Concert Review: Eric Burdon and the Animals at McPhillips Street Station Casino

As luck would have it, an unforeseen turn of events and cold blustery winter weather caused me to arrive at the concert late. I missed the opening numbers, tracks from Eric's 2006 CD "Soul of Man." When I walked in, the band was punching out the familiar "shave and haircut - two bits" rhythm of "Hey, Bo Diddley," a tribute to the recently deceased rock and roll legend at whose funeral Burdon was guest of honour.

Shrugging off the cold and the frustration, I sat down at my table and stared at the elf like man standing onstage in front of me. Given the huge sound of his voice, his short stature surprised me. Eric was modishly attired all in black with a white tie. Although his hair is grey these days, he still has youthful energy and clearly enjoys himself onstage. Pulling off his jacket, and taking a sip from his ever present bottle of water, he quipped, "Here's a song I wrote when I was young, so I could sing it when I was old." This was his tongue in cheek cue for the band to launch into the psychedelic era hit, "When I Was Young."

Eric's band was up to the task, providing the familiar amplifier feedback, sitar like guitar riffs, and pulsating groove that were the hallmark of the song, propelling Burdon's menacing vocals.

Eric picked up a cowbell as keyboard player "Red" Bryant launched into the funky opening keyboard riff of Eric Burdon and War's 1970 hit "Spill the Wine," that had the largely baby boomer crowd grooving in their seats.

Next came the riff laden 1965 Animals' hit "It's My Life," followed by an interesting though not totally successful retinkered reggae version of Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Eric pulled out the stops at this point, as Ed Freiland pumped out the instantly recognizable opening bass line of the Animals' 1965 smash "We Gotta Get Out of This Place." The song left no doubt that Eric still had his vocal chops. Starting low and bluesy, steadily building the song dynamically to it's frenzied chorus. Eric belted out the chorus, easily overpowering the entire audience who were singing at the top of their lungs right along with him.

The lights dimmed, Eric pulled out a chair, and the crowd roared their approval as Rick Hirsch ran through the signature guitar chord progression that marks the Animals biggest smash hit of all - 1964's "House of the Rising Sun."

After a well deserved standing ovation, Burdon returned and finished the night with a superb rendition of his 1968 anti-war anthem "Sky Pilot" complete with extended psychedelic guitar jam. The crowd waved their cell phones, sang arm in arm during the chorus while Eric filled their hearts and minds with warm memories to help them face the cold wintry drive home.

R L Rheubottom