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Eric Is Here
Eric Is Here
Eric Is Here
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Eric Is Here
Studio album by
Eric Burdon & the Animals
ReleasedMarch 1967
Recorded16 September 1966[1]
GenrePop[2]
Length31:18
LabelMGM E-4433[3]
ProducerTom Wilson
Eric Burdon & the Animals chronology
Eric Is Here
(1967) 		Winds of Change
(1967)
Singles from Eric Is Here
  1. "Help Me Girl" b/w "That Ain't Where It's At"
    Released: December 1966[4] MGM 13636 (USA)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStar[5]
Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStar[6]

Eric Is Here is a 1967 album billed to Eric Burdon & the Animals, although the actual bands with Burdon are the Benny Golson orchestra and the Horace Ott Orchestra.[7]

History

[edit]

The album was released in the United States only, by MGM Records, during the gap between the time that the original incarnation of the Animals broke up, and the new incarnation, billed as Eric Burdon & the Animals, was being formed.[2] The "new" Animals were formed in November 1966, though MGM chose to focus on Eric Is Here during the initial period of the band's formation and performing career, releasing "Help Me Girl" as a single in December 1966, and the album Eric Is Here in March 1967.

Eric Is Here featured Burdon and drummer Barry Jenkins recording the works of various pop songwriters, accompanied by the orchestras of Benny Golson and Horace Ott, with arrangements by Ott and Golson.[2][7] Ott had co-written "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", which had been a 1965 hit for the Animals. Golson had previously co-led, with Art Farmer, the Jazztet. At the time of recording the album, Golson had given up jazz and was concentrating on orchestral work, as well as contributing to the music of various television series.

It is possible that some members of the first incarnation Animals were present during the sessions, or that the record included material previously recorded by the group.[2]

Song backgrounds

[edit]

"Help Me Girl" reached No. 29 in the US and No. 14 on Decca F12502 in the UK. the Outsiders also had a version of the song, which hit No. 37 in the UK.

"It's Not Easy" was also a No. 95 hit for the pop group the Will O Bees. It was composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who co-authored the Animals' earlier hit "We Gotta Get Out of This Place."

"The Biggest Bundle of Them All" was featured on the soundtrack for the film The Biggest Bundle of Them All, with an alternate version of the song in the film.

"This Side of Goodbye" is the Gerry Goffin and Carole King composition "On This Side of Goodbye", originally recorded by the Righteous Brothers (1966).

Track listing

[edit]

Side one

[edit]
  1. "In the Night" (Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart) 2:28
  2. "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (Randy Newman) 2:15
  3. "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" (Randy Newman) 2:01
  4. "This Side of Goodbye" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King) 3:24
  5. "That Ain't Where It's At" (Martin Siegel) 2:58
  6. "True Love (Comes Only Once in a Lifetime)" (Bob Haley, Nevel Nader) 2:33

Side two

[edit]
  1. "Help Me Girl" (Scott English, Larry Weiss) 2:39
  2. "Wait Till Next Year" (Randy Newman) 2:15
  3. "Losin' Control" (Carl D'Errico, Roger Atkins)
  4. "It's Not Easy" (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) 3:07
  5. "The Biggest Bundle of Them All" (Ritchie Cordell, Sal Trimachi) 2:11
  6. "It's Been a Long Time Comin'" (Jimmy Radcliffe, Joey Brooks) 2:42

Tracks 1, 2, 5, 7 and 10–12 arranged and conducted by Horace Ott

Tracks 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 arranged and conducted by Benny Golson[7]

Personnel

[edit]

Other personnel

[edit]

Source:[7]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1967) Peak
position
US Billboard Top LPs[8] 121

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Eric Is Here

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Eric Is Here is a studio album credited to , released in March 1967 by . Featuring lead vocals by , the record primarily consists of orchestral arrangements conducted by jazz musicians and , rather than a traditional band backing. Recorded amid the dissolution of the original Animals lineup, Eric Is Here represents a transitional work in Burdon's career, bridging the group's early R&B and blues-rock sound with the psychedelic explorations of his subsequent projects. The album incorporates soulful pop and mod grooves, with Burdon's emotive delivery set against sophisticated string and brass sections that evoke influences from artists like . Notable tracks include covers of Randy Newman's "Mama Told Me Not to Come" and "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," as well as the original single "Help Me Girl," written by and , which peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 29 on the Hot 100. Despite its commercial underperformance—reaching only number 121 on the US —the album highlights Burdon's versatility as a vocalist and foreshadows the experimental directions of his later work with the reformed . Its eclectic tracklist, blending contemporary pop standards and originals, underscores a shift toward more polished, arrangement-driven production in British rock during the mid-1960s.

