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PrintableSweetest Somebody I Know, Moon Blue and What The Fuss are my favorite cuts on this new Stevie CD which I feel overall is a very good one. | |
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I just listened to this for the first time tonight. I like it- it's better than I thought it would be. I'll have to listen more to give a proper review. Feel free to join in the Prince Album Poll 2018! Let'a celebrate his legacy by counting down the most beloved Prince albums, as decided by you! | |
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silverchild said: Well, I've listened to this whole album for the third time and the record itself is just absolutely impressive. A Time 2 Love is probably Stevie's best and most accomplished record probably since Hotter Than July or let's say, Jungle Fever soundtrack. From the first track, If Your Love Cannot Be Moved to the last track, which is the title track, you won't find a single dud here. The one thing that really disturbs me is that some of the tracks can use some minor editing, but other than that the album is flawless. The arrangements are warm and enchanting, the production holds up well, and the musicianship is richer than ever. What really does surprise me is that Stevie still cranks up the funk with songs like My Love Is On Fire, Please Don't Hurt My Baby, and So What The Fuss. My favorite track has to be I Can't Imagine Love Without You, which he did perform on his BET Walk Of Fame special with him playing the piano only, but I like the version he does on here. You won't find Stevie producing a hip-hop/rap joint on here, instead he improves his craft and chops and produces, arranges, writes, and composes one of the most sophisticated and acclaimed R&B releases this year, but whatever you do: DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK!
You just said everything that I was thinking.My favorite track is "Can't Imagine Love Without You".And yes,you will not find Stevie wasting his time on a hip-hop/rap song,it's not his style and he wisely stays away from it.He concentrates on what he does best: melodies and songwriting.I'm enjoying this album so much! | |
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i have to say
it hasnt yet hit me like jungle fever i emphasize the "yet" i really dug that soundtrack | |
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remember that song he did with mccartney,
"whats that your doin" that was amazing | |
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shausler said: remember that song he did with mccartney,
"whats that your doin" that was amazing what about "Ebony and Ivory"? 
btw,McCartney appears on Stevie's new album,playing guitar on the title track "A Time To Love". | |
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DavidEye said: shausler said: remember that song he did with mccartney,
"whats that your doin" that was amazing what about "Ebony and Ivory"?
btw,McCartney appears on Stevie's new album,playing guitar on the title track "A Time To Love". dont go there davey | |
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I'm ashamed to say that I've hardly played this album  but that's more to do with me moving house, and not the fact I don't like it. I really need to sit down and absorb it.
I will say, though, that I'm thrilled with many of the tracks. There are a few saccharine, sugary ones - hey, it's Stevie - but with songs like 'Moon Blue' (just to name one): 
There's only one Stevie Wonder, folks. Might as well enjoy it whilst it lasts. | |
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By the way, does anyone know if that Stevie Live DVD has been released yet??
I just checked in Virgin and they had no copies of it. | |
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onenitealone said: I'm ashamed to say that I've hardly played this album
but that's more to do with me moving house, and not the fact I don't like it. I really need to sit down and absorb it.
I will say, though, that I'm thrilled with many of the tracks. There are a few saccharine, sugary ones - hey, it's Stevie - but with songs like 'Moon Blue' (just to name one):
There's only one Stevie Wonder, folks. Might as well enjoy it whilst it lasts. Yeah,this is one of those albums that you really need to take time to absorb it all.It contains 15 tracks and most songs are very long.It's the perfect album to play on a lengthy road trip. | |
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Once I
~ sort out my cd collection and I can find everything I want 
~ work out how to use my I-River (I've had it for about 2 months  )
I'll get stuck in!
I have listened to it, and really enjoyed it, but need to give it my full attention. | |
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onenitealone said: By the way, does anyone know if that Stevie Live DVD has been released yet??
I just checked in Virgin and they had no copies of it. November 1, 2005 | |
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DavidEye said: onenitealone said: I'm ashamed to say that I've hardly played this album
but that's more to do with me moving house, and not the fact I don't like it. I really need to sit down and absorb it.
