by Alex Henderson
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 ation 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.