Search - Eric Burdon, War :: Love Is All Around

Bonus tracks galore!

running_man | Chesterfield Twp., MI | 08/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To my recollection, when Eric Burdon and War released 'Love Is All Around' on New Year's Day in 1976, the concept of bonus tracks was still nothing more than a glimmer in the eye of a record company executive. Since Burdon and War had parted company about 5 years before this disc was released however, it exists as the quintessential bonus track disc. It's nothing but bonus tracks! Danish harmonica player extraordinaire Lee Oskar apparently came up with the newspaper cover concept, but perhaps not the idea of digging into the vault to unearth a variety of recordings that had been passed over rather than grooved into vinyl back in 1969 and 1970 when the band produced their other two albums, 'Eric Burdon Declares War' and 'Black Man's Burdon'.



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.



'Love Is All Around' is a worthy addition to the two disc legacy left behind by an unlikely, but intriguing pairing of one of the premier blues-rock vocalists of the 1960's with one of the first jazz fusion bands of the 1970's. Despite the rising tide of punk and disco music as the 1970's ebbed away, I don't believe this disc was dated material when it was released in 1976, and its intriguing sound and mix of genres continue to make it more than nostalgic three decades later. While the disc may not occupy space in many CD changers today, it is well worth the effort to clear off the dust and give this collection one more spin. Informative liner notes from Barry Alfonso add to the appeal. In fact, it could only be improved if some enterprising producer dug up some bonus tracks to supplement this collection of bonus tracks."

The most brilliant document of a brilliant collaboration

rb_748 | brooklyn, ny USA | 10/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As musicians, War could mop the floor with almost anyoneAs a vocalist, Eric Burdon can do the same. Give a listen to the live version of "paint it black" and then listen to the stones' version. This volumn demands repeated listening. WAR jams with what can only be described as controlled chaos, and Burdon's vocals burn to the core. buy it. turn it up. have a party. dream of these guys reuniting"

Underrated gem

T. Bekken | Austmarka Norway | 09/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album by the great Eric Burdon (and the equally great band War) seems to be forgotten by the general public. That is a shame, because in his prime Burdon was a monster singer - up there with the all-time best in his chosen field. The band was also one bloody hell of a funk outfit, and together Burdon & War grooves with abandon, espscially on the title track and on the wonderful "Magic Mountain". Burdon ought to have a major comeback. He truly is one of rock's long lost heroes."