The Greatest Hits of Eric Burdon and The Animals
Encyclopedia
The Greatest Hits of Eric Burdon and The Animals was the group's compilation representing The Animals' last three lineups, and showcased their venture into psychedelic rock
. It was released in March 1969 in the US but never put out in the United Kingdom
; it was the last album MGM Records
would release in (more or less) the group's lifetime. Despite containing three tracks that had been US Top 15 singles, the compilation was not commercially successful, rising only to #153 on the Billboard 200
.
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
. It was released in March 1969 in the US but never put out in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
; it was the last album MGM Records
MGM Records
MGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946, for the purpose of releasing soundtrack albums of their musical films. Later it became a pop label, lasting into the 1970s...
would release in (more or less) the group's lifetime. Despite containing three tracks that had been US Top 15 singles, the compilation was not commercially successful, rising only to #153 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
Side 1
- "River Deep, Mountain High" (Phil SpectorPhil SpectorPhillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
, Jeff BarryJeff BarryJeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
, Ellie GreenwichEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
) – 7:20 - "San Franciscan NightsSan Franciscan Nights"San Franciscan Nights" is a 1967 song performed by Eric Burdon and The Animals, with words and music by the group's members, Eric Burdon, Vic Briggs, John Weider, Barry Jenkins, and Danny McCulloch...
" (Eric BurdonEric BurdonEric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
, Vic BriggsVic BriggsVictor Harvey Briggs III is a former blues and rock musician, best known as the lead guitarist with Eric Burdon and The Animals during the 1966-1968 period...
, John WeiderJohn WeiderJohn Weider is a rock musician who plays guitar, bass, and violin. He is best known as the bass player for the British band, Family from 1969 to 1971.-Biography:...
, Barry JenkinsBarry JenkinsColin Ernest "Barry" Jenkins is an English musician, who is best known for being a drummer for The Animals during both of that 1960s group's incarnations....
, Danny McCullochDanny McCullochDaniel Joseph 'Danny' McCulloch is an English musician, best known for having been the bassist of the 1960s psychedelic rock group Eric Burdon & The Animals....
) – 3:24 - "Year of the Guru" (Burdon) – 5:25
- "Anything" (Burdon, Briggs, Weider, Jenkins, McCulloch) – 3:20
- "MontereyMonterey (song)"Monterey" is a 1967 song by Eric Burdon & The Animals, with music and lyrics by the group's members, Eric Burdon, John Weider, Vic Briggs, Danny McCulloch, and Barry Jenkins...
" (Burdon, Briggs, Weider, Jenkins, McCulloch) – 4:18
Side 2
- "White Houses" (Burdon) – 4:43
- "Winds of Change" (Burdon, Briggs, Weider, Jenkins, McCulloch) – 4:00
- "To Love Somebody" (Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
, Robin GibbRobin GibbRobin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
) – 7:20 - "Sky PilotSky Pilot (song)"Sky Pilot" is a 1968 song by Eric Burdon & The Animals, released on the album The Twain Shall Meet. When released as a single the song was split across both sides, due to its length. As "Sky Pilot " it reached number 14 on the U.S...
" (Burdon, Briggs, Weider, Jenkins, McCulloch) – 7:27
Personnel
- Eric BurdonEric BurdonEric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
- vocals - Vic BriggsVic BriggsVictor Harvey Briggs III is a former blues and rock musician, best known as the lead guitarist with Eric Burdon and The Animals during the 1966-1968 period...
- guitar except as indicated below - John WeiderJohn WeiderJohn Weider is a rock musician who plays guitar, bass, and violin. He is best known as the bass player for the British band, Family from 1969 to 1971.-Biography:...
- guitar, violin - Danny McCullochDanny McCullochDaniel Joseph 'Danny' McCulloch is an English musician, best known for having been the bassist of the 1960s psychedelic rock group Eric Burdon & The Animals....
- bass except as indicated below - Barry JenkinsBarry JenkinsColin Ernest "Barry" Jenkins is an English musician, who is best known for being a drummer for The Animals during both of that 1960s group's incarnations....
- drums - Zoot MoneyZoot MoneyGeorge Bruno Money, known as Zoot Money is a British vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band...
- keyboards on "White Houses" and "Year Of The Guru", keyboards and bass on "River Deep, Mountain High" and "To Love Somebody" - Andy SummersAndy SummersAndy Summers is an English guitarist born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. Best known as the guitarist for rock band The Police, he has also recorded twelve solo albums, collaborated with many other artists, toured extensively under his own name, published several books, and composed...
- guitar on "River Deep, Mountain High" and "To Love Somebody"