AWB was very good; War was awesome
by Alimah on 1/17/10Whitaker Center - HarrisburgRating: 5 out of 5What a great concert. Can't imagine a better match of groups for a single event. War was off the charts.

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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.
What a great concert. Can't imagine a better match of groups for a single event. War was off the charts.
Double bill at Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, PA last night. AWB might be better now than they were ten years ago. Funky, groovy and tight a can be. AS for WAR, they are talented. Show started at 8 sharp and ended at 11:45. 15 minute intermission. Each band produced a wall of never ending sound. Could have lasted another four hours and I would have been good to go.
After all these years...AWB rocked the house. Their talent is still some of the best in music industry. WAR? Although their hits are many, lead Larry, (he would probably say trippin Larry) found he needed to narrate most of the evening. I've been a big fan of WAR since the 70's. Still will be, however, I'll save my funds next time they're around, unless of course they open for another band!!
I saw AWB the last time they played here in Harrisburg, Pa and they were great, but in being perfectly honest with you, I was really looking forword in seeing WAR. I grew up with the both AWB and WAR, and being a DJ while living in Philly, I very well know music. I was deeply IMPRESSED with AWB this time compared to the last time I saw them. They played for 75 minutes and played very well and a 100% improvement from the last show. Now with that said, I was sitting in my seat saying to myself will WAR be able to compete with what I just heard from AWB. Le the TRUTH be told, they certainly did, and I just sit there thinking about how it was when I first heard them. After seeing them after 20 or so years, it was hard for me to believe that the group still played as well as they did with 7 members. People who know about WAR know that their band was a huge band with lots of equipment and members as well, and for me to sit there and see 7 members playing as well as they did, I was more than PLEASED. A FANTASTIC show, and was worth more than what I had to spend, and I'll spend my money to see either one of the groups when they come back to Harrisburg.
These two bands sounded better than ever! They rocked the roof right off the building. I loved both of them! It was an absolutely fantastic evening of music.
terrific show, very tight bands. They also played mainly the "oldies", not the stuff from a new release. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, some of the best chair-dancing we have done in a while.
War and AWB were wonderfully entertaining...loved singing along to songs I have enjoyed from years ago. Loved the concert in a smaller venue...sound system was great!
AWB-They were awesome, those guys(orginals) boy do they still have it!...they did a great show, we see them every time they come in town, we love watching AWB War-They were good too, but i would have loved to see War first, then AWB stay on stage a little bit longer....Over all the show was great, AWB always sounds the same, since back in the 70's till now.. No one can sing Cloudy like the orginal guy, but good job trying
Geat show, lots of audience participation. War had every up and singing
The show was fabulous as always! the musicians were all great and gave some unforgettable performances
The catfish my wife and I enjoyed a lot, the show was one of the best I've seen. Thanks Birchmere the having them.
Thse guys can still entertain a crowd. Always a good show and at the best venue!!!
It is absolutely awesome that each artist is so talented. War brought the house down. They played song after song after song - never skipping a beat or missing a note. The music and the vocals were just what we remembered. The audience was mesmerized. Even when the set was over, no one - not even the band members - wanted to leave. I will treasure this event for a lifetime. Somehow I just can't get "Cisco Kid was a friend of mine" out of my head!!! Great job guys!
WAR was unforgettable. The show was high energy. Each member of the band put his heart and soul in their performance. I will indeed see them perform again. Enjoyed the evening of awesome music.
I attended the show with my husband and his friends one of which celebrated his birthday that day. The WAR members have changed but not the music. We were amazed that they were still so true to the sounds of the songs. They put on a good show and played every song- we have every album they ever made- true fans. I enjoyed seeying them and with so much music being geared towards the young it is nice to know there are still real artists out there with depth to their music enough so we old farts can listen too. WAR gimme a final album for my collection! Loved em and will see them again.
What can I say the show was amazing! In an up close and peronal setting like the Birchmere the sound was unbelieveably crisp and WAR played all the songs that we love and more.
As usual the band War took us a trip back to where were you when this track was played. The band was tight and really look like they enjoy playing with each other. Lonnie Jordan was and is the key to War, he makes sure the band contines to play at a level the original members played . A great set with all the standards truly enjoyed with a few really nice surprises..
I was transported back to the 70's with the fantastic sounds of WAR last night at the Birchmere. The band was tight, with outstanding musicians recreating to the note, the original sound . It was crisp, clean and the acoustics were awesome. This was my first time at the Birchmere, but it will not be my last.
WAR, at the Birchmere, was absolutely fantastic! The playlist of hits and favorites was like a locomotive train. Lonnie was at his very best; he looked great! He chose a group of fine musicians who nailed every song and brought the fresh energy that WAR is known for. My money was well spent and I would gladly go again to see WAR. Kudos WAR, keep great, timeless music alive.
Set opened with H2 Overtune @7:30 and when the show ended at 9:45, we were treated to every War hit. Lonnie Jordon @ 61 years old sounds as clear, strong, and funky as he did in 1968. The brotha ain't old at all. I'm from LA and last night, I was in LA again.