Stevie Wonder to Play 'Songs in the Key of Life' in Full

Performance will be part of annual House Full of Toys benefit

Stevie Wonder will perform his landmark 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life in its entirety for the first time ever as part of his annual House Full of Toys benefit concert at L.A. Live on December 21st. The singer announced his plan today at a press conference for the charity, which helps children in need during the holiday season. Wonder then performed one of the album's hits, "Sir Duke," which several attendees caught on video.

For the past few years, the music icon has performed at the benefit concert. In 2011, the performer oversaw a four-hour marathon that included appearances by Justin Bieber, Drake and host Steve Harvey. It lasted so long, that the singer offered to pay the overtime fees himself, as he went on to play songs like "Higher Ground," "Sir Duke" and "What Christmas Means to Me." And last year, despite a sore throat, Wonder dressed in a Santa suit and performed a set that included "Superstition" and "Living in the City," as well as a cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On."

He also used his time at the event to advocate for tighter gun laws, following the school shooting last December in Newtown, Connecticut. "I think people can't think like they're living in the wild, wild west going into 2013," he said. "With guns and their accessibilities, there have to be stronger and stricter gun laws."

At the time, he hinted that he had some new projects in the work. He told Rolling Stonein June that he was working on an album called When the World Began that would find him accompanied by an orchestra. He's also working on a spiritual record, Gospel Inspired by Lula, in tribute to his mother, as well as another album he's calling Ten Billion Hearts. He hasn't revealed release dates for any of these projects.

SoulAlive said:

Stevie Wonder to Play 'Songs in the Key of Life' in Full

Performance will be part of annual House Full of Toys benefit

By KORY GROW

OCTOBER 29, 2013 3:50 PM ET (Rolling STONE)

Stevie Wonder will perform his landmark 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life in its entirety for the first time ever as part of his annual House Full of Toys benefit concert at L.A. Live on December 21st. The singer announced his plan today at a press conference for the charity, which helps children in need during the holiday season. Wonder then performed one of the album's hits, "Sir Duke," which several attendees caught on video.

For the past few years, the music icon has performed at the benefit concert. In 2011, the performer oversaw a four-hour marathon that included appearances by Justin Bieber, Drake and host Steve Harvey. It lasted so long, that the singer offered to pay the overtime fees himself, as he went on to play songs like "Higher Ground," "Sir Duke" and "What Christmas Means to Me." And last year, despite a sore throat, Wonder dressed in a Santa suit and performed a set that included "Superstition" and "Living in the City," as well as a cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On."

He also used his time at the event to advocate for tighter gun laws, following the school shooting last December in Newtown, Connecticut. "I think people can't think like they're living in the wild, wild west going into 2013," he said. "With guns and their accessibilities, there have to be stronger and stricter gun laws."

At the time, he hinted that he had some new projects in the work. He told Rolling Stonein June that he was working on an album called When the World Began that would find him accompanied by an orchestra. He's also working on a spiritual record, Gospel Inspired by Lula, in tribute to his mother, as well as another album he's calling Ten Billion Hearts. He hasn't revealed release dates for any of these projects.

Cool concept to play the full album, but those albums are totally overdue

I love the idea of a show featuring an entire album being performed.Some artists have done tours like this.SITKOL is my favorite album,so I would be thrilled to witness this performance.

SoulAlive said:

I love the idea of a show featuring an entire album being performed.Some artists have done tours like this.SITKOL is my favorite album,so I would be thrilled to witness this performance.

Oh yes. Wish he did this in some European country too, I wouldn't doubt attending. It's not my favourite album, but it's my third or fourth, so I'd be thrilled too.

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Hopefully, some of his other projects will materialise too. The orchestral album and the gospel one... How I'd love to hear a new and brilliant album of Stevie.

Cool, hope Stevie does a UK tour too!

