Eric Burdon & WAR: The Complete Collection – 4CD Review

Eric Burdon & WAR: The Complete Collection (1970-1976) is about to take you on a wild, funky ride where the groove never stops. This 4-disc box set is an invitation to a musical jam that makes you want to dance like nobody’s watching and sing like you’re in your shower at full volume.

Eric Burdon Declares “War”  is a musical explosion. You’re instantly surrounded by funky horns, funky bass, and Burdon’s gritty vocals that sound like he’s been yelling at a disco ball all night.

The 2nd album in this box is the double album The Black-Man’s Burdon, where Eric Burdon and War decided to throw all the rules out the window with this album, which resulted in a record that’s full of a whirlwind of soul, groove, and some real heavy blues.

The 3rd  CD is Love Is All Around (not to be confused with the Wer Wet Wet rack of the same name).  This is an album of rare tracks and the definitive cover version of The Beatles A Day In The Life. A masterclass of how to make a classic song your own.

The packing of the CD set is lovely. A solid cardboard box that houses the albums in cardboard sleeves that replicate the original artwork (including the gatefold of The Black Mans Burdon). The whole thing comes packaged with detailed liner notes that add context to the music, giving you a glimpse into the creative journey Burdon and War went on together. It’s like reading the notes on the back of an album cover, but, way more expansive.

War is firing on all cylinders on these albums, and adding layers of complexity to Burdon’s powerful vocals.
Score 8/10
Track List

Eric Burdon & WAR – The Complete CD Collection Track listing 

Eric Burdon Declares “War” (1970)

1. THE VISION OF RASSAN

A. DEDICATION [2:33] B. ROLL ON KIRK [5:07]

1. TOBACCO ROAD

A. TOBACCO ROAD [3:47] B. I HAVE A DREAM [6:39] C. TOBACCO ROAD [3:58]

1. SPILL THE WINE [4:38]
2. BLUES FOR MEMPHIS SLIM

A. BIRTH [1:31] B. MOTHER EARTH [2:46] C. MR. CHARLIE [3:05] D. DANISH PASTRY [3:18] E. MOTHER EARTH [2:28]

1. YOU’RE NO STRANGER [1:55]

The Black-Man’s Burdon (1970)
Disc 1

1. BLACK ON BLACK IN BLACK [2:05]
2. PAINT IT BLACK I [2:05]
3. LAUREL & HARDY [1:30]
4. PINTELO NEGRO II [1:05]
5. P.C. 3 [1:30]
6. BLACK BIRD [2:17]
7. PAINT IT BLACK III [3:02]
8. SPIRIT [8:30]
9. BEAUTIFUL NEW BORN CHILD [5:07]
10. NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN I [4:28]
11. THE BIRD & THE SQUIRREL [2:43]
12. NUTS, SEEDS & LIFE [4:01]
13. OUT OF NOWHERE [3:22]
14. NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN II [2:51]

Disc 2

1. SUN/MOON [10:04]
2. PRETTY COLORS [6:52]
3. GUN [5:44]
4. JIMBO [4:50]
5. BARE BACK RIDE [7:07]
6. HOME COOKIN’ [4:10]
7. THEY CAN’T TAKE AWAY OUR MUSIC [6:45]

Love Is All Around (1976)

1. LOVE IS ALL AROUND [4:12]
2. TOBACCO ROAD [6:30]
3. HOME DREAM [7:12]
4. MAGIC MOUNTAIN [4:18]
5. A DAY IN THE LIFE [11:05]
6. PAINT IT BLACK [10:09] Label – Rhino
   Release – 7th March

   For all things Eric Burdon & War, click HERE and to purchase the album, click HERE