Monday, November 09, 2009

Stevie Wonder


It's late. I've been packing for Bangkok while listening to Stevie Wonder's astonishing "Inner Visions."
I closed my eyes and listened to "All Is Fair In Love." What... a song... his voice... the clarity... melodic virtuosity... the phenomenal vocal range. Absolute control of his instrument. Master of the sustained note. The unexpected chords. Minor chords opening to their relative major chords, like emerging from a dark forest into a vast, endless field. Sustained, controlled passion.
Note how the song builds. That last note he hits as the time signature changes from 4/4 to 3/4 is breathtaking. Few people write songs like this; even fewer can sing them like this. So is he God? No. But if, when I bow before the throne, the voice of God sounds like this I will not be disappointed.