Natural Wonder features a handful of new songs, which appear on no other Stevie Wonder album releases. The opening 'Dancing To The Rhythm', is an energetic track announcing Wonder's religious belief and making use of the horn and string section available to him. 'Stevie Ray Blues' is a short instrumental, which acts more as a short workout and introduction to 'Higher Ground' than as a stand alone tune.
'Stay Gold', from the film The Outsiders, allows Wonder to try some of classically-based piano work, but lacks the fun of some of his other ballads. 'Ms. & Mr. Little Ones' is an apology to younger people for the mess created by those of Wonder's generation, which lacks some of the bite of his earlier social commentary.
All these tracks are found on the first disc, which contains some interesting choices, and does not stump for a pure greatest hits package. 'Love's In Need Of Love Today' one of a number of tracks from Songs In The Key Of Life, is a song made for the large sounds available from a large orchestra, whereas 'If It's Magic' loses some of its delicacy from the more immense surroundings.
Songs In The Key Of Life
'Pastime Paradise' and 'Village Ghetto Land', both again from Songs In The Key Of Life, also lose some of their originality and potency through the use of a string arrangement. 'Ribbon In The Sky', however, gains extra impact from a live performance, and allows Wonder to demonstrate his unmatchable vocal ability during a call-and-attempt-at-response session.
The first disc closes with 'Tomorrow Robins Will Sing', from Wonder's then-current studio release, Conversation Peace, closing a side of unusual choices and new pieces, which are not always a success.
Disc two acts much more as the greatest hits parade which characterises most live albums. Early hits 'My Cherie Amour' and 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' are rattled through, and Wonder brings the crowd to their feet as he ups the pace towards the end of 'Living For The City'.
Sir Duke
'Sir Duke' and 'I Wish' evoke hearty responses from the crowd, and demonstrate Wonder's ability with a joyful melody and sing-along chorus. The stream of hits continues with 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Love', 'Superstition' and 'I Just Called To Say I Love You', each one bringing the crowd along with them, word-for-word.
The biggest single of Conversation Peace, 'For Your Love', gets prominent billing, despite it now being a rare feature at a Wonder gig. The last of the seven Songs In The Key Of Life tracks is the Latin-tinged 'Another Star', which whilst an initially unconventional choice for closing the record, proves a suitable excuse for having one more dance.
More daring in its track listing than most live recordings, Natural Wonder does suffer for its lack of arena-friendly tunes. The stacking of most of the big hits on one side of the record leaves the first disc lacking, but the run of hits on disc two conveys the energy and excitement Stevie Wonder produces at a show.
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