Live in Rio [Live]

Earth Wind & Fire | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 14, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Kalimba Records
• ASIN: B000071JW5
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,190 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #67 in Music > Indie Music > R&B > Funk

Editorial Reviews

Includes a number of their much loved favorites for this memorable concert in Brazil, performances of tunes such as the hit remake of the Beatles' 'Got To Get You Into My Life' and key album cuts like 'In The Stone' and 'Can't Let Go' (from 'I Am') and th

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Big Surprise, January 31, 2003

By 

EW&F fan in Toronto (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live in Rio (Audio CD)

When I first heard about this CD, I thought it would be somewhat like the "Live In Concert" video (1982) and subsequent live CDs (Live in 75 excluded), where the some of the vocals and some of the instruments were augmented by tracks. Boy was I in for it!!! This CD is GREAT. No tricks, no overdubs, just a great recording of a RAW EW&F performance, in Rio no less!!! The musicianship on this CD is superb (check out Larry Dunn's chops while the band grooves on "Getaway"), the 3 women on backing vocals add so much to the mix, and the sound quality is really good. Unfortunately, Philip Bailey is relegated to backup singer for 95% of the CD. That is no knock against Maurice White's mighty voice, but Philip's voice is angelic!! It was great to hear the live versions of songs like "Can't Let Go" and "Boogie Wonderland" not too long after they were released on the "I Am" album. Hits, instrumentals, jams, "Live in Rio has it all. Get this CD!! You won't regret it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Baddest Band in the Land!, February 14, 2003

By 

Clarissa Bolding "clbzone" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live in Rio (Audio CD)

Earth Wind and Fire aka "the baddest band in the land" were a phenomenal force of nature. One can never get enough Earth Wind and Fire live. Especially during their prime years.

After a short dialog by Verdine and Maurice, Live in Rio hits hard with explosive horns, funky percussion, Verdine's head-bobbing bass & the incredible vocals the world has come to love. The audience participation is infectious and fuels the energy on the stage. Maurice works the crowd into a call and response frenzy on songs like "Can't Let Go" and "Get Away". He brings everyone to their feet on "Serpentine Fire". There are even female backing vox on this set.

The Phenix horns are blazing and fierce, punching with perfect syncopation and pitch. Case in point? The extraordinary opening to "In the Stone", "Magic Mind"'s last minute and the incomparable cover of the Beatles' "Got to Get you Into my Life". Johnny Graham is working the guitar like a 9 to 5, while Larry Dunn puts it down on keyboards as only he can. Phillip's smooth falsetto soars on "Fantasy" and "After the Love is Gone" is simply one of the best live versions ever put on an EWF album. This version even features a spoken intro in Portuguese. "Rio After Dark" features a spicy trombone solo by Louis Satterfield and drum solo by Maurice's brother Fred White. The disco anthem, "Boogie Wonderland" and universally loved "September" close out the set, which should have been LONGER!!!!

Today's musicians (ie: Prince) have definitely incorporated the sounds of EWF in their music. It's too bad there aren't more musically adventurous LIVE bands out these days. So. What are you waiting for? Get this joint now!!!! Peace. CLB.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True EWF fan? You need to get this disc..., May 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Live in Rio (Audio CD)

Probably the best successor to Gratitude (which will stand as the best EWF live set ever recorded). Why would I make such a statement?

(1) Contains the original band lineup.
(2) Contains hits from the great albums released after Gratitude and prior to the groups downfall in the mid-late 80's (Greatest Hits 1, All N' All, I Am).

In my opinion, the perfect collection of EWF live would be Gratitude, the HBO concert from '81 on DVD, and this disc. What are you waiting for? Stop reading this dribble and go get your copy :)