Live Report : Chic/Earth Wind & Fire, Philadelphia (08/01/2017)

When the musical elements of the universe, Earth, Wind & Fire join together with an eloquent sound that is Chic, a mesmerizing musical experience forms.  Earth, Wind & Fire along with Chic feat. Nile Rodgers are currently traveling throughout the United States to bring audiences a night of soul, disco, and funk that will leave fans with sore feet the following day. The 2054 Tour surely conveys a type of concert that would be seen 37 years from now due to its futuristic stage effects that compliment the timeless music created from the two iconic bands.

Chic’s presence on stage exactly reflects the meaning of the band’s name.  The band, led by Nile Rodgers has the appearance of a pristine jazz club band but with an energetic twist. Nile Rodgers narrates the band’s entire performance discussing the development and significances of each song that he helped create.  Chic not only delivers their classic hits but also dives into songs that were created through Rodgers’ collaborations with such artists as Daft Punk, David Bowie, Sister Sledge, and Diana Ross. Chic is truly a spectacle to see with Nile Rodgers’ funky chops on his legendary “Hitmaker” Stratocaster, bass player Jerry Barnes’ superb skill of generating alluring beats, and the heavenly voices of singers Folami Ankoanda and Kimberly Davis. Chic not only creates a “Good Time” for concert goers but captivates the audience with their individual and unique skills as musicians, having audience members constantly directing their attention to different members of the group throughout the show.

Chic feat. Nile Rodgers

The second Earth, Wind & Fire takes the stage, audience members are surrounded by sounds and visual effects that would make it appear as if they were transported to another planet. Earth, Wind & Fire consists of eleven talented musicians with three remaining members from the original group : Verdine White, Ralph Johnson and Philip Bailey. The band performance is nothing less than extraordinary. Philip Bailey not only astonishes the audience with his magnificent voice and vocal range but adds the group’s distinct sound throughout the concert by playing the kalimba. Bass player Verdine White causes an irresistible sensation for fans to dance as he constantly boogies around the stage thumping his bass. Throughout the performance, each musician in the band takes turns stunning the audience with solo instrumental and vocal performances. It’s truly a family affair as Philip Bailey’s son, Philip Bailey Jr., assists in background vocals as a member of the group while the band pays tribute to the founder of the group and brother of Verdine White, Maurice White.  Earth, Wind & Fire truly makes a statement with their performance by showing how an old school band that has been around for over forty years only gets better with age like a fine red wine.

Over the years, each band has created a memorable soundtrack for people’s lives. The 2054 Tour is sure to generate pleasant reflections for long-time fans that grew up during each band’s prime, while also creating a night to remember for everyone in attendance, no matter their age. We can only hope that when we reach the year 2054, performances and musicians like this will still exist.

Verdine White, Philip Bailey & Ralph Johnson (Earth Wind & Fire)

Adam Kita

Chic Set List

• Everybody Dance
• Dance, Dance, Dance
• I Want Your Love
• I’m Coming Out
• Upside Down
• He’s The Greatest Dancer
• We Are Family
• Get Lucky
• Let’s Dance
• Le Freak
• Good Times

Earth, Wind & Fire Set List

• Shining Star
• Get Away / Let Your Feelings Show
• Sing a Song
• On Your Face
• Serpentine Fire
• Kalimba Story
• Evil
• Can’t Hide Love
• Head to the Sky / Devotion
• That’s the Way of the World
• After the Love Has Gone
• Reasons
• Power / Africano
• September
• Boogie Wonderland
• Let’s Groove
• Fantasy / In the Stone

Live report : The Revolution, Philadelphia (Theater of the Living Arts 04/30/2017)

Amidst all the music award show performances and various artists attempting to pay homage to the Purple One, the greatest live tribute to Prince is currently traveling from theater to theater across the United States, run by his most iconic band, The Revolution. After over 30 years since the band split, they haven’t missed a beat; if anything, they’ve become better with age. Members Dr. Fink and Lisa Coleman electrify the audience with their mastery of the keys while drummer Bobby Z. continues to hold down the rhythm that penetrates through the building. Fans dance and stare in awe as Brown Mark energizes the room as he slaps the funk out of the bass and Wendy Melvoin spews guitar licks that represent her incredible talent with six strings and her musical likeness of Prince. To add flare to the lead vocals shared by both Brown Mark and Wendy, the band has invited Mint Condition’s and Minnesota’s own Stokley Williams to tour with the group, whom Wendy claims was beloved by Prince. Stokley not only aids in providing a falsetto tone to memorable Prince hits but adds his own unique, recognizable voice to classic songs that instantly makes you become a fan of his as well, if not already.

Brown Mark and Dr. Fink

Throughout the performance, Wendy fights back tears as she tells stories about their relationship with Prince and the impact he had on their lives. Lisa and Wendy pay a personal tribute to Prince by providing an instrumental and vocal duet performance of the song all three created together, “Sometimes it Snows in April”. Fans in attendance received an unexpected surprise when the band went deep into The Vault, playing the unreleased songs “Destiny” and “Roadhouse Garden”. The entire night was a celebration, giving fans a taste of what it must have been like to be in a Minneapolis night club in the 80’s.

Sadly, we will have to live the rest of our lives on this Earth knowing that we will never see another prolific live performance from Prince. Luckily, the Revolution has discovered a way to entertain his fans as if he were on stage. It is evident that they will make sure the Minneapolis Sound continues to echo throughout the world.

Adam Kita

 

Setlist

Wendy Melvoin

Computer Blue
America
Mountains
Automatic
Take Me With You
Uptown
D.M.S.R.
Destiny
Roadhouse Garden
Raspberry Beret
Erotic City
Let’s Work
1999
Paisley Park
Controversy/ Mutiny
Sometimes it Snows in April
Let’s Go Crazy
Delirious
Kiss
When Doves Cry
Purple Rain

Encore

I Would Die 4 U
Baby I’m a Star