The Black-Man's Burdon
Encyclopedia
The Black-Man's Burdon is a double
LP
by funk band Eric Burdon and War
, released in December 1970 on MGM Records
. It was the second of two albums by the group before Burdon left and the remaining band continued as War.
The title is a pun on The Black Man's Burden, an expression which refers to black slavery
, used as the title of a book by E. D. Morel
(1920) in response to the poem, "The White Man's Burden
" (1899) by Rudyard Kipling
, which refers to (and champions) American imperialism
(including its history of slavery).
The album includes two suites based on cover versions of songs by other artists: "Paint It Black
" by The Rolling Stones
, and "Nights in White Satin
" by The Moody Blues
, augmented by additional sections composed by the group. (Two similar suites appeared on the group's first album.) The extra material is mostly instrumental, except for "P.C. 3" (P.C. referring to Police Constable, a common abbreviation used in the United Kingdom
), a risqué poem recited (and probably written) by Burdon over the music. Two other songs include a children's chorus credited as Sharon Scott and the Beautiful New Born Children of Southern California.
One single from the album was released: "They Can't Take Away Our Music
" backed with "Home Cookin'".
The album also came with a numbered 7–inch by 3–inch "war bond" entitling the bearer to $1 off the admission of any War concert.
(Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, Eric Burdon
, B.B. Dickerson
, Lonnie Jordan
, Charles Miller
, Lee Oskar
, Howard E. Scott
) except where noted.
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
LP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
by funk band Eric Burdon and War
War (band)
War is an American funk band from California, known for the hit songs "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine", "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?". Formed in 1969, War was a musical crossover band which fused elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae...
, released in December 1970 on MGM Records
MGM Records
MGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946, for the purpose of releasing soundtrack albums of their musical films. Later it became a pop label, lasting into the 1970s...
. It was the second of two albums by the group before Burdon left and the remaining band continued as War.
The title is a pun on The Black Man's Burden, an expression which refers to black slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
, used as the title of a book by E. D. Morel
E. D. Morel
Edmund Dene Morel, originally Georges Eduard Pierre Achille Morel de Ville was a British journalist, author and socialist politician. In collaboration with Roger Casement, the Congo Reform Association and others, Morel, in newspapers such as his West African Mail, led a campaign against slavery...
(1920) in response to the poem, "The White Man's Burden
The White Man's Burden
"The White Man's Burden" is a poem by the English poet Rudyard Kipling. It was originally published in the popular magazine McClure's in 1899, with the subtitle The United States and the Philippine Islands...
" (1899) by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
, which refers to (and champions) American imperialism
Imperialism
Imperialism, as defined by Dictionary of Human Geography, is "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationships, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination." The imperialism of the last 500 years,...
(including its history of slavery).
The album includes two suites based on cover versions of songs by other artists: "Paint It Black
Paint It, Black
"Paint It, Black" is a song released by The Rolling Stones on 13 May 1966 as the first single from their fourth album Aftermath. It was originally titled "Paint It Black" without a comma. Keith Richards has stated that the comma was added by the record label, Decca.The song was written by Mick...
" by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, and "Nights in White Satin
Nights in White Satin
"Nights in White Satin" is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward and first featured on the album Days of Future Passed.It is in the key of E minor Aeolian.-Single releases:...
" by The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
, augmented by additional sections composed by the group. (Two similar suites appeared on the group's first album.) The extra material is mostly instrumental, except for "P.C. 3" (P.C. referring to Police Constable, a common abbreviation used in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
), a risqué poem recited (and probably written) by Burdon over the music. Two other songs include a children's chorus credited as Sharon Scott and the Beautiful New Born Children of Southern California.
One single from the album was released: "They Can't Take Away Our Music
They Can't Take Away Our Music
They Can't Take Away Our Music is a song performed by Eric Burdon & War featuring Sharone Scott & The Beautiful New Born Children in 1970. It was released as a single in 1970 . This was their last single before they split in the same year...
" backed with "Home Cookin'".
Cover art
The album is also notable for its risqué cover art. While the front cover merely shows a black man in silhouette, the back cover shows Burdon and a woman in a suggestive pose: the woman sitting on a wall with her legs spread far apart, and Burdon (shirtless) resting the back of his head against her pelvis and gripping her ankles. The gatefold photo consists of the group (mostly shirtless) in a field with two nude women lying in the grass.The album also came with a numbered 7–inch by 3–inch "war bond" entitling the bearer to $1 off the admission of any War concert.
