sky") and other artists (pick your favorite) who could have contributed to what I liked about this compillation. If you like any of the artists in this collection and can find this CD at a reasonable price, I would go ahead and buy it, otherwise stick with the originals and you will never really miss even the best efforts on this release.How about some new material from Stevie? It's time don't you think?"

Stevie Wonderful!!

Adrian G | Dallas, Tx | 05/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's a pretty bold undertaking to decide to do a Stevie Wonder Tribute CD. I mean it has failure written all over it if the artists don't bring it. The idea of what artist, what songs to use is probably more important than anything. This CD though, for all intents and purposes, does a good job hailing the legend. The CD starts with Eric Clapton and his rendition of "Higher Ground". He enlisted the help of Billy Preston to use the Hammond organ, to keep the original vibe of the song. Clapton rocks pretty good and does a good job of jumping the CD off. Next Glen Lewis makes an appearance with "Superstition". Glenn Lewis was destined to be on this CD, as I've often referred to him as the closest natural vocal sound to Stevie in music today(see my Glen Lewis review 4/1/02). Next comes a Joe/Mr Cheeks version of "That Girl". Joe pretty much sticks to the script with the song. He really doesn't do much special. Mr. Cheeks definitely is not needed on the cut. Track 4 "Master Blaster" is one of the CD highlights. The song already drives a reggae beat and Stephen Marley tears it up! A love the pace of the song, the dedication to keep the baseline of the original but to jump out there with everything else. Even Spragga Benz adds flavor. These songs are where this CD is at it's best, the songs where the artist did THEIR thing. Caron Wheeler does a good job with "Another Star" but the cat chanting in the background like Puff Daddy is a nuisance. MJB makes an appearance with "Overjoyed". This is the only actual rendition on the CD that Stevie actually produced again himself. It's from 2000 and Stevie made the track a millennium version with the increased drum programs. Mary pretty much sings it right down the middle, but the increased production is great. The bird chirps in the background are even accentuated more than on the original. Angie Stone rocks it with her take on "You Will Know". She brings the Neo Soul to the CD, the smoooth 70's vibe. Very classic remake. At the end she's rockin 2 conversations at the same time over the track. Very Very nice. Brian Mcknight makes a nice appearance with one of my favorite Stevie Jams of all time "Send One Your Love". Very smooooth with a great outro. Marc Anthony has an unimpressive version of "All In Love Is fair". Nothing Special about that song at all. What has Marc Anthony ever done? The surprise of the CD has to be Black Coffeys "Rocket Love". At first glance you think they are only on this CD because they are Motown artist. But man they rock that joint! Great Great remake. Similar to the MJB appearance they jazzed the drum program up and increased the productions with the additional horns in the background. Great song. Musiq makes an appearance with "Visions". First of all this has to be one of the funkiest baselines ever to intro a song, and Musiq's voice flows perfectly over the remake. Perfect combination. Dave Hollister shows up with "Love's In Need of Love Today". If you recall BlackSteet redid this jam when he was a member. This version is more relaxed, more mature. Right out of the gospel choir. John Mellencamp make a forgettable appearance with "I Don't Know Why I Love You" and India Arie wraps up the CD with the only original cut on the CD "Wonderful". Great tribute song. My favorite cuts on the CD are 1,2,4,6,7,8,10,11,12 and 14. Very few misses with a project of this magnitude. Definitely a good job done!"