On a brisk Tuesday night, Stevie Wonder brought a warmth that radiated across Baltimore, and he did it with some very special friends. “We can fix our nation’s broken heart” goes Stevie Wonder’s latest single of the same name. That was certainly one of the themes at Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena as the living legend performed for nearly three hours, hitting every song fans had been waiting to hear.
For his first tour in 10 years, Stevie Wonder’s Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart Tour the musical icon is stopping in 11 towns across America. And if there was anyone who could bring that much needed sunshine to the Nation, it’s Stevie Wonder.
As the lights dimmed in the CFG Bank Arena on Oct. 15, Mr. Wonder was helped up onto the stage by the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
“We got friends!,” Stevie told the cheering crowd. Serenading fans and the Obamas, Stevie Wonder played a little bit of “Heatwave” with the words “landslide” swapped in. “I’m sick of people being angry and bitter. We ain’t about all that.”
Stevie Wonder started off his regular set with the aforementioned “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” which he called “my love song to America.” Afterwards he was joined by an incredible band — a veritable orchestra — with strings and a conductor; three drum kits; backing singers; a horn section; and that’s not mentioning the guitars and keys. The sound was lush and filled the arena from top to bottom.
Speaking of filling the room, after a string of one hit song after another — from “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” to “My Cherie Amour” — Stevie was joined by singer/actor Sheléa McDonald on-stage. While he took a brief break. McDonald sang Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” and her own single “Something’s Coming.”
For another surprise, Baltimore’s own Morgan State University Choir came out to perform a rousing version of “The Blessing of Abraham” by Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers as the stage was lit like church stained glass.
Watch the official lyric video of “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” by Stevie Wonder on YouTube:
The one thing that, not having witnessed Stevie Wonder perform live before, I loved about being there amongst so many fans of this musical icon was seeing how funny and welcoming he was. It just felt right. Like everything for that brief moment was alright, and you could relax. And that humor really shone throughout. Picking up the wrong harmonica he joked, “What the hell? I picked up the wrong one… I wasn’t looking.” He followed up, “You all are lookin’ good right about now.”
Nathan Watts, the brilliant bass player and long-time member of Wonder’s band (and musical director), introduced Stevie back to the stage commenting that they’ve known and been working together for over 50 years. And there’s no one else who could make that bass sing on songs like “I Wish” and “Superstition.”
Giving the microphone, so to speak, Stevie asked the audience to “sing this song while I have my tea” as the band struck up “I Just Called to Say I Love You” with some guidance by Mr. Wonder himself.
Wrapping up the set, Stevie Wonder and that amazing band played “Superstition” and “Do I Do” before welcoming back the Morgan State University Choir to close with “Another Star.”
The setlist included:
Heat Wave / “Landslide”
Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart
As If You Read My Mind
Master Blaster (Jammin’)
Higher Ground
You Are My Sunshine (Jimmie Davis cover)
You Are the Sunshine of My Life
For Once in My Life (Jean DuShon cover)
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours
My Cherie Amour
Overjoyed
[Without Stevie]
Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do) / Feel Like Makin’ Love (Sheléa McDonald)
You’ve Got a Friend (Carole King cover) (Sheléa McDonald)
Something’s Coming (Sheléa McDonald)
The Blessing of Abraham (Donald Lawrence cover by Morgan State University Choir)
[Stevie returns]
Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing (with Sheléa)
Love’s in Need of Love Today (with Morgan State University Choir)
Village Ghetto Land
Living for the City
Sir Duke
I Wish
Isn’t She Lovely
Michelle (The Beatles cover)
All I Do (With Stephen Wise on sax)
I Just Called to Say I Love You
Superstition
Do I Do
Another Star (with Morgan State University Choir)
Here are more photos of Stevie Wonder performing at the CFG Bank Arena on Oct. 15, 2024. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
