Concert Review/Photos: Stevie Wonder @ Wells Fargo Center
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
For over three hours, 30-plus musicians brought Songs in the Key of Life to life.
[ 11/16 ] Sundays were musically rich for Philly in November. Last weekend Bob Dylan ended a three-night stretch at Academy of Music. One could argue that as important as Dylan has been to folk and rock, Stevie Wonder, who played Wells Fargo Center on Sunday, Nov. 16, has been just as important to pop and rhythm and blues, among other genres. Playing the entirety of his seminal Songs in the Key of Life, Wonder wowed the crowd with his musicianship and the content of the 1976 album, which has stood the test of time.
For over three hours, 30-plus musicians brought Songs to life. Wonder was beaming from the beginning and sounded glorious. To hear him sing and play piano and harmonica live was marvelous. The crowd did its fair share of standing ovations throughout in celebration of Wonder and the music, showing how in awe they were of the legend.
Many great talents were among his musician crew. India.Arie showed off her vocal prowess on “Ngiculela — Es Una Historia — I Am Singing.” Philadelphia native Keith John strutted his stuff and was cued in by Wonder to do a few lines from his grandfather’s (R&B great Little Willie John) “Fever.” And Wonder’s daughter Aisha Morris was among his singers on stage, adding power to the sweet “Isn’t She Lovely,” which is about her birth.
There were many touching moments. Wonder chose to sing to the recording of “If It’s Magic” since the harp was played by the late Dorothy Ashby. With her black and white photo up on the monitors, Wonder brought out the emotional richness of the song. Directly addressing the audience at one point, Wonder asked people to stand up if they thought there was a problem with guns in America. The majority of the packed venue stayed on their feet. Wonder, whose songs have a politics of universal love and acceptance, showed how art and the real world can join together, even if just for a moment of reflection and understanding.
After finishing Songs with a beautiful rendition of “Another Star” with India.Arie, Wonder did a brilliant medley of verses from his catalog. To hear even part of “My Cherie Amour” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You” was quite a treat. The finale of “Superstition” was a sublime close to the evening. A song that screams out that it is from the 1970s while still delivering the hip shaking desire that one would want at the end of a concert, it was a masterstroke.
Stevie Wonder knows how to deliver the beats of life to the ears of modern music listeners. A concert I and no one else in attendance will soon forget.
