Stevie Wonder new album

[Dibble]

Help..The last information I had was that this would be released July 27th in the US..but there seems to be little or no internet news about this

Does anyone know anything to the contrary?

Thanks..and hoping for a return to form!!!

[steve(thelil)]

I heard him perform a couple of songs on Oprah.

I was at the gym, Okay?

He seemed in good voice and looked healthy, but I thought the songs I heard were a little wimpy on first listen.

He seems so talented. I always think he could turn out one great song after another. I always wonder why he doesn't.

[Dibble]

Thanks Steve

A little wimpy doesnt sound great..oh dear..I havent liked very much since Secret Life of Plants,,but I think Im one of the few who liked that..anyhoo..
Ive sen a brief snippet of the Oprah show via cyberspace..but not enough to form an opinion..that takes years..
I think he is a genius ..but the evidence has been obscure of late..Im really hoping for another "Innervisions" but sounds like Ill be disappointed..

I agree with you..still waiting for the coup de gras..so talented..nay gifted..but sometimes prone to shite....!! Can I say "shite" on here? If offesnsive please delete

[Ron Thorne]

Sorry, Dibble, but for whatever reasons, there's very little information on this upcoming release, except that it was originally planned to in stores last month.

You can pre-order A Time 2 Love on Amazon.com, though. I'm definitely not fond of the title.

"Shite" is to swearing what Kenny G. is to jazz. Does that answer your question?

[GoodSpeak]

I wish him well...

[John L]

A few days ago, I heard that it had been postponed indefinitely. As far as I know, threre is no new release date yet.

[Gentle Giant]

By sheer coincidence, I left the house this morning with Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life to feed my Discman. Listening to this holy triumvirate (I'm a big fan of Fulfillingness' First Finale also, but don't yet own it on CD for some reason; still, it's 4th best of this pack), it's a daunting task to even approach this level of excellence. This is some of the finest contemporary popular music ever made, IMO. What an amazing run he had. I certainly don't fault him for not equalling these works, but it would be nice to know he's still reaching rather than turning out syrupy pop ballads.

[Dibble]

Thank you all for the information..terrible title I agree..a bit Prince-ish..and apologies for the swearing!

Have to agree with Gentle Giant..early 70 s albums were his master stroke..FFF, Innervisions, Talking Book and Songs In They Key Of Life..the last being the first album I ever bought with eager anticipation.

Innervisions is probably my favourite..faultless..

Read somewhere that previews of the new album had been well received..but then saw that the release date was Jan 1st 2010..


I really hoping for a return to form..and that his extraordinary talent isnt "retired"

[Nick]

CDUniverse now lists the release date as December 31. WTF?

[Chris D]

Sad to say, odds are so large it'll suck.
How we could use another "You Haven't Done Nothing" right now!

[Root Doctor]

I'd add "Music of My Mind" to the list of great Stevie Wonder recordings of the '70s. Of his later work, "Hotter Than July" is by far the best, with "In Square Circle" worthy of reexamination.

[Jazzooo]

There was some good songwriting on In Square Circle, but once he got into stiff midi arrangements as opposed to using either himself or his band Wonderlove, something got lost in his music. Drum machines have their place, but they don't swing unless they're at the end of a long rope.

I walked into a music gear store the other day and in contrast to what is normally blaring over their P.A. demo setup (Guns n' Roses, Velvet Revolver, metal stuff), they were playing Songs in the Key of Life. I stopped in my tracks and stood there for the longest time--two or three complete songs--and kept grabbing young salespeople who were walking around saying "Are you listening to this? Now THAT is songwriting. And check out his voice--what killer ideas this guy had!" I'm not sure they appreciated it, but I felt hugely engergized.

"Sad to say, odds are so large it'll suck."

I hate to be negative, but I agree.

[Dibble]

Im really hoping NOT to agree..its been sooooooo long.

Music of My mind..wonderous but no pun intended..

So talented but I am continually confused how the man who wrote You Havent Done Nothin, Misstra Know It All..I Wish..the funkiest tune ever..etc etc wrote I just called to say I love you..shudder.!!

I enjoyed "Overjoyed" but little since..

and indeed what a singer..I heared a track called Too Close with The Williams Brothers..the other day..from a Gospel compilation album..incredible vocals..and gob iron

Come on Stevie..perhaps he is too comfy and said all he has had to say..I dunno..but hes a one-off..