Track listing
All tracks written by WarWar (band)
War is an American funk band from California, known for the hit songs "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine", "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?". Formed in 1969, War was a musical crossover band which fused elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae...
(Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
, B.B. Dickerson
B.B. Dickerson
Morris "B.B." Dickerson was the bass player for the 1970s Latin–funk group War, and before that The Creators....
, Lonnie Jordan
Lonnie Jordan
Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan was a founding member of War, an American funk band in the 1970s and 1980s. Jordan had a number of roles over the years, acting as vocalist and playing guitar, piano, synthesizer, and percussion...
, Charles Miller
Charles Miller (musician)
Charles Miller was an American musician best known as the saxophonist and flutist for multicultural Californian funk band War.-Biography:...
, Lee Oskar
Lee Oskar
Lee Oskar is a Danish harmonica player, notable for his contributions to the sound of the rock-funk fusion group War, which he formed with Eric Burdon, his solo work, and as a harmonica manufacturer...
, Howard E. Scott
Howard E. Scott
Howard E. Scott is an American funk/rock guitarist and founding member of the successful 1970s funk band War.-Biography:...
) except where noted.
Side one
- "Paint It Black [Medley]" - 13:34
- "Black on Black in Black" – 2:05
- "Paint It BlackPaint It, Black"Paint It, Black" is a song released by The Rolling Stones on 13 May 1966 as the first single from their fourth album Aftermath. It was originally titled "Paint It Black" without a comma. Keith Richards has stated that the comma was added by the record label, Decca.The song was written by Mick...
I" (Mick JaggerMick JaggerSir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, Keith RichardsKeith RichardsKeith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
) – 2:05 - "Laurel and Hardy" – 1:30
- "Pintelo Negro II" (Jagger, Richards) – 1:05
- "P.C. 3" – 1:30
- "Black Bird" – 2:17
- "Paint It Black III" (Jagger, Richards) – 3:02
- "Spirit" – 8:38
Side two
- "Beautiful New Born Child" (War, Jerry Goldstein) – 5:07
- "Nights in White Satin"
- "Nights in White SatinNights in White Satin"Nights in White Satin" is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward and first featured on the album Days of Future Passed.It is in the key of E minor Aeolian.-Single releases:...
" (Justin HaywardJustin HaywardJustin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
) – 4:28 - "The Bird and the Squirrel" – 2:43
- "Nuts, Seeds and Life" – 4:01
- "Out of Nowhere" – 3:22
- "Nights in White Satin" (Hayward) – 2:51
- "Nights in White Satin
Side four
- "Bare Back Ride" – 7:07
- "Home Cookin'" – 4:10
- "They Can't Take Away Our MusicThey Can't Take Away Our MusicThey Can't Take Away Our Music is a song performed by Eric Burdon & War featuring Sharone Scott & The Beautiful New Born Children in 1970. It was released as a single in 1970 . This was their last single before they split in the same year...
" (War, Goldstein) – 6:45
Personnel
- Harold Brown – drums
- Dee Allen – conga, percussion, vocal
- B.B. DickersonB.B. DickersonMorris "B.B." Dickerson was the bass player for the 1970s Latin–funk group War, and before that The Creators....
– bass, vocal (bass misprinted as "brass" on cover) - Howard ScottHoward E. ScottHoward E. Scott is an American funk/rock guitarist and founding member of the successful 1970s funk band War.-Biography:...
– guitar, vocal - Lee OskarLee OskarLee Oskar is a Danish harmonica player, notable for his contributions to the sound of the rock-funk fusion group War, which he formed with Eric Burdon, his solo work, and as a harmonica manufacturer...
– harmonica, vocal - Charles MillerCharles Miller (musician)Charles Miller was an American musician best known as the saxophonist and flutist for multicultural Californian funk band War.-Biography:...
– tenor, baritone, alto sax, flute - Lonnie JordanLonnie JordanLeroy "Lonnie" Jordan was a founding member of War, an American funk band in the 1970s and 1980s. Jordan had a number of roles over the years, acting as vocalist and playing guitar, piano, synthesizer, and percussion...
– organ, piano, vocal - Eric BurdonEric BurdonEric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
– lead vocals - Sharon Scott and the Beautiful New Born Children of Southern California – vocals on "Beautiful New Born Child" and "They Can't Take Away Our Music"
- Jerry Goldstein – producer
- Chris Huston – engineer