SoulAlive said:

Stevie Wonder to Play 'Songs in the Key of Life' in Full

Performance will be part of annual House Full of Toys benefit

By KORY GROW

OCTOBER 29, 2013 3:50 PM ET (Rolling STONE)

Stevie Wonder will perform his landmark 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life in its entirety for the first time ever as part of his annual House Full of Toys benefit concert at L.A. Live on December 21st. The singer announced his plan today at a press conference for the charity, which helps children in need during the holiday season. Wonder then performed one of the album's hits, "Sir Duke," which several attendees caught on video.

For the past few years, the music icon has performed at the benefit concert. In 2011, the performer oversaw a four-hour marathon that included appearances by Justin Bieber, Drake and host Steve Harvey. It lasted so long, that the singer offered to pay the overtime fees himself, as he went on to play songs like "Higher Ground," "Sir Duke" and "What Christmas Means to Me." And last year, despite a sore throat, Wonder dressed in a Santa suit and performed a set that included "Superstition" and "Living in the City," as well as a cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On."

He also used his time at the event to advocate for tighter gun laws, following the school shooting last December in Newtown, Connecticut. "I think people can't think like they're living in the wild, wild west going into 2013," he said. "With guns and their accessibilities, there have to be stronger and stricter gun laws."

At the time, he hinted that he had some new projects in the work. He told Rolling Stonein June that he was working on an album called When the World Began that would find him accompanied by an orchestra. He's also working on a spiritual record, Gospel Inspired by Lula, in tribute to his mother, as well as another album he's calling Ten Billion Hearts. He hasn't revealed release dates for any of these projects.

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The last sentence is probably the funniest part of the article.

Musicslave said:

SoulAlive said:

Stevie Wonder to Play 'Songs in the Key of Life' in Full

Performance will be part of annual House Full of Toys benefit

By KORY GROW

OCTOBER 29, 2013 3:50 PM ET (Rolling STONE)

Stevie Wonder will perform his landmark 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life in its entirety for the first time ever as part of his annual House Full of Toys benefit concert at L.A. Live on December 21st. The singer announced his plan today at a press conference for the charity, which helps children in need during the holiday season. Wonder then performed one of the album's hits, "Sir Duke," which several attendees caught on video.

For the past few years, the music icon has performed at the benefit concert. In 2011, the performer oversaw a four-hour marathon that included appearances by Justin Bieber, Drake and host Steve Harvey. It lasted so long, that the singer offered to pay the overtime fees himself, as he went on to play songs like "Higher Ground," "Sir Duke" and "What Christmas Means to Me." And last year, despite a sore throat, Wonder dressed in a Santa suit and performed a set that included "Superstition" and "Living in the City," as well as a cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On."

He also used his time at the event to advocate for tighter gun laws, following the school shooting last December in Newtown, Connecticut. "I think people can't think like they're living in the wild, wild west going into 2013," he said. "With guns and their accessibilities, there have to be stronger and stricter gun laws."

At the time, he hinted that he had some new projects in the work. He told Rolling Stonein June that he was working on an album called When the World Began that would find him accompanied by an orchestra. He's also working on a spiritual record, Gospel Inspired by Lula, in tribute to his mother, as well as another album he's calling Ten Billion Hearts. He hasn't revealed release dates for any of these projects.

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The last sentence is probably the funniest part of the article.

You're right. I find it sad, but when I see it written, I can't help but laugh.

Because Stevie has already given so much music for so many years,I'm gonna give him a pass but I'd love it if those new albums ever see the light of day

Given his recent track record, I am not holding out much hope of these albums ever being released, let alone them being any good

Having said that, I read elsewhere that he is working with a co-producer for the 10 billion hearts record (David Foster). That should at least help with quality control...

This went down last night. He played the full album including the "A Something's Extra" LP. Truly hope a recording of this surfaces. I doubt it will be released commercially since it was a one-off performance. Rolling Stone did a review:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/stevie-wonder-recreates-songs-in-the-key-of-life-for-holiday-benefit-20131222

*Oh man, he even got Shirley Brewer (original Wonderlove vocalist) and Ledisi to sing on Ordinary Pain... He sounded great too.

All Day Sucker:

[Edited 12/22/13 11:57am]

I wish I had been there last night! I would have loved to have seen that performance.

I love this album! He sounds great on that clip!