Wonder delights with soulful set of classic hits

AUBURN -- Stevie Wonder is a living legend, and his greatness was on display Friday night when he delivered a hit-laden set infused with his trademark blend of jazz, funk and soul at White River Amphitheatre.

From "Masterblaster (Jammin')" to "My Cherie Amour," just about every one of Wonder's pop gems made an appearance during his two-hour show. He even managed to make room on the set list of more than 24 songs for a new tune titled "Keep Fooling Yourself Baby Girl." Like the lighter fare in Wonder's back catalog, the track is sure to be a hit on adult contemporary radio stations when it reaches airwaves.

While some of Wonder's music may have made its way into easy listening territory, that didn't mean the show was a sit-back-and-relax type of experience. In fact, Wonder made sure it was exactly the opposite. The charismatic singer engaged the crowd with jokes, encouraged multiple singalongs and had the crowd boogieing to "Higher Ground," the first of many songs that got the crowd dancing.

Escorted to the stage by his daughter Aisha, who was one of his three backup singers, Wonder started by dedicating the performance to Quincy Jones. He later sang "Isn't She Lovely" to Aisha, in one of the show's more endearing moments.

The show's closing four songs not only showcased Wonder's musical genius, but also cemented his status as a legend. The combo of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," "Sir Duke," "I Wish" and "Superstition" were showstoppers. During "Superstition," former "American Idol" contestant and Federal Way native Sanjaya Malakar joined Wonder on stage. His voice has improved during his post-"Idol" days. His hair, not so much.