Background and recording

Album concept

Eric Is Here marked a transitional phase for following the breakup of the original lineup in late 1966, serving as a bridge to the reformed ensemble. The project featured only Burdon on vocals and drummer from the prior band, diverging from the group's traditional rock setup by employing orchestral arrangements instead of a full band configuration. This shift positioned the album as a stop-gap effort amid Burdon's evolving career trajectory. Under the production of Tom Wilson, the album was recorded in a single day on September 16, 1966, at a New York studio, designed as a rapid session to capitalize on Burdon's rising solo career. Wilson's guidance emphasized experimentation with pop and soul influences, drawing from the vibrant American scenes to infuse the recordings with lush, orchestral textures. The orchestras of Benny Golson and Horace Ott provided the backing, enhancing the album's sophisticated, genre-blending sound. This conceptual approach reflected Burdon's exposure to U.S. musical trends during the band's tours, prompting a departure from blues-rock roots toward more polished pop-soul expressions. The result was an that captured Burdon's vocal intensity against expansive arrangements, anticipating the psychedelic and experimental directions of his subsequent work with the new lineup.

Recording sessions

The album Eric Is Here was recorded during a single session on , 1966, at a New York studio with a group of session musicians. Producer Tom Wilson played a key role in assembling the personnel, including the Orchestra and the Orchestra, and directed the incorporation of their orchestral contributions into the tracks. The production faced challenges stemming from the minimal participation of , limited to vocalist and drummer . Recording engineers Bill McMeehan and director of engineering utilized multi-tracking methods to layer the orchestral elements, creating expansive swells that contributed to the album's refined pop aesthetic, with final mixes handled by Gene Radice.

Musical style and composition

Orchestral arrangements

The orchestral arrangements on Eric Is Here were primarily handled by and , marking a significant departure from the raw sound of the original toward a more polished aesthetic. Recorded in New York following the band's 1966 breakup, the album features Burdon backed by the Orchestra and the Orchestra, with Ott and Golson sharing arrangement and conducting duties across the tracks. This collaboration infused the project with sophisticated production elements, emphasizing strings, brass, and horns over the electric guitar-driven energy of prior releases. Horace Ott's string and brass arrangements provided a lush, soul-infused pop texture that contrasted sharply with the band's earlier rock roots, creating sweeping, cinematic backdrops for Burdon's vocals. Known for his work in R&B and , Ott employed rich string sections to evoke a sense of emotional depth and grandeur, as evident in tracks like "I'm Crying," where slow dance beats and layered support the melody's intimacy. These elements drew on traditions, blending orchestral swells with rhythmic drive to produce a velvety, immersive sound that highlighted Burdon's emotive range. Benny Golson's contributions added a -oriented , particularly through intricate horn sections that elevated select tracks with improvisational flair and harmonic complexity. A renowned saxophonist and , Golson arranged and conducted five songs, including "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," where his horn work introduces dynamic brass interjections and contrapuntal lines that interplay with Burdon's delivery, infusing the pop structure with bebop-inspired phrasing. This approach brought a level of musicality that bridged the album's pop leanings with subtlety, using horn ensembles to build tension and release in a manner distinct from straightforward rock accompaniment. Overall, the arrangements' technical aspects, such as dynamic swells in the strings and between and sections, were designed to complement Burdon's powerful, blues-tinged vocals, fostering a hybrid style that merged soulful with the raw expressiveness of influences. This not only supported the album's introspective themes but also showcased a transitional phase for Burdon, prioritizing emotional resonance over the high-energy aggression of his era.

