Catch The Nth Power’s Live Recording Experience @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn 8/18! Get tickets here.
In the wee hours of this morning, The Nth Power led a cadre of incredible all-stars through a fiercely moving tribute set to the music of Earth Wind & Fire at One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans. Joining Nikki Glaspie, Nick Cassarino, Nate Edgar, Weedie Braimah and Courtney J’Mell Smith of Nth Power onstage were Ian Neville of Dumpstaphunk, Adam Smirnoff of Lettuce, Oteil Burbridge of The Allman Brothers and Dead & Company, Kofi Burbridge of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman and James Casey of the Trey Anastasio Band, the madman of sax, Skerik and Farnell Newton of the Othership Connection to deliver a selection of Earth Wind & Fire songs that will soon become legend.
With such musical firepower backing them up, The Nth Power showed just why they were the perfect band to anchor this special evening. The band’s overall message of love and music as a transformative, healing force gave them the gravitas to pull off a truly moving tribute to the late Maurice White and his musical legacy. Cassarino shined all night, his voice laden with palpable emotional resonance and his guitar cut through the fierce backing band like a hot knife through butter. The horn section was practically a murders row of the top players in the music scene, and they lived up to their reputations, delivering a cohesive, brassy force that perfectly counterbalanced the bass and guitar work of Burbridge, Cassarino, Ian Neville and Adam Smirnoff.
The setlist was full of Earth Wind & Fire’s classic hits, deep cuts and even a cover of The Beatles‘ “Got To Get You Into My Life,” as re-popularized by EWF during their storied career. The show saw every player getting a chance to take the lead and show off their chops. Closing out the evening, after an emotional toast, the band broke into what would turn out to be a twenty-six minute version of the classic song “That’s The Way Of The World” for the weary but dancing crowd. One by one, each of the night’s special guests was given a chance to take the lead, and they all shined brightly. After each solo, the band members left the stage one by one, leaving just the core of the Nth Power to wrap things up in style. What a night!
Luckily for us, our own Rex Thomson was on hand to film the entire show so that the music will live beyond the fading echoes, and that the words and music of Maurice White will, indeed, go “on and on!” Check it out below:
Setlist: Earth, Wind & Power at One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA – 4/29/16
Set: In The Stone, September, Fantasy, Sun Goddess, Open Our Eyes, Jupiter, Getaway, Got To Get You Into My Life*, Love’s Holiday, Runnin’, Mighty Mighty, Serpentine Fire, Devotion, After The Love has Gone, Shining Star, Brazilian Rhyme (Interlude), Reasons, Boogie Wonderland
Encore: That’s The Way Of The World
*Beatles cover
Check out more photos and a full gallery from photographer Jeremy Scott, below:
