2 groups, 1 great show thrill fans in Portland

PORTLAND – Better than three hours into Saturday night’s memorable concert at Cumberland County Civic Center, nobody really did know what time it was, and nobody really cared.

Chicago was jamming with fellow ’70s and ’80s supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire and time was not only a nonissue for most in attendance, it was standing still or even reversing as thousands of fans took in the sonic celebration.

Even as the clock struck 11, fans were still soaking it all in and hoping it wouldn’t end. Both iconic groups gave the appreciative throng its money’s worth with a marathon set that lasted 31/2 hours (including a half-hour intermission) and 29 songs. Even with all that, they left most fans wanting more.

The sprawling stage was barely big enough when the two bands combined their considerable talents and jammed together for the first three songs. Picture 20 performers – all playing and/or singing at the same time – on stage performing together flawlessly. It’s not easy to imagine, let alone do, but do it they did.

Twelve members of E.W.F. and eight Chicago band members had four drum sets, three brass sections, three keyboards, and at least five guitarists jamming at any one time.

It’s hard to tell who’s opening for whom when bands of this magnitude and history play together, so they played eight songs together, and when it came time to decide who had the stage to themselves first, they determined that the easy way: They flipped for it. The coin came up heads and E.W.F. started things off.

Just like there’s no crying in baseball and no talking in the library, there’s absolutely no sitting on your hands or remaining quiet at a concert involving Earth, Wind and Fire.

Founding E.W.F. members Maurice White (vocals, drums, percussion) and brother Verdine White (bass guitar) plus longtime member Phillip Bailey (vocals) fired up the crowd and made it impossible for most to sit still, exhorting fans to stand up, clap, and even come to the stage and dance.

Unfortunately, the need for people to get their groove on was initially lost on civic center security personnel, who politely waved and escorted people back to their seats.

Backed by a solid, three-piece brass section which played and moved in unison, plenty of percussion, and gyrating guitarists, performers clad in brightly-colored, sequined, studded and ornately decorated outfits dazzled the crowd with their style and substance.

E.W.F. played hit songs such as “Let’s Groove,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “After the Love is Gone” before a more reserved Chicago played an equally long 75-minute set focusing mainly on its older hits including “Alive Again,” “Old Days,” “Just You ‘n’ Me,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” “If You Leave Me Now,” and “Saturday in the Park.”

Those hoping for E.W.F. monster hits “September” and “Shining Star” didn’t have to leave disappointed as they were played, along with Chicago standards “25 or 6 to 4” and “Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is?” in the bands’ collaborative finale, which was all high energy, clean sound, dazzling lights and showmanship.

Those who had a chance to go to this show and didn’t will regret it for a long time, especially after their friends tell them what they missed. No doubt, this was one of the best shows of the year.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205 and aneff@bangordailynews.net.