Syreeta (1972 album)
Encyclopedia
Syreeta is the debut solo album by Motown singer Syreeta Wright
, released in 1972 on Motown's MoWest subsidiary. Produced by Wright's ex-husband Stevie Wonder
, it was released following the former couple's separation and subsequent divorce. The album featured compositions by both Wonder and Wright, and also featured Wright's takes on other artists' songs including a Wonder-produced funk-oriented version of his earlier recording, "I Love Every Little Thing About You", which was initially recorded by Wonder for his Music of My Mind
project, released earlier that year. Wonder and Wright used the talk box
prominently on Wright's cover of The Beatles
' "She's Leaving Home
" while Wright provided a smoother vocal take of Smokey Robinson
's "What Love Has Joined Together
". Wright wrote the ballad "Happiness" and she and Stevie co-wrote "Baby Don't You Let Me Lose This" and their featured duet "To Know You is to Love You" together. The album failed to generate success though Wright would go on to a productive solo career throughout the seventies and eighties. Wright and Wonder would continue working together for several decades.
and Syreeta Wright
unless otherwise noted.
Syreeta Wright
Syreeta Wright , who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was a Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter most notably known for her work with Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston.-Early life and career:...
, released in 1972 on Motown's MoWest subsidiary. Produced by Wright's ex-husband Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, it was released following the former couple's separation and subsequent divorce. The album featured compositions by both Wonder and Wright, and also featured Wright's takes on other artists' songs including a Wonder-produced funk-oriented version of his earlier recording, "I Love Every Little Thing About You", which was initially recorded by Wonder for his Music of My Mind
Music of My Mind
- Side One :# "Love Having You Around" – 7:21#* Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, talk box, drums, Moog bass#* Art Baron – trombone#* Background Singers – uncredited...
project, released earlier that year. Wonder and Wright used the talk box
Talk box
A talk box is an effects unit that allows a musician to modify the sound of a musical instrument. The musician controls the modification by lip syncing, or by changing the shape of the mouth...
prominently on Wright's cover of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "She's Leaving Home
She's Leaving Home
"She's Leaving Home" is a song credited to Lennon–McCartney and released in 1967 on The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. McCartney wrote and sang the verse and Lennon the chorus...
" while Wright provided a smoother vocal take of Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
's "What Love Has Joined Together
What Love Has Joined Together
"What Love Has Joined Together" is a song written and composed by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, was recorded by five Motown acts: The Miracles, Mary Wells, The Temptations, Barbara McNair, and Syreeta, and was issued as B-sides to hits by Wells' and The Tempts; "Your Old...
". Wright wrote the ballad "Happiness" and she and Stevie co-wrote "Baby Don't You Let Me Lose This" and their featured duet "To Know You is to Love You" together. The album failed to generate success though Wright would go on to a productive solo career throughout the seventies and eighties. Wright and Wonder would continue working together for several decades.
Track listing
All songs by Stevie WonderStevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
and Syreeta Wright
Syreeta Wright
Syreeta Wright , who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was a Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter most notably known for her work with Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston.-Early life and career:...
unless otherwise noted.
- "I Love Every Little Thing About You" (Wonder) (4:58)
- "Black Maybe" (Wonder) (4:35)
- "Keep Him Like He Is" (2:53)
- "Happiness" (Wright) (5:19)
- "She's Leaving HomeShe's Leaving Home"She's Leaving Home" is a song credited to Lennon–McCartney and released in 1967 on The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. McCartney wrote and sang the verse and Lennon the chorus...
" (John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
) (4:20) - "What Love Has Joined TogetherWhat Love Has Joined Together"What Love Has Joined Together" is a song written and composed by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, was recorded by five Motown acts: The Miracles, Mary Wells, The Temptations, Barbara McNair, and Syreeta, and was issued as B-sides to hits by Wells' and The Tempts; "Your Old...
" (Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Bobby RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
) (3:37) - "How Many Days" (Wonder) (3:35)
- "Baby Don't You Let Me Lose This" (2:57)
- "To Know You Is to Love You" (with Stevie Wonder) (5:18)
Personnel
- Mowest Records MW 113L (trademark of Motown Record Corporation)
- Produced by Stevie Wonder for Black Bull Productions
- Associate Producers and Synthesizer Programming Engineers: Robert MargouleffRobert MargouleffRobert Margouleff is a Grammy Award winning American record producer, recording engineer, electronic music pioneer, audio expert, and film producer....
and Malcolm CecilMalcolm CecilMalcolm Cecil is a British jazz bassist and Grammy Award-winning record producer.A founding member of the UK's leading jazz quintet of the late 1950s, The Jazz Couriers, he went on to join a number of British jazz combos led by Dick Morrissey, Tony Crombie and Ronnie Scott in the late 50s and... - Production Support: Centaur Music Productions, Inc.
- Recordists: Joan DeCola, Andy Edlen, Dick Shapiro
- Recorded at Electric Lady, N.Y.; Crystal Industries, L.A.; Olympic Studios, London
- Arrangements: Stevie Wonder, Yusuf Rahman, Trevor Lawrence
- Cover Photo: Robert Margouleff
- Art Direction: David Weissman
- Background vocals by Syreeta Wright, Jim GilstrapJim GilstrapJim Gilstrap is an American singer best known for his work as a session musician and his 1975 solo hit single "Swing Your Daddy", as well as singing co-lead to the theme from the TV series Good Times.-Career:...
, Gloria Barley, Lani Groves, Linda Tucker and Stevie Wonder - Instrumentation by Stevie Wonder, Keith Copeland, Buzzy FeitenBuzz FeitenHoward "Buzz" Feiten is a North American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and session musician.He is best known as a lead and rhythm electric guitarist, and for having patented a unique, scientifically designed tuning system which re-configures its stringboard / neck for more accurate tonality...
, Scott Gordon Edwards and Trevor Lawrence (Bell Tree) - Strings: Julian Gaillard Orehestra