An odd collection of live tracks and what sound like cuts from the two Eric
Burdon and War albums released at the turn of the '70s, 1976's LOVE IS ALL
AROUND was probably a contractual obligation album. That said, it's a pretty
terrific collection of long, loose War jams, which sound marvelous. Limber
rhythms and dead-on horn and harmonica accents made this L.A. band one of the
premier funk outfits of the '70s. Unfortunately, as was usually the case with
Eric Burdon and War, their free-flowing funkiness and his more constricted,
blues-based singing style don't always mesh as well as they might, as on the
slightly awkward verses of the title track. But when War opens up and lets
loose, it's hard to imagine a better band. - CDUniverse.com
The album
opens with a funky (War exists, of course, as one of the most naturally funky
collections of instrumental artists on the planet) rock track originally laid
down in 1970, 'Love Is All Around'... not to be confused with the 1960's Troggs
hit that prevented the latter from being a one-trick pony. Two other tracks are
also drawn from 1970, 'Magic Mountain', which premiered as the flip side of the
band's sole hit single, 'Spill the Wine', which rose to #3 on the national
charts in July of that year. It's also one of the more interesting tracks,
producing a unique psychedelic sound by mixing slow-tempo horns with a fast
tempo piano melody and rhythm track. The lyrics continue 'Spill the Wine's'
theme, offering such high-minded considerations as, "We're goin' high, high,
high... never comin' down". 'A Day In the Life' follows, a daring eleven minute
plus cover of The Beatle's epic finish to their most epic album. An organ
replaces the piano foundation for the song, and while some horn and electric
lead guitar add some unique flourishes, the song comes off a bit "lounge-y" in
comparison to the original. A studio version of the cover is also offered on
'Black Man's Burdon'. The closing track, a ten minute plus rendition of The
Rolling Stone's 'Paint It Black' comes off much stronger, featuring a driving
beat, an unbelievably rocking bridge, and those familiar lyrics over an
unfamiliar instrumental construct. The track was recorded live in 1969 in L.A.,
and offers an interesting contrast to versions by The Stones and West, Bruce and
Laing. Two other tracks sum up the disc, a six and one-half minute take on the
oft-covered classic 'Tobacco Road', given (of course) a funk/jazz treatment, and
an eleven minute plus, Eric Burdon composed blues track titled 'Home Dream',
spiced up with a jazzy sax and conga bridge. - by Don Schmittdiel, Amazon.com
Artist: Eric Burdon & War
Album: Love Is All Around
Year: 1976 (recorded 1969-1970)
Label: Avenue Records (1993)
Runtime: 43:46
Tracks:
1. Love Is All Around (Papa Dee Allen/Harold Brown/B.B. Dickerson/Lonnie Jordan/Charles Miller/Howard Scott) 4:14
2. Tobacco Road (John D. Loudermilk) 6:36
3. Home Dream (Eric Burdon) 7:15
4. Magic Mountain (Papa Dee Allen/Harold Brown/B.B. Dickerson/Lonnie Jordan/Charles Miller/Howard Scott) 4:22
5. A Day In The Life (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) 11:06
6. Medley: Paint It Black - Black On Black In Black - Paint It Black - Laurel & Hardy - Black Bird (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards) 10:10
Personnel:
Eric Burdon (Vocals, Percussion)
Papa Dee Allen (Conga, Bongos, Percussion, Backing Vocals)
Harold Brown (Drums, Percussion,Backing Vocals)
B.B. Dickerson (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Lonnie Jordan (Organ, Piano, Backing Vocals)
Charles Miller (Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophones, Percussion, Flute, Backing Vocals)
Howard Scott (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Sounds intriguing. None of the links seem to work though. :(
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