Much like their American counterparts Mc5, Third World War were a heavily politicized band from England who made their mark playing heavy rock songs with an overtly left-wing political agenda. They were well known amongst the London Underground scene, playing free concerts with the likes of Arthur Brown, the Pink Fairies, and the wonderfully eccentric Viv Stanshall (before he formed the infamous Bonzo Dog Band).
Their songs focus on the poor, disenfranchised, the uneducated; on rebels, Hells Angels, and semi-skilled laborers fighting for their freedom. The music could at moments be sensitive, but was more often than not a raw, "punk" sound.
This lp, their 2nd (and last), dates from 1972, and musically is a more complete album than their self-titled debut. There are some excellent bluesy numbers, mainly "Coshing Old Lady," (their tribute to Hells Angels), mellow ones such as "Factory Canteen Mews," which offers excellent guitar work by Terry Stamp. Mainly, the lp is heavy rock numbers, such as "Yoko," "Urban Rock," "Rat Crawl," and their classic numbers- "I'd Rather Cut Cane for Castro," and the brilliant "Hammersmith Guerrilla," with very political lyrics such as:
"Get yer arse down to Hammersmith town; Join the urban guerrillas Take up arms against the crown; Don't talk about wrong and right, Get out and fight!"
Pretty heady stuff.
Their 2 lps are wonderful listening, and fans of the "Kick Out the Jams" era Mc5 will find Third World War (the name says it all) as kindred spirits- and even more political!
An exceptional cd well worth getting!(By Sean M. Kelly)
Tracks Listing
1. Yobo
2. Urban Rock
3. Coshing Old Lady Blues
4. Rat Crawl
5. Id Rather Cut Cane For Castro
6. Factory Canteen News
7. Hammersmith Guerrilla
Credits
Terry Stamp - Guitar, Vocals
Mick Lieber - Guitar
Peter Martin - Guitar
Tony Ashton - Keyboards
Jim Avery - Bass
Fred Smith - Drums
Bobby Keys - Saxophone
Jim Price - Horn
Wingy - Harmonica
Neemoi Acquaye - Percussion
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The follow-up to the first volume of THE UNRELEASED ERIC BURDON flips the ratio of that release by including six studio tracks--mostly alternate takes and extended versions of tracks previously released on Burdon's more recent solo albums--and only four live cuts. The highlights are a powerful, lengthy version of "House of the Rising Sun" recorded at the Whiskey A-Go-Go (or at least that's what Burdon says at one point; the liner notes don't divulge recording dates or locations) and a hypnotic, storming 14-minute live take on the John D. Loudermilk classic "Tobacco Road."
Subtitled "The Unreleased Eric Burdon, Volume 2," the performances on this disc date back to the early 1970s and extend up to the early '80s, a prime creative period for the singer. Kicking off with a solid minor-key treatment of Muddy Waters' title track, this disc features six studio and four live tracks that are seeing their first U.S. release, and two of the tracks (the unedited long version of "Tobacco Road" and "Yes, Indeed, Yeah") are previously unreleased items. Burdon is in strong vocal shape throughout, and this makes a nice bookend to the first volume and an excellent addition to his later recordings. ~ Cub Koda, Rovi
Tracks List
01. I'm Ready (3:42)
02. I'm A Wicked Man (5:01)
03. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (9:31)
04. Stop What You're Doing (4:59)
05. House Of The Rising Sun (6:11)
06. Got The Funky Fever (2:58)
07. Sweet Blood Call (4:55)
08. Yes, Indeed, Yeah (6:08)
09. Tobacco Road (13:28)
10. Take It Easy (4:48)
All tracks previously unreleased in USA. Track #9 previously unreleased anywhere in its entirety. Track #10 previously unreleased anywhere.
Tracks 1 and 10 "studio". Track 2 "studio alternate slow version". Tracks 4 and 6 "studio alternate verison". Tracks 3, 5, 7 and 9 "live". Track 8 "out take".
Personnel:
Aalon Butler, Pat Couchois, John Sterling , W.G. Snuffy Walden (guitar)
Ronnie Baron, Andy Chapin, Terry Ryan, Mike Ruff (keyboards)
George Suranovich, Alvin Taylor, Jaybird Mitthaver, Billy Ray Morris, Chris Couchois, Jaybird Mitthauer, Tony Braunagel (drums)
Nippy Noya (percussion)
Kim Kesterson, Terry Wilson, Howard Messer, Mark Leonard, Randy Rice (Bass)
Producers include: John Sterling, Snuffy Walden
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