Established as bona fide hit makers thanks to the success of the albums All Day Music and The World Is a Ghetto, the Los Angeles-based seven-man group War aimed for a hat trick with the 1973 album Deliver the Word. Less ma... more »instream in its approach than its chart-topping predecessors, the seven-cut set boasted just one hit in the form of the groove-flavored "Gypsy Man," a top 10 pop and R&B single in the summer of '73. Exploring Latin rhythms, funk, jazz, and rock, Deliver the Word stretched musical boundaries. "In Your Eyes" was a lengthy opus that came complete with orgasmic sighs, an opportunity for the skillful musicians to stretch out. One of the true standouts was the catchy "Me and Baby Brother," which should have been a much bigger hit for the band. The album's title cut was a brilliant soulful ballad, while "Blisters" was a fine bluesy close for the album which, in spite of its lack of hit singles, became the band's third gold LP in succession. --David Nathan« less
Established as bona fide hit makers thanks to the success of the albums All Day Music and The World Is a Ghetto, the Los Angeles-based seven-man group War aimed for a hat trick with the 1973 album Deliver the Word. Less mainstream in its approach than its chart-topping predecessors, the seven-cut set boasted just one hit in the form of the groove-flavored "Gypsy Man," a top 10 pop and R&B single in the summer of '73. Exploring Latin rhythms, funk, jazz, and rock, Deliver the Word stretched musical boundaries. "In Your Eyes" was a lengthy opus that came complete with orgasmic sighs, an opportunity for the skillful musicians to stretch out. One of the true standouts was the catchy "Me and Baby Brother," which should have been a much bigger hit for the band. The album's title cut was a brilliant soulful ballad, while "Blisters" was a fine bluesy close for the album which, in spite of its lack of hit singles, became the band's third gold LP in succession. --David Nathan
CD Reviews
FEELS GOOD
Thomas D. Christianson | Ashland, WI United States | 08/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well I listened to all my WAR cds today,just wanting to see which
one sounded best to my ear. What I found was that this sounds
just as good as "THE WORLD IS A GHETTO" and "ALL DAY MUSIC",and
better than "WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS". I know,the others are
"WAR" classics,and this one has long been concidered by most as
a poor cousin. But to me, this cd feels like driving down the
open hiway with my lovely lady,all my worries a thousand miles
away and not a cop in sight. In other words, this cd feels like
freedom. It starts out nice and mellow with "H2 Overture" and
"In Your Eyes",picks up the pace with "Gypsy Man",blitzes it's
way through "Me And Baby Brother",slows back down and gives you
a chance to catch your breath with the tittle song,then picks
back up and never lets go with "Southern Part Of Texas" and the
closer,"Blisters". With that said,I have to admit that when I
first heard this cd it was not my favorite,but with each listen
it sounded better and better,and you can see how I feel about
it now. So if you pick this one up,it may be good advice to
give it a few listens before you make up your mind.
Thank you"
Unforgettable masterpiece
L. M. Meade | Chicago, IL USA | 05/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My favorite War album, even though it is considered below their two earlier masterworks.
There is no forgetting any of these songs, or the mood they create. This a cohesive piece of music-making that envelopes you and keeps you in its grip.
Unique does not begin to describe the sound War creates. Here are creative artists with a vision that is, by the time of this album, fully realized.
This album is never out of my regular rotation at home or on the road.
Highly recommended."
War's forgotton Word
olofpalme63 | auf der flucht! | 04/03/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"
The fourth studio release in the post-Burdon era, 1973's "Deliver The Word" gives War yet again, another gold record. The bands 3rd in a row. Thus putting to sleep once and for all any argument about why War missed Eric's vocal or face time. War had indeed become a much bigger splash than "Spill The Wine".
War's sprawling epic "Gypsy Man" proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the band, being the veteran hit makers that they became, could compete on both sides of the Billboard charts. Although "Deliver The Word" (the title could be considered somewhat misleading) wasn't as politically charged as their first release, non-the-less parallels the "Fingers" LP to some degree.
"Deliver The Word" for obvious reasons, should considered War's forgotton gem. Why United Artists chose not to market this recording with the same intensity as their next studio release (the commercially successful "Why Can't We Be Friends?") is anyones guess. Any real War fan has this one.
olofpalme63"
Sometimes overlooked
Tyler Smith | Denver, CO United States | 03/28/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"War was one of the best bands from the '70s, a golden age of funk/soul/r&b. Along with superb musicianship, they easily absorbed influences from rock-and-roll to jazz to Latin, and had one of the most identifiable sounds of the time. "Deliver the Word" displays this versatility, although I'd rate it just a notch below their two classics, "All Day Music" and "The World Is a Ghetto."Those two albums, especially the latter, showed off a bit of the band's ability to carry off extended jams that gave their unique combination of guitar, sax, harmonica and keyboards plenty of solo space. On that score, "Deliver the Word" contains nothing as compelling as "City, Country, City" or the title tune from "The World Is a Ghetto." There is one extended cut, "Gypsy Man," but this driving, rockish tune does not offer the improvisational pleasures of the other tunes I cited.Nor does "Deliver the Word" contain a signature War tune such as "Cisco Kid" or "Slippin' Into Darkness." They do reprise "Me and Baby Brother," which had appeared as a live track on "All Day Music," but I prefer the earlier version, which featured a great Lee Oskar harmonica solo. Nothing wrong with the version here, but it doesn't have quite the punch of the other one.Still, the album has plenty to recommend it, from the jazzy "H2Overture," which opens the album, to the plaintive soul of the title tune to the powerful "Southern Part of Texas," which riffs off the "Slippin' Into Darkness" melody and draws considerable strength from the band's powerful group vocals.To me, War created one of the biggest sounds in all of popular music, and on "Deliver the Word," as always, guitar, drums, percussion and bass form a massive foundation. Despite this, tunes such as "H2Overture," with its breathy flute and "Deliver the Word," with a lovely, slow-paced electric keyboard turn show that the band was capable of great delicacy as well.If you're looking for your first War album, I'd go with either of the other two I mentioned or even go back a bit further for "Eric Burdon Declares War." Still, if you're building a collection of their stuff, this one should be at least an early addition."
War Second best
W. Noshie | Beirut, Lebanon | 03/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mixed Rock and Jazz with Soul influence, what a difficult blend, yet War delivers it's second and last tight album.
War hits its peak with the release of 'The world is a ghetto' in 1972, followed by this strong album.
Difficult to hear music as good. Almost impossible to hear anything better. Highly recommended for the Soul Jazz or Rock lovers.
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1