A bountiful benefit

As promised, Stevie Wonder previewed material from his forthcoming album, “A Time 2 Love,” at his ninth annual “House Full of Toys” benefit show on Saturday night at the Forum.

Wonder performed the title track from the album, due in April, joined by India.Arie, with whom he co-wrote the song. A poignant ballad marked by Arie’s socially conscious lyrics and a sparse piano arrangement, the song came to a show-stopping conclusion as Wonder, Arie and Rachelle Ferrell delivered the finale with a passion that conjured up memories of Wonder’s creative peak in the mid-’70s. It was an inspiring moment, one well worth waiting for to the couple of thousand people who were still there at 1:40 a.m.

“House Full of Toys” has always been a marathon, but this year’s show pushed even the most well-conditioned concertgoer to the brink of exhaustion. Beginning around 8 p.m. with Wonder welcoming fans, the night ended just before 2 a.m. with Wonder, Arie and Ferrell delivering a rousing rendition of his ‘70s hit “Superstition.”

In between, the concert offered the usual selection of highlights. At the top of the lineup, the show offered arguably its most powerful bill yet, with Alicia Keys and Kanye West, two of the five Grammy nominees for album of the year, as well as best new artist nominee Joss Stone (whose emotive vocals were impressive, though she only sang one song), and triple Golden Globe nominee Jamie Foxx, a surprise fill-in as host for much of the night.

Adding name value were original New York City hip-hop acts Doug E. Fresh and Whodini, whose mix of classic hip-hop tunes and Fresh’s always enjoyable human “beatbox” might’ve been the crowd’s favorite set of the night, and reggae artist Ziggy Marley, who scored points with the audience by performing his late father Bob’s anthem, “Get Up, Stand Up.”

The top-tier acts all delivered, starting with Foxx. The actor absolutely electrified the Forum, performing “What’d I Say” as Ray Charles with the same dead-on accuracy that’s made him arguably the favorite for this year’s best actor Oscar. West was the next performer to get the house rocking. Opening with “Through the Wire,” he delivered four songs -- including a rousing “Jesus Walks,” and “Slow Jamz,” with Foxx -- with confidence and some surprisingly endearing humility between songs as he spoke of what this year, and being on the same stage as Wonder, meant to him.

It would’ve been interesting to see him and Keys close together, as two of the most vital new forces in music. Unfortunately, by the time Keys took the stage at 12:50 a.m., West, who wrapped up before 10 p.m., seemed like a distant memory.

Keys did prove, though, that it’s true that good things come to those who wait. Strutting out to a huge ovation, she opened with a devastating “Karma” and wrapped up her three-song stint with an equally effective “If I Ain’t Got You.”

It’s remarkable to see how she’s grown as an arena performer even since she was in L.A. a few months ago as part of a triple-bill with Beyonce and Missy Elliott. She did throw in a few cliches like “I’m gonna break it down” and a silly bit where she pretended to call “Michael” on a cellphone during “You Don’t Know My Name,” which were beneath Keys. She has the ability to connect with fans on a much more intimate level, regardless of the venue size.

As to how to make that connection, Keys, a great student of music, would’ve been wise to watch old guns Wonder and Ferrell. The latter, a premiere jazz vocalist, nearly stole the show with an inspired two-song set that ended with her being joined by Arie and Ledisi for a moving version of “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This.”

Wonder, who early in the night asked for a moment of silence for his former wife Syreeta Wright, who passed away earlier this year, was more sentimental than in years past.

After opening with “Higher Ground,” the iconic R&B; singer-songwriter turned to the piano for a tender “Ribbon in the Sky.” He was then joined by Keys, who more than held her own as they bantered back and forth on “Knocks Me Off My Feet.” Watching the two generations of soul superstars together delivered on everything the night had promised, even if fans had to wait until early morning to see it.