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CHICAGO + EARTH WIND & FIRE
Live at the Greek Theatre
Concert review by Mark Wiechman
Technical Specs by Michael Jacobson
Stars: Philip
Bailey, Robert Lamm, Jimmy Pankow, Bill Champlin
Director: Jim Gable
Audio: DTS HD 5.1
Video: Color widescreen,
1.78:1
Studio: Image Entertainment
Features: Drum duel
Length: 173 minutes
Release date: July 8, 2008
When
I’m with you, it doesn’t matter where we are
Or
what we’re doing, I’m with you that’s all that matters.
Time
passes much too quickly when we’re together laughing
I
wish I could sing it to you, I wish that I could sing it to you.
Only
the beginning of what I want to feel forever…
Film ***1/2
The influence of the Beatles on future rock music is beyond
measure, and it cannot always be pinned down to one or two songs.
Clearly the most influential tracks were not always the chart-toppers.
One such track was the underrated Got
to Get You Into My Life. Paul
McCartney’s synthesis of Motown and Mersey Beat was a seminal inspiration for
two of rock’s most successful acts, Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Chicago basically continued the evolution of rock with horns and soul
influence but still saw themselves as sons of the Beatles.
EW&F, on the other hand, took a funkier approach and even had a hit
with their remake of the Beatles tune. EW&F performs the great Beatles tune in their inimitable
funk-pop style in this concert, vastly improving on the original.
While most vocals in the concert lack some of the shine of the original
recordings, they are still excellent and I hope I can sing half that well when I
am in my 60’s!
Something happened along the way
what used to be happy is sad
Something happened along the way
Yesterday was all we had
Both bands have outstanding horn sections which serve as far more than just embellishment but become another voice in the mix. Both bands are also well-known for innovative songwriting and in their heyday featured soaring vocals from two of the best tenors of pop, Philip Bailey and the departed Peter Cetera. Both bands have also lost founding members (Chicago’s Terry Kath and the retired Maurice White) but continue to perform at more or less the same level.
A spirit of collaboration flows throughout the show, such
as Philip Bailey seamlessly joining Robert Lamm on the opening number Beginnings
and the bassists for each group both play the break on that tune.
Bailey also takes over the lead vocal on If You Leave Me Now, and sings it better than anyone except maybe
Peter Cetera himself. Toward the
end of the EW&F set, Bill Champlin sings lead on After
the Love is Gone, which he co-wrote. His
vocal is a bit rough in the lower range but he has more than enough soul to be
the only white performer in a band very proud of its African ancestry.
Vocals, horns, and even drum solos are exchanged while the overall sound
remains tight.
Having both acts on stage at once lets you see how similar
they are. EW&F is more than
just disco and funk; their lyrics and riffs are very inventive and well above
the majority of 70’s dance bands. Chicago
is also funkier than they get credit for. Dialogue
easily could have been an EW&F tune and I am sure Chicago would have loved
to have recorded September.
Not coincidentally, David Foster produced some of the biggest hits
for each band, as he has always loved bands with horns.
Both bands were also born in the windy city.
But why is EW&F in the Hall of Fame, but not Chicago?
Songlist and order: DISC
ONE Opening (both bands): Beginnings; In the Stone; Dialogue (Parts 1 and 2).
EW&F set: Magic Mind;
Boogie Wonderland; System of Survival; Jupiter; Getaway; Serpentine Fire;
Kalimba Story; Got to Get You into My Life; The Way You Move; After the Love Has
Gone; That’s the Way of the World; Reason; Fantasy; Let’s Groove; Mighty
Mighty. DISC TWO Chicago: Ballet
for a Girl in Buchanan (listed as “Make Me Smile Medley”); If You Leave Me
Now; Call On Me; Alive Again; Hard Habit to Break; Mongonucleosis; Old Days;
Just You ‘N Me; Saturday in the Park; Feelin’ Stronger Every Day; I’m a
Man; Hard to Say I’m Sorry. Finale
(both bands) September; Free; Sing a Song; Does Anybody Really Know What Time it
is?; Shining Star.
Video ****
I now know how good music can look on Blu-ray. Shot
Audio ****
I also now know how good music can sound...the HD 5.1 mix
is explosive and dynamic, and crystal clear to boot. You can hear every
instrument, every voice, every piece of percussion with alarming clarity.
With two terrific bass players in action, the subwoofer gets
plenty of action, while the rear channels make the even seem truly live right in
your living room.
Features *
This is the only thing lacking in the set since the only visual feature is a drum duel.
Summary
Two of the most successful bands in American history embarked on a hugely successful tour which has been captured on a cutting edge Blu-ray disc that will impress any listener and viewer.
