Just 2 let u know...as a long time EWF fan. Read this:


ASCAP Hails Earth, Wind & Fire
Thu May 9, 5:58 AM ET

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Earth, Wind & Fire will receive a heritage award at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' (ASCAP) 15th annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton on June 17.

The group has won six Grammy Awards, sold more than 30 million albums and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The award will be given out at ceremonies that also honor the songwriters and publishers of the top ASCAP songs on the 2001 R&B/hip-hop, dance, rap and reggae charts.

"Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White and company have created a lasting body of work that transcends category," said ASCAP president Marilyn Bergman. "The music of Earth, Wind & Fire is memorable, joyous and endlessly inventive."

I like Philip Bailey's solo work in the 80s.
This will make DavidEye happy.

NOT my favorite group but i must admit i put on that jam called "SEPTEMBER" the other day...it had me doin the james brown ha ha they deserve it. maurice is a BAD drummer and vocalist...and producer...

Well deserved, such a great group with great music back in the day~ A big part of my music soundtrack growing up as a kid. With one of the best live shows 2 dig on they gave U a terrific visuals with there stage props & showmanship & that funky energy~ EWF music is a pure joy 2 hear anytime... congrats~

All n All
Ill Write A Song
Reasons
Be Ever Wonderful
After The Love Is Gone
Rock That!
Devotion
Thats The Way Of The World
Saturday Night
In The Stone

I grew up on these guys, for those of you that don't own the "I AM" cd, I suggest you get it. This album kicks ass and there is so much more on it than Boogie Wonderland. A lot of the songs fade into each other too, the whole cd is great.

DMSR said:

YUCK that's the one I can't stand; too freakin commercial! A better buy is OPEN OUR EYES lots of real funk and some nice jazz grooves.

magic mind horns!

PFunkjazz said:

I'm gonna list MY favorite EW&F albums....


***"Open Our Eyes"(1974)---Like Pfunkjazz said,this album is an intoxicating blend of funk and jazz.It contains their funkiest song ever,"Tee Nine Chee Bit".

***"That's The Way Of The World"(1975)---This is the album that made them superstars.In the spring of '75,the song "Shining Star" was all over the radio.I also love the Latin-flavored track "See The Light".

***"Gratitude"(1975)---Now this is what a live album should sound like.In addition,you get a handful of killer studio tracks,including the underrated jams "Sunshine" and "Celebrate".

***"Spirit"(1976)---"Getaway" is funky as hell,as is "Saturday Night".And the ballads ("Imagination",the somber title track) are superb! One of their finest albums!!

***"All N'All"(1977)---THE BEST EW&F ALBUM OF ALL!!! This is their most complex,most inspired work ever.The swirling "Fantasy" is intoxicating;the opener "Serpentine Fire" is killer funk;the love ballads "Ill Write A Song For You" and "Love's Holiday" kick ass;the jazzy, Latin-flavored "Runnin" is another highlight.Trust me,people,if you're gonna have only one EW&F CD in your collection,this is the one to have!!!!!

***"I Am"(1979)---Let's get one thing clear: despite the inclusion of "Boogie Wonderland",this is NOT a "disco" album...lol...this is a hit-filled fun album with many delights.Songs like "Can't Let Go" and "Let Your Feelings Show" are catchy and inviting;slower songs like "After The Love Is Gone" and "Wait" are irresitible;"In The Stone" is the type of song that should open every EW&F concert,and the last track "You And I" should have been a single.

***"Raise"(1981)---In the fall of '81,the hit "Let's Groove" was everywhere,you couldn't escape that monster hit! The rest of the album is just as impresive..."The Changing Times" adds a little rock to the mix;"I've Had Enough" combines great lyrics and a heartfelt lead vocal by Philip Bailey ;Maurice White shows off his jazz roots on the smooth Quiet Storm jam "Wanna Be With You".

***"Touch The World"(1987)---Their comeback album was filled with memorable gems.The ballad "Here Today and Gone Tomorrow" is incredible!! Uptempo jams like "System Of Survival","Evil Roy" and "Victim of the Modern Heart" rock hard.

***"Millenium"(1993)---This album contains a Prince-written track "Super Hero".But the best songs are "Even If You Wonder"(sounds like old times),"I Wouldn't Change A Thing About You",and the Thom Bell-written "Love Across The Wire".This was the last great EW&F album,imo.

June7 said:

Now ask yourself why some stiffs formally announcing that so-and-so's music has x and y qualities x years after the fact has ANY relevance to you or anybody. Why is an 'official' stamp always a sigh of relief to people? What is the appeal? Why is automatic importance associated to anyone who gives out awards or formal recognition, especially those praising and encouraging commercial success? I just don't understand...

Earth, Wind & Fire

IS

1 of the best bands EVER
&
their music will certainly stand the test of time.


KEEP YOUR HEAD TO THE SKY

cant really get into their later albums. too simple. but I dig their first two releases. their version of donny hathaways "everything is everything" is one of the best jams ever!

betra, have u taken ur Prozac 2day???

I have the EWF box set, I really like that instrumental "interlude" Pretty amazing 1:31 minutes. What did you guys think of D'Angelo's version of "can't Hide Love?" I liked it pretty well.