Song analyses

"Help Me Girl" is a composition by and , presenting a desperate romantic plea through metaphors of hunger and emotional emptiness. The lyrics depict the narrator's vulnerability, likening unrequited desire to a "biting, gnawing deep inside" that erodes pride, emphasizing isolation in love. This track, also covered by The Outsiders in 1966, highlights Burdon's raw vocal delivery against orchestral backing, underscoring the plea for connection. "Mama Told Me Not to Come," written by Randy Newman, serves as an early warning tale of party excess, narrated from the perspective of a naive newcomer overwhelmed by a debauched gathering. The song critiques social discomfort and moral unease through vivid imagery of smoke-filled rooms and inappropriate behavior, adapted here with orchestral drama to amplify its chaotic energy. Burdon's rendition captures the protagonist's wide-eyed horror, transforming Newman's ironic humor into a soul-infused cautionary narrative. "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," another Newman composition, offers melancholic on urban despair, portraying broken windows, empty hallways, and fleeting human kindness in a gray, indifferent . The lyrics evoke lost opportunities and emotional barrenness, with lines like "scarecrows dressed in the latest styles" symbolizing superficiality amid hardship. Burdon's soulful rendition infuses the track with gritty , enhancing its themes of isolation and quiet resignation through his emotive phrasing. "The Biggest Bundle of Them All," a for the heist comedy of the same name, features heist-themed lyrics by and Sal Trimachi, delivered with upbeat brass-driven energy. The song celebrates camaraderie and bold adventure among unlikely thieves, mirroring the movie's plot of amateur criminals kidnapping a , and Burdon's energetic performance adds a playful, rhythmic bounce to the narrative. Other tracks, such as "This Side of Goodbye" by and , function as filler ballads exploring post-breakup regret and the illusion of independence, with the narrator lamenting lost love from a place of newfound . Similarly, "It's Not Easy," composed by and , emphasizes vocal isolation in its portrayal of relational struggles, serving as a straightforward emotional anchor amid the album's eclectic selections. These pieces prioritize Burdon's expressive vocals, briefly referencing orchestral enhancements to heighten their introspective mood.

Release and reception

Commercial performance

Eric Is Here was released in March 1967 by in the , with catalog numbers E-4433 for the mono edition and SE-4433 for the version. Although primarily targeted at the American market, the album saw initial distribution in the through MGM's international channels. The preceding single, "Help Me Girl," had been issued in December 1966 on MGM 13636, achieving a peak position of No. 29 on the and No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart. The album itself experienced modest commercial success, peaking at No. 121 on the US chart. It failed to enter the . Sales were limited, in part due to the transitional status of the band following the breakup of the original lineup in late 1966, with only and drummer from the group joined by session musicians and orchestras led by and , creating confusion among fans expecting a full Animals recording. This ambiguity, compounded by competition from recent Animals compilations and the group's evolving identity, hindered broader visibility and market penetration.

Critical response

Upon its release in March 1967, Eric Is Here received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Burdon's vocal performances while often critiquing the album's heavy orchestral arrangements and departure from the raw rock energy associated with ' earlier work. Similarly, rock critic described the album as a disappointment for fans of the original ' "rave-ups," calling it too gentle and soppy, with "funky ... ." These responses underscored the album's experimental fusion of soul-pop elements with rock, which some viewed as innovative but disjointed from the group's blues-rock legacy amid the band's dissolution. Retrospective evaluations have similarly portrayed Eric Is Here as an underrated showcase for Burdon's versatile vocals during a period of internal turmoil, as the original Animals lineup had disbanded by late 1966, leaving the project essentially a solo outing backed by session musicians and arrangers and . assigns it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, noting its transitional nature between the beat-era and Burdon's later explorations. In 2020, the album was reissued as part of the 5-CD When I Was Young: The MGM Recordings 1967-1968 by Esoteric Recordings, which includes bonus tracks and emphasizes its role in Burdon's artistic evolution, serving as a soul-oriented bridge to the phase that defined his subsequent West Coast collaborations, such as Winds of Change later in 1967.

Track listing

Side one

Side one of the original 1967 MGM vinyl release of Eric Is Here features the following tracks, with songwriters and durations as credited on the album.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"In the Night"Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart2:28
2"Mama Told Me Not to Come"2:15
3"I Think It's Gonna Rain Today"2:01
4"This Side of Goodbye", 3:24
5"That Ain't Where It's At"Mike Siegel2:58
6"True Love (Comes Only Once in a Lifetime)"Bob Halley, Nick Nader2:33

Side two

Side two of the album Eric Is Here features six tracks, primarily covers of contemporary pop songs arranged with orchestral backing.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1Help Me Girl, 2:39
2Wait Till Next Year2:15
3Losin' ControlCarl D'Errico, Roger Atkins2:45
4It's Not Easy, 3:07
5The Biggest Bundle of Them All, Sal Trimachi2:11
6It's Been a Long Time Comin', Joey Brooks2:42
The durations and writers are from the original 1967 MGM vinyl release (SE-4433).

