That's the Way of the World
February 4, 2016 7:43 PM Subscribe
2016 thus far is the suckiest of years, and my period-typing finger is growing weary.
EWF created a lot of amazing music, both of their own and for others. They have been a major part of my life.
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posted by hippybear at 7:46 PM on February 4, 2016 [10 favorites]
EWF created a lot of amazing music, both of their own and for others. They have been a major part of my life.
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posted by hippybear at 7:46 PM on February 4, 2016 [10 favorites]
February's a little early for me to be over a year already, but damn.
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posted by Mooski at 7:54 PM on February 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Mooski at 7:54 PM on February 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
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In high school (so after Maurice White was no longer touring, unfortunately), my friends and I won tickets to see Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire when they played in the local arena in town. Our tickets were pretty great and close to the stage. They were awesome and great, and we were the youngest people in the crowd by at least 30 years, and right before they played I Like the Way You Move, the singer looked at the 5 of us, and said, meaningfully, "Some of you were conceived to this song."
posted by ChuraChura at 8:02 PM on February 4, 2016 [32 favorites]
In high school (so after Maurice White was no longer touring, unfortunately), my friends and I won tickets to see Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire when they played in the local arena in town. Our tickets were pretty great and close to the stage. They were awesome and great, and we were the youngest people in the crowd by at least 30 years, and right before they played I Like the Way You Move, the singer looked at the 5 of us, and said, meaningfully, "Some of you were conceived to this song."
posted by ChuraChura at 8:02 PM on February 4, 2016 [32 favorites]
EWF sometimes gets lost in the stew of 70s and 80s soul and groove, but listen to their albums straight through sometime. As an arranger and bandleader and songwriter and musician, White was simply a genius, and I don't use that label lightly. His music elevated the listener while dropping some serious grooves. If heaven doesn't exist it really needs to, because that man's spirit needs somewhere to abide.
posted by vverse23 at 8:10 PM on February 4, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by vverse23 at 8:10 PM on February 4, 2016 [11 favorites]
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posted by lalochezia at 8:19 PM on February 4, 2016
posted by lalochezia at 8:19 PM on February 4, 2016
Serious jam session going on in the spirit world.
posted by emmet at 8:19 PM on February 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by emmet at 8:19 PM on February 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:34 PM on February 4, 2016
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:34 PM on February 4, 2016
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posted by Cookiebastard at 8:38 PM on February 4, 2016
posted by Cookiebastard at 8:38 PM on February 4, 2016
That's The Way of the World is one of the gold standards of funk and Shining Star is a masterpiece. 2016 can suck it.
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posted by Joey Michaels at 8:42 PM on February 4, 2016 [10 favorites]
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posted by Joey Michaels at 8:42 PM on February 4, 2016 [10 favorites]
rest in FUNK
(and thank you for the many good times I have had to your music)
posted by sallybrown at 8:45 PM on February 4, 2016
(and thank you for the many good times I have had to your music)
posted by sallybrown at 8:45 PM on February 4, 2016
I can't count the number of times I've heard a song on the radio/etc., thought "Wow, this is good. I wonder who does this" and the answer turned out to be Earth Wind & Fire.
posted by downtohisturtles at 8:49 PM on February 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by downtohisturtles at 8:49 PM on February 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
One of the greatest RnB pioneers of the last 40 years. So many hits, so many classics,it was Maurice White who fathered it all. The production, the arranging, the writing, the vocals, he had it all. One of the all time great bands. Ninety million albums sold. Another sad day, indeed... Natalie Cole, Bowie, Glenn Frey, please God no more...
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 9:01 PM on February 4, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 9:01 PM on February 4, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by supercrayon at 9:10 PM on February 4, 2016
posted by supercrayon at 9:10 PM on February 4, 2016
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posted by talking leaf at 9:30 PM on February 4, 2016
posted by talking leaf at 9:30 PM on February 4, 2016
As many of you have already noted, EW&F made a whole bunch of great records, but they also were a killer live act. I was fortunate enough to see them live a couple of times at their peak in the late 1970s, and they put on a tremendous display of musicianship, singing, and showmanship, right up there among the best shows I've ever seen.
