Phases & Stages

In the age of social media, the overuse of superlatives tends to render each assessment meaningless. How many times was Joe Blow's band "amazing" this week? Then someone like Stevie Wonder returns. His three-plus hour re-creation of the 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life laid out a sprawling extravaganza of song and emotion. It took nearly 30 musicians, a string section, and a gospel chorus to mirror the 100 or so who participated in the original production. Wonder, 64, dominated the proceedings, but he shared the stage, giving performers like singer India Arie, harpist Frédéric Yonnet, backing vocalist Jasmin Cruz, and band leader Greg Phillinganes their own time to shine. In between, Wonder proved master, delivering heart songs, protest songs, cold funk, witty humor, spiritual praise, and – above all else – love. Even though Songs in the Key of Life now inches toward 40, its social commentary might still address today's headlines. The album's peppered with songs Wonder described as "the songs of the black experience." He opened with a short sermon expressing a disdain for hate before launching into the pioneering "Black Man" and "Village Ghetto Land," which describes the hopelessness of inner-city life. Wonder also carried joy: the horn riffs of "Sir Duke" and second set opener "Isn't She Lovely," with its imaginative harmonica solo. The harmonica was given special treatment on the instrumental "Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)," with Wonder and Yonnet joined by a saxophonist to set a remarkably languid mood; just one moment among many where minor parts of the album were revealed to possess unanticipated depth. Everyone involved returned to the stage for a massive medley of "As" and "Another Star" to close the album. Wonder teased all the other hit songs he could fit: "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing"; "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours"; and Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" before settling on get-down sing-along "Superstition." Approaching midnight, Wonder nearly had to be dragged offstage. What's amazing? That so much music can come from one man.