Stevie Wonder

Anticipation is a killer. I’m fortunate enough to be able to attend quite a few shows every year, so it’s a rare occasion that I find myself with that awkward feeling. I live by the theory that going to a show is a perfect way to pass the time while you’re waiting to go to the next show. Sometimes there are events that are impossible not to anticipate though. They can be big events or small events, but for one reason or another, they are special. Last night was one of those big events…a living legend performing his classic masterpiece in its entirety. I can’t claim to have been directly affected by Songs in the Key of Life when it was released upon the world in 1976 (I was in the womb), but I do understand its significance as one of the most important albums in modern music. I can’t claim to be a diehard Stevie Wonder fan either, but I understand the overwhelming sphere of influence he has on artists across all genres of modern music. The man’s life story is almost as incredible as his life’s work. He overcame immense obstacles and impossible odds to achieve his status as a giant among peers. It was for those reasons that I couldn’t contain my anticipation. Seeing Stevie Wonder perform Songs in the Key of Life, an album I’ve had on constant rotation since the show was announced (on my dad’s original vinyl with the extra 7”), was going to be more than just a bucket list concert…I was sure it was going to be nothing less than magic.

Anticipation can cause expectations that fly so high that not even the voice of an angel can reach their heights. Anticipation can make a great performance seem only good in comparison to those unreasonable expectations. So it was that I found myself immediately disappointed last night. I was accosted by security for having a camera, even though it didn’t say anything about ‘no cameras’ on the website or emails about the show. I had to trek across the whole venue to ‘check’ the camera before finding my way to the seats. It was because of this that I missed Stevie’s opening speech, but I was able to catch the tail end when he asked the crowd to film and share the performance. Hundreds of phones went in the air, making me seriously question why my camera wasn’t aloud. I guess only shitty photos and videos were allowed? We were on the floor, but in assigned seating. No one was sitting down, but even in an upright position, there was barely room to move because the rows were positioned on top of each other. Somehow, in my vision of the evening, I completely forgot I was going to be in the Pepsi Center.
Despite my frustration with my surroundings, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how good everything sounded. Stevie was surrounded by a rotating circus of musicians and backup singers, as well as a full string section. At one point I think there were over 40 people on the stage. His voice was ageless as he kicked of Songs with “Love’s in Need of Love Today”, “Have a Talk With God” and “Village Ghetto Land”. I know they are completely different albums, but I couldn’t help but think of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly and how Songs in the Key of Life might have been polarizing in its time as well. “Contusion” followed, as it does on the album, and that’s when I realized the performance was going to include quite a few jam interludes. I am not a fan of the jam, so once again I found myself staring up at the ceiling, cursing my lofty expectations as they danced along with those in the nosebleeds.

It wasn’t until “Sir Duke” that I really got my groove. Notice I say “my groove”. Everyone else (on stage and off) were in lockstep from the beginning. It just took me a bit to come around. From that point on, it was smooth sailing through the first half of the album. After the closer, “Ordinary Love”, Aisha (his daughter) led the female backup singers through a selection, before they closed out the first half with two tracks from the bonus 7” that came with the original LP. We were an hour and a half into the show, but things were just getting started.

Aisha assisted her father back on stage for the second half, and after a quick speech about gun control (which divided the Denver crowd), he sat down at the piano to sing that song he wrote for her when she was born. “Isn’t She Lovely” is my favorite song on the album and he nailed it. The second half started out as a true representation of the album, but then it took a few twists and turns. After “Black Man”, he took us back to the 7” for the remaining bonus tracks, before bringing the beautifully talented Jasmin Cruz to his side for “Ngiculela – Es Una Historia – I Am Singing”. This turned into another jam that almost went off the rails, but was brought back home with a partial cover of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel”. A little MJ was just what some people needed to get their second wind as the night got later.

Before I give offense to anyone on that stage, I want to stress how the horns, the strings, the percussion and the backup singers made for an incredible kaleidoscope of sound, in which no single part was any less important than the other, but I have to say that my favorite song of the whole night didn’t include any of them. “If It’s Magic” was performed by Stevie and the ghost of Dorothy Ashby. Stevie stood alone on that stage, while the album track of Dorothy’s harp played in the background. Her photo was on the big screens as he sang the song over her gorgeous strings. It was a touching part of the evening and it also showcased how perfect his voice still is. It was worth the price of admission alone.

Dorothy Ashby died of cancer, but another Songs collaborator was alive and well. This collaborator also happened to be in town performing a show with Chick Corea at Boettcher Concert Hall. So it was that Herbie Hanock and Mr. Corea came out to jam on “As” and “Watermelon Man”. Once again, I am not a jam fan, but I’d have to be an idiot to complain about seeing those three on a stage together. The crowd went absolutely crazy!

After having fun with a couple of his friends, Stevie closed out the album with “Another Day”. We were three and a half hours into the night, but he still took the time to introduce every single person on the stage during that song. I have to admit that I was getting pretty tired at that point, but if Stevie Wonder still had it in him to keep going, who was I to complain?

The night ended with Stevie playing DJ. More specifically, he became DJ Chick Chick BOOM! He played the role right. “What’s my name?!!!” He demanded the crowd put the BOOM on it! He assured us “he aint’ playin’”, although he very much was. After messing around with a mixing board for a bit, we were treated to “Living for the City” and “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”. Then he brought out the big guns. Closing the performance with “Superstition” was perfection. It was 11:45pm on a Tuesday night and the house was still packed. Everyone was on their feet…

“When you believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer, Superstition ain’t the way, no, no, no”

Stevie Wonder overcame immense obstacles and impossible odds to be standing on the stage at Pepsi Center last night, almost as if he were a magician, and throughout the concert he proved he hadn’t lost of bit of that spark in his 64 years on this earth. He professed nothing but love for everyone in attendance, over and over again, and he received nothing but love back. Anticipation and jam sessions that went on too long for this anti-jam guy could have killed it for me, but Stevie wouldn’t let that happen. He put on the performance of a lifetime and it truly was nothing less than magic.

