In this week of Lollapalooza fever in Chicago, War’s concert Friday at Park West may at first seem irrelevant. But back when Lolla stars like Smashing Pumpkins, the Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest were still in diapers, War was doing its part to bring America’s diverse cultures together through its music. And if that isn’t in the true Lollapalooza spirit, what is?
War was one of the most successful recording acts of the ’70s, with such mass appeal hits as “All Day Music,” “Gypsy Man” and “The Cisco Kid.” An equal number of their hits addressed the racial polarization of that time-“The World Is a Ghetto,” “Slippin’ Into Darkness” and, most notably, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
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While the hits dried up in the ’80s, in the last few years samples of classic War tracks have appeared on numerous rap records. The Los Angeles-based group received an added shot in the arm from last year’s “Rap Declares War” compilation album, and are now back with their strongest album in years, “Peace Sign.”
“Peace Sign” is classic War: an ever-funky mixture of perfect summer cruisin’ tunes and songs that impart a strong message along with the irresistible grooves. Of particular note is the title track, a sort of musical travelogue through beleaguered Los Angeles’ different neighborhoods on an ideal day.
“L.A. has really taken a beating lately,” said guitarist-vocalist Howard Scott-who, along with Lonnie Jordan and Harold Brown, is one of three original members in the group. “There was the Rodney King beating and the civil unrest that resulted, the earthquakes, the floods, the fires. What’s next, locusts? We wanted to write something positive about L.A., though the song has a universal message. We talk about the Crips and the Bloods in L.A., but they’re no different than the Serbs and the Bosnians. It’s brothers fighting brothers, and they don’t even know why.”
The current edition of War is truly an ethnic melting pot, including African Americans, Hispanics and a Japanese harmonica player. Scott says that diversity is mirrored in War’s audience.
“Jesse Jackson came up with the name the `Rainbow Coalition,’ but that’s also a pretty good description of our audience,” he said. “We draw every color and age group you can imagine.”
Unlike a lot of acts that came of age in the ’70s, War has resisted playing the “oldies” circuit-sometimes to their financial detriment.
“We’ve had to fight promoters not to do those types of shows,” said Scott. “We feel that we’re still innovators and are a contemporary group. We’re proud of our history, but what makes us even stronger is that we’ve never compromised ourselves. We’ve stood together through some ups and downs that would have put most people out to pasture. But I’m proud to say that War is alive and well and has a lot left to say.”
Other concerts of note
George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, Friday at the Cubby Bear: James Brown may be the Godfather of Soul, but Parliament-Funkadelic mastermind George Clinton is the King of P-Funk. Like War and Brown, Clinton is an artist whose work has been sampled to death by hip-hoppers, resulting in his exposure to a whole new generation of fans. If you miss him and his large touring ensemble at Lollapalooza, the indefatigable Clinton will be moonlighting at this show. Be forewarned: Clinton gigs can be marathon affairs.
Johnnie Taylor, Tyrone Davis and Clarence Carter, Saturday at the UIC Pavilion: Call this show the Lollapalooza of soul and blues music. This incredible multiple bill is headlined by Taylor (“Who’s Making Love”), Davis (“Turn Back the Hands of Time”) and Carter (“Patches”), but features about a dozen other worthies including Bobby Rush, Otis Clay, J. Blackfoot, Denise LaSalle, Benny Latimore, Cicero Blake, Buster Benton, Artie White and Lee Shot Williams. Whew! But just like the old-time soul revues of the ’60s, don’t expect more than a couple of songs from each.
Lowen & Navarro and Keb’ Mo,’ Saturday at the Cubby Bear: The L.A. folk-rock duo of Eric Lowen and Dan Navarro put out a pretty impressive album last year, “Broken Moon,” that seems to have received minimal airplay locally. Their straightforward sound ought to appeal to fans of the Gin Blossoms and Tom Petty. Opener Keb’ Mo’ (Kevin Moore) is a longtime L.A. R&B veteran turned bluesman, whose self-titled album on Epic’s revived Okeh takes a contemporary approach to the traditional acoustic delta blues.
James Taylor, Saturday and Sunday at Poplar Creek: The ever-mellow J.T. remains a favorite with aging baby-boomers who may associate his early ’70s hits like “Sweet Baby James” and “Fire & Rain” with more carefree days. Over the years Taylor’s approach has held up well, as evidenced by his recent two-disc live release. In concert he may surprise you with some goofy, funky dance moves that belie his old image as an overly serious type.
Luka Bloom, Sunday at Park West: Irish neo-folkie Luka Bloom makes an awful lot of sound for just a man with a guitar on his new Warner Bros. album, “Turf.” Fortunately, Bloom has something to say as well. His songs touch on ecological concerns, feminism, the continuing civil war in Northern Ireland and more personal matters. That he does it all in such a compelling way and with such an original voice makes him an artist well worth seeking out.
Phil Collins, Wednesday and Thursday at the Rosemont Horizon: Collins’ current tour is being sponsored by Sears. Does that mean that he’ll be playing a Craftsman or Kenmore drumkit? Actually, Sears is financially underwriting some of the programs Collins is involved with for homeless people, who were the subject of his 1989 hit “Another Day In Paradise.” Collins’ last album, “Both Sides,” tackled some serious topics, but you can bet that fans are more interested in hearing ear candy like “Sussudio” than the king of adult contemporary radio’s “message” songs. Wednesday is sold out.
Toad the Wet Sprocket and the Grays, Thursday and July 22 at Metro: Wimp-rock or sensitive young souls? That’s the question inspired by repeated exposure to Toad the Wet Sprocket’s new “Dulcinea” album. Head Sprocket Glen Phillips mines the theme of unrequited love more than a jilted college freshman, though he does so with enough jangly musical charm (remember the hit “All I Want”?) for you to give him the benefit of the doubt. Opening are the very promising Grays, whose new “Ro Sham Bo” album will appeal to fans of XTC. Both shows are sold out.
Michael Smith and Anne Hills, Thursday at FitzGerald’s: World-class singer-songwriter Michael Smith is a true Chicago treasure, whose autobiographical show “Michael, Margaret, Pat and Kate” recently played to rave reviews at the Victory Garden Theatre. In addition to such past gems as “The Dutchman,” expect Smith to play material from his wonderful new Flying Fish album, “Time.” Anne Hills, a long-time pal of Smith’s (she released an album of all-Smith songs last year), has one of the most glorious voices in all of contemporary folk music.