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Earth, Wind & Fire


Pete Academy
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[quote name='Mykesbass' post='804115' date='Apr 12 2010, 08:39 PM']Had a really bad thought this afternoon - I just know I'm going to get hounded off the forum for this, but anyone who can make a Lennon & McCartney song sound so good must be special :)[/quote]

I have to admit they did that song justice. Absolute classic!

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[quote name='Pete Academy' post='804128' date='Apr 12 2010, 08:46 PM']I have to admit they did that song justice. Absolute classic![/quote]
I hadn't realised it was a cover at the time... D'OH! Still damn good, though. As regards "Rio After Dark", that's a great live album, and still sounds fresh to me

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[url="http://www.theo2.co.uk/event/earth-wind-and-fire-20100722.html"]http://www.theo2.co.uk/event/earth-wind-an...e-20100722.html[/url]

Just checked that Earth, Wind & Fire are playing at 02 Arena on 22nd July 10.

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[quote name='Pete Academy' post='802111' date='Apr 10 2010, 08:43 PM']But how good are the bass parts? Do you agree Verdine is one of the best?[/quote]

Some of their stuff is a bit over-the-top, but I like most of his bass parts. My favourite line is the chorus part on "Saturday Nite". Very creative and interesting from a bass playing point of view, but just totally [i][b]works[/b][/i]! :)

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[quote name='Mykesbass' post='804115' date='Apr 12 2010, 08:39 PM']Had a really bad thought this afternoon - I just know I'm going to get hounded off the forum for this, but anyone who can make a Lennon & McCartney song sound so good must be special :)[/quote]

Chaka Khan did a pretty cool version of We Can Work It Out on What Cha Gonna Do For Me.
I'm too young to have caught them in the '70s but have always had the utmost respect for Verdine. One of the top funk players along with Bernard, Louis, Larry, Bootsy and Rocco. It's strange how players are more technically competent than ever, but few bassists have such powerful grooves today.

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Marcus Miller cites Verdine as one of his inspirations and its not hard to see why. Tracks like Fantasy, Boogie Wonderland, Fall in Love (With Me) are bass masterclasses. For me personally, he is one of the very best. I remember a story about when they started and Quincy Jones (who I reckon produced some of their early stuff) didnt want Verdine on bass because he was too young but after listening to him was convinced that he was the man for the bass chair. (I stand corrected)

Here is one of my favorite Earth Wind and Fire tracks from the recent album 'Illumination' featuring Raphael Saadique, Kenny G, Brian McKnight etc. But this particular one 'Pure Gold' is Hot. Verdine's movement and choice of style on the chorus does it for me.

My 2p.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy7suYVcMG4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy7suYVcMG4[/url]

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I'm not that fond of the tone Verdine gets when you isolate it but it works great in the band (my favourite : Fantasy).
I watched a live dvd a couple of weeks ago (a shared bill with the band Chicago) but it was obviously re-played since Verdine throws his hands in the air at one given moment and the bass-line continues ...

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hmmmmmm I'm sorry.. you mean this guy ??

[url="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2024072226"]http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...eoid=2024072226[/url]

Agree in the tracks the bass sounds great, but I'd be surprised if he had anything to do with the playing these days or for the last 10-15 years plus.

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[quote name='JTUK' post='806888' date='Apr 15 2010, 10:04 AM']hmmmmmm I'm sorry.. you mean this guy ??
[url="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2024072226"]http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...eoid=2024072226[/url]
Agree in the tracks the bass sounds great, but I'd be surprised if he had anything to do with the playing these days or for the last 10-15 years plus.[/quote]

[quote name='Conan' post='806956' date='Apr 15 2010, 11:20 AM']Well, they do say that less is more.... :rolleyes: But that video is truly awful!! :lol:[/quote]
Sorry to say I have to agree. Imagine if Verdine had played that exact same solo(!) without any of the running and jumping around...
I doubt even the audience would have had anything to scream about. :)

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  • 3 months later...

I have just got back from seeing EWF at the NIA in Birmingham and I can categorically say Verdine somehow nails all those lines while jumping and dancing round in his trademark style. Probably one of the most impressive live bands I've seen, and they matched outstanding musicianship with an extremely entertaining performance. Outstanding groove and some impressive solos from the supporting lineup. Would even go as far as saying that they equal the quality of Stevie Wonder's most recent band (controversial)!

(Should mention that only Verdine, Philip Bailey and another vocalist remain as original members)

Very very worthwhile seeing if you can catch the end of their tour!

Cheers guys

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