Initially, the Animals' Retrospective looks like just another greatest-hits compilation recycling the same old tracks already easily available elsewhere. Yawn! Yet, on closer inspection, there's a big difference with this particular set. These 22 tracks are taken from the ABKCO masters and utilize Direct Stream Digital (DSD), containing both CD and Super Audio CD layers. ABKCO initially previewed this technology with much fanfare on the Rolling Stones' reissues of 2003. That excellence is again applied here and the material undeniably sparkles. The first incarnation of the band with Mickie Most's production is represented by what have to be the cleanest recordings heard yet of favorites like "House of the Rising Sun," "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," and "Don't Bring Me Down." However, it's the psychedelic phase of the band, when they became Eric Burdon & the Animals, that the DSD really kicks. Every nuance present, and sometimes hidden, on a song like "San Franciscan Nights," or "Monterey," in which the horns noticeably jump out at you, or the battle sequence on "Sky Pilot," is incredibly vivid whether you're using high-tech gear or an average playback unit. Even if you've heard these tracks a zillion times, this ABKCO release gets you as close to hearing studio playback as you're likely to get! ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide
The Animals (Main Performer), Lee Oskar (Harmonica), Lee Oskar (Musician), John Weider (Guitar), John Weider (Violin), John Weider (Musician), Lonnie Jordan (Organ), Lonnie Jordan (Musician), Alan Price (Organ), Alan Price (Piano), Alan Price (Musician), Danny McCulloch (Bass), Danny McCulloch (Musician), Hilton Valentine (Guitar), Hilton Valentine (Musician), Eric Burdon (Vocals), Eric Burdon (Musician), Thomas R. Allen, Jr. (Percussion), Thomas R. Allen, Jr. (Musician), Jim Bessman (Liner Notes), Jim Bessman (Essay), Vic Briggs (Guitar), Vic Briggs (Piano), Vic Briggs (Arranger), Vic Briggs (Vibraphone), Vic Briggs (Remixing), Vic Briggs (Musician), Harold Brown (Drums), Harold Brown (Musician), Bryan James Chandler (Bass), Bryan James Chandler (Musician), Jerry Goldstein (Producer), Jack Hunt (Engineer), Chris Huston (Engineer), Barry Jenkins (Percussion), Barry Jenkins (Drums), Barry Jenkins (Musician), Iris Keitel (Art Direction), Eddie Kramer (Engineer), Eddie Kramer (Remixing), Bob Ludwig (Mastering), Peter Mew (Digital Transfers), Mickie Most (Producer), Horace Ott (Arranger), Horace Ott (Conductor), Steve Rosenthal (Audio Restoration), Steve Rosenthal (Archives Coordinator), Dave Rowberry (Organ), Dave Rowberry (Arranger), Dave Rowberry (Musician), Dave Siddle (Engineer), John Steel (Drums), John Steel (Musician), Gary Kellgren (Remixing), Tom Wilson (Producer), Charles Miller (Flute), Charles Miller (Musician), Brian Fitzpatrick (Design), Don Paulsen (Cover Photo), Jody Klein (Producer), Howard H. Scott (Guitar), Howard H. Scott (Musician), Gus Skinas (Engineer), Alisa Ritz (Art Direction), Lenne Allik (Concept), Morris Dickerson (Bass), Morris Dickerson (Musician), Dick Bogart (Engineer), Maria Papazahariou (Session Research), Teri Landi (Producer), Teri Landi (Digital Transfers), Laura Walton (Production Coordination), Janessa Gursky (Art Coordinator), Every One Of Us (Producer), Stacin Gregson (Assistant Engineer), Ed Hadani (Engineer), Jon Paul LoMonaco (Design), Tom Psipsikas (Assistant Engineer), Royal Scots Guard Pipe And Drum Marching Band (Bagpipes), Royal Scots Guard Pipe And Drum Marching Band (Percussion), Royal Scots Guard Pipe And Drum Marching Band (Musician), Matt Boynton (Assistant Engineer)
