The Very Best of War (CD - 2003)

War: Lonnie Jordan (vocals, guitar, piano, snythesizer, timabals, percussion); Howard Scott (vocals, guitar, percussion); Charles Miller (vocals, flute, clarinet, saxophone); Pat Rizzo (vocals, flute, saxophone); Harold Brown, Ron Hammon (vocals, drums, percussion); Lee Oskar (vocals, harmonica, percussion); Luther Rabb (vocals, bass); Papa Dee Allen (vocals, conga, bongos, percussion); Eric Burdon, Alice Tweed Smith (vocals, percussion); Tetsuya "Tex" Nakamura (harmonica); Kerry Cambell, Charles Green (saxophone); Sal Rodriguez (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Additional personnel inlcudes: John Berry, Lee Thornburg (trumpet); Moses Wheelock (congas, background vocals); Sharone Scott, Milton "James" Myrick, Debbie Moman (background vocals).

Producers: Jerry Goldstein, Lonnie Jordan, Howard Scott.

Compilation producers: Jerry Goldstein, David McLees.

Recorded between 1972 & 1994. Includes liner notes by Barry Alfonso.

Personnel: Lonnie Jordan (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, synthesizer, timbales, percussion); Howard H. Scott (vocals, guitar, percussion); José Feliciano (vocals, acoustic guitar); Charles Miller (vocals, flute, clarinet, saxophone, percussion); Pat Rizzo (vocals, flute, saxophone); Lee Oskar (vocals, harmonica, percussion); Ron Hammon, Harold Brown (vocals, drums, percussion); Papa Dee Allen (vocals, congas, bongos, percussion); Eric Burdon, Alice Tweed Smith, B.B. Dickerson , Luther Rabb (vocals, percussion); Tetsuya Nakamura (harmonica); Jim Coile, William Bergman, Greg "Frosty" Smith, Kerry Campbell, Charles Green (saxophone); Lee Thornburg, John Berry, Jr. (trumpet); Sal Rodriguez (drums, percussion, background vocals); Moses Wheelock (congas, background vocals); Jerry Goldstein (percussion); Rae Valentine (programming, background vocals); Matt Hyde (programming); Debbie Moman, Milton Myrick, Sharon Scott, The Waters (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Larry Goetz.

Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Author: Barry Alfonso.

Photographers: Jeffrey Mayer; Mitchell Haddad; Alan Bergman.

There really are more War best-of packages than the situation warrants, and while the double-CD The Very Best of War is a fine compilation if you don't already have one in your collection, it's questionable whether it was a necessary addition to the band's discography. For one thing, it doesn't differ all that much from the previous two-CD War best-of on Rhino, Anthology (1970-1994). Sure, each has a few tracks not on the other, but both are built around their lengthy string of big hits. Even Barry Alfonso's accompanying essay was adapted from the liner notes to Anthology (1970-1994). Still, this does have all of the big chart hits and a few minor ones, as well as standout album tracks from throughout the 1970s and early '80s that illustrate the band's versatility. Reading the small print on the track listings, it's revealed that half a dozen of these cuts are edits that either appear here for the first time or were only available on previous anthologies or imports. Additionally, almost a dozen of the other tracks are the edited single versions, though it's unlikely many collectors or fans will be either excited or piqued by differences between these and other available variations. ~ Richie Unterberger

Often overshadowed by Sly & the Family Stone when mention of racially integrated groups arises, War nonetheless left quite a mark, thanks to their mix of socially conscious messages and irresistible grooves. Between Lee Oskar's unorthodox harmonica playing and the percussion triumvirate of Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown and B. B. Dickerson, War was a formidable funk machine, be it in the studio or on stage. Although the 2-CD collection THE VERY BEST OF WAR reprises plenty of material that came out on the 1994 double-disc set ANTHOLOGY (1970-1994), the track selection includes new edits along with songs from PEACE SIGN, the band's last studio effort. All of the band's hits can be found here, including "Spill the Wine," its breakout smash with Eric Burdon, and other radio favorites like the goofy-yet-lovable "Why Can't We Be Friends," ultra-catchy Chicano anthem "Low Rider," and the haunting "Slippin' Into Darkness." Other lesser known, but equally worthy, fare includes the Star Wars-inspired "Galaxy," mellow-but-tasty "All Day Music," and the stomper "Me and Baby Brother." THE VERY BEST OF WAR is a solid primer for one of the 1970's best, and often overlooked, groups. minimize