WAR are one of those bands that you didn’t know you knew, Ya know?
Formed in 1969 in long Beach, California, WAR are an incredible ensemble of extremely talented musicians with a love of diverse music styles from Funk to Jazz to Rock to R&B.
They have shaped music in their own right and opened the door for the world to see how racially diverse bands can be. Easy to agree with the last sentence in this day and age sure, but imagine having a mixed race band back in the 60’s and 70’s. Not much of that going around I’m afraid.
When Eric Burdon (Lead singer of the Animals) Joined WAR it was an intentional statement about racism. Burdon said himself ‘Since I was a kid, I couldn’t figure out why people hated other people because of their skin differences. The Animals were working class lads from a coal-mining town in England, and War was made up of a multi-ethnic bunch of musicians in Los Angeles.’
Co founder and the groups only remaining founding member still touring, and one of the main voices heard on LIVE IN JAPAN 1974, Leroy Jordan says that the band’s goal was to spread a message of brotherhood and harmony, using instruments and voices to speak out against racism, hunger, gangs, crimes, and turf wars, and promote hope and the spirit of brotherhood. The magic and power of music can really be seen and heard across all of WAR’s back catalog.
With it being their 50th anniversary of their critically acclaimed album ‘Why Cant We Be Friends’, It is the perfect time to release this beautiful live album. Recorded during their world tour and during their time in Japan, playing across cities such as Shizuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe, these recordings have been rediscovered and meticulously restored to create Live In Japan 1974.
The collection will be available in 2 LP and 2 CD sets worldwide, as well as digitally, and includes a variety of live recordings of classic War tracks, including “The Cisco Kid,” “So,” (Which has been released early as a ‘Single’) “The World Is a Ghetto,” and “All Day Music.” Together, Live in Japan 1974 serves as a perfect sonic touchstone to usher in the year-long anniversary celebration.
A track that sadly is not on this album “Low Rider”. Like most I’m sure, this song was my gateway into WAR. But this album is packed full of tunes you can loose yourself in. Even if you are only streaming it once it’s released, this album is a perfect companion during those chilled evenings.
I honestly cant wait to pick this up and pop the needle down on wax for the first time and sit back and follow along on this journey that is LIVE IN JAPAN by WAR.
If RHINO is reading this, my details are below if you want to send out a copy LOL. 🙂
Packed with never-before-heard performances and insights into a pivotal moment in the band’s history and evolution, Live in Japan 1974 offers fans a deeper understanding of WAR’s global impact, and serves as a perfect sonic touchstone to further celebrate the band’s 55th Anniversary.
Order Live In Japan 1974via Rhino, and listen to the newly-released
10 out of 10 for this absolute magical time in music and for the powerful messages behind WAR.
Reviewer Carl Foran – @carlforanphotography