‘‘Understand something: it’s not about ‘let’s make America great again.’ It’s about ‘let’s make America love again.’ That’s when you get your greatness: When you can have love for your brother and sister and even the people that you feel are your enemies,” explained Stevie Wonder on stage Friday night in Chicago as his “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour wrapped up on stage at United Center.
“We have to love on each other. And that’s how we make it better,” Wonder continued, introducing his latest single and show opener “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” during an impassioned opening speech on stage Friday in Chicago. “I decided that I wanted to do a tour – and get to all of the people. And ask the question: Can we fix our nation’s broken heart? I believe we can. I know we can!” exclaimed Wonder, 74, tearing up during the moving moment on stage in front of a sold out crowd just four days before a pivotal presidential election in America. “So, I’m gonna do the song and we’re gonna celebrate life.”
Friday night’s performance was nothing short of spectacular as Wonder, one of the most important and influential American artists in the history of recorded music, brought his inimitable enthusiasm and uplifting spirit to the stage, making a plea for unity amidst division while stressing the importance of voting during continually tumultuous times.
Backed by a terrific 30 piece ensemble, featuring a full string section, six piece brass band and another half dozen backing singers, Wonder’s on stage accompaniment swelled to nearly 50 as he brought a choir to the stage late in the evening, with the incredible ensemble delivering live music with a message over the course of three hours.
Following an August performance in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, Wonder launched his “Sing Your Song!” outing last month, stopping in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin’s Fiserv Forum before returning to United Center Friday night.
Wrapping up in Chicago takes Wonder full circle, returning him to the city where he recorded his first single on stage on the city’s south side at the age of just 12 years old as Little Stevie Wonder.
“Now, tonight is the last night of the hope love song to America. But I have to do this first: praise god for the opportunity to use my voice for your goodness and celebrate,” said Wonder, clearly emotional as he set up the poignant look back. “I just wanted to say I had to play “Fingertips,” he said with a smile on stage, performing the song’s iconic harmonica solo during the opening speech. “But I wanna talk about Chicago. I want you to understand that you’ve played a pivotal part in my life,” he explained to the rapt audience alongside daughter Aisha and son Kailand. “I want to let you know that it was 1963. A lot of you weren’t even born. Some of you feelin’ old. But it was in this city that I recorded the song ‘Fingertips’ at the Regal Theater,” said Wonder, reminding the crowd how he was unable to enter certain establishments as a 12 year old performer one year before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would finally begin to address segregation in America. “Take out your phones and record this. So, you never forget this.”
Known for his seamless incorporation of a multitude of musical styles, “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” brought a reggae vibe to the show’s early-goings Friday night while the funk of “Higher Ground” brought the capacity crowd to its feet moments later as live horns soared over the iconic chugging bassline. “I’m a lover of all music: gospel, jazz, country, hip-hop, rock,” said Wonder following “Higher Ground.” “And occasionally I listen to some Stevie Wonder,” he continued with a wink and a nod.
Teaching the crowd how to divide and conquer the backing vocals, Wonder wound up backed by thousands as he delivered “You Are the Sunshine of my Life” (preceding the performance with a smile and a bit of “You Are my Sunshine”).
Continuing with the evening’s playful tone, Wonder and company led into “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” with a bit of the Dixie Cups “Chapel of Love.”
While three percussionists lent “My Cherie Amour” a bit of a different feel, the song never felt unfamiliar, a terrific example of the way Wonder subtly pushes the songs forward in the live setting, keeping things exciting decades later. “I wrote this song in Chicago!” he reminded the sold out crowd.
Wonder took a brief break as his stellar backing group put a spirited spin on everything from Aretha Franklin to Carole King, with Wonder returning to the stage following a costume change.
“This is a special moment for me…” he mused on stage in Chicago. “I remember doing benefits for different causes,” he remarked, recalling efforts like “We are the World” as he set up a moving and appropriate take on Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.” “There are those who say it’s not worth fighting for those things. Well, I pay a lot of taxes,” said Wonder with a smile. “But I would pay a lot more taxes if it helped those less fortunate. I say to you, we have to come together for the good of all. There’s a greater purpose at the end of the day for us all to come together. We can’t have any leader anywhere that disrespects anybody. Anybody!”
That was the closest Wonder came to uttering the name Donald Trump on stage in Chicago, opting instead to shout out civil rights activist and Rainbow/PUSH founder Jesse Jackson, 83, who was in attendance, while illuminating the way in which the simple concept of love will guide him on election day.
“I dedicate this to you, Reverend Jackson and your fight for justice for everyone,” said Wonder on stage in Chicago as cameras captured Jackson in the crowd for placement on video screens flanking the stage. “He was there with Martin Luther King!” marveled Wonder. “And not to get political – but I love Kamala Harris. I love her because her heart feels like love and that’s what it’s all about, people. Let’s go!”
From there, Wonder would begin a compelling look back at 1976’s Songs in the Key of Life album, his 18th.
When he last mounted a full U.S. tour in late 2015, Wonder showcased that album alongside a full orchestra, a timeless collection of songs which hits upon topics like poverty and faith.
Friday night in Chicago, the string section was particularly superb on those tracks, as Wonder and company worked up “Love’s in Need of Love” (alongside a full choir) and “Village Ghetto Land” consecutively. Stevie stood and a calm fell as strings drove the latter, with both tracks standing as the perfect encapsulation of everything this ensemble is collectively capable of delivering musically.
“I know we gots to go. But you know what? I wanna celebrate all of you. So, you tell people that inclusion is how this is,” said Wonder, clearly moved during a standing ovation following “I Just Called to Say I Love You” as Friday night’s tour closing concert neared its final moments. “Taking away women’s rights? Doing away with books and facts and not letting these children grow? No.”
Wonder continued his trip through the rock and soul canon, working up a unique snippet of the Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love,” singing “Can’t buy my vote!” instead.
“Superstition” brought the sold out United Center crowd back to its feet as horns and strings combined to drive “Another Star,” a full band ripper bringing Friday night’s momentous, optimistic performance to a raucous close.
“Well, I guess we’ve got to go,” said Stevie Wonder following band introductions in Chicago. “But if I need to, I’ll go all over the land with the message of fixing this nation’s broken heart. I don’t lie about it,” he said candidly. “Make sure you vote,” Wonder implored of the sold out crowd. “At the end of the day, you wanna know that you made America love again. Not by what you say – but by what you do,” he explained. “You all ready?”
Read the full article here