ABKCO Music & Records (series)

The Best of the Animals

by The Animals

Product Description:

The Animals: Eric Victor Burdon (vocals); Alan Price (guitar, piano, organ, vibes, bass); Hilton Stuart Patterson Valentine (guitar); Bryan James "Chas" Chandler (bass); John Steel (drums).

Newcastle's entry in the British Invasion burned brightly and briefly, officially disbanding in 1968, but the heart of the unit had been pierced in 1965, barely a year after the original five members began recording, when co-founder and multi-instrumentalist Alan Price quit. This ABCKO compilation was originally released around the time of Price's departure. It features a respectable sampling of the greatest hits of The Animals' first lineup, from their signature hit version of "House Of the Rising Sun" and the oft-covered gem "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," to their brilliant take on Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me."

The sound, while unspectacular, adequately captures the sincere soul of Eric Burdon's unmistakable mournful, yet arrogant, wail. As an added treat, the album's cheeky original liner notes, a rundown on the "boys'" likes and dislikes, are included here.