Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs

Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs Artist: Various Artists
Label: Motown
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 044006731421
EAN: 0044006731421
ASIN: B00008L3N6


Release Date: 2003-03-18

Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs


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Tracks:

  1. Higher Ground - Eric Clapton
  2. Superstition - Glenn Lewis
  3. That Girl - Joe
  4. Master Blaster - Stephen Marley
  5. Another Star - Caron Wheeler
  6. Overjoyed - Mary J. Blige
  7. You Will Know - Angie Stone
  8. Send One Your Love - Brian McKnight
  9. All In Love Is Fair - Marc Anthony
  10. Rocket Love - Black Coffey
  11. Visions - Musiq
  12. Love's In Need Of Love Today - Dave Hollister
  13. I Don't Know Why I Love You - John Mellencamp
  14. Wonderful - India.Arie

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Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Stepping Into the Part........2005-09-30

Special thanks to Kedar Massenburg and Stevie Wonder himself for scripting a boldly intelligent way to reach a new audience with the cd "Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs." The album is produced very well coupled with an array of unique translations from current and previous mainstream artists. Setting the tone of this work is Eric Clapton's stirring rendition of "Higher Ground." His trademarked lead guitar riffs with his stalwart voice really brings out the pain in this song. Another song that was interpreted exceedingly well was Stephen Marley's "Master Blaster." This song bridges the gap and also houses the 2nd and 3rd generation Marley family which include Damian "Jr. Gong", (before his debut smash "Welcome to Jamrock") Kymani, Julian, and newcomer Spragga Benz offers his vocal talents to this already impressive version. Glenn Lewis, who really steps into the soul of Stevie Wonder lends his vocal ability to "Superstition." Joe's production and Mr. Cheeks lyrical imprint thrives on "That Girl." Other notable performances by Caron Wheeler ("Another Star"), Marc Anthony ("All In Love is Fair") and Dave Hollister ("Love's In Need...") also get nods. My favorite songs on here include Brian McKnight's accurate translation of "Send One Your Love," which features his son Niko singing "like Stevie," (So sweet!!) John Mellencamp's compelling "I Don't Know Why I Love You," Musiq's silky baritone vocal prowess and smooth production on "Visions," and Angie Stone really showed out on "You Will Know." This moving neo-soul interpretation includes partial embodiments of Stevie's most treasured choruses at the end of the song. Exceptional thought process. How creative is that! Fittingly, the album ends with India.Arie's lively tribute song to Stevie Wonder from her first LP "Acoustic Soul." Every artist did phenomenal work stepping in the shadow of Stevie Wonder. Get ready for his new studio project coming to a store near you!!

5 out of 5 stars Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs.......2005-07-28

I think all of the artists did a wonderful job with Steve's music. I especially liked Marc Anthony's version. He really brought out the feeling in the song.

3 out of 5 stars A hit or miss effort.......2003-10-13

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?

4 out of 5 stars Great on the whole, but..........2003-06-13

Great. I love it. The artists are amazingly professional. Before this album I had never thought anybody could do Stevie's music justice--but this bunch got veeeery close!

4 selfish stars and not 5 because, well, it isn't Stevie.

4 out of 5 stars Stevie Wonderful!!.......2003-05-07

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!

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