Anthology (1970-1994)

War

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 1994)
• Original Release Date: October 18, 1994
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Avenue Records
• ASIN: B0000033D4
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,695 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Tobacco Road - Eric Burdon, War

2. Spill the Wine - Eric Burdon, War

3. They Can't Take Away Our Music - Eric Burdon, War

4. Sun Oh Son

5. Lonely Feelin'

6. All Day Music

7. Get Down

8. Slippin' into Darkness

9. Cisco Kid

10. World Is a Ghetto

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Why Can't We Be Friends?

2. Low Rider

3. Don't Let No One Get You Down

4. Summer

5. L.A. Sunshine

6. River Niger

7. Galaxy [#]

8. Youngblood (Livin' in the Streets)

9. This Funky Music Makes You Feel Good

10. Music Band [#]

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Racially mixed and, for a time, commercially hot, War forged an undeniable fusion between the 'hood and the barrio, infusing their brand of funk with Latin rhythms, jazz flourishes, and gritty social realism that summed up the '70s. This two-CD collection traces War's lengthy and varied career, from the early days backing up Eric Burdon on "Spill the Wine" to their "Low Rider" (still sampled to this day) and the steely desperado epic "Cisco Kid." Capable of both pop hits such as "Why Can't We Be Friends" and the murky R&B of "Slipping into Darkness," War created some of the coolest and musically adventurous tracks of the '70s and '80s, paving the way for Latino rappers like Cypress Hill and Kid Frost. --Amy Linden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great music, but a flawed set, December 1, 2003

By	Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This two-disc anthology provides plenty of worthwhile music from the great '70s band War (I know: it goes through 1994; more on that later), but the collector looking to update his vinyl as well as the relative newcomer to the band's work can do better elsewhere, especially for the price.

The breadth of representation on the discs is fine. We get tunes from their productive collaboration with British rocker/bluesman Eric Burdon (including, of course, the superb "Spill the Wine" as well as a fine interpretation of "Tobacco Road") and plenty of representation from their heyday in the mid to late '70s, during which they created a series of stellar albums. For those that are interested, there is also ample representation of their work after bassist B.B. Dickerson and others left the group. I feel the quality of the music fell off significantly after that point, but the label wanted to present an anthology. It's a choice, but not the best one, in my opinion.

It's not the presence but rather the quantity of later material included that is a major drawback for me. War's best material was a heady blend of rock, jazz and Latin music with a sprinkling of doo-wop and even gospel influences. The work from '76 on may have produced some hits ("Why Can't We Be Friends?", "Low Rider" and "LA Sunshine") that still garner significant airplay, but it also reduced the drive and the urgency of the music in favor of mass appeal and an unfortunate occasional nod to disco. To accommodate the second disc, representation from the great releases "All Day Music," "The World Is a Ghetto," and "Deliver the Word" are all seriously trimmed. If the point of an anthology is to highlight the band's strengths, this one doesn't deliver.

An even more serious drawback is that three key extended jams, "The World Is a Ghetto," City, Country, City," and "Gypsy Man," are each cut by half or more, obviously to accommodate the later material on disc two. Big mistake. War was at its best when it stretched out and hit a groove that displayed the member's serious instrumental chops. These truncated versions are pale imitations of the originals.

My recommendation is to pick up full versions of each of the aforementioned albums, plus "Eric Burdon Declares War" and "Platinum Jazz," which is uneven but includes some excellent material not represented here. Failing that, seek out other collections and carefully check the times of the tracks listed. If you see a four-minute "City, Country, City," put the disc back in the bin or click to another Web page.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The MUSIC BAND Reigns!, June 27, 2000

By	Jazzman98 (Musicland, California United States) - See all my reviews

This is THE definitive WAR collection. Disc One is the early stuff that any jazz/funk lover would love. Hopefully these tunes will inspire the listener to purchase the full length versions of at least one of the discs these songs come from. You haven't lived until you've heard the long versions of "City, Country, City" and "The World is a Ghetto"! Of course, having "Spill the Wine" is always good as well. Unfortunately, it is the short versions of these songs that keep me from giving this package 5 stars. But, why hold a grudge... it has all the great songs!

Disc Two is an excellent compilation of "WAR- the mediocre years". This is not a slight, it's justa good place to find the best cuts off of some of the bands not so popular LPs. The moments are great -- "Outlaw", "Cinco de Mayo", even "Peace Sign" are still capable of raisin' the roof. (Speaking of "Peace Sign" - run, buy this disc, it's a good one! )

The booklet is among the best of any reissue I've seen. It has great photos and a well written biography of a band that, as recently as Memorial Day, has shown that it can still THROW DOWN! (and at Jazz festival no less!)

For fans just getting into WAR...ignore the remix project 'twofer' and jump on this one. For those of us that know....it's a great way to have all of the albums on one disc to load into the car and ....(S)LOW RIDE!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must have for War purists., March 31, 1999

By A Customer

This album is typical of most greatest hits collections. Not really the greatest hits. Also, several songs have been shortened in order to squeeze them onto this collection (Gypsy Man; City Country,City; etc.). Still, if you love War, it is worth adding to your collection.