Still Love This Album!!!
I remember when I first heard this album back in 1994 (roughly three years after the album's release). I just recently bought the album last November and even though I haven't heard the album in eight years, it still sounds just as good as when I heard it the first time. My three favorites on this one is "Confused", "Look What We'd Have (If You We're Mine), and "Goodbye". "T.E.V.I.N." is arguably one of my all-time favorite albums!
Great Piece of early '90s R
T. E. V. I. N. Came out in 1991 when I was a senior in college. This album was greatly anticipated after he, as a twelve year old, came out with "Tomorrow" from the Quincy Jones CD "Back on the Block". He had great influence in the music industry help him (Quincy Jones, Prince, Babyface), and this is surely evident in his early releases. The songs are just great pieces of contemporary (ie early '90s) R&B in their own right. The greatest thing about this album, though, when I listen to it over ten years later, is the sincerity, power, and conviction in Tevin's voice. More amazing is the fact that he was only fourteen. Even though I was not pubescent at the time, he sure did remind me of those times! I think it's great that younger people are rediscovering him.
All my friends liked Bobby Brown in the sixth grade, but I never liked to pine away for guys who were out of my league. No ... I liked them at least remotely obtainable. So I latched on to Tevin and never let go. This, his first album, is also his best. Although Tevin would go on to complain he hated the way his voice sounded on it because he was in the midst of puberty at the time, the ballads and the pop songs still surpass any of the crap on the radio today. Its a classic album with a classic sound and age appropriate material, unlike that other whipper snapper Usher Raymond. I hated Usher at the time because he dissed Tevin on his first song saying that "I'm not going 'Round and Round,' I ain't confused," on "Just Call Me A Mack." Mack what! You're 13!!! But asides from that, at the time, Tevin was the biggest of the two. After all, LL needed Cool Moe Dee to diss, Usher needed to diss TC. Tevin went on to make a good follow up but then as he got older, everyone started to notice that he was taking to women in the same way Michael Jackson did ... as in he wasn't dating any. They he propositioned that undercover police officer, and well ... like LL, Usher won the beef.I still love Tevin though. Everytime I listen to this album it takes me back to when I was in the seventh grade and in love with an eigthth grader. I was too shy to talk to a boy, but I could always talk to Tevin.
All the songs were either hits or potential hits with the Prince penned "Round and Round," the ballads "Alone With You" and "Tell Me What You Want Me To Do," and the funk enduced dance songs "Just Ask Me To" and "Strawberry Letter 23." My song to this day is "Goodbye" which I used to play over and over again while I pined away for yet another teenage boy who was unobtainable for me.
I still love Tevin and would purchase the former Prince/Quincy Jones/Babyface protege next album if he ever releases another. Despite his "mishaps" he is a talented musician and I'd love to hear his voice croon once again over some new material. Sure, he wasn't the next Michael Jackson as Quincy thought he'd be, but it sure was a nice dream while it lasted.
This album is great, I was 4 when this album came out and I loved it. Well, I'm 14 now, and I found it in my old cd collection. I love it, I relate to it soo much. I'm sure you will too, whether you're a teen or an older person looking for fun and REALLY good vocals. He actually sings about stuff that we teens ACTUALLY go through. I mean, I like BSB and NSync, but what they sing about is things we have yet to experience. And, his voice just makes me MELT. I wish I were a teen at that time, cause I would've been a MAJOR fan, I'm one now! You will be too!!
My First Crush
Tevin Campbell can sing much better than any of these *N Sync pop tarts...His rich, soulful voice holds a note much longer and better than anyone else. With a Michael Jackson flava, this album (produced by Quincy Jones, musical great) is one of Tevin's best. Can you believe he was only about 13? Here are my reviews of the songs on this album. 1.) Round And Round: A head-bopping, feet-tapping song, Tevin croons along with Prince on this feel-good tune. 2.)Interlude: Over the Rainbow and Onto the Sun: Tevin's soft, gentle voice leads into a sweet ballad. 3.) Tell Me What You Want Me To Do: It placed high on the R+B Singles Chart, and with good reason. Tevin's passionate voice brings tears to your eyes. 4.) Lil Brother: A funny song, it illustrates Tevin's problems in getting an older girl to go out with him--something anyone can relate to! 5.) Alone With You: Another head-bopping song shows off Tevin's rich voice. 6.) Strawberry Letter 23: Okay, I admit I had no idea what this song was about, but it makes you wanna dance anyway. 7.) One Song: This definitely brings tears to your eyes. A choirboy feel with a choirlike background, Tevin sings with passion and certainty in this song about getting along. 8.) Just Ask Me To: With a brief appearance from Chubb Rock, Tevin's voice makes this a foot-tapping hit. 9.) Goodbye: Truly awesome. A breakup from someone he loved has never sounded better. 10.) Perfect World: Not as cheesy as the title; it makes you dance. No annoying "uh's" and "babys" like Britney Spears. 11.) Confused: Tevin's confusion in this song makes you think, hey I know what he's talking about. His great singing voice is truly visible here. 12.) (Look What We'd Have) If You Were Mine: Really an amazing ballad. This is one of my faves. 13.) She's All That: Another song that makes you nod along to it, Tevin's flirty vibe makes you wanna hit Repeat. Overall grading, A+. You'll love it.
