Search - Eric Burdon :: Soul of a Man

Ron M. (rcm) from CONYERS, GA
Reviewed on 9/7/2011...

If you have every liked Eric Burdon, you'll like this disc. Good songs, still a great voice, still has that great, unique sound.

THE REAL ERIC BURDON LIVES IN THIS RELEASE!!

Samuel B. King | Concord, NH | 03/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I read a review about this new CD in BLUES REVIEW and promptly picked it up and placed it in my car stereo. A couple of blocks from the local CD store, I pulled over to the curb and sat there mesmerized, I kid you not! Its all here, the simmering heat, growling Newcastle swagger, familiar blues hollar of ERIC BURDON. I'll admit at having lost touch with this artist over the past decades, viewing him as a former great artist who had descended into the "oldies circuit". Heck, I even decided not to check him out when he played a local venue. However, this CD is a return to his rightful place as a blues singer second to none. It seeps with New Orleans soul. Some of the cuts are reminiscent of the Neville Brothers, others of '70s era War. Under it all there is that primitive Chicago blues feel. Gone are the shredder guitars and synth effects which marred other recent performances. Here we have the sound of telecasters, horns, hammond organ, real percussion and sassy background vocals. Standout tracks are Wolf's 44, Muddy's 40 Days and 40 Nights, the title track and the hilariously rude second number (about a big %@#$). Put this album alongside the best he has ever recorded. Come to thing of it, the anumals version of Hooker's "I'm Mad Again" would have comfortably fit on this release. That's how good it is!! This album makes you realize that, out of all so-called brit invasion singers, Eric Burdon was the "MAN WITH A SOUL". INDEED!!! BUY THIS SUCKER NOW!!"

Never Give Up The Blues!

R. A. Burke | 05/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to this album, you can't help but wonder what kind of magic potion Eric took to rejuvenate himself. This is easily Eric's best studio album in many years. Tony Braunagel's production is superb and the musicians really cook. This recording has so many highlights that it's hard just to pick out a few. Starting out with Soul of a Man, you are immediately pulled into the mix with conga and some snaky slide guitar as Eric hearkens back to his blues roots. Kingsize Jones uses a combination of funky guitar, sax, and double entendres to hit us where it counts - this should be a great one for concerts. Red Cross Store features a primitive sounding guitar and rocking drums while Como Se Llama Mama returns to the Latin influence of Eric's Spill the Wine days. GTO begins with Eric's vocals joined later by some very sophisticated piano blues. Eric breathes life into the old Blues chestnut Forty Four with a version accompanied by some hot harmonica. Eric really hits the mark with Slow Moving Train and I'm telling you that, as Mark Anthony says in Julius Caesar, "if you have tears, prepare to shed them now." This is one of Eric's most moving vocals, ever. Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down combines the earthy sounds of brushes, acoustic guitar, and organ while I Don't Mind is reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing. The album ends with a bang with Eric and company rocking out to a boogie number entitled Circuit Rider that's very much in the spirit of John Lee Hooker. Eric Burdon has obviously found his muse once again and this album is the result. If you have ever loved the music of Eric Burdon, do yourself a favor and buy Soul of a Man. In my honest opinion, this is the Blues album of the year!"