I will say, though, that I'm thrilled with many of the tracks. There are a few saccharine, sugary ones - hey, it's Stevie - but with songs like 'Moon Blue' (just to name one):
There's only one Stevie Wonder, folks. Might as well enjoy it whilst it lasts. Yeah,this is one of those albums that you really need to take time to absorb it all.It contains 15 tracks and most songs are very long.It's the perfect album to play on a lengthy road trip.     [Edited 10/25/05 17:18pm] | |
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manray10 said: DavidEye said: Yeah,this is one of those albums that you really need to take time to absorb it all.It contains 15 tracks and most songs are very long.It's the perfect album to play on a lengthy road trip.
[Edited 10/25/05 17:18pm] Who can write love songs today like this guy? Nobody, that's who!
The more I listen the more I love this piece of work. Thank God for Stevie Wonder | |
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tony50 said: jacktheimprovident said: It seems as though the overall opinion is somewhat mixed, even though there are a lot of people around here who really like it. Wilson and Alroy, who I dislike in many ways but are stevie worshippers, really panned it (despite giving Conversation Peace 4 stars...well alroy gave it 3.5). I think it's really really good considering how disappointed I thought I was going to be. Really, his first release in 10 years with innumerable delays couldn't have been anything but a disappointment to some extent unless it actually was the next Innervisions, but i think this is as close to that as we could have reasonably expected to get.
If your love cannot be moved and a time to love have very stately almost ominous melodies and very fresh world-music elements. The title track actually sounded like something that stevie could have made in the seventies. I LOVE the massive percussion breakdown, it made it feel very tribal and eerie and I loved the way the melody morphed in that subtle, gradual way that Stevie often used to do. Please Don't Hurt My Baby and Tell Your Heart I love you are great pieces of bad mama jama funk that stevie hasn't done this good in a long time, and is so what the fuss no matter what people have said about it. Positivity recalls many of the jackson 5's or even stevie's own semi-inspirational superfeelgood pop songs and only an enemy of manking would call it trite if you ask me. How Will I know and Moon Blue are very classy, jazzy ballads of the first rank that stevie used to be able to crank out in his sleep. My love is on fire and sweetest somebody I know are like the mellow-yet gorgeous candy grooves like bird of beauty or sunshin of my life. Most of the other songs seem like slightly weaker entries in the latter two categories but are by no means bad, and while there are moments that border on easy listening as there have been in virtually all of stevie's output since 1980, his musicianship and sense of melody are still firmly intact and his production sensibilities have greatly improved, even if they aren't back to the glory day feel. Anyway that's just my opinion in detail. [Edited 10/19/05 21:17pm] 
I love when people say exactly what I think, saves me typing anything... Doh! HA!!
Well worth the wait, this CD. | |
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manray10 said: onenitealone said: By the way, does anyone know if that Stevie Live DVD has been released yet??
I just checked in Virgin and they had no copies of it. November 1, 2005 Thank you!  | |
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After a week of listening to this CD,I have a few observations...
When I first played this album,I wasn't too crazy about the opening song "If Your Love Cannot Be Moved".I thought the beat was strange.But now,I love this song! I think it's one of the strongest tracks.Great lyrics,great message,and I love the female vocals (Kim Burrell). This is a perfect "holiday" album! When families gather for Thanksgiving dinner,this CD will be the perfect soundtrack.When families get together on Christmas Eve,this is the CD that will be played.Am I the only one who feels this way? "From The Bottom Of My Heart" is a likable track,but I wouldn't have chosen it as a single.Songs like "Passionate Raindrops","Can't Imagine Love Without You" and "Sweetest Somebody I Know" are stronger choices for singles,imo. I'm still trying to decide if I like "Positivity".Some critics remarked that it has a Jackson Five feel to it,and I agree. Quiet Storm stations are gonna love "My Love Is On Fire",which is breezy and mellow.I don't know if it's single-worthy,but it definitely deserves some attention.A nice midtempo groove. "Moon Blue" is just lovely.Very bluesy and hypnotic.Great chorus.I love it!! | |
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When I first bought this album and listened to it, I wasn't too wild about it.
