Customer Reviews

That's the Way of the World: Alive in 75

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Alive in '75 and Gratitude both showcase the phenomenal sound of EWF on their 1975 world tour. The Super Audio CD(SACD) format is the ultimate playback format. Both SACD's have clarity, dynamic range and a sense of being eveveloped in the sound.

I may catch it for this one:

I have to preface this by saying that I'm a huge EWF fan. They are the reason I started playing music. I have all of their recorded output (including their early WB lp's) and a gang of EWF associated records (Ramsey Lewis, The Emotions, Pockets, Denice Williams, Caldera, Gene Harris, etc...).

That being said, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this disc to anyone but the most hardcore Earth, Wind & Fire fan. The "Gratitude" versions of Shining Star, Yearnin' Learnin', Sun Goddess and Reasons were much better. The Eternal Dance box set versions of Kalimba Story and Mighty Mighty were better. That only leaves the unreleased Evil & That's The Way Of The World. Two songs aren't enough to warrent the purchase of a CD (contrary to what current record company executives think).

Pound for pound, it's a solid disc. But I'm not in love with it. It was just Sony's haphazzard way of making money off of group that hasn't been on the roster in over 10 years. I'd much rather people pick up the Live In Rio CD.

I listen to EWF music atleast 5 days a week, for the past 30
years! I didn't know this live album was out there. I'm so happy
I bought it! This cd has an incredible live version of, Reasons!
You'll get to hear EWF in their prime! Philip Baileys voice is at
it's greatest, and so is Maurices! The horn section sounds the
best it ever sounded too! If you love this incredible group as
much as I do, You must buy this cd, YOU'LL BE VERY HAPPY U DID!

This is pretty much an alternate take on the "Gratitude" CD. But the flow and sequence is more like an actual concert and gives the listener a feel of what those mid '70's shows were really like. The standouts here are "Happy Feeling" - try not to move your feet to this jam. "Sun Goddess" (were the vocals on the "Gratitude" version overdubbed?) and the next three cuts, "Evil", "Kalimba Story" and "Reasons",(again essentially the same arrangement of "Gratitude"- sans Philip Bailey's histronics, make up the meat and best section of the CD. The title track starts out strong but then runs out of gas towards the end. Overall, this is a CD strictly for fans who probably have "Gratitude" already. Oddly enough, the sound quality is better on the "Live in 75" set and audience participation is more woven in. But new listeners would be better served by the "Gratitude" CD. But on its own this is a fine offering.

This isn't for fans who prefer EWF's studio recordings, but I'd disagree with some of the comments that this is only for hard-core EWF fans. This album is also for anyone who loves the rare find of a classic, high-quality bootleg. While later live recordings may offer better performances, there's a slightly slower, funkier feel that seems more prominent here than with the later, more-polished EWF. Hard-core fans will disagree, but the uninitiated may find the recorded examples of EWF's unparralled perfection and professionalism a little less interesting.

On a whole "Gratitude" with it's studio tracks is a better buy. But the live performance rises a few degrees higher than "Gratitude". If you really want to show off EWF- play this jam for your friends.

This is a CD for the hard core EWF fans.It sounds more like a glorified rehearsal then a real concert.Why do I say this ..?? Because the live tracks on Graditude and The Eternal Vision were so much better and the tempos on these two CD's are "tighter" and played with more energy. On some of the "Alive in 75" tracks, the tempo even "slowed" down a bit and why was "Evil" only 3 minutes..?? All that said I still brought the CD and I listen to it quite otfen and I know that I would enjoy it more if not for Graditude and The Eternal Vision CD's.

there is nothing richer than catching&hearing a Artist or Group in there Peak especially Live.this Album captures all that&more.the Genius of Maurice White is fully displayed here.the Band brings so many styles&Grooves non-stop.I have seen many acts Live but EWF is still the Real Deal.they always brought it to the stage.there trademark Anthem the Title Cut really shines here.I've been waiting for this set since I heard about it a Year&half ago.Smoking Set.

I just received this CD in the mail and I'm listening to it right now, I'm not sure why there are some negative reviews here. Other than the one about it not working on their player, there's nothing about this CD not to like. It's, after all, about the music and NO ONE made and performed music the way the Mighty Elements did. I LOVE this collection of some of their live performances in support of the incredible "That's The Way Of The World" album. This was Earth, Wind and Fire at the beginning of their most influential and chart topping period, between 1975 and 1980 where they released 7 albums that changed the face of music forever.

This was the era of "Arena Music" where major acts were filling large indoor and outdoor stadiums with thousands of fans. Earth, Wind and Fire were one of the most influential bands during this period of the development of live shows and performances. They were the first Black group to have this kind of incredible success, they were filling the same arena's that the Who, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc. were filling and their shows were the stuff of legend. The would incorporate all types of laser, pyro technic and magic elements to compliment their incredible musicianship and vocals.

This album reflects that more than any other even the mighty "Gratitude" as this album has more of an overall "live" feel to it with more audience interaction and participation than does the live portion of "Gratitude". This and "Live In Rio" are their best completely live albums as you get to experience the band at the height of their powers live and in living color! This truly was a wonderful time in music, Black artists were finally starting to get the recognition and praise they deserved for so long thanks to the likes of Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers, Jacksons, Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley and The Wailers.

If you like "Gratitude" and the live portion of that incredible double LP, then I truly believe you'll treasure this one too. It's Earth, Wind and Fire enjoying true and awesome musical expression and they are sharing this freedom and joy with each of us the listener. I highly recommend this CD, bands like this don't come along but once in a generation and to be honest, there's nothing like them anywhere in the world today.

I nearly have everything of EWF so I saw this on Amazon and I had to have it. It's pure without any digital equipment. Some songs are played in a different way but if you have: Gratitude [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]
than this one you have to buy too! They are like brothers and they have to be together, it's ok...