Happy Music Monday! Who doesn't love The Animals? Well, if the answer is you, maybe you want to sit this Music Monday out. Because today we're paying tribute to the one and only Eric Burdon. To wit...
Eric Burdon & The Animals - When I Was Young
I'm gonna say even less than usual this week, because most of what I have to say is evident in the music itself. Eric Burdon led bands that were interesting, gritty, screamy, blues-based and just a tad bit rough. And they were all pretty darn good, too. This particular dystopia isn't something one could praise, but what a great story! Sort of like, you know, gangsta rap.
More to come after the jump.
Eric Burdon & War - Spill The Wine
Can you imagine two bands more different than the Animals and War? And yet, they've both been fronted by the same fella.
Katrina & The Waves with Eric Burdon - We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
And speaking of different, here's Eric Burdon with the "Walking On Sunshine" singer, in a duet on one of his hits. Perhaps not the greatest version, but it does show how he's willing to get out there and try stuff.
Sadly for us, Mr. Burdon peaked when he was young. As his career rolled on and on, the songs turned into, well, this. But even still, one has to give credit where credit is due: this could be a LOT worse. It's just when you compare it to the stuff at the top of the page...
Eric Burdon & The Animals 2014 - House Of The Rising Sun
Ultimately the talent that is Eric Burdon set the bar too high for himself, but God bless the man for staying out there and performing. They're gonna have to drag him off the stage and even then he'll probably pull a knife. You go, Eric Burdon. And thank you for the music.
Let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.