From the moment that Eric Burdon stepped up to a microphone, his voice has been an instrument capable of hitting the notes, and then driving them into your skull with subtle power. While other British invasion groups were re-inventing Little Richard and Chuck Berry, Eric’s band, The Animals, were knee deep in Delta mud, honoring the works of Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.
The singing voice of Eric Burdon is tough to separate from his speaking voice. His late 60’s hits like “Monterey” and “Spill the Wine” were stories that played out over a determined groove that spread below the words. ’Til Your River Runs Dry, his latest release, showcases the same vocal delivery; it allows Eric’s wise man wisdom to have free rein over the stories and lets it act as a guide through a personal peek into the life of Eric Burdon.
“Old Habits Die Hard” pushes its way into the room with a rock’n’soul swagger as Eric fesses up, “Nothing’s changed, I’m still the same….old habits die hard”. Mortality is the major ingredient found on “In the Ground” and two friends with opposing opinions are introduced in “Devil and Jesus”. Eric nods to the rock’n’roll exit magic number in “27 Forever”, rolls along over a swamp beat on the way to goodbye in “Bo Diddle Special” and dreams a trip to D.C. over a smokey jazz groove in “Invitation to the White House”.
‘Til Your River Runs Dry lets Eric Burdon do what he does best -- command attention with his voice and parcel out opinions and observations that become an elder statesman of his bragging rights. The album comes out in a year that celebrates the 50TH Anniversary of The Animals. As a nod to origins, Eric Burdon wraps up ‘Til Your River Runs Dry with a balls out version of the Bo Diddley cut, “Before You Accuse Me”. DANNY McCLOSKEY/RA
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO
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