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WAR IN CONCERT:
Chicano funk icons War rolled their way to fame in the early '70s with classic hits like "Low Rider" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?", and they've kept fans dancing ever since with their groovy, socially conscious jams. The group's roster has changed over the years, but founding member Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan has remained a constant, and his familiar voice and jazzy keyboard licks continue to drive the band's fun-loving sets. The multi-ethnic lineup he's assembled stays true to the band's message of harmony and brotherhood, and their 2014 studio debut together – the first new War album in 20 years – proved they've got the musical chemistry to carry on the band's hallowed legacy. In concert they strike up the same funky, feel-good vibe that fueled War's rise to success in the '70s, and their party-starting blend of rubbery basslines, Latin percussion, and scorching saxophone always gets ticket buyers moving their feet.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
War formed in 1969 when famed producer Jerry Goldstein brought together former Animals singer Eric Burdon and a group of Long Beach, CA funk players he discovered at a North Hollywood club. The group started performing throughout Southern California as Eric Burdon and War, and in 1970 they released their debut album Eric Burdon Declares "War." Their first single "Spill the Wine" was a Top 3 hit on Billboard's Hot 100, making them stars overnight and leading to extensive touring. War was quickly hailed as one of the best live bands in the business, but Burdon left the group to pursue other projects a year later. Despite the sudden departure of their frontman, the best was yet to come for War – they dominated the R&B charts in the '70s with a string of No. 1 albums including The World is a Ghetto (1972), Deliver the Word (1973), and Why Can't We Be Friends (1975). The band remained a funk force to be reckoned with throughout the '80s and '90s, and in 2008 Burdon reunited with the group for the first time in 37 years for a one-off show at London's Royal Albert Hall. Since then founding member Lonnie Jordan has kept the music alive with a talented new lineup that made their studio debut on 2014's Evolutionary and continues to burn it up on tour.
Great concert, fair price, had a great time. Bands interacted with crowd well. Plenty of bathroom space. Drinks were a little expensive. all in all it was a pleasurable experience.
War was good, at least the one guy who's still in the band. The tunes were groovy, but we could have done without the extraneous stuff. War had way more than enough great music on its own to have to worry about wasting good time with throwaway covers. Big problem with the night were the countless garage bands who went on before. Ultimately, this night went from 8 until 1, with far too little of the time being War.
I thought the War concert was fantastic. It took me back to my high school days. I could'nt remember all of the music they sang but when they started a song it was like o.k. I remember this. The lead singer put on a wonderful show, he was very entertaining. The band sounded great and the music was just great to hear. I forgot that they sang Spill thw Wine and Summertime. It was a night to remember.
It is a shame that the concern, WAR playing lasted only 60 Minutes, what an energetic and fun concern. My Wife and I Loved It.
Both bands were very entertaining. I go to 20-25 concerts a year and Hard Rock Live at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, FL is the best venue I've ever attended. The sound was phenominal and the seating was very well thought out. Both bands played all their hits faithfully. Took me back to the 70's. AWB even came out afterword and signed CD's.
The music was totally amazing!!!!!!!!!!! Lenny's voice is exactly the same as ever and I went back in time for the evening. My husband and I met in 1973 in a dance club. We both love this music. Our daughter, now 26 years old with a Master's Degree in Education and a music lover as well, bought us these tickets. It was the best gift we have ever received! At first I was disappointed that there were so few people in attendance but then I was glad because I stood at my seat and danced almost the entire concert and I wasn't in anyone way because there was no one behind me. The saxophone and percussion and keyboards were also amazing. These men are talented!
War and The Average White Band were rhythmic. Loved the saxes and the Viet Nam Vets trying to get to the stage was unforgettable!
I had wanted to see AWB a favorite band from years gone by, but did not realize Hamish Stuart was not in the band. Clive was so talented, but I had wanted to hear Hamish's falsetto. Then came WAR and my evening was redeemed. I was hoarse at the end of the evening. I am a pacifist yet thank goodness for WAR!!!!!