However, after keeping it in rotation, I've got to say that this is a really good "comeback" album for Stevie. My main concern was Stevie's voice (as we all know a lot of artists don't really maintain the same timbre in their voices when they get older), but dude really showed out on this one!!!! My favorite tracks are... "Moon Blue"-I like how he took it back with the jazzy vibe a la "Ribbon In The Sky" with the extended piano solo at the end and his background vocal arrangement are simply sick. Just he and the female voice alone make this tune what it is. "My Love Is On Fire"-Awesome rhythm arrangement! The drummer, Teddy Campbell, and bassist, Nathan Watts, definitely make the song very contemporary. I could easily hear this on the radio as a single. "Passionate Raindrops"-Something tells me Stevie wrote the melody for this song around the time he was recording In Square Circle. I really like how he took it back with the doubling of his lead vocal a la "You And I." "Positivity"-The talk box definitely makes this song! People forget that Stevie was one of the first to incorporate this instrument in R&B music (check Syreeta's "I Love Every Little Thing About You" and the Music Of My Mind album). Speaking of Syreeta, I read in Jet this week that Stevie wanted to have her sing "Shelter In The Rain". The thought of that just makes we want to have a  It's already a beautiful song, but with Syreeta's sweet voice on it, it would've been golden.
Overall, it's a really good album (even though I wish he would've used less of that MOTIF and more of his vintage Moog and Arp synths).  | |
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okaypimpn said: When I first bought this album and listened to it, I wasn't too wild about it.
However, after keeping it in rotation, I've got to say that this is a really good "comeback" album for Stevie. My main concern was Stevie's voice (as we all know a lot of artists don't really maintain the same timbre in their voices when they get older), but dude really showed out on this one!!!! My favorite tracks are... "Moon Blue"-I like how he took it back with the jazzy vibe a la "Ribbon In The Sky" with the extended piano solo at the end and his background vocal arrangement are simply sick. Just he and the female voice alone make this tune what it is. "My Love Is On Fire"-Awesome rhythm arrangement! The drummer, Teddy Campbell, and bassist, Nathan Watts, definitely make the song very contemporary. I could easily hear this on the radio as a single. "Passionate Raindrops"-Something tells me Stevie wrote the melody for this song around the time he was recording In Square Circle. I really like how he took it back with the doubling of his lead vocal a la "You And I." "Positivity"-The talk box definitely makes this song! People forget that Stevie was one of the first to incorporate this instrument in R&B music (check Syreeta's "I Love Every Little Thing About You" and the Music Of My Mind album). Speaking of Syreeta, I read in Jet this week that Stevie wanted to have her sing "Shelter In The Rain". The thought of that just makes we want to have a It's already a beautiful song, but with Syreeta's sweet voice on it, it would've been golden.
Overall, it's a really good album (even though I wish he would've used less of that MOTIF and more of his vintage Moog and Arp synths). I was wondering when you were gonna stop by to give us your take. Oh and kudos for mentioning stevie's work with the talkbox. I think there's a thread about the pioneers of the talkbox and peter frampton and joe walsh were mentioned, but no one even thought of stevie and sly. | |
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"A Time 2 Sleep"
I guess we're never gonna hear Stevie play drums again or hear that clavinet...Is there anything better than Stevie's opening drum beat on "Superststition?" that starts a party everytime... Shit I'll take "Skeletons" at this point, where's the funk! ______________________________________________
onedayimgonnabesomebody |
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DMSR said: "A Time 2 Sleep"
I guess we're never gonna hear Stevie play drums again or hear that clavinet...Is there anything better than Stevie's opening drum beat on "Superststition?" that starts a party everytime... Shit I'll take "Skeletons" at this point, where's the funk! If you don't like it let me have your CD. That will put you out of your misery. | |
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Please Don't Hurt My Baby? | |
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DMSR said: "A Time 2 Sleep"
I guess we're never gonna hear Stevie play drums again or hear that clavinet...Is there anything better than Stevie's opening drum beat on "Superststition?" that starts a party everytime... Shit I'll take "Skeletons" at this point, where's the funk! Don't you think Please Don't Hurt My Baby is funky? | |
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DMSR said: "A Time 2 Sleep"
I guess we're never gonna hear Stevie play drums again or hear that clavinet...Is there anything better than Stevie's opening drum beat on "Superststition?" that starts a party everytime... Shit I'll take "Skeletons" at this point, where's the funk! Stevie plays plenty of drums on this album. Please Don't Hurt My Baby, So What The Fuss, Tell Your Heart I love you and even Positivity and My love is on fire are pretty funky, maybe not as funky as Maybe Your Baby or Keep On Running or All day Sucker, but certainly better than Skeletons IMO. I agree this album is very heavy on the ballad/mellow side, but the ballads are much classier and far less sugary than they've been in the recent past. It would be nice if he released an edgier album (hell maybe even try a more rock-oriented album, we all know he's capable of making rocking or guitar heavy music or even making clavinet driven numbers that rock hard), but I think this is a very solid return to form for the guy. | |
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okaypimpn said: When I first bought this album and listened to it, I wasn't too wild about it.
