Record Store Day Archive

The Animals – Animal Tracks – EMI (10″ vinyl)

by Audiophile Audition | Apr 16, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

The Animals – Animal Tracks – EMI (1965)/ Abkco (2016) 8499-1 mono 10” 45 rpm vinyl, ***1/2: Special vinyl EP reissue shows off The Animals’ blues prowess. (Eric Burdon – vocals; Alan Price – piano, organ; Chas Chandler – bass, vocals; Hilton Valentine – guitar; John Steel – drums) The British rock scene was formed by American blues. Most (if not all) of these bands began their careers with covers of blues music. The Rolling Stones took their band moniker from a song by the immortal Muddy Waters. Along with The Yardbirds, The Animals were among the finest purveyors of British blues. Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s, the group was initially known as Alan Price Rhythm And Blues Combo. The original lineup featured Price (piano and organ), Eric Burdon (vocals), Chas Chandler (bass), Hilton Valentine (guitar) and John Steel (drums). The Animals became a renowned act when their organ-laced version of “House Of The Rising Sun” hit No. 1 in the U.S. Burdon’s gritty vocals complemented Price’s musicality. Like their counterparts, the band continued to record American blues  (“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, “Bring It On Home To Me”) and eventually created their own pop-based alchemy […]