"If you love EWF as much as I do and don't have this disc, I'm not sure what you're waiting for. It's amazing. If you don't like EWF, you don't know a thing about music. Go back to your Ricky Martin records."
This is RIDULOUSLY AMAZING !!!!
Helmut | 09/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Serously speaking folks, I am the unrefuted biggest EWF fan on the planet. All I can say is....This CD is absolutely 110% PERFECTION! The energy, genius level talent, arrangements & song selections are mind blowing! I bought this because the one live song I didn't have on DVD (except for Gratitude or the Ramsey Lewis version) was Sun Goddess, figuring the remainder of the compilation would the standard stuff. Was I wrong! The arrangements on this one are new, vibrant and mind blowing. With good reason, the crowd is in a total frenzy. My least fave EWF song is, sadly, Boogie Wonderland :(....... HOWEVER :), Verdine is playing this driving, thunderous bass toward the end, followed by Maurice yelping his trademark "OWWWWW" that you must hear to believe. Can't Hide Love (my favorite) is just unparalleled with Maurice doing his improv thing to the point it takes you over the top, as is After the Love where he joins forces with the sax. If you only own 1 EWF CD (I don't know how that would be possible, but, hey ok) -- this is the one. God bless you Maurice for sharing your timeless genius to inspire us all. You are walking music and, being an accomplished musician myself, always have been and always will be my inspiration."
Maurice's last concert tour?
DannyV | Omaha, Nebraska United States | 08/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Earth Wind and Fire live in Des Moines, Iowa the summer of 2002. But this......this set........OH MY GOODNESS. These guys have been one of the greatest live acts in history - in any genre - and this is some of the best they've caught on tape. It takes up where Gratitude (a classic) left off twenty years earlier. I think I heard somewhere that this concert tour was Maurice's last. The significance of this is evident in the performance. Everybody came out with fingers and lungs a-blazing. Their hearts were a-thump'n and their souls were shine'n bright. I was eight rows from the front at the concert in Des Moines. I'm there again in my mind when I listen to this disc. This, though, has far more energy, emotion and polish. What a fun, positive and uplifting record. If you're a fan, this is a MUST for your collection. If you're not familiar with the "ELEMENTS OF THE UNIVERSE", introduce yourself and get YOUR heart a-thump'n too."
E.W.F. Always Bring the House Down
cydewinder | Phoenix, Arizona United States | 09/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The bottom line is... Earth Wind and Fire dominate the stage! This CD has most of the essentials and is the second best way of hearing them (#1 obviously being first hand). I would recomend this to any true music lover and especially to the EWF fans! Even if the girl with you in the car wants to hear "Fantasy" over and over and over and over....."
E W & Fire rises from the ashes (w/o the phoenix horns)
B.D. KENYON | Plymouth, Ma | 09/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a fan of EWF for decades and have seen them live every 5 years or so. This recording is one of the best bands they ever put on stage (alas no Phoenix horns). The band is tight and grooves from start to finish driven by a great percussion section. I love the machine gun attack of the 1st 6 songs being performed without a break between them. Old standard tunes that were getting stale with time are re- worked and sound fresh and energized. The Philip Bailey solos are "reason" enough to purchase this album. He is truly one of the best live singers in pop music and after you listen to this I'm sure you'll agree."