SONG OF THE DAY

“The Cisco Kid” by War (The World Is A Ghetto, United Artists, 1972). All tracks composed by War (Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, B.B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar, Howard E. Scott).

INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)

– In 2003, the album was ranked #449 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

– The album was also made available in a 4-channel surround sound (quadraphonic) mix in the 8-track tape format.

– The album attained the #1 spot on Billboard, and was Billboard magazine’s Album of the Year as the best-selling album of 1973.

– War (originally called Eric Burdon and 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.

– The band also transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic line-up.

– The band has sold over 50 million records to date.

– Although War’s lyrics are often socio-political in nature, their music usually had a laid-back, California funk vibe. A particular feature of War’s sound is the use of harmonica and saxophone playing melody lines in unison, sounding like a single instrument, for example in the melody of “Low Rider”.

– The music has been sampled and recorded by many singers and groups, ranging from R&B / pop singers such as Janet Jackson to nu metal band Korn and hip hop groups like TLC.

– The original War was conceived by record producer Jerry Goldstein (“My Boyfriend’s Back”, “Hang on Sloopy”, “I Want Candy”) and singer Eric Burdon (ex-lead singer of the British band the Animals).

– Eric Burdon and War toured extensively across Europe and the United States. A reviewer from England’s New Musical Express called War “the best live band I ever saw” after their first UK gig in London’s Hyde Park.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

And live in 1973: