With
That's the Way of the World having made
Earth, Wind & Fire one of the best-selling soul bands of the 1970s,
Maurice White and co. had no problem filling large arenas. As dynamic as
EWF was on-stage, it's a shame that there isn't more documentation of the band's live show. Only one live
EWF album was released by a major label in America, the superb
Gratitude. First a two-LP set and later reissued on CD,
Gratitude brilliantly captures the excitement
EWF generated on-stage at its creative peak. Neither hardcore
EWF devotees nor more casual listeners should deprive themselves of the joys of the live versions of "Shining Star" and "Yearnin' Learnin'."
Maurice White is magnificent throughout, and
Philip Bailey truly soars on extended versions of "Reasons" (which boasts a memorable alto sax solo by guest
Don Myrick) and "Devotion." The album also introduced some excellent new studio songs, including the haunting "Can't Hide Love" and the uplifting "Sing a Song." One could nitpick and wish for live versions of "Evil," "Keep Your Head to the Sky," and "Kalimba Song," but the bottom line is that
Gratitude is one of
EWF's finest accomplishments. ~ Alex Henderson