THE NAME SAYS ALL; THE MOOD WAS PERFECT, TIMING ALSO; DON'T LIKE W.A.B. THERE WAS TOO MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM. I'D LIKE MORE WAR TIME!!!!
I was a diehard fan in the early 70s, and really hoped that Eric Burdon was playing with them but, alas, he wasn't there. (Their website, plus others, claim that Burdon would join them for this summer 2009 tour.) Lonnie Jordan (the only original member) and (new) harmonica player, Mitch Kashmar, and everyone were great, but the show was short by a few songs, and the band didn't come back for an encore (a real no-no in my book). War opened with a fantastic rendition of Cisco Kid that time warped up back to the early 70s. Concert included Baby Brother, Why Can't We Be Friends, Slippin' Into Darkness (my favorite), Spill the Wine, Summer, and an extended ("live") version of Low Rider that included band member introductions and short riffs of Shotgun, Sunshine of Your Love , Iron Man, Gypsy Queen, and what sounded like an approximation of some Santana song to show off the percussionist. There was a rather long, drawn out song I didn't recognize really, that could have been omitted or shortened so they could have played something more classic. What they definitely missed was All Day Music, and they could have done that for an encore, or performed just one more song. Jeesh. War performed for about 1:20. Average White Band performed a very nice warm up set that included all their hits, plus a nice taste from their new album "Times Square." They sold and autographed albums outside during intermission, but we didn't do that. AWB performed about an hour. All told the concert was about 2.5 hours of music. At $70 per ticket (main floor, 13 rows back) that's about $25 per hour. Calculating entertainment in this way puts a fresh perspective on this type of expense. A corporate switchboard operator makes about $15/hr before taxes.
AWB excellent Too muck yaking from War frontman for me ! War butchered their song "Low Rider"
They left out many of their hits such as All Day Music, City, Country, City, The World is a Ghetto, among others. It was only one hour long. I asked their sax player why after the concert was over and his reply was," The Hard Rock Hotel limits them to only play for only ONE hour!" I left a message for their management company and as of yet I haven't received a reply.
Once again this is the best venue for sound ( Hard Rock live) I was lucky enough to get a ticket through Ticketmaster during thier Pre-online sale. and was in th 21st row....AWB was Funk in all it's Glory .Grooves that made you get up and dance a kicking Drummer and base player. War has always been an inspiration as a feel good and just get loose Band. Great syncopated stops and arrangements ...A wonderful night was had by all...I'd go see them both again
This legendary band keeps on rocking out. They were very good. The vocals were great and the musicians were very talented. Although, War is an award- wining band, I felt that they should have performed more of their hits. There intros and outros were very long. It was more like a jam session than a concert. There was no encore, instead it ended very quickly and everyone was ushered out. All and all, it was a great concert still! Would I see them again......maybe!
really enjoyed awb they put on a great show.War was not so good the keybord player talked way too much and killed the good music.He should keep his mouth shut and let the band play its music
I was so blown away with this show, I am from that era when that music was what we listened to. It was so refreshing to hear musicians play with out smoke and mirrors and special effects, just quality playing. When these musicians started out, you had to have talent or else you didn't play. Now everything is smoke and mirrors sometimes not real talent. Not to say there are no good musicians out there because there are, but I don't foresee having any more War, Average White Band, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago. I think those days are gone.
I have been an AWB fan for 30 years. I last saw them at Radio City Music Hall in New York in 1975. This band is still a tight act. They sounded great and performed flawless renditions of their popular songs and one song from their new CD. I never saw WAR before last night's show and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. They were great. I also enjoyed the audience participation: everyone was dancing and singing along with their favorite songs. It was like back in the day, people just enjoying music together. Overall, it was a great night.
Still sound good after 40 years, bring them back again.
