Earth, Wind, and Fire Appreciation
Big_Stacks
"I don't worry about hittin' power, cause I don't give 'em nuttin' to hit." 4,670 Posts
Hey Guys,I was doin' my research on Charles Stepney (from the earlier post), because I wondered how he died (I found out by heart attack). Anyway, this made me pull out my Earth, Wind, and Fire LPs ("Open Our Eyes" is now playing as I type). Man, I was struck how I was still so awe-struck by their music after all these years, especially considering the time period when they rose to prominence. I saw them live by in '86 and they were simply amazing!!! Those dudes were so The intricacy, instrumentation, melody, and consciousness of their music was a cut above EVERYTHING else out at the time. They deserve their "big ups" for making great, well-thought-out music palatable to the mainstream (sorry, if this has been done on the 'Strut already). Give those dudes their propers!!!! Peace,Big Stacks from Kakalak
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EWF is still light years ahead of cats today.
One of my earliest encounters with music as a child. Thank you parents. I still have your "Best of.." copy. True Greats. The Greatest Band in any Genre, ha, that fits.
I fully agree with this statement. Recently I started a "spring/summery" type mix that I'm going to be giving away which is called "Feeling Good" and is basically just songs that make me feel good... and I started by putting 3 EWF songs on it. I basically had to chill and not make it a "Best Of EWF" mixtape.
Applejac from ATL?
yes
Thirded.
Amazing songwriting, jazz virtuosity, great production, Kiss-level showbiz spectacle at their pinnacle of popularity, tremendous singing, solid LPs more often(and deeper into their career) than most of their contemporaries in any genre, significant contributions to other artists (Emotions, Ramsey Lewis), and a universal message of love, peace and understanding.
Not too shabby. If you don't dig EWF, chances are I will secretly think you're an asshole if if I like you.
!
No Doubt.
I hate to say it within an appreciation thread but he hasnt been looking too good in the last 5 years.
He did do that latest EW&F song/collabo w/ i think Kirk Franklin. Correct me if Im wrong.
So its not like he's lettin age and disease slow his ass down. I wouldnt put it past him to drink from urns filled w/ some cosmic energy to stave off the effects of whatever he's diagnosed w/.
Parkinson's Disease.
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For the CBS years, pretty much anything up to "Powerlight" is great in my opinion. I find myself going back to "I Am" and "Faces" (there is a classic single album hiding in that set) the most.
SG
Gratitude = 11.5
When it comes to E,W&F, I turn on the cutoff switch after 1975 (sorry, all you disco fanatics). But everything leading up to then...if I had to choose a fave Columbia elpee, it would be a tie between Head To The Sky, Open Our Eyes and ...Way Of The World. They say most bands have a three-LP streak where they really hit their stride, and they seemed like they could have owned the whole solar system when they made those records.
The film That's the Way of the World is also very worth seeing.
I wanted to ask this question. Is it hard to find? DVD or VHS?
It's on DVD (that said, still have not seen it)
You know, I had always been under the impression that it was never even released. It's readily available these days, though--I got it from NetFlix.
You rock silver cowboy boots Rillz?
This my favorite EWF LP, but "Last Dayz & Times," "Head to the Sky," and "That's the Way of the World" are right up there for me. Hell, I like the first 5 Columbia releases (but "Spirit" and "I Am" aren't slouches either).
Peace,
Big Stacks from Kakalak
i'm certainly no disco fanatic, but to me some of those post-75 ones transcend the genre tags.