Also, let's not forget Maurice White's pre-EW&F career as a session drummer for Chess Records, recording with Etta James, Ramsey Lewis, and a bunch of other people.
White hadn't performed live on a regular basis for a while now, so I'd imagine EW&F can keep gigging if they want to, but it's definitely the end of an era.
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posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 9:48 PM on February 4, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also, let's not forget Maurice White's pre-EW&F career as a session drummer for Chess Records, recording with Etta James, Ramsey Lewis, and a bunch of other people.
White hadn't performed live on a regular basis for a while now, so I'd imagine EW&F can keep gigging if they want to, but it's definitely the end of an era.
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posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 9:48 PM on February 4, 2016 [3 favorites]
EWF saved my life at least twice. Words are failing me, but those joyous sequined suits are not. Ba de ya!
posted by miles per flower at 10:39 PM on February 4, 2016
posted by miles per flower at 10:39 PM on February 4, 2016
A friend said once that hearing Earth Wind & Fire immediately puts him in his happy place. Fuck yeah I agree! There's no place I've lived in since I was nine that I haven't blasted this band's music and danced through every room. Even when I was a teenager and stone-cold punk-rock. And tonight I can't feel sad for Maurice because you know what's playing - Shining Star! and Reasons! and Getaway! and September! Groove and horns and thump and swoop and ye-aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!
posted by goofyfoot at 11:37 PM on February 4, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by goofyfoot at 11:37 PM on February 4, 2016 [6 favorites]
To this day, I think their cover of Got to Get You Into My Life is the gold standard of covers, in that it completely blows away the original. 10 year old me's introduction to funk in a seriously goofy guilty pleasure.
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posted by JaredSeth at 3:36 AM on February 5, 2016 [5 favorites]
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posted by JaredSeth at 3:36 AM on February 5, 2016 [5 favorites]
♪
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:02 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:02 AM on February 5, 2016
2016, ok I get it, you are methodically killing off my generation's musical heroes. Has some sort of musical Valhalla opened up, and are you registering the freshman class?
posted by otherchaz at 4:10 AM on February 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by otherchaz at 4:10 AM on February 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by oceanjesse at 4:12 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by oceanjesse at 4:12 AM on February 5, 2016
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 4:43 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by JoeXIII007 at 4:43 AM on February 5, 2016
EWF was the one band that I and the kids around the way could agree upon loving back in the day. And Maurice was such a presence.
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posted by droplet at 4:46 AM on February 5, 2016
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posted by droplet at 4:46 AM on February 5, 2016
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posted by maggiemaggie at 4:59 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by maggiemaggie at 4:59 AM on February 5, 2016
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posted by dorkydancer at 5:48 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by dorkydancer at 5:48 AM on February 5, 2016
The 70s channel on SiriusXM radio absolutely adores EWF, playing them constantly. This is proof that SiriusXM is not all bad.
posted by JanetLand at 6:34 AM on February 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by JanetLand at 6:34 AM on February 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
To this day, I think their cover of Got to Get You Into My Life is the gold standard of covers
I recently saw a video clip of Verdine White talking about that. He said they didn't think it would ever be released and that added to them going nuts on the arrangement because, why not?
posted by thelonius at 6:38 AM on February 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
I recently saw a video clip of Verdine White talking about that. He said they didn't think it would ever be released and that added to them going nuts on the arrangement because, why not?
posted by thelonius at 6:38 AM on February 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
⭐️
posted by Room 641-A at 6:45 AM on February 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 6:45 AM on February 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by Annabelle74 at 6:46 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by Annabelle74 at 6:46 AM on February 5, 2016
To this day, I think their cover of Got to Get You Into My Life is the gold standard of covers
That was literally the only good thing about the Sgt. Pepper movie and soundtrack.
posted by ogooglebar at 6:59 AM on February 5, 2016 [4 favorites]
That was literally the only good thing about the Sgt. Pepper movie and soundtrack.
posted by ogooglebar at 6:59 AM on February 5, 2016 [4 favorites]
In my most optimistic take, I like to think about all the people still with us who are discovering or rediscovering so much great music when they see folks they respect upset about these deaths. They/we are so lucky.
