The Music Band
Encyclopedia
The Music Band is an album by War
, released on MCA Records
in 1979.
In 1979, War considered changing its name to The Music Band, possibly regarding its old name as too aggressive for modern times. (They had formed in 1969 during the Vietnam War
.) But by the time this album was released, they decided to keep the name War, and make "The Music Band" the title of a series of albums, of which this is the first.
The album marked the group's first personnel changes since lead vocalist Eric Burdon
's departure in 1971. B.B. Dickerson
(bass) left during the sessions, but appears on some tracks, while others feature his replacement, Luther Rabb. Composer credits can be used to determine which bassist played on which tracks. Another new member was Alice Tweed Smith (credited as just Tweed Smith on this album), the group's first female vocalist, and also the first member not to be included in composition credits, which had always included the entire group previously.
The cover art appears rather plain at first glance, but the printing method was somewhat elaborate. Instead of normal four-colour printing, it used cardboard painted solid red, with metallic silver print. (Black print also appears on the back.) Embossing was also used, especially on the back cover where ink-free embossing illustrates a tall marching bandleader's shako
hat, the logo for the Music Band series. (The next album's innersleeve photo would show the band posing with a cardboard cut-out man wearing this hat, and the cartoon face that had appeared on the cover of Why Can't We Be Friends?
in 1975.) The inner gatefold for this album has a full colour photo of the group (without either Dickerson or Rabb, but with new member Smith), and the album also came with a lyric and credits innersleeve. The track listing on the back cover shows songs in a different order from their actual appearance.
An edited version of "Good, Good Feelin'" was released as a single (and thus the longer album version is subtitled "original un-cut disco mix"), backed with "Baby Face (She Said Do Do Do Do)" from the earlier Galaxy album (1977). "I'm the One Who Understands" was later re-recorded for the album,
(Peace Sign)
(1994).
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 on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
in 1979.
In 1979, War considered changing its name to The Music Band, possibly regarding its old name as too aggressive for modern times. (They had formed in 1969 during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.) But by the time this album was released, they decided to keep the name War, and make "The Music Band" the title of a series of albums, of which this is the first.
The album marked the group's first personnel changes since lead vocalist 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...
's departure in 1971. 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....
(bass) left during the sessions, but appears on some tracks, while others feature his replacement, Luther Rabb. Composer credits can be used to determine which bassist played on which tracks. Another new member was Alice Tweed Smith (credited as just Tweed Smith on this album), the group's first female vocalist, and also the first member not to be included in composition credits, which had always included the entire group previously.
The cover art appears rather plain at first glance, but the printing method was somewhat elaborate. Instead of normal four-colour printing, it used cardboard painted solid red, with metallic silver print. (Black print also appears on the back.) Embossing was also used, especially on the back cover where ink-free embossing illustrates a tall marching bandleader's shako
Shako
A shako is a tall, cylindrical military cap, usually with a peak or visor and sometimes tapered at the top...
hat, the logo for the Music Band series. (The next album's innersleeve photo would show the band posing with a cardboard cut-out man wearing this hat, and the cartoon face that had appeared on the cover of Why Can't We Be Friends?
Why Can't We Be Friends?
Why Can't We Be Friends? is the seventh studio album by War.-Reception:Recorded in 1974 and released on United Artists Records in June 1975. The title song reached #8 on Billboard's Hot 100. The original LP edition came with a poster. Two singles from the album were released: "Why Can't We Be...
in 1975.) The inner gatefold for this album has a full colour photo of the group (without either Dickerson or Rabb, but with new member Smith), and the album also came with a lyric and credits innersleeve. The track listing on the back cover shows songs in a different order from their actual appearance.
An edited version of "Good, Good Feelin'" was released as a single (and thus the longer album version is subtitled "original un-cut disco mix"), backed with "Baby Face (She Said Do Do Do Do)" from the earlier Galaxy album (1977). "I'm the One Who Understands" was later re-recorded for the album,
(Peace Sign)Peace Sign (War album)
is an album by War, released on Avenue Records in 1994. Its title is a graphic of the peace symbol. It is often referred to as Peace Sign, the title of the first track, though arguably it could also be called Peace, the antonym of the group's name...
(1994).
Side one
- "The Music Band" {Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, B.B. DickersonB.B. DickersonMorris "B.B." Dickerson was the bass player for the 1970s Latin–funk group War, and before that The Creators....
, 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...
, Charles MillerCharles Miller (musician)Charles Miller was an American musician best known as the saxophonist and flutist for multicultural Californian funk band War.-Biography:...
, 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...
, Howard E. ScottHoward E. ScottHoward E. Scott is an American funk/rock guitarist and founding member of the successful 1970s funk band War.-Biography:...
, Jerry Goldstein) – 8:28 - "Corns and Callouses (Hey Dr. Shoals)" (Allen, Brown, Jordan, Miller, Oskar, Luther Rabb, Scott, Milton Myrick, Goldstein) – 7:25
- "I'm the One Who Understands" (Allen, Brown, Dickerson, Jordan, Miller, Oskar, Scott, Goldstein) – 6:08
Side two
- "Good, Good Feelin' (original un-cut disco mix)" (Allen, Brown, Jordan, Miller, Oskar, Rabb, Scott, Goldstein) – 7:43
- "Millionaire" (Allen, Brown, Dickerson, Jordan, Miller, Oskar, Scott) – 6:14
- "All Around the World" (Allen, Brown, Dickerson, Jordan, Miller, Oskar, Scott, Goldstein) – 7:47
Personnel
- Papa Dee Allen – percussion, lead and background vocals
- Harold Brown – drums, percussion, lead and background vocals
- 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, lead and background vocals - 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, synthesizer, guitar, percussion, lead and background vocals - Charles MillerCharles Miller (musician)Charles Miller was an American musician best known as the saxophonist and flutist for multicultural Californian funk band War.-Biography:...
– saxophones, lead and background vocals - 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...
– harmonicas, lead and background vocals - Luther Rabb – bass, lead and background vocals
- Howard ScottHoward E. ScottHoward E. Scott is an American funk/rock guitarist and founding member of the successful 1970s funk band War.-Biography:...
– guitar, lead and background vocals - Tweed Smith – lead and background vocals
Technical personnel
- Jerry Goldstein in association with Lonnie Jordon and Howard Scott – producers
- Chris Huston – recording engineer and remix engineer
- Ed Barton and Chris Huston – recording engineers on "All Around the World"
- Doug Pakes, Rob Perkins, Simon Richards, Jim Hill – second engineers
- Wally Traugett – mastering engineer
- George Osaki, Lee Oskar – art direction
- Alan Bergman – photography