Earth Wind & Fire might be the greatest band ever

[hiphopnation]

"Hearts of Fire" on right now. Next will be "Love's Holiday", "That's the Way of the World", "Shining Star", "Sing a Song". Does anyone make such beautiful, uplifting and gorgeous music on par with this stuff?

Definitely one of my "desert island" groups. Any EW&F lovers out there?

[devilgrrl]

1. 'Let's Groove' is one of my favorite tunes EVER!!!!

Just thought I'd mention that. :-)

[hiphopnation]

2. glad ya did!

"Let's Groove" is another great one...they just might be one of my all time favs.

[zonkers]

4. Maurice White is the man.

[hiphopnation]

19. great photo

god, i hate to be "one of those", but are there bands like this around anymore?

[zonkers]

20. I am "one of those". Lucky enough to catch EWF at MSG in 70's. I don't

know who does this kind of show anymore.

[Orsino]

3. I can see God in those horn charts...

...and She's getting down.

[Richardo]

5. I'm hip, my brother

I saw them live back in the 70s and that horn section was just as tight in concert as they were on a studio recosrd. Same with Tower of Power.

[bbernardini]

6. I would think God would use a little more harmony.

Seriously, you can tell an EWF horn chart from a mile away, because 99.9% of it is in unison. Mind you, I'm not complaining, as I'm the one in my band that has to cover these parts on a synth, so I welcome the ease of play.

[Richardo]

7. That's why God created Tower of Power

Harmony AND outstandingly funky arrangement.

[Orsino]

8. Much as I love harmony...

...perfectly-executed unison is its own kind of harmony, and EW&F was freakin' perfect.

When I sang in college glee club, I was directed by a--bless his heart--Charles Ives fan. Fun stuff, but it takes perfection that we didn't have to make that unison stuff soar. I much preferred multi-part harmony.

[hiphopnation]

17. whoa

i beileve it...are you a horn player yourself? Only a horn player would make such a proclomation.

[Orsino]

18. Not a horn player...

..and never really wanted to be--but I can see the sun at the bottom of a bucket! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Beer Snob-50]

9. i was talking to the guy who cuts my hair about them this am!

we both agree ew&f was one of the best concerts we had ever seen.

[hiphopnation]

14. now i'm back at work

and "after the love is gone" is on -- one of the best ballads EVER!!

:loveya:

[ThatsMyBarack]

10. DANCE! BOOGIE WONDERLAND! HA! HA! DANCE!

I HEART DISCO! :loveya: :bounce: :party: :woohoo:

[kwassa]

11. I originally saw them as a Sly and the Family Stone knock-off, back in the day

but they are really good in their own right. Many great songs and recordings as recordings.

I like "Shining Star" the most.

Maurice White also produced the Emotions "Best of My Love" which was their greatest hit, and a great song.

[bbernardini]

13. Maurice White was married to one of the Emotions...

Co-wrote the song, too. Take the vocals off, and it could be an EWF backing track.

[hiphopnation]

16. so jealous

that i never had the chance to see them.

:(

[Dora]

12. They are a channel, for certain.

They know the love, and I am thankful they share it.

Fantasy is one of my favorites.

[hiphopnation]

15. no doubt

any group that can so unabashedly put so much love into music -- it's a gift.

[quiet.american]

21. YES! YES! Philip Bailey forever!

When I was a teenager, I lived, breathed, and dreamed Earth, Wind & Fire!

It was one of those Hallmark Movie moments when I actually met the band, in of all places, Champaign, IL. (I'm a NY'er). I was stationed at Chanute AFB nearby and had gotten a ticket to their concert. After the concert was over, unlike at Madison Square Garden in NY, I found the backstage area completely open!

I'm happy to say that just like in my many, many dreams of meeting them, they were wonderful, warm and friendly.

There I was, surrounded by Maurice White, Verdine White, Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson and Larry Dunn.

As I was still a teenager at this time, you can imagine I was over the moon.

Viva la EWF!

[hiphopnation]

26. wow

what a story, thanks for sharing. god, i wish i could have seen them back in their hayday -- they do performances now, and it's cool, but i imagine not the same.

thier music lifts me in a way a lot of other music does not.

awesome story. :loveya:

[quiet.american]

28. Thanks, hiphopnation23! -- cheers. n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

22. "Reasons"...

the song for slow dancing in high school. :) Of course, the extended live version with Phil Bailey hitting a note only dogs could here is the best. :D

I was an EWF nut back in the day. They were great to dance to and the best for that romantic moment with your honey. Oh lord, making out for the first time with Adam Urbina in the Lenatti's basement to EWF -- brings back memories.

I got to see them several times when they played the Bay Area. I remember the first time I saw them in concert -- it was at the Oakland Coliseuum. I was 14 and I went with two girlfriends. There was a sea of African Americans in their 20s and 30s, and us, an Italian, a Latina, and me, who looked like The Flying Nun. We stuck out j-u-s-t a little. :D

EWF were incredible as musicians and showmen.

[hiphopnation]

27. LOL!

God, so many people in this thread saw them live. I'm so damned jealous!! Another great story, thanks for sharing!

[redqueen]

23. Oh yeah... September.

:)

Love that band... their greatest hits is jam-packed. *grooves*

[redqueen]

24. Oooh and also their cover of Got To Get You Into My Life

Pure loveliness. :)

[hiphopnation]

25. they did such a great job with that song!

it was never one of my favorites of the Beatles -- dare I say, i think I may like EW&F version better!

September is sublime as well.