Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder's 1976 double LP that would top the Billboard 200, sit on the chart for 46 weeks and garner him four Grammy Awards, was the starting point for the CBS/Grammy tribute concert at L.A.'s Nokia Theater on Tuesday (Feb. 10) night.
Six of the landmark album's 20 tracks -- yes, we're counting the bonus 45 of the original issue -- made it into Tuesday's show, which ultimately reveals the breadth of Wonder's songwriting skills and the depth of his message of love.
Wonder, who closed the evening with an eight-song set, spoke at length about love, holding a Ghanaian piece of jewelry that held back his dreadlocks. "Find a symbol to wear love on your head, on your heart," Wonder told the sold-out house of 7,000. "Love is king and queen. Love is the key you have given me, and I am so thankful for it."
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The evening began on a raucous note with Beyoncé and 10 male singer-dancers taking liberties with "Fingertips," Wonder's first No. 1 single back in 1963, which segued into a duet with Ed Sheeran on "Jammin." Then Gary Clark Jr. joined in, providing a power surge on "Higher Ground."
Highlights included Janelle Monae, India. Arie and Jill Scott bringing a slow boil to "As"; John Legend and Jennifer Hudson exquisitely handling their ballads; and Lady Gaga and the house band led by Greg Phillinganes tearing up "I Wish."
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While all of the singers delivered wishes of love and thanks, Andrea Bocelli was the only one to note the difficulty of singing Wonder's songs. And he had one that, at least superficially, seems easy -- "I Just Called to Say I Love You."
"I have loved this song and when I decide to sing it, Jesus!" Bocelli said. "Many notes, many difficult things. I did my best to say I love you."
CBS will air the concert special Monday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. ET.
Set list:
Beyoncé "Fingertips Pt. II"
Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran - "Jammin'"
Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Gary Clark Jr. - "Higher Ground"
Tony Bennett - "For Once in My Life"
John Legend - "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever")
Annie Lennox - "My Cheri Amour"
Lady Gaga - "I Wish"
Andrea Bocelli - "I Just Called to Say I Love You"
Ariana Grande and Babyface - "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"
The Band Perry - "You Haven't Done Nothin'"
Ed Sheeran - "I Was Made to Love Her"
Janelle Monae, India.Arie, Jill Scott - "As"
Pharrell Williams and Ryan Tedder - "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing"
Jennifer Hudson - "All is Fair in Love"
Ne-Yo with Aisha Wonder - "Isn't She Lovely"
Stevie Wonder - "Contusion"
"Sir Duke"
"You Are the Sunshine of My Life"
"Ribbon in the Sky"
"Overjoyed"
"Superstition"
Stevie Wonder and all singers - "Happy Birthday" "Another Star"
Master Blaster Jammin' - Beyoncé & Ed Sheeran (Tribute Stevie Wonder) - Traducida
Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran & Gary Clark Jr
Stevie Wonder Master Blaster (Jammin)
"Songs in the Key of Life - An All-Star Salute."
A tribute to Stevie Wonder by Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Gary Clark Jr.
30 янв 2019
