Animal Tracks [UK]

by The Animals

Overview

The Animals' second British album, recorded just before Alan Price exited the lineup, displays far more energy and confidence than its predecessor, and it's fascinating to speculate where they might've gone had the original lineup held together. There are a few lightweight tunes here, such as "Let the Good Times Roll" and the rollicking opener, "Mess Around," that capture the Animals loosening up and having fun, but much of Animal Tracks is pretty intense R&B-based rock. "How You've Changed" is a reflective, downbeat Chuck Berry number that Eric Burdon turns into a dark romantic confessional/inquisition, matched by Hilton Valentine's chopped out, crunchy lead work over the break, while Alan Price does his best to impersonate Johnnie Johnson. The group doesn't do as well with their cover of Billy Boy Arnold's "I Ain't Got You" as the Yardbirds did with the same number, treating it in a little too upbeat a fashion, and Hilton Valentine and Alan Price failing to add very much that's interesting to the break (especially in comparison to Eric Clapton's solo on the Yardbirds' version). "Roberta," by contrast, is a great rock & roll number, and their version of "Bright Lights, Big City," sparked by Burdon's surging, angry performance and Price's hard-driving organ solo. Price's playing opens what is easily the best blues cut on the album, "Worried Life Blues," where Hilton Valentine steps out in front for his most prominent guitar solo in the early history of the band, backed by Price's surging organ. Burdon and company also excel on a pair of Ray Charles covers, turning in a jauntily cheerful, euphoric performance of "Hallelujah I Love Her So," his jubilation matched by Price's ebullient organ work; and a slow, pain-racked performance by Burdon and company on the slow blues "I Believe to My Soul," arguably -- along with "Worried Life Blues" -- the singer's best performance on either of the group's EMI long-players, and matched by Price's quick-fingered yet equally ominous piano playing. ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	06/24/2022
Label:	Abkco Records
UPC:	0018771997726
Rank:	2206

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Animals   Primary Artist
Eric Burdon   Vocals,Lead Vocals
A. Steel   Drums
John Steel   Vocals,Drums
Hilton Valentine   Guitar
Dave Rowberry   Organ,Piano
Alan Price   Organ,Piano,Vocals,Keyboards
Chas Chandler   Vocals,Bass

Technical Credits

Cynthia Weil   Composer
Clarence Carter   Composer
Eric Burdon   Composer
Bennie Benjamin   Composer
Ellas McDaniel   Composer
Sam Cooke   Composer
Leonard Lee   Composer
Mickie Most   Producer,Liner Notes
Ahmet Ertegun   Composer
Al Smith   Composer
Calvin Carter   Composer
Barry Mann   Composer
Huey "Piano" Smith   Composer
Roger Atkins   Composer
Alan Price   Composer
Gloria Caldwell   Composer
Allan Learner   Composer
Johnny Vincent   Composer
John Vincent   Composer
Shirley Goodman   Composer
Carl D'Errico   Composer
Chuck Berry   Composer
Jimmy Reed   Composer
Big Maceo Merriweather   Composer
Bo Diddley   Composer
Ray Charles   Composer
Sol Marcus   Composer
Sleepy John Estes   Composer