However, after keeping it in rotation, I've got to say that this is a really good "comeback" album for Stevie. My main concern was Stevie's voice (as we all know a lot of artists don't really maintain the same timbre in their voices when they get older), but dude really showed out on this one!!!! My favorite tracks are... "Moon Blue"-I like how he took it back with the jazzy vibe a la "Ribbon In The Sky" with the extended piano solo at the end and his background vocal arrangement are simply sick. Just he and the female voice alone make this tune what it is. "My Love Is On Fire"-Awesome rhythm arrangement! The drummer, Teddy Campbell, and bassist, Nathan Watts, definitely make the song very contemporary. I could easily hear this on the radio as a single. "Passionate Raindrops"-Something tells me Stevie wrote the melody for this song around the time he was recording In Square Circle. I really like how he took it back with the doubling of his lead vocal a la "You And I." "Positivity"-The talk box definitely makes this song! People forget that Stevie was one of the first to incorporate this instrument in R&B music (check Syreeta's "I Love Every Little Thing About You" and the Music Of My Mind album). Speaking of Syreeta, I read in Jet this week that Stevie wanted to have her sing "Shelter In The Rain". The thought of that just makes we want to have a It's already a beautiful song, but with Syreeta's sweet voice on it, it would've been golden.
Overall, it's a really good album (even though I wish he would've used less of that MOTIF and more of his vintage Moog and Arp synths). I was waiting to see what you thought of this album! I agree with you about Stevie's voice...he sounds GREAT! His voice shows no sign of wear-and-tear. | |
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DMSR said: "A Time 2 Sleep"
I guess we're never gonna hear Stevie play drums again or hear that clavinet...Is there anything better than Stevie's opening drum beat on "Superststition?" that starts a party everytime... Shit I'll take "Skeletons" at this point, where's the funk! Yes,the album has a mellow vibe,but when Stevie decides to get funky,the results are impressive."Please Don't Hurt My Baby","Tell Your Heart I Love You" and "So What The Fuss" are top-notch jams. | |
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DMSR said: "A Time 2 Sleep"
I guess we're never gonna hear Stevie play drums again or hear that clavinet...Is there anything better than Stevie's opening drum beat on "Superststition?" that starts a party everytime... Shit I'll take "Skeletons" at this point, where's the funk! Clearly you haven't heard the album. | |
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DavidEye said: I was waiting to see what you thought of this album! I agree with you about Stevie's voice...he sounds GREAT! His voice shows no sign of wear-and-tear.
Yeah, I can remember seeing Stevie perform a couple of times in the time gap betweet Conversation Peace and A Time 2 Love and it was not up to par. I had almost given up on the poor man and thought it was pretty much a wrap for him (vocally). A lot of his runs and riffs were off and he seemed to have less control over her voice, but in the past few months leading up to the release of this album my faith and trust in his delivery has been redeemed. STEVIE'S STILL THE MAN  | |
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I love this album. For me, the weakest track and the only one I find myself needing to hit the skip button on is Passionate Raindrops. It is just so dull and repetitive.
BTW, did y'all notice Stevie bowed at No. 5 on the Billboard albums chart with 121,000 copies sold? That is a major comeback, especially considering all the delays and botched single launches. Conversation Peace came in at No. 17 10 years ago and only sold 53,000 in its first week and to this day has only sold 361,000. If Stevie could get a hit single or two, A Time 2 Love would surely be his biggest success since at least In Square Circle, 20 years ago. Can you dig it??? Peace, Scott If you've got funk, you've got style. | |
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okaypimpn said: When I first bought this album and listened to it, I wasn't too wild about it.
However, after keeping it in rotation, I've got to say that this is a really good "comeback" album for Stevie. Man, I'm trying to get there with this album. But at this point it seems like I'm forcing myself to do so. It's definitely better than Conversation Peace. It's nice to hear some new material. But I think you hit the nail on the head about the Motif as opposed to Moog. He's doing some phenomenal stuff on the keys but it just doesn't hit me the same. Vocally, he is showing out, especially on Moon Blue. This album to me is much like Prince's Musicology: nice to have, but even in this day and age of music, they as musicians, are capable of better. | |
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