Personnel

Core performers

Eric Burdon served as the lead vocalist on every track of Eric Is Here, delivering his distinctive blues-inflected performances amid the album's orchestral settings. As the frontman of the Animals, his vocal presence defined the project's identity, marking a transitional phase in his career toward more sophisticated pop arrangements. Barry Jenkins, the drummer from the Animals' lineup following the departure of original members, contributed drums on select tracks, making him the sole other band member involved in the recordings. His role went uncredited on the initial release, underscoring the album's departure from the group's typical rock ensemble format. The Benny Golson Orchestra provided comprehensive orchestral backing, featuring a full ensemble of horns and musicians to support the album's lush, big-band-inspired sound. Golson himself conducted these sessions, bringing his expertise to enhance the tracks' emotional depth. Complementing this, the Orchestra added layers of strings and supplementary brass, enriching the arrangements with symphonic texture. not only conducted his ensemble but also took charge of the string and brass arrangements, collaborating to create the album's polished, cinematic atmosphere.

Production and arrangement

The production of Eric Is Here was led by Tom Wilson, who oversaw the album's recording sessions at Studios in New York and coordinated the integration of orchestral elements with the core band performances. Horace Ott served as arranger and conductor for seven tracks: "In the Night," "Mama Told Me Not to Come," "That Ain't Where It's At," "Help Me Girl," "It's Not Easy," "The Biggest Bundle of Them All," and "It's Been a Long Time Comin'." Benny Golson handled the arrangements and orchestral direction for the remaining five tracks: "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," "This Side of Goodbye," "True Love (Comes Only Once in a Lifetime)," "Wait Till Next Year," and "Losin' Control." The engineering team at MGM Studios included recording engineer Bill McMeehan, director of engineering Val Valentin, and mixer Gene Radice, who captured the sessions on September 16, 1966. Cover artwork was provided by Nancy Reiner, with overall design credited to Acy Lehman.

References

  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/eric-is-here-mw0000644331
  2. https://www.discogs.com/master/186266-Eric-Burdon-The-Animals-Eric-Is-Here
  3. https://www.discogs.com/release/4285129-Eric-Burdon-The-Animals-Eric-Is-Here
  4. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/686528/Eric-Burdon-The-Animals:Eric-Is-Here
  5. https://isthmus.com/arts/vinyl-cave/vinyl-cave-eric-is-here-by-eric-burdon-and-the-animals/
  6. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13110/eric-burdon/
  7. https://dereksmusicblog.com/2016/08/25/eric-burdon-and-the-animals-every-one-of-us/
  8. https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/reissue-cds-weekly-eric-burdon-animals-when-i-was-young-mgm-recordings-1967-1968
  9. https://www.goldminemag.com/columns/spin-cycle/reviews-eric-burdon-idle-race-rowan-morrison-martin-gordon-soulless-party-the-four-seasons-of-love/
  10. https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/gift-1967-world
  11. https://www.wwcfradio.org/today-in-rock-roll-history-september-16th/
  12. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/burdon-eric
  13. http://www.producertomwilson.com/discography/
  14. https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/copper/the-animals-dont-let-them-be-misunderstood
  15. https://www.discogs.com/artist/220221-Horace-Ott
  16. https://wbssmedia.com/artists/detail/3575
  17. https://genius.com/Eric-burdon-help-me-girl-lyrics
  18. https://secondhandsongs.com/work/37961/all
  19. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/three-dog-night/mama-told-me-not-to-come
  20. https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-mama-told-me-not-to-come-by-three-dog-night-and-the-changes-they-made-to-turn-it-into-a-hit/
  21. http://www.theindy.org/article/1393
  22. https://theneedlefish.com/2018/09/24/song-of-the-day-randy-newman-i-think-its-going-to-rain-today/
  23. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/19333
  24. https://www.bsnpubs.com/mgm/mgm44014600.html
  25. https://genius.com/The-righteous-brothers-on-this-side-of-goodbye-lyrics
  26. https://secondhandsongs.com/work/136326/all
  27. https://www.discogs.com/release/2146725-Eric-Burdon-The-Animals-Eric-Is-Here
  28. https://vancouversignaturesounds.com/hits/help-me-girl-by-the-animals/
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/4168261-Eric-Burdon-The-Animals-Eric-Is-Here
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/11393065-Eric-Burdon-The-Animals-Eric-Is-Here
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