Eric Is Here

Eric Burdon, The Animals | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 30, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: One Way Records Inc
• ASIN: B000002R76
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,396 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. In the Night

2. Mama Told Me (Not to Come)

3. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today

4. This Side of Goodbye

5. That Ain't Where It's At

6. True Love (Comes Only Once in a Lifetime)

7. Help Me Girl

8. Wait Till Next Year

9. Losin' Control

10. It's Not Easy

11. The Biggest Bundle of Them All

12. It's Been a Long Time Comin'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eric Is HERE, July 22, 2000

By 

Brian M. Smallwood (joliet, IL. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eric Is Here (Audio CD)

Eric is Here is a great album. I bought this album a while ago and put it on the the other day and I was blown away and extremely moved. Highly underrated and rarely heard this CD is know as being an oddity in Eric's vast and varied catalogue. W/ The Animals the music was bluesy r&b (some of the best by not only the British Invasion Groups but of all time) As Eric Burdon and the Animals (different group) it was amazing psycedelica esp. on Winds of Change. This album came in between both of those incarnations. And has aged very well by these ears. It is representive of what was going on at the time. The songs are jazzy, orchestrated pop that contains influence from the Beach Boys primarily Pet Sounds. It also has a soul/ Motown feel to it with a touch of Otis Redding and country Jerry Lee Lewis. Eric's vocals are very impassioned and he sings with conviction in interepting these songs like Billie Holiday (one of his idols) and Frank Sinatra.

1. In The Night sets the mood of the album. It has a dark and dreamy sound to it. All these tracks are great really so out of 10 this song is a 9.

2. Mama Told Me Not To Come is the song made famous by Three Dog Night. The intro is very Baroque like and totally turns swampy. It may not be as definitive as TDN's version but Eric does a great job interpreting. I would rate 8 of 10.

3. I Think It's Going To Rain is a sad song about lost love which most of this album is. Making that the common theme. Darkness, love (mostly lost), and Redemption. Definitly 9 out of 10.

4. On This Side Of Goodbye is another song about lost love. Again, 9 out of 10.

5. That Ain't Where It's At is one of the more known songs of this album. And justifibly so. It is one of the best tracks and most up tempo. Contains some real anger. While not an all time favorite for me, it is catchy so 10 out of 10.

6. True Love (Comes Only Once In A Lifetime)is really the turning point for me on this album. It is definitly one of three or four standout tracks for me. It has an oriental sound to it at the beginning w/ female background vocalists kinda like the Ronettes (which I admit is a stretch but I can't think of any other way to descibe it) making it weird and exhilerating at the same time. Eric vocals on this song are simply astounding! The raw emotion of hurt and love he conveys especially at the end! What a powerful track! This is the song that really sold me this album. A very high 10 out of 10.

7. Help Me Girl is probably the most famous song from this set but to me it is a 9 out of 10. It is a great song but not as emotion as some of the best moments on here.

8. Wait Til Next Year is the weakest song on the album. The way Eric interprets the words are right on but just don't correspond well with the music. Making this the least memorable of any of the songs on the set. A 6 out of 10.

9. Losin' Control is a good song not great but the urgency of the music and way Eric sings make it still a worthwile track. 8 out of 10.

10. It's Not Easy is quite simply a catchy, amazing song. This is definitly another highlight on this album. Absolutely essential,another 10 out of 10. Songs 10 - 12 are a great triple shot to end the album.

11. The Biggest Bundle Of Them All is very Motownish. Definitly one of the better tracks. 9 out of 10.

12. It's Been A Long Time Comin' begins w/ a crack from a snare drum and establishes the climax of this album. This is absolutly a highpoint and may be the best song on this album w/ tracks 10 and 6. This song is soulful! It has an Otis Redding feel. The perfect ending to a great album. 10 out of 10.

I hope this review has been very helpful and persuades you to invest in buying this wonderful album. It is well worth the time and money. Thank you.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nearly Lost Gem, December 4, 2008

By 

Stardust Dreams (Eastern USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eric Is Here (Audio CD)

I have little to add to the superior review here (from the year 2000) but wanted to confirm the extra special quality and listenability of this particular Eric Burdon album (produced by the famous Tom Wilson, who was so formative in the early careers of Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, and Frank Zappa, plus the Blues Project, Nico, Velvet Underground, Ill Wind, and others).

Recordings such as this are bejeweled artifacts of an historically creative time in popular music and should not be lost to listeners searching deeper into the era. My take: there is enchanting listening to be had within here!