Oh, Manchester, So Much To Answer For

the reason "that girl," the cover by joe featuring mr. cheeks that leads off the forthcoming stevie wonder tribute, conception, works is simple: 'cause it lets everything speak for itself. the arrangement is nearly a xerox of stevie's '82 original, and joe doesn't try to be stevie - he wisely remains himself, beggin'-ass, keith-sweat-of-the-'00s joe. [that's not a dis. think about it.] mr. cheeks' involvement seems only meant to interest the kids, which it won't. [side note: does anyone else miss the lost boyz? their first album had some real hidden gems on it.] I predict that radio will largely ignore this song, unless there's a version w/o the rap, in which case r-and-b adult stations will be all over it like lint on a black sweater. I hope they are, 'cause this is lovely, subtle, and deserving of smashdom. anything that reminds us of the towering wonder that is stevie is good, even that fucking stevie-india.arie target commercial.