He proves he's still worthy of 'genius' label during 3-hour set

September 17th, 2007

By Rashod D. Ollison - Sun pop music critic

Stevie Wonder has been called a "musical genius" since the beginning of his career, when at age 12 he topped the pop charts with the electrifying swinger "Fingertips." Over the years, the Motown legend (the only one who has stayed with the label since its halcyon days in Detroit in the 1960s) has proven over and over the tag is no hype.

On stage has always been the best way to experience the wonder of his musical brilliance. And at a sold-out, nearly three-hour concert last night at Pier Six Pavilion, Wonder showed that the talent hasn't diminished a bit.

After talking to the crowd about being inspired to hit the road again after the death of his mother, he opened his set with "Love's in Need of Love Today," the first song on his sprawling, acclaimed 1976 album, Songs in the Key of Life. Supported by a sharp 11-piece band, which included three percussionists, Wonder performed faithful renditions of hits and fan favorites.

For the better part of his set, though, he was stuck in 1973, singing all but two songs from arguably his finest album, Innervisions, released that year. "Living For the City," "Higher Ground" and "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" -- the big hits from the LP -- were given rousing workouts, powered by Wonder's robust, mahogany voice. He more or less sounds the way he did in the '70s.

Although the singer-songwriter certainly doesn't look the same (he has packed on the pounds in his years off the road), Wonder still performs with boundless energy.

Before Wonder left the stage, mayor Sheila Dixon and state senator Verna Jones presented the star with citations, proclaiming Sunday as Stevie Wonder Day.

After that brief intermission (the only one of the night), Wonder sat back down at the piano, launched into "As," and the party was on again.