The Animals is the self-titled debut album by the British R&B/blues rock band the Animals. The American version was released in late summer 1964, the album introduced the States to the "drawling, dirty R&B sound (with the emphasis on the B)"[ The Animals (US)Review] that typified the group.
The British versions was released in the United Kingdom on 6 November 1964 on EMI's Columbia Records. The album reached No. 6 in the UK Albums Chart and spent 20 weeks on the chart.
Overview The American album includes several R&B standards, written by the likes of Chuck Berry and John Lee Hooker, as well as the number one single "House of the Rising Sun", here presented in its truncated-for-radio form (it would be restored to full length on the February 1966 compilation The Best of the Animals, and later CD and digital reissues of The Animals would feature the full-length recording). "I'm in Love Again" is incorrectly listed as being written by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. It is actually a cover of Jimmy Reed's "In the Morning", which was penned by Al Smith and Tommy Tucker.
The album peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top LPs during a twenty seven-week run on the US albums chart.
The British album was released a month later, the group's debut album there albeit with substantially differing contents.
Track listing American album
British album
Personnel The Animals Eric Burdon – lead vocals Hilton Valentine – guitar, vocals Alan Price – keyboards, vocals Chas Chandler – bass guitar, vocals John Steel – drums, percussion Technical Mickie Most – producer Val Valentin – engineer
Charts American album: Chart (1964) Peakposition US Billboard Top LPs7
British album: Chart (1964–66)Peak positionFinnish Mitä Suomi Soittaa LPs Chart9UK Melody Maker Top Ten LPs6UK New Musical Express Best Selling LPs in Britain2UK Record Retailer LPs Chart6 Chart (2024) Peakposition Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ) 11
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