Ba De Ya

Went to the JDRF gala fundraser last night. I've said this here before, but what a fantastic charity organization this is. A minimum of 85% of all funds raised go directly to research. Not only that, these events include silent auctions and an event called "Fund a Cure" wherein 100% of the money collected goes straight to research. That's pretty badass stuff. Last night alone, over $600,000 was raised during the Fund a Cure, and $2.2 million was raised throughout the evening. 2.2 MILLION. One night. Damn right.

The evening's entertainment was none other than Earth, Wind, and Fire. I remember seeing EWF one other time in my life, in Miami with at least one of my fellow Hombres in tow. That performance was in the Miami Arena, a 15,000 seat behemoth that really didn't lend itself to a lasting memory of the band. Last night, I saw them in the Arie Crown Theater at this event, and we ended up in row M, which by my count is row 13. Right in the middle.

This was just lots of fun. The band only has three of their original members: Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and their original drummer who is no longer their drummer (he's now a percussionist and singer and is part of the "up front" people). Maurice White, long the heart and soul of the band, has some sort of illness that keeps him from touring (for 15 years or so). I'm sure I could find some details on this if I googled it, but I'm being lazy about that. What I do know is that Maurice White was always my favorite...he's the guy that always said "Yaaooooowwww" on their songs....and I miss him and wish him well.

But the rest of the band is great. Philip Bailey is the guy that always sang falsetto (think "After The Love Is Gone"), and he sings both his parts and most of Maurice's lower-register parts. There are also other people that take over Maurice's parts. They all do a great job. Philip Bailey and Verdeen White are clearly the torchbearers for this band, and Philip still has the touch. Great percussionist, and though he didn't hit every single note he went for, he still went for them and hit some incredible notes. He's clearly a talented, creative, passionate musician.

As for Verdine, he's still more of a comic strip than a badass bass player. He's very good, but he's more about personality than anything else. He's good entertainment, which is still the point after all, so good for Verdine. He's all teeth and long, straight hair (on a 55-year-old black man) and funny pants and crazzzzzy jumping and dancing. Good stuff.

The backup musicians were all great, and it was good to see this band up close and personal. Ba De Ya, Yaoow, Riding in the sky on our ship Fantasii doing something about the Kingdom of Doing. Love it.

Highlights: Serpentine Fire, Shining Star, September.

GET. DOWN.