Stevie Wonder marked 50 years of his landmark album Songs in the Key of Life with a three-hour anniversary show at The O2 Arena in London, earning a five-star review.
The performance opened with the brooding Love's In Need of Love Today, described as a spiritual call to action, before the immense band, complete with strings, honoured the album in detail.
A Night of Classics and Deep Cuts
Hits such as Sir Duke and I Wish had the audience off their seats, while fans were treated to lesser-played tracks including Saturn, the honky-tonking Ebony Eyes, and the harmonica-led Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call).
Wonder paused during the set to call for an end to gun violence and celebrated his ten children, many of whom had moments to shine on stage.
Playful Moments and a Finale Medley
He was playful throughout, mocking the British accent and dead-panning a tongue-in-cheek tribute to his video crew: "I can see the work you do, it's great."
The curfew forced Wonder to accelerate a finale medley including My Cherie Amour, Do I Do, and the obligatory Superstition.
At 26 when the album was released, Wonder changed the nature of soul music in the 1970s, and its socio-political messaging remains pertinent today. The review concludes that his place in pop history is assured, urging audiences to "go experience his genius while you can."
