Pop Music Reviews : Philip Bailey’s Falsetto Facade

As an R&B; singer, Philip Bailey isn’t what he used to be. The former Earth, Wind & Fire singer’s falsetto--once full-bodied, soaring and second to none--has fallen on hard times.

At the Roxy on Thursday, that voice soared to old heights only a few times, sometimes either cracking or slightly off-key. And like that falsetto, the show never really soared.

Bailey, who has had success both in the pop and gospel fields, led off the night with the Beatles’ “Come Together” and his 10-year-old soul-rock hit “Easy Lover” to show the audience right away it wasn’t going to be a gospel show. But “Easy Lover,” powered by driving rock riffs, turned out to be the best song of the show and it was mostly downhill from there--despite a solid performance by his backup sextet.

Many of the fans who packed the Roxy seemed to be there to hear the old hits from Bailey’s ‘70s Earth, Wind & Fire glory days, but the only one he offered was 1975’s “Reasons.”

While it’s admirable and even daring not to use EWF oldies as a crutch, it was also a silly decision in that it placed the burden of carrying the show squarely on the music from his 10-year solo R&B; career--particularly songs from his so-so new album, “Philip Bailey.” The truth is that material simply isn’t strong enough to rivet an audience for an entire set.