Title - 'Best Of The Animals' [Clear Vinyl] (Abkco)
Artist - The Animals
Released for the first time ever (and in a limited capacity) on 180 Gram Clear Vinyl, The Animals' The Best of The Animals give us just what it says on the label.
I have to say that this particular Hits album has always been one of my all-time favorites! I had it as an MGM vinyl release in the sixties and it still is a great listen. Eric Burdon, in those early years, was unmistakenly one of the best vocalists to come out of the British invasion. The songs, arrangements and musicality are all great. I consider this album to be The Animals and Eric Burdon's at their peak best.
And so in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the British Invasion, ABKCO Records have just released this incredible clear vinyl edition of The Best of The Animals. This, along with Herman's Hermits' Their Greatest Hits are now both the newest additions to ABKCO’s Clearly Classic series. A series which saw the release of six clear vinyl Rolling Stones titles over the last few years:
- Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks 1964-1971
- Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet
- Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed
- Rolling Stones – 12 x 5
- Rolling Stones – Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!
- Rolling Stones – Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)
“For me the release of The Best of The Animals on vinyl is a journey back to a working world that doesn’t exist anymore,” said Eric Burdon, who is ecstatic about this brand new release. “This is the way that all of those songs were originally intended to be heard. I am happy to see more and more young people discover the joy of putting on a record – and the elders rediscovering the thrill of the needle setting down into those grooves.”
From before I even knew what "sexy" meant, the music of The Animals has been by far one of my all time favorites. I mean this because the original version of the album was introduced to me by my sister in pre-CD, pre-casette, yes, I mean, RECORD form when I was but a preteen. Of course, like many others, 'The House of The Rising Sun' became an immediate favorite. Although I have to play dumb (still) and reveal I did not know what the song was all about back then re: a house of ill repute in New Orleans! It's just that the music was so hard driving, so rough and raw and passionate, that it was also highly addictive listening - and still is!
As noted above, both releases are pressed on 180 gram vinyl and come with original art. Lacquers were cut by Carl Rowatti at Trutone Mastering from high resolution audio sources mastered at Gateway Mastering.
www.ABCKO.com
Clear Vinyl LP Purchase Link