Stevie Wonder takes MSG to Higher Ground in rare NYC concert: review

Stevie Wonder is a natural wonder — a national treasure to be protected at all costs.Unlike other living music legends of his generation — from Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger to Elton John and Diana Ross, Wonder’s fellow Motown icon — the “Superstition” singer hasn’t toured in years.Not since his 2014-15 “Songs in the Key of Life” Tour.So when Sir Stevie announced his surprise “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” Tour last month, it became a must-attend event.

That is, if you were lucky enough to be in one of the 11 cities that will get 11 rare shows on this mini tour — as New York was at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.At 74, Wonder was clearly inspired by his new single “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” — released the week after he performed at the Democratic National Convention in August — and getting a message of hope out before the presidential election.“I wrote the song because in the air I could feel the hearts being broken by negativity, by hatred, by racism, by bulls—t,” he said when he took the stage.Then he reminded the crowd about the higher ground that needs to be reached as the election approaches: “I want to say this to all of you about all the leaders and the future leaders … To have been given the gift of being a leader means that the Most High has given you the responsibility of living in the light of truth.”After his opening statement rang through the arena to an audience patiently waiting for music, Wonder said “But I’m not here to preach” and then took the piano to sing “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart.” And at the end of the song, the answer to that question was a rousing “Yeah, yeah!” from the crowd in response to Wonder.It’s hard to think of any other artist who could have hyped up hope from an audience of cynical New Yorkers like that. But such is the magic of Stevie.

And he kept concertgoers captivated from there through a dizzying displ...