Stevie Wonder

This was never going to be anything other than thrilling. After all, they don't come much more legendary than the artist formerly known as Little Stevie Wonder. And with a peerless back catalogue to draw on, we knew were in for a treat. Sure, there was a slight risk that he would veer into karaoke territory. Thankfully, however, while there was just a shade too much sing-along on some numbers Wonder resisted the temptation to allow the audience take over completely. Astonishing to think he wrote and recorded so many of the early hits while still a teenager; if there are lovelier melodies than, 'My Cherie Amour', 'For Once In My Life' or 'Uptight (Everything's All Right') I've yet to hear them.
Inevitably, his mid-period masterpieces, including 'Higher Ground', 'Living For The City', 'Sir Duke' and 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life' fared best. He did pull a few rarities out of the bag, After a spine tingling version of the ballad 'Lately' he remained at the grand piano for a truly gorgeous and rarely performed 'Ribbon In The Sky'. 'If You Really Love Me', one of his most exuberant early period Motown hits, was another nice surprise.
'Don't You Worry About A Thing' was superb and he showcased his deft and utterly distinctive harmonica playing on 'Human Nature' a tribute to Michael Jackson. If 'Superstition' didn't sound quite as punchy, while the mawkish but irresistible 'Isn't She Lovely' was another showstopper.
Dissapointments? 'Happy Birthday' and 'I Just Called To Say I Love You' wouldn't have been missed had they been left off the set-list and he didn't give us 'He's Mistra Know It All' or 'As' (also a huge hit for George Michael). The hack sitting beside me really wanted to hear 'I Believe When I Fall In Love', as heard on the closing credits of the movie version of High Fidelity. And the show ended on a slightly limp note with the relatively unknown, 'A Time To Love'. Still, after witnessing a true genius at work for over two hours, who was complaining?