Gratitude

by Earth, Wind & Fire

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	07/27/1999
Label:	Bmg / Sony Music
UPC:	0886978818027
Rank:	29250

Tracks

1. Introduction by Mc Perry Jones
2. Africano/Power
3. Yearnin' Learnin'
4. Devotion
5. Sun Goddess
6. Reasons
7. Sing a Message to You
8. Shining Star
9. New World Symphony
10. Interlude, No 1
11. Sunshine
12. Sing a Song
13. Gratitude
14. Celebrate
15. Interlude, No 2
16. Can't Hide Love
17. Serpentine Fire/Saturday Nite/Can't Hide Love/Reasons

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Earth, Wind & Fire   Primary Artist
MC Perry Jones   Primary Artist
Maurice White   Vocals,Kalimba,Timbales,Drums
Don Myrick   Saxophone
Louis Satterfield   Trombone
Philip Bailey   Congas,Vocals,Percussion
Michael Harris   Trumpet
Johnny Graham   Guitar
Al McKay   Guitar,Percussion
Fred White   Drums,Percussion
Verdine White   Bass,Vocals,Percussion
Ralph Johnson   Drums,Percussion
Richard Salvato   Director
Andrew Woolfolk   Saxophone,Percussion
Larry Dunn   Organ,Piano,Moog Synthesizer

Technical Credits

Maurice White   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Remix Producer,Original Album Producer,Original Recording Producer
P.C. Bailey   Composer
Howard Fritzson   Art Direction
Sonny Burke   Composer,Composer
David Redfern   Photography,Inlay Photography
Mark Wilder   Mastering
Philip Bailey   Composer
Michael Mazzarella   Composer
Cameron Marcarelli   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Al McKay   Composer
Steve Hall   Mastering
Charles Stepney   Composer,Producer,Original Album Producer,Original Recording Producer
Verdine White   Composer
George Massenburg   Mixing,Engineer
Steve Newman   Design
Richard Salvato   Direction
Shusei Nagaoka   Artwork
Art Macnow   Direction
William C. Rhoden   Liner Notes
Joy Gilbert Manfried   Project Director
Mike Cimicata   Packaging Manager
Skip Scarborough   Composer
Paul Klingberg   Mixing,Remix Producer
Larry Dunn   Composer
Jon Lind   Composer
Joseph Wissert   Producer,Original Album Producer,Original Recording Producer
Leo Sacks   Mixing,Producer,Reissue Producer