Tales Of Wonder

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ALBUM INFORMATION
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Total Tracks: 12   Total Length: 61:21

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Wonderful

moegoe

What a great find. Very inspired.

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A tribute is not a cover

Smythe

A tribute album is not meant to try and mimic the style of the original artist, but to expand, enhance, and build on what has become a definitive style. For that reason, this is a great collection by a fine artist. None of these songs are "in the style of Stevie Wonder," they are his songs, newly and freshly interpreted by a great jazz artist with her own style. If you're expecting Stevie redux, you'll be disappointed (and a bit naive, IMHO). Try "Black Orchid" and "Lately" first. You'll be hooked.

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Wanted to like this but couldn't

basso17

It's a great idea, the songs are great, the musicians are fine, but ... IMO this whole thing comes off pallid and bland. One of the wonderful things about Stevie Wonder is the emotional range of his singing and his music--joy, anger, sadness, sly lust, whatever you want, it's all there. But the emotional musical range of Ms. Freelon's homage feels constricted, polite, languid; it's all on one or two notes, it seems, and doesn't serve the songs well. Some of the approaches seemed so odd as to make me wonder if they were serious--I mean, "Superstition" as what, Peggy Lee? All the nasty funk, all the edge gone. Ms. Freelon is a fine singer, but there's nothing on this particular record I'd want to hear again.

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They Say All Media Guide

Following her double Grammy-nominated CD entitled Soulcall, vocalist Nnenna Freelon has delivered a stunning tribute to master musician Stevie Wonder with Tales of Wonder: Celebrating Stevie Wonder. In addition to being the first vocal CD ever done as a tribute to the legendary Wonder, the recording boasts several guest musicians accompanying her core ensemble. Freelon interprets such well-known Wonder classics as “Overjoyed,” “My Cherie Amour,” and “Another Star” in a voice that is sensual and personable, yet appealing and expressive. This collection of well-chosen pop standards allows Freelon more freedom to express the jazzier side of her talent than the blues and R&B flavors she sang on Soulcall due to the compositional integrity of Stevie Wonder’s songs. These particular songs allow for the improvisational aspects of jazz while balancing their pop essence. By adding the strong work of bassist Gerald Veasley and guitarist Chuck Loeb alongside her working ensemble, her special imprint of languorous tempo that shows off her great time and phrasing is even more appealing. Tales of Wonder: Celebrating Stevie Wonder is sure to garner more support for Nnenna Freelon as a vocalist who can handle more than one side of the musical spectrum. – Paula Edelstein

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