The Animals - Best of the Animals

While they're best remembered for "House of the Rising Sun," the Animals had more than one track. What about "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "We've Gotta Get Out of this Place," to name but two, as well as a later incarnation's "San Franciscan Nights," Eric Burdon's ode to the flower power of 1967? Always rough and ready, the Animals were a blues band from Newcastle who never looked completely comfortable in their suits, but who nonetheless produced some great pieces of music--although whether there was ever quite enough to fill an entire album you have to judge for yourself. --Chris Nickson Amazon.com

Great compilation!

The Animals: Eric Burdon on vocals, Chas Chandler on bass, John Steel on drums, Hilton Valentine on guitar, Alan Price and Dave Rowberry on organ and piano. And this group made some of the best blues rock music of the 1960s. This CD includes works recorded in 1964 and 1965.

It starts out with the classic "House of the Rising Sun." This is rawly sung and sung in a compelling manner by Eric Burdon. He had one of the truest blues voices of the 1960s among younger singers. The organ of Alan Price adds a really neat element to this song, with foreboding lines such as "[this house] has been the ruin of many a poor boy, and Lord I'm one."

I also enjoy their effort at singing Chuck Berry. His "Around and Around" is a wonderful little rock and roll piece, and the Animals cover it nicely. Burdon does a credible job singing this familiar Berry work, with classic lines such as "never stop rockin' until the moon went down." And Hilton Valentine plays nice Chuck Berry guitar work.

John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom" is a classic blues song. How well to the Animals cover this? Good blues guitar work by Valentine and a nice organ element by Price add to the song greatly. Burdon isn't John Lee Hooker "listen to the latter's vocal styling!), but he does a nice job in his own terms. In short, a satisfying cover of a fine blues song.

I could not resist commenting on their version of a Goffin-King composition, "I'm in Love Again." The Animals imbue this with a nice blues-rock sensibility.

And then one of their classic anthems, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place." Key line up front: "You'll be dead before your due." This is about living in a working/lower class situation; Burdon sings of his father's desperate life. He sings of how he and his girl have to escape, with the lines (poignantly and rawly sung): "We gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing we ever do," in order to achieve a "better life." A pretty somber picture of life at the bottom. This contains an awful lot of social commentary, scaffolded by some fine rock and roll instrumental work.

My last illustration of the work from this CD--"Story of Bo Diddley." They begin with that distinct Bo Diddley sound, played quite nicely. This is the story of Bo Diddley, with mention of the Rolling Stones, Beatles, and references to Bob Dylan and so on. Enchanting!

So, the bottom line? This is a wonderful collection of the Animals' best works. Obviously, one can argue that 15 cuts cannot do justice to the work of the Animals. But this is one unbelievable set of songs, so I have no beef on that point. A must buy if you want the best of the Animals.


March 8, 2008

Best Of The Early Animals

Whereas THE BEST OF ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS covers the Animals' Decca years 1966-69, THE BEST OF THE ANIMALS covers their 1964-65 period on EMI under producer/manager Mickie Most. Although it's obvious that the band matured considerably on a musical level after leaving Most for R&B stalwart Tom Wilson, their early years with Most producing were almost as good, if a little on the poppy side. Many of their songs from this period were written by Brill Building songwriters or were vintage R&B covers, but the band still managed to make them their own, which is quite commendable considering that at EMI they were on a fairly short leash. If you buy the two CDs together, you'll have a fairly complete picture of what the Animals did during the 1960s. February 20, 2008

The Animals Still Rock!

Another great CD that brings back the best music ever made. These songs stand the test of tome. All the songs were reproduced to bring you superior listening pleasure. Don't hesitate to buy this one. February 5, 2008

It's My Review and I'll Write What I Want!

Yes Yes... I am here safe in my castle sipping brandy and quite warm by the fireplace. I tell you people it is cold out there. Sub-zero temperatures, my laundry freezing on the line, and the moat is totally frozen. Even the sea serpent begged me for refuge. I did have a pantry that is only 30 degrees, so I let him stay there. He is so grateful that he wants to give testimony of my generosity to the world. I told him not to bother, they already know that. You DO know that people, don't YOU?

Anyway, aside from various creatures in and around my castle home, I decided it was time to review the Animals. How bold to name a whole group after a species - but there you go. The Animals came with the 60's British Invasion and they were very different in their musical approach. I tend to think it's a matter of influences. What drove the Animals were a mix of John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Bo Diddley and Same Cooke - just to name a few. Coupled with the fact that these English guys put their own spin on this music made them very unique indeed.

You know, I can imagine club hopping in London back then and hearing this band give it everything. Alot of these songs have a club feeling to it. Just imagine yourself in that setting while you listen to this - you will see what I mean. This music is a blend of rock-blues-soul that, if not masterful, is rewarding on so many levels.

You have the harsh, whiskey imbued vocals of Eric Burdon. I can think of no other singer that came out of that era with his ability. So, when he sings of pain, or loss, or love - the grittiness of his voice and experience gives it the stamp of reality. He comes across as the bad boy - much more prominently than Mick Jagger ever did. And, I think this adds a little more mystery in his efforts.

There are pure pop gems included here that no one should be without. Shall I name them? O.K.- stop twisting my arm! They are "House of the Rising Sun" (which I believe was a folk tune they transposed), "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" (Eric's plea that he really does try to be good and well-intentioned), "We Gotta Get Out of this Place" (an urgency to leave a soiled environment behind), and "It's My Life" (which is a strong warning against outside control). These songs are essential to any respectable collection of 60's tunes. To be without them is to be like having no heat in the castle on a day like today. Be an icicle at your own peril!

The other songs on this album all contribute to the vibe. "I'm Crying" with that organ groove, "Baby Let Me Take You Home"- a stomping romp the leads to a rave-up, and "I'm In Love Again" which follows a classic rock-rythmn and blues progression. Some mid-60's groups tried to copy the feel of the Animals music with mixed success. They shouldn't have bothered. Eric and company do a far better job.

In closing, I should say that these musicians, although very competent, are not vituosos by any means. They are streetwise English boys who worked hard and made it on grit, stance, and a whole lotta heart and soul.
This is a fine memory of how the simple things were, in many ways, superior to the over technical music we have today.
Gotta go now. Jack Frost is outside threatening to huff and puff and blow my castle down. Hah! Let him try. It's amazing what a Seer on brandy can do!

I'm just a Seer whose intentions are good ---Metamorpho
January 20, 2008

Wish the quality was better.

I was expecting a re-master collection of songs. The recording of this CD sounds like how I first listened to this music, thru a 2 inch speaker on a portable transistor AM radio. There is some attempt to create stereo sound on a few of the songs. Too bad, the music is great! Eric Burdon was great with the Animals. Almost makes me miss the sixties and all that went with it! September 7, 2007

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