There are three words to describe Stevie Wonder’s performance at the 2014 Calling Festival. Not enough time. The Wanderers out there will know that there was simply not enough stage time to do the 64 year old musical legend justice. That being said, he put on an amazing performance, using the warmth of his personality to engage the crowd.
No coincidence that the day’s rain cleared just as the 22-time Grammy winner took to the stage. He was welcomed with a roar of applause as he opened his set with a Marvin Gaye cover of "How Sweet It Is." Other performed tracks include "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and my personal favourite, "Living for the City." The setlist served as a reminder for long forgotten hits. Vibrant sounds left the instruments painting the atmosphere with colour. It was hard to ignore the energy released every time a note was sung. It was also evident Stevie Wonder was having a great time which encouraged the crowd to participate even more in this memorable occasion. The set ended with the wonderful feel good classic "Superstition" which had the audience of various ages singing along. If you have never witnessed Stevie Wonder live be sure to check him out. Then you will truly understand why this performance was so enjoyable.

I first saw Stevie Wonder back in 2010 at the Glastonbury festival, he came on stage singing
' My Eyes Don't Cry' - well I can tell you mine did!! It had been a long time coming to see the genius artist as my mother 'god rest her soul' brought me up on his soulful music. He danced and played his instruments as wellas any musician with their eyesight in tact... By the time he sang ' Living For The City the Glastonbury audience were singing and dancing along, as was I ( still crying though, with joy I might add...) He covered Michael Jacksons ' Human Nature' as we know MJ would appreciate and my fave 'Superstition' was just wow.. We had to leave the festival just before he closed his set, but from the fields back to the car we could hear him and our God 'Michael Eavis' singing Happy Birthday to celebrate Glastonbury's 40th Birthday... Long live Stevie Wonder and please if ever you get the chance to see the legend, do... You won't regret it....! Shabba...!

Let me start by saying I have nothing but love for Stevie, and have been a fan since I was a kid. This show was a bit of a letdown though. The show had so much 'filler' time, sing alongs with audience, background singer solos, and speeches by Stevie, that many people left during the break. He performed a medley of several hits at the very end, which was the best part, but I would have liked to hear these songs in their entirety and throughout the show. I had the opportunity to see his show many years ago in Lake Tahoe, and that show featured so many of his hit songs, the audience couldn't sit still. While this concert was long, and I can appreciate that Stevie still works hard and sounds great, it was a bit boring. Stevie has so many great songs- play the hits, don't bore us with filler time.

I originally thought, "Oh no. Not another old school type." when I first heard of Stevie Wonder. Boy was I wrong. I saw him perform in the fall of 2013 at the Global Citizens Festival and I have been in love with his music since then. His voice is amazing. Loved every second he was on stage and immediately went to hear his other songs once I got home. I have not been able to stop listening to his music. What is even more incredible is he gets so into his music, and he can play the piano and harmonica while being blind. Its easy to forget that he is blind because it doesn't seem to bother him. You can always expect great music when listening to Stevie Wonder, and an even greater performance when seeing him live.

If he had been born in a desolated cave, talent scouts would still have found Little Stevie Wonder, because word of his happy-making, virtuosic singing and songwriting would have traveled fast and far, even before the Internet. india.arie sang in her tribute to him, "You are the sunshine of my life, and are the Shakespeare of your time..." Laughter on the track, singing about rhythm itself -- he's pure joy; equally, a song about heartbreak will wreck you. Sometimes I like to just listen to the tracks where he only plays harmonica.

Awesome!! On my top list of best concerts. Of course he performed all for the Songs In The Key of Life. In addition to Some of his other hits. The concert started at 830 and we didn't leave til close to midnight.

Special guest in Minneapolis was India.Aire. Stevie was amazing. Same great voice. Duets with India.Aire were superb.

If he is coming to a location near you, Please go. You will not regret it. It actually made me fall in love with going to concerts again.

I saw Stevie Wonder at the 'Calling Festival' Clapham Common, and he was without a doubt the best gig I have been to. He was laughing and joking with the crowd , taking the mickey out of himself and there was a real buzz with the crowd, cant wait for you to come back to UK with yer fake south east london accent stevie, you are awesome. Some of my musician mates were desperately trying to get the other ticket off me, unfortunately I took the ex-wife.

Awesome concert. Awesome music. Awesome artist. The 8th Wonder of the world! Some emotional moments and moments of that sometimes subtle Stevie Wonder music. "Remember writing this song on a cloudy Monday". Words written 40 years ago so appropriate today "Love's In Need Of Love Today" "Have A Talk With God" "Village Ghetto Land". And the music of this genius continues to be sampled. Hearing it in its original form just 'Knocks you off your feet'!!

The concert was amazing ! It started about 30 minutes late, but the arena was slow at filling up. But the delay did not deter the enjoyment that followed. Stevie covered all the songs of the 2 album set, along with sidebars of humorous entertainment. Rather than the usual clapping for an encore, Stevie asked if we wanted to go home, and of course, we shouted a resounding NO. So we partied until midnight with some his famous toe stomping hits.