"Old school, who me? You darn right!You can call me sentimental but this album is the clear creative female voice Steve Wonder loved and presented to a wanting audience. I miss her clear straight forward softness, passionate and sweet melody in her lyrics. Her songs and voice hit chakras I hardly hear, feel or vibe to in music today.Syreeta was the Jill Scott or Erica Badu of her time. I searched for this album for years. Syreeta was to me a female Stevie if you don't mind me saying what I feel out loud. Syreeta was not a Patty or Diana but she was a voice which stood out. Silence is not always golden when it comes to a black vocalist like Syreeta Wright. Some say she died in a horrible car accident. This rumor was never confirmed but where ever she is..her voice sings in my memory like an black angel.Thank you Amazon for ending this long search. ASE O!"
"Syreeta, truly a wonder!"
Reginald A. Mitchell | Cincinnati, Ohio | 11/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recently own a copy of this beautiful album. Syreeta was a very
underrated artist not only on Motown, but for the entire music buying public. If you do not have a copy of this album, then I would highly suggest that you purchase It now! I really, really, really, really(alright already!) miss "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta." The last time I had that album was In 1994-1996.
..."
Stevie redux
sonjam | Irving, Tx United States | 03/09/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"That this lp was released during Stevie's most fruitful period is a testament to it's strengths and contributes to it's weaknesses. Syreeta Wright was briefly married to Stevie and probably benefitted from his emancipation from the Motown system when it came time to release her debut. Though she cowrote "Signed Sealed Delivered" and collab'd with Stevie on "Where I'm Coming From", "Music of My Mind" and "Talking Book" she remained under the radar during her tenure with Motown. Her voice is not as dynamic as a Patti Labelle, or Chaka Khan, or Natalie Cole, nor as distinctive as Diana Ross whom she was originally tapped to replace in the Supremes by Berry Gordy. What she did possess was the ability to write insightful lyrics as evidenced by the tunes on this cd and on Stevie's 70's lp's. You'd have thought this set would be huge but I think it suffered from Motown's concentration on Diana Ross' burgeoning movie career and it's move to Hollywood. Whatever the case if you are interested in Stevie's career when he finally came into his own, you owe it to yourself to pick up this cd. It's only available as a Japanese import but maybe Motown/Universal will release it domestically. Also previously available but currently out of print is "Stevie Wonder presents Syreeta" another great cd which also attempted to resurrect Syreeta's career."
I have finally found Miss Right!!!!! Ms. Wright that is!
Music Lover | Annapolis, MD | 11/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, sorry for the silly pun, but the music on this CD is great. Actually I am reviewing the 2 on 1 CD of "Syreeta/Stevie Wonder Presents..." which Hip-O Select wisely released this past summer. A great bargain, by the way, at $20 for 2 full albums.
First of all the music on this CD brings up many unanswered questions for a music fanatic like me:
1. Why was the beautiful, talented Syreeta Wright not given her due while she was alive? Sadly, she died earlier this year.
2. Why don't we have a wonderful 8 or 10 Album Collection of Great Syreeta music?
3. Why did Motown not push her career better? I know one reason. Berry Gordy was busy making the disasterous "Mahogony" with Diana Ross.
4. Why were producers not knocking down Syreeta's door to work with her? I know that ex-husband Stevie Wonder who helmed these two albums was busy with his own career, but where were Smokey Robinson, Ashford & Simpson, Richard Perry or Frank Wilson when we needed them. Think of the wonderful music they could have created with Syreeta.
5. Why did these 2 albums not set off an absolute explosion in Black Music (& white for that matter) in the 70's especially with female artists. Sure, Roberta Flack, Patrice Rushen & others were doing good music, along with many male artists, but think of the possibilities of the direction someone like Aretha Franklin might have taken who was showing promise with "Young Gifted & Black". There could have possibly been better things for Diana Ross. I could have seen Barbra Streisand or Dusty Springfield taking off in other directions, perhaps working with Syreeta. With much respect to Carole King, I would call these albums the "Tapestry" of Black Music. No offense to Ms. King, but I actually think this music has aged even better than hers & she did some great stuff.
6. Okay, just one more question. Why was the beautiful "Spinning & Spinning" not a #1 record on the pop charts when so much awful music was hitting the top?
Whew, I'm glad that's over. Now onto the music:
"Because We've Ended Now As Lovers" - A sad, but beautiful song chronicling Wonder & Syreeta's failed marriage. Happily, they remained good friends & the songs about their relationship problmes are done with dignity unlike say "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac. Check out Jeff Beck's wonderful version of this song.
The re-makes: 1) What other female artist was re-doing the Beatles' "She's Leaving Home" in the early 70's? I would hazard to say that Syreeta's version has more heart in it than the Beatles (who I love) original. 2)She takes Smokey Robinson's oft-recorded song "What Love Has Joined..." & totally makes it her own 3)Her remake of Wonder's "I Love Every Little Thing..." is just as good as his. Listening to them back to back is almost too much in one sitting.
The 2 numbers which close the CD (remember I'm talking about the 2 for One with "Syreeta" & "S Wonder Presents"). Anyway, "I Wanna Be By Your Side" - a duet with GC Cameron of the Spinners & "Universal Sound of the World" are simply stunning - Grammy material in my book.
"Heavy Day" another jazzy ballad is a great companion piece to Wonder's "Superwoman".
A few weak moments prevail. I wouldn't miss "When Your Daddy's Not Around". "Waiting for the Postman" is more of an interlude & not a full song. It has the potential for being a great song. The catchy "Your Kiss Is Sweet" borders on being overly cute, but is still nice.
Anyway, don't take my word. Find this album (both of them) & buy them & see if you don't agree.
By the way, if they haven't already, some of our great musicians should get together & do a Syreeta Tribute Album. Much lesser artists have been given tribute albums. Also, VH1 or BET needs to do a "Behind the Music" retrospective on this talented lady. If BET has already done something, then my hat is off to you!
My dear Syreeta. I'll look for you in heaven!
P.S. One more thing & I promise I'll shut up! If you ever luck into any of her albums like "Set My Love in Motion" pick them up! Though "Set My Love in Motion" is not quite up to par with these 2 albums, it is definitely worth a listen, especially for "I Must Be In Love." Okay, I'm through.
"
Syreeta
Geminigirl | Philadelphia, PA United States | 09/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A million thanks to the poster, Greatlandini for the heads up on the HIPPO release of Syreeta's two albums. For the price of one, I got two of her best releases! Syreeta, along with Minnie Ripperton & Deniece Williams (all were Stevie's background vocalists, "Wonderlove") have the sweetest, purest sopranos I've ever heard in r&b. I don't think that even today there are any singers who can touch the purity in any of their vocals.
My Dad actually had the vinyl version of "Stevie Wonder Introduces Syreeta" but somebody stole it so I was truly overjoyed to purchase it. Syreeta's voice makes even the "filler" songs sound heavenly but my personal faves are: I Love Every Little Thing About You, Keep Him Like He Is, Spinnin' & Spinnin', Universal Sound of the World & Cause We've Ended As Lovers.
If you love Minnie & Deniece, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED in added sweet Syreeta to your collection BUT follow Greatlandini's suggestion and get the double disc from HIPPO."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1