Playlist Rewind: Stevie Wonder

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When I previewed Stevie Wonder's upcoming performance at the Borgata, I was excited to say the very least. The event center at Borgata is large enough to hold the crowds that an artist like Stevie can draw, but it still feels intimate. My husband and I had fantastic seats and while we waited for the show to start we passed the time people-watching, which was a treat as everyone seemed to really dress up for this show. Maybe it was being at the Borgata or maybe it was the thrill of seeing Stevie Wonder in person but we felt under dressed—me in a black dress and heels and him in a suit, that's for sure. The Borgata, by the way, is one of our favorite places to catch a show when we we're down the shore. They always treat people well, especially Phillyist people, and although it's still a casino with casino-like pricing at some of their restaurants, we had no problem heading to Metropolitan and totally annihilating one of the greatest grilled cheese sandwiches we've ever had in our lives. Dinner for two (including a glass of wine apiece) was under $50.00.

When the show began at 8:06, Stevie took the stage immediately (because really, who can open up for Stevie Wonder?) He was escorted by his daughter Aisha—the Aisha mentioned in "Isn't She Lovely"—and started in on a Latin chart that got the crowd up on their feet and moving. It didn't hurt that he had two percussionists, a drummer, three backup singers, two other keyboard players and a killer horn section. Throughout the evening, Stevie alternated between his piano and a Yamaha Motif keyboard. About midway through the show, he stood up and played a few of his hits on harmonica, lifting up the audience with that gorgeous sound quality that only Stevie has.

Stevie interacted with the crowd all night, getting some call-and-response action in "Ribbon In the Sky" and "My Cherie Amour" to name a few, as well as cracking a few jokes and telling a few stories. He gave a small tribute to Michael Jackson by inviting the audience to sing with him to the little-known Off The Wall song "I Can't Help It". Little did Stevie (or the people around us) know that my husband and I, long-time MJ fans (we have the Off The Wall and Thriller albums proudly hung in our music room) knew every word to that song, and sang it at full volume.

The night was complete when Stevie played "You and I" into "Overjoyed" and later on played snippets from a lot of his earlier hits such as "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" and "Sir Duke," capping the evening with a 10-minute version of "Superstitious," which left the crowd singing along and dancing the whole night. All told, he and his band played for just under three hours. It was well worth it to catch this living legend in person—we only wish it could have lasted forever.