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Rating:
THE REVIEW
Natural Wonder
1995: Live in Osaka (Japan) and Tel Aviv (Israel). A double album that contains 24 wonderful songs, the best of these concerts. The atmosphere is magical, we feel it from the very first notes of the opening track: "Dancing To The Rhythm" a splendid song (unreleased!) with a pulsating and overwhelming rhythm, kicking off the album on a high note. It's not the only unreleased track Stevie offers us in this album, but there are also: "Stevie Ray Blues" as the title unmistakably suggests, a song in the full soul-blues tradition, "Stay Gold" a splendid wonderian ballad (from the film 'The Outsider') and finally "Ms. & Mr Little Ones" also magnificent. Four unreleased tracks, each more beautiful than the last, all contained on the first CD. The rest Mr. Wonder draws from his immense discography, making perfect choices and performing everything impeccably, each song gains its own special charm here, rendering them even more beautiful than they already were, on those magical nights in Osaka and Tel Aviv.
No song is unworthy of at least a mention in this review, in chronological order: "My Cherie Amour" from the album of the same name. "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" from the album of the same name. "You Are the Sunshine Of My Life" and "Superstition" from -Talking Book-. "Higher Ground" in an irresistible live version with a slightly accelerated rhythm compared to the studio version and "Living For the City" from -Innervision-. From the monumental -Songs In the Key Of Life-, the artist draws abundantly: the very sweet version of "Love's In Need of Love Today", "If it's Magic" (yes, really magic), a "Village Ghetto Land" that gives goosebumps, the unmissable energy-rich soul duo "Sir Duke"-"I Wish", "Pastime Paradise" wonderful and to close the album an unforgettable version of "Another Star". "Master Blaster (Jammin')" with a new fast and contagious finale and the magical and mysterious piano notes of "Rocket Love" from the splendid -Hotter Than July-. "Ribbon In The Sky" in a very long, improvised and ever-changing version from -Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium-. The almost unrecognizable version of "I Just Called To Say I Love You" (indeed difficult to render live identical to the studio version) from -The Woman In Red-. the beautiful version of the ballad "Overjoyed" from -In Square Circle-. Finally from what was the artist's latest album at the time of this live -Conversation Peace- he performs "For Your Love" and the fun "Tomorrow Robins Will Sing".
From Osaka to Tel Aviv, from Japan to Israel. Those nights so far apart from each other, experienced the same wonder for two hours, the best of Stevie Wonder's music. Two nights contained in two CDs, immortalizing, at the end of the last millennium, what is the musical art of this artist, here perfect and magical like every 'natural wonder'. . . . -Natural Wonder-. . .
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Summary by Bot
Natural Wonder is a captivating live double album recorded in Osaka and Tel Aviv featuring 24 tracks. It includes four unreleased songs and superb renditions of Stevie Wonder classics. The magical concert atmosphere and impeccable performances elevate familiar songs. This album immortalizes Stevie Wonder's musical brilliance at the end of the 20th century. It is praised as an essential treasure for fans and music lovers alike.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who rose through Motown as a child prodigy and became a defining figure in soul, funk, and pop—especially through his acclaimed 1970s albums.20 Reviews