How about when Phil Collins stole the EWF horns and even used the Kalimba! Was that bad? I guess he wrote Philip Bailey a hit later, so I guess he made up for it.

DMSR said:

That EW&F box set "The Eternal Dance" is excellent!! It's loaded with the hits,rare tracks,live recordings,and several nice interludes,as you mentioned.I like the song "Night Dreamin",an outtake from their 1983 'Powerlight' album.

DMSR said:

Phil Collins didn't steal anything. He paid them good money. PHENIX HORNSZ were not working at time. EWF had disbanded for an undetermined time and they were more than happy to do the work. Collins got into a spiff with them when some tracks were recorded on vinyl and later released on CD at an advanced royalty rate. The contention was over giving PH the higher rate. Eventually Collins squashed the action and gave them the higher rate.

Phil Collins, like Maurice White, is a drummer turned front man-vocalist. Using the kalimba is a natural progression given his love for R&B/funk. He's the first guy to come out and say how much he loves the EWF sound.

I'm surprised no one mentioned Collins as copping a big bite out of Prince. For every track Prince put out, PC was right on his trail. Except for the nasally vox, "Sussudio" coulda been a PRINCE track.

DMSR said:

didn't he also do "Heaven Must Be Like This" That was a bit better.


U say D'angelo
I say Lenny Kravitz

U say Lenny Kravitz
I say Jamiroquai

U ask "WHY?"
I say they are real good at copping a 70s vibe

Sounds cool, but why bother, get the original.

PFunkjazz said:

I remember there being some talk of Prince suing Phil over Sussudio, which is so close to 1999 it's hysterical. Phil had pretty good bridges though and is still a great drummer.

PFunkjazz said:

I know that's the way I feela bout Musiq, Glenn Lewis, Jill Scott and most of these neo soul artists. Sure it's "real" music, but it's not better than anything I've heard before, and I guarantee it won't hold up for 30 years like the great 70's soul music.

DMSR said:

I'm not familiar with the first two performers you mention, but I agree with you about the whole "neo soul" thing in general.

DavidEye said:

I have The Eternal Dance as well, and I do like the set. I loved the inclusion of songs like 'Devotion', 'Sun Goddess', and 'Mighty Mighty', and I thought the interludes were a nice touch. That said, some of the live tracks ('Mighty Mighty', 'That's The Way Of The World') IMO added nothing to the originals and merely created redundancies in the set. I would rather have seen stand-out album tracks like 'Side By Side', 'Changing Times', 'Love's Holiday', and 'I've Had Enough'.

The Eternal Dance is still a must-have for collectors, but it's not quite as comprehensive as I would have liked.

todd305 said:

I agree.I've been trying to get Maurice White to make another box set,this time with more rarities.I'd like to see a box set that contains...


***The four singles by The Salty Peppers ("La La La","La La La(Part 2)","Uh Huh Yeah" and "Your Love Is Life").The Salty Peppers was an early version of EW&F formed in the late 60s.

***Songs from the 1971 blaxploitation film "Sweet Sweetbacks' Baadasssss Song".EW&F did the soundtrack for this rare film,and it's jazzier than anything they've EVER done!!

***Classic album tracks like "Love's Holiday","Imagination","Let Your Feelings Show","I'll Write A Song For You",etc.These are songs that were never released as singles,but they are still loved by many.

***Less successful singles like "On Your Face","Tee Nine Chee Bit","Side By Side"(as you mentioned),"Touch","I
ve Had Enough" ,"Star" and many others.When I buy someone's box set,I want ALL the singles,even the ones that didn't make the Top 10.

***More live material.I wanna hear more live stuff from their other 70s tours,not just the 1975 tour! I want live stuff from their 1976,1978,1979, and 1981 tours.

Yeah,I'm geedy,huh?...lol...but hopefully we will get a more extensive EW&F box set one day.

DavidEye said:

I Agree.them&Ali Being Honored did My Heart a World of Joy.they are my Favorite Band Ever.Maurice White is something else.there is a Spot on line I Believe Startalk.com where you can Post Messages to Maurice&He will answer them.I heard He is Finally thinking of doing a Autobiography.last I Heard they were talking to Def Jam Classic Soul about finally releasing that Long-Awaited Album.I would like all that Live Stuff as well with the Orginial Band.I got more Keyboard Kalimba rocking Right Now.

2 words: LOVE'S HOLIDAY

THAT'S the good shit...

CalhounSq said:

that is my Cut during Winter time.the Vamp is tight&Classic.

In The Stone sends shivers down my spine every time i hear that intro. Classic tune. Didnt they do a 1997 album too? I wouldn't mind getting some more EWF, which albums should i start with?

WildheartXXX said:

"In the Name of Love" came out in 97.I'd say start with "Last Days&Times"Head to the Sky","Open Our Eyes",That's the Way of the World","Gratitude","Spirit","All-N-All". 72-77 Very Essential IMHO."I am" in 79 Has Moments but they started getting a Bit too Cali Slick in spots for me overall.Hit&Miss in the 80's"Raise" is Cool."Powerlight" has some Moments&after that it's not on EWF Par."the Eternal Dance Box Set is a Must as well.find any Video or DVD of them in Concert or there Story.Highly Enjoyable IMHO.Peace