Released 20 years ago
Soul of a Man
Eric Burdon · 2006
60 min · 14 tracks · blues
A gritty blend of blues and rock, infused with soulful melodies that reflect Burdon's lifelong musical journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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Soul of a Man — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of resilience and personal reflection, showcasing Burdon's raw emotional delivery and storytelling prowess.
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Never Give Up Blues — This track stands out with its motivational lyrics, blending classic blues elements with Burdon's signature sound, creating an anthem for perseverance.
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Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down — The song delivers an empowering message wrapped in infectious grooves, illustrating Burdon’s ability to merge lyrical depth with uplifting music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends original material and covers with a strong vocal presence but lacks a cohesive flow throughout.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow, soulful melody that sets a reflective tone, while subsequent tracks introduce more upbeat rhythms and varied instrumentation.
- Several songs feature call-and-response vocal patterns, emphasizing Burdon's connection to traditional blues forms.
- The album includes both original compositions and covers, with the latter often reinterpreted to fit Burdon's gritty vocal style.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gritty vocals with heartfelt storytelling
- cathartic moments of soulful release
- reflective late-night listening sessions
- emotional depth in every track
- steady pacing for thoughtful engagement
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification and hooks
- prefer upbeat danceable tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2006, Soul of a Man marks Eric Burdon's return to the studio after a decade-long hiatus from original material. This album showcases his deep-rooted connection to blues music, following his last studio release, My Secret Life, in 1999. At this stage in his career, Burdon was re-establishing himself as a significant figure in rock and blues.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Animals· Joe Cocker· Santana
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Soul of a Man 4:16
- 2 Kingsize Jones 3:34
- 3 Red Cross Store 4:18
- 4 Como se llama mama 3:39
- 5 Forty Days and Forty Nights 3:00
- 6 Feeling Blue 4:48
- 7 Never Give Up Blues 4:13
- 8 GTO 5:33
- 9 Forty Four 4:30
- 10 Slow Moving Train 5:26
- 11 Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down 4:55
- 12 Devil Run 3:21
- 13 I Don’t Mind 5:27
- 14 Circuit Rider 3:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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