Saturday, September 01, 2007

GENE STOUT

MUSIC REVIEW - STEVIE WONDER

WHEN: Friday night

WHERE: Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville

But in one of the more playful moments in Wonder's career-spanning, euphoria-inducing performance Friday night at Chateau Ste. Michelle, the soul legend recast his hit song "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" as a twangy country tune, complete with Southern drawl. All that was missing was the hat.

"I love country," Wonder said, after first performing the song in its glorious original form.

As they did during so many other songs in the two-hour show, the audience gleefully sang along to the unlikely country version. Wonder even threw in a few bars of the old Charlie Rich hit, "Behind Closed Doors," and segued into a soulful version of Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee."

Wonder, in his trademark braided hair and dark specs, had the crowd so enthralled at the start of the show that when daughter Aisha Morris (one of Wonder's three backup singers), led the blind superstar to his piano/ keyboard, concertgoers stood eerily quiet, waiting for the Grammy-winning Motown Records star to speak.

What followed was almost like a sermon: Wonder talked about his mother's death last year and how had it moved him to return to the road after a decade-long absence (his last Seattle show was in June 1986 at the Seattle Center Coliseum, now KeyArena.

Clearly, the 57-year-old star, who began his career at the age of 12, has missed touring -- and his fans have missed him. Wonder's infectious exuberance -- not to mention famous grin -- put the crowd in a buoyant mood.

A late addition to the summer concert series at the Woodinville winery, the show sold out in fewer than 15 minutes when it went on sale last month, shortly after Wonder had announced his four-week "A Wonder Summer's Night" tour.

Concertgoers arrived early and stood in long lines that snaked through the winery grounds. They were rewarded with one of the best outdoor concerts of the year -- a performance that moved hearts, minds and bodies.

Wonder's soul-stirring concert included such songs as "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," "Sir Duke," "Isn't She Lovely?" (which he sang to daughter Aisha), "Overjoyed," "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and "Superstition" -- many with newly improvised parts and extended jams.

Performing solo at his piano while his 11-member band took its positions, Wonder opened his set at 8:30 with "Love's in Need of Love Today," followed by a powerful "Too High," the first of many songs from his landmark 1973 album, "Innervisions."

"Stop the war. Stop the hatred ... Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" he shouted after a lengthy and powerful "Visions," which earned him one of the loudest of many ovations.

"Livin' for the City," "Master Blaster (Jammin')" (his Bob Marley tribute) and "Higher Ground" were part of an extended medley that preceded the soaring, romantic "Golden Lady."

During "Ribbon in the Sky," Wonder coached concertgoers in a singalong: "I'm your music teacher. And you've got to pay attention," he teased. His instruction paid off during "My Cherie Amour," with hundreds of voices filling the night air. Wonder introduced the song with recollections about playing Harlem's Apollo Theater as a child.

Wonder closed the show with the beautiful "I Just Called to Say I Love You," one of his most tender and romantic hits. He signed off with a call for love and peace, urging everyone to vote for someone capable of uniting the nation.