POP MUSIC REVIEW
Timeless Wonder: Music icon without peer

By George Varga
POP MUSIC CRITIC

August 25, 2007



JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
It took Stevie Wonder a while to find his groove Thursday, but when he did, the pop icon elevated his magical music and the sold-out crowd.

“Y'all having a good time? Are you feeling good?”

It's hard to think of two more unnecessary questions Stevie Wonder could have asked his ecstatic audience nearly two hours into his Thursday night show at Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, but ask he did.

Nevermind that the 57-year-old superstar had the sold-out crowd of 1,400 on its feet, dancing and singing, for much of the opening show on his first U.S. tour in 10 years. Or that there were hundreds of amphibious fans – or “boat people” as they are fondly known – jammed in the adjacent marina, more than Humphrey's owner Richard Bartell could ever recall seeing in the venue's three decades.

And ignore the fact that Wonder had just performed a revved up version of “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and was at that very moment launching into “Superstition,” a one-two punch that ranked pretty high on the “priceless moments” meter. Because after not touring in the U.S. for a decade, the former child star once known as “Little Stevie Wonder” needed to know that everything was out of sight, not just alright. The crowd, ranging in age from tweens to seniors, gyrated side-by-side.

Wonder is an American music icon who long ago transcended any single musical style. One of the most sampled artists in hip-hop and a one-man studio band years before Prince came along, he has made at least a dozen great albums that have stood the test of time.

Wonder's last San Diego performance was in 1991. While he has released only two so-so albums since then, his star has continued to rise, with a performance at the 2005 Super Bowl, a joint 2006 Grammy Award win with Beyoncé, and a subsequent guest spot on “American Idol” that sent his back album catalog sales soaring. For many, the chance to see him in such an intimate setting compensated for any rough spots. And after such a long touring layoff, the rough spots were unavoidable.

The concert's pacing was uneven and Wonder sometimes struggled vocally to maintain the right pitch, especially on such technically demanding ballads as his third selection, 1973's “Visions,” and 1976's “Another Star,” which ended the concert. The bass-heavy sound mix too often rendered his three backing singers, which included his daughter, Aisha Morris, almost inaudible.

But when everything clicked, as it did with his electrifying performances of “Living for the City,” “Higher Ground,” “Sir Duke” and “Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing,” Wonder reaffirmed that he is still without peer when it comes to creating stirring music that inspires both the mind and body. Another highlight was 1970's ebullient “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours),” which he co-wrote with his former wife, Syreeta Wright, and his mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, who passed away last year at the age of 76.

In his opening remarks to the audience, Wonder cited his mother's death – and the healing power of music – as the dual inspirations for his tour. “This is our night together,” he said, just before launching into the inspirational ballad “Love's in Need of Love Today,” with daughter Aisha sitting at his side.

The ever-spontaneous Wonder threw in “Masterblaster (Jammin'),” “My Cherie Amour” and four other songs that weren't on his set list, and his 11-piece band sometimes had to scramble to keep up. A lively version of the Chick Corea jazz classic “Spain” allowed Wonder to display his formidable keyboard chops.

In typically self-effacing fashion, he made no mention of his three upcoming jazz, gospel and children's music albums. But when he soared with yet another one of his timeless songs, he left no doubt that he is still a true wonder to behold.

Staff librarian Beth Wood contributed to this article.