War celebrate 50 years of Why Can’t We Be Friends? with a rare show in Manchester, bringing the hit list to life!
TRUE LEGENDS
War have an indelible legacy. With albums like All Day Music and The World Is A Ghetto, they were part of a musical revolution highlighting the struggles of inequality and injustice. Many of their songs are as pertinent now as they were all those decades ago.
Taking the stage in Manchester, Lonnie Jordan, founder and leader of the band shows off a brilliant t-shirt with a simple peace sign on it. He struts on as the band lay down a groove and launches into Me & Baby Brother. The crowd get stuck in early, singing along. It is a bouncy number and a great opener.
Jordan recalls the heady days of the 70’s throughout the show. Spill The Wine is one such number. Trippin’, hittin,’ sniffin’ amd sippin’ is what’s on Jordan’s mind. The entire crowd love hearing each and every passing tune that appears seemingly played on the fly without a written setlist; it’s a case of going with the feeling.
THE WORLD IS A GHETTO
One of the greatest entries in War’s catalogue is their fifth album; 1972’s The World Is A Ghetto. It’s cover is iconic and the content is as vital as it has ever been with the issues facing the world right now. It’s hypnotic groove and lengthy run time make it a real highlight of the evening. In the centre of the set, it is given great prominence. Jordan pontificates about needing to turn the world around; everywhere we are, the world is a ghetto. He is not wrong – it is a sentiment shared by all.
War follow with Get Down – a piece that feels like a companion to The World Is A Ghetto. Jordan gets down alright; but he talks of the struggle of getting back up at 76 years of age! “Wanna see my ID?” he asks, flexing ‘I’ and ‘D’; his left and right arm respectively!
Elsewhere from The World Is A Ghetto, is a great singalong in the crisp Cisco Kid. There is a little bit of confusion with the crowd over some of the words, but it is treated with laughter and fun.
TAKE ME TO YOUR PLACE IN SPACE
Galaxy is an absolute riot of a song. Bassist Rene Camacho holds the groove impeccably with Sal Rodriguez on drums. Their work shines on Galaxy and it gives Camacho chance to lay down a bass solo. Camacho just feels the notes with his eyes closed and the band laying low.
The solos continue to flow all night. Rodriguez takes a drum lead and James Baker lays down guitar lines throughout the night whether that is a lead, or a rhythm. Whatever is needed, he delivers. Mitch Kashmar is a master of the harmonica and gives the band that bluesier edge. He, alongside Scott Martin on saxophone and flute, add brilliant melodic flourishes. To complete the backline, Marcos Reyes brings his brilliant percussion skills to the mix.
All Day Music is a slower track that gives Lonnie Jordan chance to really showcase his brilliantly soulful voice. When meshed with his keyboard sound, the result is a thing of beauty.
SAMBA STYLE
Ballero’s samba style is majestic. Then you have Slippin’ Into Darkness that sounds as fresh as the day it was written. On a Friday night in Manchester, you cannot really ask for a better band to help put a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip.
Some locals take things a little to far to early and a full blown ruckus breaks out on the floor. “I didn’t come all the way from LA for this shit!” says Jordan. He is right. This is not the look we want to give of Manchester.
WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS?
The fracas gives Why Can’t We Be Friends? extra clout. Everyone in the crowd sings through the stupidity shown by the minority to increase the peace and good vibes in the room again. Each and every member of the band has a beaming smile as they revel in the music and the atmosphere.
“We outta here!” says Jordan as the band scarper off briefly before returning for a sublime version of Lowrider. Reyes heads up front to hit the cowbell to start the tune and the band get funky one more time. Jordan introduces the band as War bring proceedings to a close. A lucky young concert goer gets a drumstick from Reyes at the end of the show; her smile is massive as she files out with her mother.
War are still a force in funk and soul; these songs are timeless. They could have played for another few hours with the hits they have. For now, this will have to do. When will they be back? ‘Soon, soon, soon…’ hopefully.
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