The Al McKay Allstars- Live In Europe

[PaulaReis1000]

Wonderful.

Fantastic

[PaulaReis1000]

Wonderful.



[rewms101]

I've heard both groups and especially the latest edition of EW&F and there's simply no comparison. Back in the day, they were a great band collectively but other than Johnny Graham, Verdine & Maurice White none of them were really sought after musicians. Larry Dunn did a couple of things but Woofolk couldn't even play on most of the horn parts. Today's EW&F can and has hired the best musicians to go along with the still sterling vocals and magical stage presence. They've still got it!

[rewms101]

Interesting comments here. I'm 52 and I remember EW&F all the way back to the Salty Peppers and when Maurice was a drummer for the Ramsey Lewis Trio. Al McKay is EW&F as he was a force during their heyday with his writing skills collaborating with Maurice on many of the greatest hits. His rhythm guitar also has a remarkable quality of sound that really makes you understand the term. Too bad both he and Johnny Graham left the group. That being said, here's my take on this group and EWF today

[DowJones16WB]

I wonder does The Al McKay All Stars band pay royalties to Earth,Wind & Fire for playing there songs??? Oh way a minute Al McKay was a member of Earth,Wind & Fire.Does Al McKay pay royalties to himself.

[rockjohnson80]

@DowJones16WB Not sure Al wrote some stuff too. I think Maurice doesn't mind them keeping the sound alive.

[blqceaser]

Everyone may be right - these guys may indeed be tighter than Mr. White's production with his brother, Phillip and Ralph. However, what made the original E-W-F what we've come to love and admire was/is the 'spirit' in their presentation; the 'why' which translated into the 'how'. Maybe because Mr. White isn't 'backing' this presentation it's lacking the 'spirit of things'. Not taking a single thing away from the music - just trying to say the spirit of 'why' Al's doing this may be 'wanting'.

[cartunetto]

This guys sound much more like EWF 70' (theirs best) than the real ones.And they do it LIVE. Their voices are sharp, clean...man, the REAL ONES are them, forgive me the purists !

[1958earl]

These guy sound good ..but remember that's the way of the world day'sEarth, wind & fire was on top of the world .

[heaven17]

I've seen them two years ago in Florence, and knowing quite well EW&F I can say that they sound almost good as the original!!!

[nardo8869]

These Muthafuckas are better than the

EW&F thats out 2 today !!!...Al McKay kicks the shit out of the some what the real ones..but then the new fake ones thats out 2 today !!.....this band sound Great !!!!!

[Scentedflowers]

NO ONE CAN REPLACE MAURICE WHITE EVER!!!  A nice band......but no one comes near to sounding like MR MAURICE WHITE!!

[deanasimms]

I got to agree! I have seen the EWF show through 3 decades. I think some of the horn players have played with EWF.

Vocals, rhythm section, horns, are amazingly tight with all the of the arrangements.

My cats! Dean Simms

[superfabe2]

does anyone know mike harris at 2:02??

shot out to Playboy!!!!!!!!!

[Fame1000]

These are the most  funk driven ass kickN band out.

[11bryansbaby4lyf]

At 2:45 Thats Rahmlee Davis from the Phoneix Horns!!!!

[BigMTBrain]

I never thought I'd see the day... ok, don't hat, but this is much MUCH more than just a tribute band. These guys sound great. At first I felt betrayed, but then I realized that my heart will always belong to Earth, Wind & Fire, but my ears could listen to both. Al McKay has done an amazing job of pulling the talent together and shaping them into a group that I would love to hear some original material from.

[BigMTBrain]

Ah, I get it now... EW&F is franchising their brand (ala Cirque de Soliel) for overseas tours. I thought that an agreement would be that they couldn't advertise themselves as EW&F, but then I watched the video with the partial title "Al Mckay VDU in Kagay" (search for it) and they are clearly advertising themselves as EW&F. Brilliant! They could have several of these bands touring the world at once, all meeting strict quality requirements. I think it's great--the more certified EW&F the better.

[BigMTBrain]

Looking further, concerts are called "The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience featuring..." Don't be surprised to find franchises popping up from other former members, all legit, certified, and trained by EW&F corp., featuring only the cream of the crop of musicians who love EW&F music. I think it's pretty business savvy and cool for them to follow the Cirque du Soliel model. Not many other groups have the world-wide popularity to pull this off.

[dpmac]

Think I said in my comment how valuable Al was to EWF, and his band are good. I'd sure watch them. But there is only one EWF - Maurice, Philip, Verdine and Ralph.

[leftyroger]

without Al McKay Earth,Wind and Fire would have never reached the success they had,I agree with Phillp Bailey when he said 'they need Al McKay to take Muarice's ideas and make

comercial...like a hit song,,September' is the biggest EW,F ever

and Al McKay was responsible for that one.....common guy's do your homework! Al McKay was blood to EW,F's vains!!!

[dpmac]

Let's clear this up - Al McKay is not an original member of EWF, he joined in 1973. Phil Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson have been there longer. Having said that, he contributed hugely to EWF's success in the 70's and early 80's. This is a nice tribute band, although not as good as the real thing.

[prone69]

man.. u guys were supposed to be headlining the Extreme Sports festival.. wanted to check out the man (Al Mckay) who played those legendary guitar licks with with Dyke & the Blazers + Charles Wrights 103 street band... ..we (Funkshone) headlined instead & smashed it for ya.. I was hoping u would be there & pull out some classic EWF catalogue like 'Moment of truth' .. catch u on the circuit

[Planeview99]

Al McKay gettin down love it after all these years my favorite Earth Wind and Fire still kickin it hard love it tell Kayde Hi

[helloooi]

They were awesome in XV Klaipeda Castle Jazz Festival yesterday. Keep doing that, guys. You are wonderful. Best wishes from sisters, Irma & Vikky.

[burbulasdzo]

Been there.. Amazing!! I'm so happy that they r comming to Lithuania again! Can't wait..

[flahprius]

Awesome! This is one band you could see in concert and not feel like it's a tribute show!!

[patrissimo]

Looks like Mike Shapiro on drums.

[Msstrange1]

That guy sounds exactly like Philip Bailey! The Music sounds GREAT!!

[lawrencemedia]

These guys out do the real Earth, Wind & Fire these days.

[magirecords2005]

True...EWF kinda sold out& went Vegas ish.

[BigMTBrain]

@lawrencemedia, "These guys out do the real Earth, Wind & Fire these days."

They are the new "real" EW&F these days. Check out my other posts on this video regarding what looks like the franchising of EW&F into "The Earth, Wind, & Fire Experience". Al McKay is just the first of the former members to start one. Talk about a way to spread the love (and a great retirement idea on top of that)!

[wymusic]

This is what the EWF I remember souned like. When will you tour the states?

[JFUNK128]

i've seen the allstars and EWF. allstars are probably alot closer to what EWF sounded like in the 70's, not too glossy, and i had alot more fun

[rockjohnson80]

That's because they have Al McKay.

[Planeview99]

It sure makes me happy seeing Mike Harris you are the Best no Doubt thanks for the time you spent getting me up to speed I really appreciate all your help for a young brother plenty of love for you all  Sincerely, Michael Douet

[Planeview99]

Al McKay

now thats what I'm talkin about get dOooWwn

[ladyvaderkmc]

I've seen these guys live, they're awesome!

If you love Earth, Wind & Fire, you'll enjoy the show!

Al McKay is one of the original EWF members and co-wrote a lot of their hits!

Check out the show if you ever get a chance! You won't be disappointed!

[Odiculeoj]

Tres Dope ...