Search - Syreeta :: Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta

The "Other " Classic Stevie Wonder Album

Ronald Washington | los angeles, ca | 01/30/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, I know that this is Syreeta's album but I also believe that it is just as much or even MORE Stevie's album. He wrote the music for and produced every song on the album. And in regards to the best song on the disc, "Cause We've Ended Now As Lovers", he wrote music, lyrics, preformed AND produced it. So yes, this is a Stevie album. Because of the lost love theme it could have easily fit in between Talking Book and Innervisions. Because Stevie was in the accident that put him in a coma, the album was done afterwards while he was working on Fullfillingness First Finale. The album is done in 2 parts with the first 5 songs being you're regular pop/soul/funk fusion that Stevie was becoming known for. "Lovers" is the bridge and the turning point to the second half of the disc which centers on the effects of losing a love and the aftermath. And of course finally, the triumph of not only dealing with it but moving forward. Let's look at it song by song:

I'm Going Left - This is a good soulful song with a great chorus that's enhanced by Syreeta's bell-like voice. It basically refers to a person being lost until ther true love comes to lead them in the right direction. A good opener for a great album. Spinnin' and Spinnin' - This is a very good song agian about how love can and will change your life. Stevie does a guess vocal on this one and even though Syreeta's voice is nice, when paired with the relaxed and professional voice of Stevie, even his 2 or 3 lines in the song overshadow her. Still it's the next step of the disc getting better. Your Kiss Is Sweet - Musically this is on the same level as Spinnin' but done in a light hearted manner. Again, Stevie makes a guess appearance here. This time using his best Louis Armstrong voice to great affect. Come and Get This Stuff - This is soulful funk at it's best. The only song in this vain from this era that is better is Rufus' "Tell Me Something Good", which is also written by Stevie. The rythym and the vamp of the song is great and even Syreeta's slight voice sounds perfect in it. Heavy Day - The album makes a serious turn here with this thoughtfully deep song. With lyrics by Syreeta, this is an answer to Stevie's Superwoman from Music Of My Mind. "She's feeling alone, just like yesterday. Yeah the show is going on, her smile is in place" reads one line describing the pain Syreeta went through waiting for Stevie while his career was on the rise. The chorus reads, "She's been looking for a heavy day, a heavy day, a heavy day. A day when he's coming home to stay. 'Til then i will cry a million tears". When thinking of the lyrics for Superwoman and listening to this, it is both understandable and yet heartwrenching to imagine why these two separated. Syreeta uses another trick with the lyrics by using the words "she and "her in the first part of the song (trying to distance herself from the pain), then using "me" and "I" in the latter part (finally accepting her fate). Heavy Day is an excellent song that when really listened to should break anyones heart. 'Cause We've Ended Now As Lovers - THE masterpiece on this album that warrants the disc getting at least 4 stars (I would put 4 and a half if I could). Many artist, most notably Jeff Beck (whose instramental version shows how great the song is just as pure music, no lyrics), have done covers of it but to me there is only one definitive version and this is it. The mournful chord progression and the almost ethereal vocal harmonies pull at your heart. Of course the lyrics, though playful in thier own right are also mournful. After several lines explaining all of the fun the lovers had together in the past, the sad truth comes out in the last lyric before the refrain, "But that was more than years ago, and who will love me I don't know. It's sad for sure but true, it won't be you". In one line not only the pain but also the conquering strength of hope comes out and looks forward to a brighter future. "Lovers" is a masterpiece of songwriting that should be listened to over and over again. The song was not very popular for Syreeta and only other musicians could see how special it was at that time to do covers of it. Was it too close to home for most of us? Who knows. All I know is that you should listen to it now and make your own judgement. Just be ready for the goosebumps and have some tissue next to you when you do. Just A little Piece of You - After "Lovers" the album takes a different turn. The last 5 songs are actually a suite of songs that melt into each other. They all briefly but very accurately deal with the aftermath of the break just sung about in "Lovers". This song talks about how Syreeta probably saw the rest of the world when talking about Stevie. Here is this incredible, and very wealthy, musical genius who is blind as a bat and she is the only one around to "protect" him. Imagine how many scammers were around him trying to suck the money from him or use him to gain fame. Yet he was rarely around for her to actually protect. This song also harks back to Heavy Day by having Syreeta tell her lover that all she really wanted was just a little piece of him and, as the final lyric says, "And that's all that you gave me..." Waiting for the Postman - This cut again talks about the loneliness and wanting of the lovers but is mainly used as a lead-in for...When Your Daddy's Not Around - This is a VERY short cut where Stevie again lends his vocals as the ever-lost "daddy" in the song. Syreeta starts it with a very whiny childlike voice saying, "don't you feel sad when your daddy is not around". All of this leads to the final 2 songs. I Want To Be By Your Side/Universal Sound Of The World - The first song seems to take the same route as Stevie's "I Believe When I Fall In Love This Time It Will Be Forever" from Talking Book. Syreeta seems to be singing about a future love that will be by her side. And in "Universal Sound" we are playing audience to the greatest love there is, the love of and for God. "Thank you for natures helping hand. Thank you for letting us use your land". By saying thank you she is showing her love and of course just by being in this world, God is showing us his love. The album ends with a short reprise of "Your Kiss Is Sweet" which is perfect because it brings us back to the fun and happy part of the album heard on most of the first part. We're back to the positiveness and optimism of Stevie...AND Syreeta. This album/cd is a triumph that should be heard by any music lover and it is a must for us diehard Stevie fans because this IS another 70's classic from him. Thanks for the help and rest in peace Syreeta."

A musical purists cornucopia

Michael A. Hood | Philadelphia, Pa. | 10/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been in the music business for 40 yrs. as a lyricist and lead singer and have never heard an album like this one. I mean, in my opinion, the collaboration of Syreeta with Stevie Wonder has created in my mind the best album of all time. Especially the cut, "I Want To Be By Your Side", in which she and G.C. Cameron take music to a place only Ashford And Simpson have ever been before as a male and female duet.
So, if you like fun, realistic, hard-driving old-school music, then this an album you can't afford not to have ."