Customer Reviews

Definitive Collection (Chi)

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4 star:		(1)
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It is easy to be confused by Stevie Wonder compilations. In the nineties, a double CD was released in America titled Song review, while a single CD was released in Britain with the same title and artwork. More recently, a single CD was released in America titled Definitive collection, so (conversely) a double CD was released in Britain with the same title and artwork. This British double CD is much better than the earlier American double CD titled Song review, which had fewer tracks and missed out some important songs. Indeed, this is the best compilation of Stevie's music that I've seen. Even on two CD's, it is not possible to include every Stevie Wonder recording worth hearing, but all the big hits in Britain and America are here.

You probably have your own favorites. I particularly like You are the sunshine of my life, For once in my life, Yester-me yester-you yesterday, Living for the city, I just called to say I love you, Sir Duke, A place in the sun, Lately and Happy birthday. Other classics (also excellent) include Superstition, I wish, Isn't she lovely, Ebony and ivory (with Paul McCartney), Never had a dream come true, Uptight and so many others.

If you only want one collection of Stevie Wonder music, this is by far the best. If you want to build a collection of his music, this is a great starting point.

The title of this one really says it all: The DEFINITIVE Collection. And since there has been a number of Wonder compilations issued thru the years, that truly is a bold yet worthwile statement. One must accept the fact that there'll probably never be a perfectly flawless disc(s) of this sort featuring Stevie's very best music - that would take more than 2 CD's and, inevitably, always include the dreaded "I Just Called To Say I Love You". So this, honestly, is as good as it'll ever get.

I've wracked my brain since I got this collection earlier this year and can only come up with two songs I find amiss from it; "Until You Come Back To Me" (in my opinion, superior to Aretha's later hit version of it) and the mighty "Superwoman" - three if you count the 1982 Top 5 U.S. hit "That Girl", which isn't very good although it was a big hit. The European origins of this collection might explain That Girl's exclusion from it though.

That said, if you happen to be looking for some of the best Pop/Soul music of the '60s and '70s (before disco and, in Stevie's case, sickenly sentimental smothness came along and ruined everything), a lot of it is right here. Enjoy.

but this set is actually a Solid Overview of One of the Greatest Creative Forces the Music World has Ever Heard.this Set traces His Career from the 60's through the 90's.you see the Diversity in his creative Process.you hear the Musical Growth of His work over time which is the path that leads to Greatness.a Must have especially if you are new to Stevie's Work.

Has it been that long since Little Stevie Wonder took to the stage in a Motown Revue to play "Fingertips" in 1963!?(I still cannot prevent myself from using "Little" to this day).He had been discovered two years earlier and signed to Motown and had even released a record all at the tender age of 11! Born in 1950 as Stevland Hardaway Junkins,he showed early on in his life an amazing musical ability not only to sing but to play multi-instruments like the piano,harmonica,drums and bass and also later to write songs.Throughout the 60s a still growing and maturing Stevie would score several hits like Uptight,Blowin in the Wind,For Once in My Life,and others.He dropped the "Little" from his name and in the 70s he let his contract expire with Motown.Recording two albums independently and doing session work for other Motown artists like the Spinners on one of my favourite songs of all time It's a Shame,it gave Stevie a great bargaining tool.After heated negotiations in the early 70s,Wonder re-wrote the contractual book at Motown and became his own producer,got the highest profit percentage and got ownership of his songs(This is an extremely rare thing in the business-Dave Clark also is one of the rare ones who owns his own musical catalogue and someone Stevie would collaborate with later).
The 70s marked,I believe,Stevie's greatest musical period which is unmatched by few artists.His albums Talking Book,Innervision,Fullfillingness First Finale and Songs in the Key of Life are all albums that are essentials in everyone's musical collections.They are musical and creative blockbusters,each and everyone.The songs are timeless musical pieces and a telling self commentary on the creative side of Stevie.Who can forget that "Songs" was so extensive that it contained two albums PLUS a 45!?"Genius" would be a word that could easily be used here.
As the 70s went into the 80s,90s and to the present Stevie has had quite a few solo hits along,with collaborations with the likes of Paul McCartney and others.He has even had numerous cover versions made of his work,especially Pastime Paradise,coopted by Coolio in the 90s.His more recent fare has been less intense and some may say more commercial but commercial is success and the public continues to express their satisfaction with his musical output.
This two CD set highlights most of the major musical high points of his career.Missing are songs like Love is in need of Love Today,That's what friends are For and They won't go when I Go.But overall the songs are well picked and have been remastered to give them better sound.
This is an excellent starting point and/or addition to anyones Stevie Wonder collection.Stevie Wonder-the man can do it all,did it all and still continues to do so.Highly recommended listening.

This is a good CD . Has all the hit's on it that I wanted.

I hope all the Stevie fans see this. There are 2 definitive collections out there a single disc version and a 2 disc version. A casual fan will be ok with single disc version...but a music lover will trully appreciat this 2 disc version of the Stevie Wonder Definitive collection Import version.

This version has songs like Ebony and Ivory - with Paul McCartney, For Your Love, A place in the Sun and others.

OUTSTANDING collection from one of the greatest musicians ever.

Buy it new...forget about trying to find it used.

My wife loves any music by Stevie Wonder and as her birthday was coming up I had to see what you guys had to offer.Boy what a choice I had in choosing a suitable CD.You made it so easy in making my decision as so much information was given.I knew the Definitive Collection would be my best choice.I was hoping the package would arrive in good time for my wife's birthday.No worries in that regard as it arrived in a few short days and in excellent condition.
Best regards from John Good.

This is simply the best of all compilations available currently and better than the American version with the same name. If you want only one set of Stevie Wonder's best, this is it! Love it, love it, love it! Very happy we ordered, would do so again!