Stevie Wonder / Birthday Celebration 1989 (1DVDR)

Opening
I'm A Man
Master Blaster
Bird of Beauty
Higher Ground
That Girl
You Will Know
My Eyes Don't Cry No More
Lately
My Cherie Amour
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours
Uptight
Dance To The Music
Another Star
I Was Born To Love Her
Finger Tip
I Want You Back / Bad
Living For The City
Housequake
Do I Do
Good Light
Love's In Need Of Love
Sir Duke
I Wish
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Superstition
You Haven't Done Nothin'
Happy Birthday
Free
I Just Called To Say I Love You

Wembley Arena, London, UK
May 17, 1989

This is the complete version of the live concert held at Wembley Arena in London in 1989 to celebrate Stevie Wonder's 39th birthday. Although there are some moments of video instability, overall, it is a "pro-shot" recording of the highest quality for that era.

Highlights include the unreleased song "I Am A Man"—in which he sings of his pride in being a man—the cool and upbeat "Bird Of Beauty," a cover of Sly's "Dance To The Music," and the unreleased track "Good Light," a masterpiece that makes you wonder why it wasn't released as a single. The performances of "My Eyes Don't Cry" and "You Will Know" from the album *Characters* (released around that time) will convince you that these are truly great songs. His sampling of Prince's "Housequake" is also an interesting touch. The set features an arrangement of "I Wish" with a different melodic phrasing, and the climax arrives with "Happy Birthday," sung by a lineup including Paul Young, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Ocean, Chaka Khan, and Aswad. However, the true emotional peak comes afterward with "Free," performed by Stevie alongside a choir. Despite some minor video glitches, the song builds in intensity through its repetitive melody—lifting the spirits of both the music and Stevie himself—and it is impossible not to be moved as he eventually removes his sunglasses and leads the audience in a message of love. And for the final song, "I Just Called To Say I Love You," the audience finally joins in for a massive sing-along, making for a magnificent grand finale.