That's the Way of the World [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Earth Wind & Fire | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 27, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1975
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000JQFK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,045 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

While not quite in a league with Stevie Wonder's best '70s albums, That's the Way of the World finds Earth, Wind & Fire taking a similar path to good effect. Melding rock, funk, jazz, and African influences, the group also works its positive messages--belief in oneself, understanding of others--into each track. "Shining Star," one of the greatest singles ever, leads off the set, but the title track, "See the Light," and "All About Love" keep the good vibes flowing with a minimum of sappiness. This excellent remaster contains a passel of bonus demo versions. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Right Way, January 29, 2001

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: That's the Way of the World (Audio CD)

That's The Way Of The World was the soundtrack to film that featured a young Harvey Keitel as a record producer and Earth, Wind & Fire as a band with big potential. The band is dropped in favor of what record company executives feel was more commercial group and they gone on to major success. The film mirrored EWF themselves as the album propelled them to the top of the charts. After several years of moderate success despite making excellent records, this soundtrack album showed all the band's talents and mixing of jazz, soul, funk and positive themes. "Shining Star" opens the album with a pumping beat that set it up to the number one position of the charts. The title track starts off with a slow, smooth beat and then erupts into a harmony-fueled explosion. "All about Love" has some jazzy elements while "Africano" explores some world rhythms. "Yearnin', Learnin'" is an underrated song in their catalog and "Reasons" is a powerful ballad. That's The Way Of The World tanked at the box office and was quickly forgotten, but the album hit number on the charts and made EWF superstars.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent SACD Remaster, October 12, 2005

By 

hankaaron (Austin, TX. United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: That's the Way of the World (Hybr) (Audio CD)

Though it's not the stellar mind-blowing sound of the two SACD live albums "Gratitude" and "...Alive in '75", this remaster is much richer aurally. In comparison the regular CD version sounds harsh and has less fidelity at higher frequencies. The SACD version reminds me a lot of the sound quality from a very good LP setup.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth it for the re-mastering and extra tracks, July 5, 2002

By 

Michael Erisman (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That's the Way of the World (Audio CD)

This album was originally a soundtrack for a long forgotten film. In fact I have never seen the film. However, the songs have been quite the opposite - unforgettable classics.

Earth Wind and Fire have always been extremely talented musicians and posses amazing vocal harmonies. What is not always realized is just how out in front they were with combining the elements of jazz, and horns, infused into smooth R&B dance tracks and ballads.

This CD contains some of their best work - namely the songs "Shining Star" and "That's the Way of the World". Both are classics and are worth the price on their own.

The additional, previously unreleased, tracks are excellent, with my only complaint that they are too short. Of particular interest is the track "Caribou Chaser (Jazzy Jam)", which showcases the ability of this band to play jazz with the best of them.

Most everything they released from the early 70's through the mid-80's is simply classic music from one of the best bands ever. Now that these great albums are being re-released with extra bonus tracks, its time to revisit them again.