Too Risky? Macy Gray Remakes Stevie Wonder’s Entire “Talking Book” Album

October 31st, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Source: WENN

Song remakes have been the norm in contemporary music since Bad Boy invented the remix back in the ’90s, but Macy Gray is taking remaking and remixing to a whole new level with her latest project. The 45-year-old decided to recreate Stevie Wonder’s entire “Talking Book” album which coincidentally is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Macy talked about how the project came about, saying:

“We were talking about ideas for cover songs and [Hal Wilner, the producer] goes, ‘You know what you should do is a whole album. Everyone remakes movies, but no one remakes albums.’

“I thought that was a wild idea so I was like, ‘Yes!’ I picked ‘Talking Book’ ‘cause that’s one of my favorite records and I know it inside out.”

“Talking Book” is the 15th album from Stevie that brought us favorites like “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” which earned the Motown singer his first Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocals. Other hits were “You and I,” “I Believe,” and of course, “Superstition.”  You know people will disown you if you ruin a classic by one of their favorite artists, not to mention singers will shade the mess out of you if you eff up one of their songs. Macy said she was definitely conscious of that when taking on this project.

 “I was just really nervous [about] if [Stevie] was going to like it or not,” she confessed. “I don’t know how he feels about it yet. I’m scared to ask him.”

A rep told The Hollywood Reporter that Macy’s camp has since reached out to the Motown Legend to get his thoughts but so far they haven’t gotten a response.  As of yesterday the “Talking Book” remake hit shelves so even if Stevie doesn’t respond to the track remakes, his fans, and Macy’s, now have a chance to weigh in on the project. Hopefully her take on Stevie’s songs measured up to the original. Do you think Macy has what it takes?

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  • Candacey Doris

    Reserving judgement. I like some of her work so we’ll have to see what happens.

  • sassybuttclassy

    I’m mean, I guess… But no, not really
    Dang, I can’t even articulate a complete sentence to express how horrid this idea is to me but at the same time not seem like a complete hater

  • D Man

    Why? That’s the real question here. Certain songs were utter perfection the first time around, there’s no need to do a remake. Earth, Wind & Fire, Anita Baker, Sade, Luther Vandross & Stevie Wonder all have songs which shouldn’t be touched to be honest…

  • FromUR2UB

    Yes, very ambitious. But, I really like Macy Gray’s singing style and music. When people are really talented, they can cover other people’s songs, and make them uniquely their own. I’d like to hear her interpretations of his songs. For example, I like every version I’ve heard of ‘Summer Breeze’. The Isley Brother’s version is nothing like Seals and Croft, and The Main Ingredient’s version is different from the others, but all are good. I happen to like Anita Baker’s cover of Tyrese’s song, better than when he performed it. The way she sings the lyrics give the song a different vibe. No one can do Stevie Wonder’s songs better than he can do them, but if she approaches them like any song she would make her own, they should be interesting. I hope she pulls it off.

  • Shirl

    Ambitious aint she? She better come correct if she’s gonna try and take on a legend. Sorry but I don’t think she hs the vocal ability.

  • clove8canela

    To answer that last question, in a word, no. There can only be one Stevie.

  • 1Val

    Bless Macy’s poor singing heart!

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