Eric Burdon & The Animals - The Best Of 1966-1968 (1991) FLAC
EAC Rip | 15 Tracks | FLAC - Log - Cue | Covers | Release: 1991 | 395 MB
Genre: Rock, Blues, R&B | Label: Polydor

Most fans of Eric Burdon and the Animals would rate their performances from the year 1964-1966 as the best, with songs such as "House of the Rising Sun", "Boom, Boom", etc. serving as the standards by which future Animals material should be judged. However, some of the most interesting recordings took place during the time period covered on this CD, 1966-1968. During these years, the band was stretching the very boundaries of blues, adding touches of rock and psychedilia, while remaining very close to their roots. In other words, the Animals did not "sell out" during this period, but merely took blues into a new dimension. For example, the song "Help Me, Girl," sounds very much like the urban blues of Bobby "Blue" Bland, while "Hey, Gyp" could have easily been sung by Lightnin' Hopkins. (Note: You may not be familiar with the latter song by this title: Many listeners may recall a song by the Animals which seem to be titled "Buy You Chevrolet." That song was actually entitled "Hey, Gyp" and was written by Donovan, of all people. It's an absolutely fabulous song!!). In addition, Eric's version of the old Ma Rainey classic "See See Rider" is by far the best rendition of this old chestnut, while "Sky Pilot" is one of the greatest battle songs written from a soldier's perspective, and reveals both great pride and searing pain. In short, there is much to recommend this little collection, and the listener should waste no time adding it to their collection!

Personnel Includes:

Eric Burdon - vocals
Andy Summers - vocals, guitar
Danny McCulloch - vocals, 12-string guitar
Zoot Money - vocals, piano, organ, bass guitar
George Bruno - vocals, piano
Barry Jenkins - vocals, drums, tambourine
John Weider - guitar, violin, celesta
Vic Briggs - guitar, piano, vibraphone
Hilton Valentine - guitar
Dave Rowberry - keyboards
John Steel - drums
Royal Scots Guard Pipe And Drum Marching Band - bagpipe, percussion

Tracklists:

01. Don't Bring Me Down
02. See See Rider
03. Inside Looking Out
04. Hey Gyp
05. Help Me Girl
06. When I Was Young
07. Girl Named Sandoz
08. San Franciscan Nights
09. Good Times
10. Anything
11. Winds of Change
12. Monterey
13. Sky Pilot
14. White Houses
15. River Deep, Mountain High