Posted by Andrew Barker

Opening with a four song block from his 1980 LP "Hotter Than July," Stevie Wonder kept things seasonally appropriate Monday night. Backed by an ultra-proficient band (at times almost too proficient, leaning toward fusion when they should have been bringing the funk), Stevie was in near-perfect form throughout, even keeping his legendarily discursive stage banter snappy.
Among the revelations: Stevie has two records in the works (one a tribute to his late mother, "The Gospel Inspired by Lula"), he still supports Barack Obama, and his twentysomething son isn't above using "Ribbon in the Sky" to try to get fresh with the ladies.
At the Hollywood Bowl Monday he performed:
As If You Read My Mind / Master Blaster (Jammin’) / All I Do / Rocket Love / Knocks Me Off My Feet / (Jam) / Higher Ground / Spain (band solos) / Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing / If It’s Magic / Living for the City / Golden Lady / Keep Fooling Yourself Baby Girl (new song) / I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life (sung by Aisha Morris) / Isn't She Lovely / Ribbon in the Sky / Overjoyed / My Cherie Amour / Signed, Sealed, Delivered / Sir Duke / I Wish / Do I Do / You Are the Sunshine of My Life / I Just Called to Say I Love You / Superstition

Actually it was a recording of Stevie calling to urge me to vote for Barack Obama. He's fired up and ready for change! But why in the world would Obama have Wonder sing "I Just Called to Say I Love You?" He didn't change the words to "call and vote Obama" or any such pro-Barack, pro-voting commentary. He sang it straight. Has Barack not seen "High Fidelity"? Does he really prefer lame Stevie from the '80s over the brilliant stuff from the '70s? Suddenly, I'm really concerned about the contents of Obama's iPod.
Wonder's former employers, Berry Gordy and Clarence Avant, however, are backing Hillary Clinton despite contributing money to both candidates. Wonder, who still uses the name of Stevland Morris on official documents, has not contributed to a presidential campaign since Jesse Jackson's run in 1984, according to NewsMeat.

Stevie Wonder is predicting a January release date for his next album, "The Gospel Inspired by Lula," which he says will include various languages and exotic instruments.

At, quite possibly, the show of the summer in L.A., Stevie Wonder performed Sept. 5 at the Greek Theater:

Love's in Need of Love Today / Too High / Visions / Living For the City /  Master Blaster (Jammin') / Higher Ground / Golden Lady /Ribbon in the Sky / Overjoyed / Can't Imagine Love Without You > You and I > Lately > How Will I Know (with Aisha Morris) / Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing / Signed, Sealed, Delivered /   Signed, Sealed, Delivered (country style)  / Memphis (by Chuck Berry) / Boogie On Reggae Woman / My Cherie Amour / When I Fall in Love (by Nat Cole/with Anita Johnson) /  I Wish > Sir Duke > Isn't She Lovely > You Are the Sunshine of My Life (medley) / Superstition / I Just Called to Say I Love You (segment) / Another Star