Earth, Wind & Fire Recommendation

[ErikP.Bass]

I’m looking to dive into EWFs catalogue and am wondering what album would be a good place to start. I’m leaning towards That’s The Way of The World but would like to hear peoples recommendations. Greatest Hits or Essential look to be a good choice as well.

 

[bass12]

That’s The Way Of The World is a good place to start. All ‘N’ All is also great, as is Gratitude (a mostly live album). Open Our Eyes has some fantastic stuff on it as well.

 

[FilterFunk]

"I Am," released after "All 'N' All," is another great one. It gets dismissed by some for being too pop, but song for song it stands up very well.

 

[jerry]

Gratitude is a great place to start, some studio and live stuff put out at the height of their career and power as a live band. It was a double album when it was released on vinyl back in the day.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I realize this is cheating, but their Greatest Hits compilation album would be the first place I'd start.

 

[Staccato]

Beginner song?

• Lets Groove Tonight
• Sing a Song

 

[MrLenny1]

I caught them live last month @ Woodstock NY.
What a great show band, vocals & choreography.

 

[FilterFunk]

I’m looking to dive into EWFs catalogue and am wondering what album would be a good place to start. I’m leaning towards That’s The Way of The World but would like to hear peoples recommendations. Greatest Hits or Essential look to be a good choice as well.

Is this purely for listening or for learning to play their songs?

If it's just for listening, I'll put together some of what's already been said and say that the streak of "Open Our Eyes," "That's the Way of the World," "Spirit," "Gratitude," "All 'N' All," and "I Am" constitutes one of greatest album runs by any band or artist ever. So much so that it's tough to recommend a good place to start because of the tremendous body of work, and the fact that EWF was never just a hit singles band; their albums really should be experienced in their entirety.

 

[JimK]

My 1st EWF is the one I would recommend-
That's The Way Of The World

"Shining Star" is a primer for shakes, trills, double stops, etc. All under 3:00 minutes.
...learning the title track with those chromatic approach notes (upper & lower) got me thinking beyond just playing notes from the scale/chord tones.
"Can't Hide Love" (different album) is another.
Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love"... same.

 

[jnewmark]

Greatest Hits gives you the essential songs, although one of my favorite Verdine bass lines is on a song called, " Saturday Night".