[chuckyd4]

As for the December release date, that's usually what stores put in their systems when the release date has been indefinitely suspended.

I know that where I work (Tower) we currently have an August date for this one, but I have no idea where they got that information from.

[Dibble]

Ta Chucky..August now!! how bizarre

[Dibble]

Apparently the delay is now due to Stevie wanting to include a tribute to Ray Charles

[Jimmy J]

Hey Dibble!

I used to frequent gigs in Manc for most of the 90s. Do you play an instrument? Ever made the jams at BOTW or Bells (as it was, now Matt and Phreds)?

[clinthopson]

Like many artists, Stevie had a creative peak that lasted about 10 years and since then, he's not hit that level. Fery few artists are able to maintain that level for their careers, but pretty much live off rehashing their pinnacle.

But I like him and I hope this new one is up to that level.

[Gentle Giant]

I've been thinking lately that some of the biggest legends tend to turn out three or four truly historic recordings in a row, such that they represent a significant leap forward from what came before, and achieve a height they were never able to equal since (although excellent work may have been produced before and after, as well). Beach Boys historians and fans note Brian Wilson's trifecta of Pet Sounds, "Good Vibrations," and Smile. Others:

Dylan: Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61, Blonde On Blonde
Beatles: Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's
Stevie: Talking Book, Innervisions, FFF (debatable), Songs in the Key of Life
Yes: Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge

I don't know Stones discography so well, but I'm guessing they had three or four in a row that shone particularly bright in retrospect.

Zeppelin may be one of the few rock groups to consistently produce work of exceptional quality for most of its career.

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

I don't know Stones discography so well, but I'm guessing they had three or four in a row that shone particularly bright in retrospect.

"Beggar's Banquet"
"Let It Bleed"
"Sticky Fingers"
"Exile on Main Street"

[Root Doctor]

Although I haven't listened to any of them in years, I have fond memories of this run by Van Morrison:

Astral Weeks
His Band & the Street Choir
Moondance
Tupelo Honey
St. Dominic's Preview

[John L]

Gentle Giant: You find FFF debatable? I consider that one to be close to the pick of the litter.

[Chris D]

And I'd start that run with "Music of My Mind."

[Ron Thorne]

Here are some quotes from a Motown message board which are somewhat encouraging. Interested folks should be able to stay on top of this situation at this site.

"I missed his appearance on Oprah, but I understand Stevie went back to playing traditional instruments."

"Had the chance to listen to it. Incredible album! Classic arrangements. Songs like "Tears" and "The Well" are truly "Stevie" masterpieces! Stevie should be allowed to take as long as he pleases to release his work."

"I've heard that he is holding it to add a tribute to Ray Charles. In fact, someone here earlier mentioned something about two additional songs: "tears" and "The well". One of those must be for Ray. The other, perhaps for Syreeta, who also has died now. So adding songs would push back the whole manufacturing process."

And, the cover?:



I'm still hoping to find some song samples.

[Gentle Giant]

Originally Posted by John L

Gentle Giant: You find FFF debatable? I consider that one to be close to the pick of the litter.

I merely meant that it is a lesser (but not by much) work than the albums that immediately surround it. IMO, starting with Talking Book, he went from a 9.5 to a 10 to a 9 to a 10.

[Ron Thorne]

Another quote from a post on the Motown Message Board:

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if he invited former Raelets to sing background vocals on the Ray Charles dedication number and those who sang back-ups with Syreeta while at Motown for the other dedication?"

Indeed, if enough of them are still alive to contribute.

[bobetterblues]

I think Stevie has still got some genuis in him. It remains to be seen if it will come out, but its possible.

The reason I say this, is because the Jungle Fever soundtrack had some great songs on it, despite the drum tracks and sounds that are outdated now.

"These Three Words", "Fun Day", and some others I can't remember are good songs.

Now the album that came out a few years after that was a serious dud, IMO

[Dibble]

Thanks for the updated info..and the album cover?..

Jummy J - the answer to your questions is No on all counts..sadly

[Dibble]

Seems the album is delayed

To record tributes to Ray Charles and Syreeta Wright, and for plitical reasons..new head of Motown..Sylvia Rhone

[mke]

Early 2005, last I read.