Earth, Wind & Fire/Chicago Concert -- Horns and Harmonies Against Hunger

I'm still kind of floored by last night's concert at Value City Center, aka the Schottenstein Center. I've loved both groups for decades, but never saw them together before. I was ready for great harmonies and complex horn improv. What caught me off guard was the raw energy -- the joyous energy -- that poured off the stage when the groups played together at the beginning and end of the concert.

When Earth, Wind and Fire took the stage solo, they kept that energy going with Maurice White's visionary fusion of funk, jazz and R & B. Fun choreography mixed Temptations-style dance steps with jump kicks and a touch of flash. Phil Bailey's voice is still seductive after all these years. And you could tell that Verdine White coaxed and spanked those tonal belly laughs out his bass for us, letting the audience share his pleasure in playing. Killer elegance with depth and substance.

It's a shame that Chicago came after EWF. I might have raved about their set...If I hadn't been soaring already from EWF's performance. Chicago performed credibly, but they lacked EWF's stagecraft, polish and vocal depth. I can't believe I'm saying that about Chicago! The performance lineup should have been flipped, with Chicago playing solo first.

But the best part of the night was when the bands played together. Their joint singing highlighted the tour's purpose: To raise money to fight hunger in the U.S. They've recorded three songs together to continue this fight. People can get the tracks by donating to the cause at Chicago's website. Incredible music; worthwhile cause.