EXPERIENCE ROCK HISTORY!
the BEST OF THE ANIMALS – February 1966
the BEST of ERIC BURDON and the ANIMALS Vol II – 1967
WINDS OF CHANGE – September 1967
THE TWAIN SHALL MEET – April 1968
The Animals were unique among the British Invasion bands, they had a rough edge, their sound and Eric Burdon’s vocals really fit their name. This was primal energy delivered by talented
Newcastle bad-ass Rockers.
00individual was and is a big fan of Eric Burdon and The Animals, one of the few bands that were there at the beginning of the First Wave with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, and The Kinks.
While other bands sang of love and relationships, the Animals did too, but they were far more high-minded in the choice of the songs they recorded; meaningful rebellious songs that questioned life, freedom and personal choices.
At that time, The Kinks (A Well Respected Man) and The Yardbirds (You’re A Better Man Than I) were questioning tradition and archaic morals. But with The Animals, what really set them apart from the rest, was a strong perfectly-timed continuing emotional independent theme in their early hits that reverberated within 00individual and other Teen Rockers’ young souls.
No one, not The Beatles, and not even The Stones brought it down hard like The Animals’ Teen Angst Trio of Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place and It’s My Life – real life songs that expressed feelings for all ages and especially as an emerging Rocker at fourteen.
Later Animals albums led by Burdon continued with iconic hits that paralleled and supported the Counter Culture’s Psychedelic way of life.
The following are the
Top 13 BEST of ERIC BURDON and the ANIMALS
Album Track Gems
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the BEST OF THE ANIMALS – February 1966
“The House of the Rising Sun”
August 1964 – 4:29
Like S & G’s Sound of Silence, this track delivered a new level of sound, a sound that immediately cut through to an unknown place within – a raw melancholy mysterious vibe.
“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”
February 1965 – 2:28
. . . and here we go, with this track 00individual’s teenage angst at 14 began an inner growth surge of youthful rebellion – a stage all early teens go through, only now The Animals were putting it to kick ass music and words.
“We Gotta Get out of This Place”
July 1965 – 3:17
“. . . if it’s the last thing we’ll ever do.”
The proof of a real teenager, no matter how well off, is how much they want to be free and independent, thinking that it will be the solution to every fucked-up feeling they’re having – something that will take a few more years of maturity and a dedication to the responsibility that comes with that elusive freedom. Still, 00individual could sing along.
“It’s My Life”
October 1965 – 3:09
OK, so it’s not enough to be a misunderstood teenager who dreams of a future out of this place, now The Animals hammer it home by stating the one human right we all should have, and that is “it’s my life and I’ll do what I want!”
the BEST of ERIC BURDON and the ANIMALS Vol II – 1967
“Inside Looking Out”
February 1966 – 3:47
A righteous driving hard core blues rocker track turned into a monster epic by GFR.
“Don’t Bring Me Down”
May 1966 – 3:13
This track slithers along with animal grace to a throbbing beat then climaxes with a heartfelt plea.
At fifteen in ’66 00individual had yet to experience the open-minded awareness world that Marijuana presented so his world was basically a self-centered one and saw this song as what girls and love would do: bring you down – not knowing that it works both ways.
“Cheating”
May 1966 – 2:23
00individual really loves this Vol. II album, and this under the radar Gem; they take a relationship standard theme and pour on the heavy, extend the drama, and make a monster in the process. Another perfect example of the Animal mystique – gritty, thick, hook-heavy self-righteous blues.
“Hey Gyp”
July 1966 – 3:46
Love Donovan’s original and Eric’s original take on this trippy and unique super cool song.
. . . . I’ll give you a Ford Mustang if you just give me some of your love . . .
“Help Me Girl”
March 1967 – 2:35
Not really an Animals track; from interim Eric solo album – the lighter sensitive side of Burdon.
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Eric Burdon and The Animals (mach II) continued on with equally great time-stamp tracks in 1967:
“When I Was Young”
April 1967 – 2:53
Good Gawd!
The sound (and matching visual it creates) of the first surge from a tab of LSD – easily one of the few totally classic indelible intros that immediately stood for The Entire Psychedelic Vibe.
A righteous track with Burdon at his usual best.
“A Girl Named Sandoz”
April 1967 – 2:59
GRUNGE!
Heavy, thick, raw psychedelic blues. The Animals tribute to the company that produced LSD – disguised as a girl, of course.
WINDS OF CHANGE – September 1967
“San Franciscan Nights”
August 1967 – (3:24)
Eric Burdon, Ambassador of International Goodwill for the San Francisco Tour Board.
A major classic Summer Of Love Hippie-era track.
THE TWAIN SHALL MEET – April 1968
“Monterey”
November 1967 – 4:18
Eric embraced and then became a major figure within the Psychedelic Counter Culture.
This is a really solid trippy rocker referencing the major acts at the Monterey Pop Festival of ’67.
Another emblematic concert event tribute alongside CSNY’s Woodstock.
“Sky Pilot”
May 1968 – 7:27
An epic psychedelic anti-war hit that will be featured in a future post.
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Personnel from albums 1964 – 1966:
Eric Burdon – Lead vocals
Alan Price – keyboards
Dave Rowberry – keyboards and backing vocals
Hilton Valentine – guitar
Chas Chandler – bass
John Steel – drums
Personnel from albums 1967 – 1968:
Eric Burdon – vocals
John Weider – guitar, violin
Vic Briggs – guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Barry Jenkins – drums
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00individual saw
Eric Burdon and the Animals
Feb. 2006 at the Viper Room, Sunset Strip, capacity 250
Set list:
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, I Put a Spell On You,
House of the Rising Sun.
Groovy!
From ongoing contributor, Rocker, and Tribe member; if6ws929:
An excellent choice my friend; the Animals were a truly great group. Singled out from all other groups of the sixties, their albums could tell you most of what you know about the zeitgeist of those times. There were others who spoke clearly about our journey but Eric Burdon’s songs fearlessly and without reservation, expressed his proud embrace of the counterculture. Eric’s music was a good trip! A tough guy, willing to physically fight for love, life and friendship, Eric wasn’t afraid to display his softer side. You knew that when he said I love you, he meant it. He courageously exposed his soul and never failed to eloquently express the mature, sincere and capable aspects of life within our movement. Reading the cover of Winds of Change will make you cry; not just because of the beautiful and heartfelt sentiment that Eric expressed but because it now reminds us of how much we have lost to those winds of change.
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00INDIVIDUAL 