lets hope A TIME TO LOVE is better

It may very well be that because I bought this album in 2004 that I am not thrilled with it. It sounds dated, while his music that shaped generation after generation still sounds so fresh and exciting. You can listen to albums of old and get lost in the music, always hearing something in the song that you did'nt know was there. While lying down listening to this I actually felt bad that I was'nt feeling it. How could not feel music made by such a force. I keep trying, I keep putting the cd on but it sounds washed out. I like to think that I have the advantage over old skool fans, Im only 21 so I can listen to Stevie's music without recolection of the year it was released and I dont feel the need for stevie to recapture the sound that contributed to a great summer of mine back in 1970 or72 or 76 and so on. I only want his music to sound as fresh as I know Stevie is capable of keeping it. I really hope "a time to love" blows the world away, puts stevie back on the charts and proves that he is not past it! Only time will tell what will happen with his new album, its release date keeps being put back, and I have not heard any buzz about it. My advise... listen to the new album, buy the classics, but, give this one a miss.

Stevie tries too hard

On CONVERSATION PEACE, the Wonder man tries too hard to please everybody. The hip-hop rhythms on "The Edge Of Eternity", "Rain Your Love Down", "Cold Chill" and the semi-acid jazz "Sensuous Whisper" sound forced and artificial, while message-oriented songs like "Take The Time Out" and the title track sound too preachy. "Sorry" and "For Your Love" are strictly album filler, while the lovely "Taboo To Love", "Treat Myself" and the anti-gun "My Love Is With You" are the album's highlights (although those hip-hop rhythms pop up again on the latter song). For his next album, Stevie should just relax and be himself.

Stevie's Conversation Peace

I decided when I started to collect Stevie vast amount of music, I would start at his latest stuff- thus the first album I have is Conversation Peace- At first it didnt really impress, the music didnt really seem innovative except for tracks like

"Rain Your Love Down", "Taboo to Love", "Sensuous Whisper"

However, after repeated listens, there is a lot to appreciate-

Rain Your Love Down makes you singalong, which I bet what Stevie wants so grace and love can be upon us all.



Edge of Eterity has the slick lyrics that Stevie is saying what he wants, and getting what he gets- a sexy lady. The repeating base with the horns really wants to dance, definitely something to pump out the stereo- though my only complaint thats its a bit long for its own good, if you arent dancing.



Taboo to Love is perhaps the best track on the album. The backing violins and keyboard guitar gives you sense of an inner struggle to love or not love again, which is how Stevie makes music so you can truly feel the meaning of what hes trying to say. The lyrics are top notch too, and his singing is strained purposely- just awesome. Very remininsent of "If its Magic"



Take Your Time Out is the best social song he has on here. At first the beginining sounds a bit silly- with the light keyboards and sound effects, but once the base comes in with Stevie blazing vocals. Similar to Rain Your Love Down in a social mentality.



Im New is probably longer than it needs to be espically since the third verse just seems tacked on compared to the beautiful lyrics of the first and second verse. Stevie gets Take 6 to act as base, and brings a warmth to it. The percussion will have you bouncing as well, and the lyrics are just beautiful. Love the guitar solo at the end, though I think it would have done well to replace the last verse.



My Love Is With You falls prey to just being all over the place- the rythmns are there, as well as the great base, but the lyrics dont move you- and Stevie singing seems out of place to carry across the message. The best part of the song is where the chant "Ban the handgun" which is just powerful to end it with, but he doesnt, it follows up with some operator nonsense. Not nessesarily BAD, but not moving either.



Treat Myself is kind of that song thats saying more than that could be understood. I think the lyrics give you a way to give yourself some peace, like meditation. Simple straightforward songwriting prevails in this song. the light pop feel works for this uplifting song, and great harmonica solos within the song take it up another notch. And his singing is just great.



Tomorrow Robins Will Sing

For some reason, Eddie Shines apperance would had made more sense in a live cut, like say "Natural Wonder" . For a song that celebrates the tommorow, the studio version seems somewhat subduded. Nevertheless it works very well. The lyrics arent any complaint, and flow around the beats very well for me.



Sensuous Whisper works for me. Its saucy and sexy and I love the piano work. Plus Anita Baker's vocals may be understated, but work well in the chorus- which Stevie excells at. Very dancable too without it being nessesarily overlong.



For Your Love only problem is that it takes too long to get to the vocals! Otherwise, its a sweet declaration of love- cheesy, but with Stevies highest vocal ranges being heard, sincere and believable



Cold Chill heats things up once more, with the drumming which we can assume its Stevie (yay!) and the guitars and solos are just awesome. Lyrically its sound and I like how its about a woman mistreating a guy maybe because hes being too full of himself.



Sorry is a misstep, In my opinion. its sure experimental, and insturmental wise, its sound, but the lyrics arent moving nor is Stevie's singing



Conversation Peace almost makes it but the lyrics, while consice and to the point dont work for the message of a Conversation Peace. And also the last verse gives you feeling that hes talking to Christians which excludes a lot of other peoples. Love the music though.



Conversation Peace at first doesnt accomplish its goal for me; too many love songs all though good, dont address a bevy of issues that Stevie could have written about. Despite all of its blemishes, its a deep album, with songs most R and B artists would crave to have. I'd give 3 3/4 stars, but you cant, this works