Earth, Wind & Fire: No energy crisis here

All the elements were working Saturday night, leaving the can't-sit-still audience begging for more.

By JON BREAM, Star Tribune

Last update: April 27, 2008 - 7:33 PM

Like Earth, Wind & Fire cofounder Verdine White, the usually staid crowd at the 26th annual PACER Center gala let its hair down on Saturday night.

The cocktail-dress and coat-and-tie crowd rushed the stage during EWF's second number, "Sing a Song," and danced in the aisles at the sold-out Minneapolis Convention Center auditorium. The dressed-up folks -- and the dressed-down ones in jeans and casual tops, too -- were having as much fun as the hyperactive and colorful White, EWF's bassist, with a high forehead, hair down to the middle of his back and flaming-red fringe on his black slacks.

This revelry was in stark contrast to the previous polite sit-down performances by Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson and Michael Bolton for PACER, a Twin Cities organization that helps children with disabilities. Eventually, the security guards cleared the main aisles on Saturday and the dancing was relegated to the side aisles, but the celebratory mood never abated.

EWF was in good form. With three original members from its 1969 lineup and a strong supporting cast, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers provided a highly entertaining mix of party jams, ballads and sophisticated jazz-soul musicianship. Singer Philip Bailey may have grown paunchy, but his voice was in fine shape as he hit those piercing falsetto notes on "Reasons" and "Fantasy." Energetic singer David Whitworth did a commendable job in the role of leader Maurice White, who has Parkinson's disease and no longer tours with the band.

In the 1970s and '80s, EWF was known for elaborate stage spectacles. On Saturday, the showmanship was limited to a little ensemble choreography, incense burning onstage, colorful tops and glorious appliquéd pants on the three original members and, of course, White's manic moves.

The party-hearty PACER patrons were begging for more after the lone encore number, "That's the Way of the World." It's too bad that EWF's set was so short, at 70 minutes. But that's the way of the benefit-gala world.

Jon Bream • 612-673-1719

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