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posted by MCMikeNamara at 6:59 AM on February 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by MCMikeNamara at 6:59 AM on February 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by The Bellman at 8:15 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by The Bellman at 8:15 AM on February 5, 2016
SiriusXM right now --EWF in-station concert and interview from 2013. Channel 50 The Groove.
posted by davidmsc at 9:14 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by davidmsc at 9:14 AM on February 5, 2016
I remember sitting, back in the day, in the West End Bar on B'way up by Columbia, and this song came on the jukebox that electrified me. It was so funky and melodic and smooth...I ran over to the jukebox to see what this miracle of modern music might be. EWF's "Serpentine Fire."
Became a fan on the spot. Bought most of their albums (their early ones are sleepers). In contrast to the raw P-Funk I was soaking up, EWF was slicker, more polished, but, man, could they produce gorgeous, funky, melodic soul. In addition to Maurice White's genius and vision, there was also fruitful collaboration with the late Charles Stepney, whom I later knew from his ahead-of-the-times work with Rotary Connection (who were on Chess).
At any rate, a brilliant composer, producer and band leader. Thank you for all those hours of funk in the past and to come.
aav.
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posted by the sobsister at 10:54 AM on February 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Became a fan on the spot. Bought most of their albums (their early ones are sleepers). In contrast to the raw P-Funk I was soaking up, EWF was slicker, more polished, but, man, could they produce gorgeous, funky, melodic soul. In addition to Maurice White's genius and vision, there was also fruitful collaboration with the late Charles Stepney, whom I later knew from his ahead-of-the-times work with Rotary Connection (who were on Chess).
At any rate, a brilliant composer, producer and band leader. Thank you for all those hours of funk in the past and to come.
aav.
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posted by the sobsister at 10:54 AM on February 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Ms. Moonlight at 10:59 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 10:59 AM on February 5, 2016
EW&F made a whole bunch of great records, but they also were a killer live act.
I reviewed a lot of concerts back then, and they were in fact just about the best group that came through town. After the second time I saw them (a terrific show, with Weather Report opening) he and I reminisced briefly about the first time I'd seen him, seven years earlier when he'd come to my college playing jazz. As an idiot teenager I'd had the idea to have a lot of drummers sign this one pair of sticks I had, not really comprehending that there's not a lot of room to write on a drumstick.
Still, at least I now have one special pair signed by White on one stick, and Art Blakey on the other. He wrote his name followed by 'Ramsey Lewis Trio,' as if people wouldn't know him otherwise. RIP Maurice, you were indeed a shining star.
posted by LeLiLo at 11:02 AM on February 5, 2016 [4 favorites]
I reviewed a lot of concerts back then, and they were in fact just about the best group that came through town. After the second time I saw them (a terrific show, with Weather Report opening) he and I reminisced briefly about the first time I'd seen him, seven years earlier when he'd come to my college playing jazz. As an idiot teenager I'd had the idea to have a lot of drummers sign this one pair of sticks I had, not really comprehending that there's not a lot of room to write on a drumstick.
Still, at least I now have one special pair signed by White on one stick, and Art Blakey on the other. He wrote his name followed by 'Ramsey Lewis Trio,' as if people wouldn't know him otherwise. RIP Maurice, you were indeed a shining star.
posted by LeLiLo at 11:02 AM on February 5, 2016 [4 favorites]
At last summer's Bonnaroo, I saw Kendrick Lamar play with EW&F in front of...well, a whole bunch of people. It was incredible. Thank you, Maurice White, for creating such an amazing musical outfit, and rocking the world.
posted by vibrotronica at 11:47 AM on February 5, 2016
posted by vibrotronica at 11:47 AM on February 5, 2016
I feel a sudden need to inquire after Stevie Wonder's health.
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posted by chicainthecity at 11:20 PM on February 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by chicainthecity at 11:20 PM on February 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by On the Corner at 12:51 AM on February 8, 2016
posted by On the Corner at 12:51 AM on February 8, 2016
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