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Reviews: Stevie Wonder: Talking Book

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Reviews: 4

Review by sonnysin168 June 6, 2011 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
This shm-sacd arrived last week with T Rex's Electric Warrior. I've played this 4x before writing this short review. Wow! Another winner from Universal Japan. I can only describe this as sounding like a very quiet vinyl, very analogue sounding. Lovely midrange and natural sounding instruments and fat bottom end. I have the AF gold cd version and I felt that it is better than previous cd releases. But this shm-sacd has more finer details, more smoother and wider soundstage than the AF. Although it cost me more than double with what I've paid for the AF gold cd, I'm happy with its purchase. Highly recommended!

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Review by Discspinner June 26, 2011 (4 of 7 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I hate to admit that I wasted money on something. Just the opposite, I would rather feel satisfied in making a purchase, even if pricey, knowing that I will use it again and again, or in this case listen to it again and again. If I listen to Talking Book again, I will merely feel used again.

Stevie Wonder, being a major artist of his generation, should be treated with a little more care, effort, and polish. This to me literally sounds like someone just started the tape rolling, took a 60 minute break, and voila, came back to a SACD transfer.

SACD is a great medium which responds well to star treatment of great recordings. Record companies shouldn't merely use the fact that SACD is a niche market to line up suckers willing to pay a high price because they are desperate for product.

I'm going to give this two and a half stars for sound quality, though if I thought more about it I am sure I could go lower. I will probably listen to this again, but only to confirm whether my initial disappointment was justified.

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Review by analogue July 5, 2011 (0 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
This third straight release ( 2 MORE COMING) of Stevie Wonder albums by Universal Japan is very good indeed. In my opinion its three for three.

This shm-sacd continues the same sonic characteristics that thus far have remained a constant. Namely a warm, full rich sound wherein the music shines through.

But one of the things I had to get used to was that this dsd transfer, as with the previous two, is a flat transfer with no EQ'ing. Previous releases back in the day had some additional tinkering with and this is what I was used to.

That being said..this release sounds very good. Vocals are rendered very nicely as are alot of the actual instruments. At times the instruments can sound rather chunky in a good way. By that I mean they stand out in great relief and have a solid sound to them. Jeff Beck plays on track 9 and his contribution is a great guitar solo.

My only reservation is that becasue of the flat transfer some of the sounds that used to be pushed back in the mix in previous releases are now right behind the vocals and they interfere with the sound. Just listen to track one and you will know what I mean. Some of the additional background vocals spring out to harshly into the foreground.....and that sound is grating.

I recommend this shm-sacd as it really sounds great in spite of the flat transfer. There is a fullness and richness to the sound.

A very good release.

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Review by Croc December 18, 2011 (0 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
all in all quality is good.
what really bothers me is that Stevie's voice is too mute and laid back - when music kicks in you barely can hear him.
they should've amlify his voice - than it would be solid 4.5 stars.

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