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That said, this collection is just not very good. The
sequencing is ridiculous (starting with the disposable
"Part Time Lover"?) and the track selection is questionable
(a lot of grade A tracks were left off so that...what?...they
could include "Ebony and Ivory"?) Ounce for ounce, Original
Musicquarium, a good if too-short compilation of the '70s
is a better bet. You could couple Original Musiquarium
with a '60s hits compilation (unfortunately, there's not
good definitive '60s set, but I guess you could go with
Greatest Hits Vol I [too bad Motown & Stevie haven't seen fit
to reissue the excellent 3LP "Looking Back" which DID cover
the '60s stuff properly) and get most of the essential Stevie
Wonder. But at that point, you'd still be missing the few
highlights from the 80s and 90s. For example, the brilliant
Overjoyed (good tune and dig that incredible phrasing) and
Stevie's terrific cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" which
is available on no other compilation but this one.

At the end of the day, the Stevie Wonder compilation catalogue
is still something of a mess (due in no small part to the
fact that Stevie has veto power over any Motown reissue), and
IMHO you're left with only two good alternatives: The 4 CD
"End of a Century", which is quite good, even if it is also
completely obvious in track selection, or the 2CD Original
Musiquarium. Or, heck, go back and buy the '70s albums, since
they are truly all worth owning in their entirty anyway, then
maybe break down and buy In Circle Square because you HAVE
to own Overjoyed. Maybe.


A breathtaking testament to an incomparable career   April 27, 2000
 20 out of 25 found this review helpful

The 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's...R&B, pop, jazz, dance...piano, vocals, drums, harmonica...you name it, Stevie Wonder has conquered and excelled in it. And "Song Review," a 31-track retrospective of his career, is about as close to perfect as you can get.

It's hard to say exactly what's the most striking: his intricate, layered production that lets you hear new nuances with each listen; his writing, full of lush and jazzy chord progressions and structures; or his voice, that remarkable instrument that can, with equal ease and success, joyously deliver a romantic love song or stir the soul with the pain and longing inspired by one of his commentaries on the wrongs of society.

Of course, his funk is the most fun: modern groups like the Brand New Heavies or Jamiroquai still have yet to achieve the likes of "Superstition," "I Know," or "Boogie On Reggae Woman"...the rhythms and keyboard parts of these songs seep under your skin until your body is awash with the groove. The same can be said for his more pop-flavored material, such as the delightful "Sir Duke," and especially "That Girl," the ultimate in high-quality, 80's slickness.

But Wonder's ballads are certainly the most compelling of his work. His voice has the quality to open up and simply ache, so when he sings the longing lyrics of "Overjoyed," paired with gorgeous chord progressions, it makes for one of the most beautiful ballads ever recorded. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and "Ribbon in the Sky" are timeless treasures, and "My Cherie Amour," Stevie's 1969 classic, still holds up as a classic that can bring out the romantic in anyone.

As with most greatest-hits packages, some of the song selections are puzzling: where is "Isn't She Lovely," one of his biggest hits? And what about "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)"? Surely these two classics could have been included instead of the lackluster ballad "Stay Gold" and Stevie's adequate but not essential cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." (And does anybody really need to give another listen to the ultimate in bland, mid-80's cheese, otherwise known as "Ebony & Ivory" with Paul McCartney?) Still, these are small complaints: for soul-stirring vocals, infectious musical landscapes and sheer songwriting brilliance, "Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection" is a treasure to behold.


I LOVE STEVIE!   November 29, 1999
 19 out of 20 found this review helpful

This is a definite treat for any Stevie Wonder fan. You will definitely get your fill. I was disappointed that this greatest hits collection did not include the WONDERful song "Isn't She Lovely" and the beautiful love song "As" both from the "Songs in the Key of Life" collection. I still gave it 5 stars though because I absolutely love Stevie. Peace!


Something for Everybody   February 5, 2000
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

Although Original Musiquarium & At The Close of A Century are better compilations,Song Review is a less expensive more well rounded collection,as well as a recommendation for the uninitiated.Unlike Musiquarium, that focuses on his brilliant 1972-1980 work,Song Review also features his 60's & 80's work.And for the Stevie fan,it featues the first appearance of Ebony & Ivory and Stay Gold(from The Outsiders) on a Stevie Wonder collection.Also a bonus are the single mixes of many songs making it a blessing when making Stevie mix tapes.The only problem is a "thrown together" feel of the sequencing,where different era & song styles don't mesh.And like many compilations,some essential songs aren't included in favor of others thats on every compilation(where's You Haven't Done Nothing, a #1 hit , If You Really Love Me,Shoo-Be-doo...)and the editing of the 10 minute plus Do I Do & the 6 Minute Lovelight In Flight would've left room for more songs.In all this should be a starting point for people getting into Stevie's Music.Then from there Innervision,Talking Book,Fullfillingness...you get the picture.


Its a tease   March 16, 2002
 13 out of 15 found this review helpful

If you are a avid Stevie Wonder fan like myself you would consider yourself disappointed by the way Song Review is put together. My biggest problem is the songs are randonmly put together. This being said its hard for fans to see his musical progression from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Also with any Greatest Hits collection some of his most groundbreaking work is missing such "As", "Isn't she Lovely" among my personal favorites. Yet the cd isn't all bad as you can hear the beautiful ballads and roaring funk that Stevie Wonder has protrayed all through his incredible career.