Cactus - Cactus (8 tracks) +Album Reviews

Cactus - Blues Rock...... As It Was Meant To Be !!!

Vibrolux45 | Xiamen,China | 03/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first Cactus lp was released in 1970 not 1977 as listed in the brief paragraph just below the songs list above this review.

The band I have to say... played the hardest blues rock ever made!I have never heard anything that comes close to Jim McCarty's screaming single note runs and riffology....Tim Bogart playing a Telecaster bass like a guitar with booming tone you have to hear!Carmine Appice never played drums again as he played with Cactus very intense.Rusty Day ( Rest In Peace Brother ) was the perfect out front guy for this band .....his delivery suited Cactus perfectly and his manic harp playing was amazing...it also jelled well with the overall Cactus vibe.If you were born after 1955 you most likely missed these guys...they cut 3 terrific Lp's and then the usual ego problems surfaced and they fell apart.The first lp "Cactus" the second lp "One Way Or Another" and finally "Restrictions" are all recommended....all are great listening and curently there is a guy from Russia on E-Bay selling copies of " One Way Or Another " and "Restrictions" I have purchased from him several cd's and copies are fine, made for the Russian market. I do wish to mention the following the album " Ot and Sweaty " now a cd is horrible!gone are Jim McCarty and Rusty Day...in their place are Pete French ( Great with "Atomic Rooster" not here though )and I forget the new guitarist and key board players names...If you do not wish to buy from E-Bay.... currently there are two limited edition releases from I believe " Collectors Choice Music " you will get you all you need from both " OWOA " and " Restrictions " tracks.Check here at Amazon they are both listed the Live set and the Anthology set "Anthology"is the one to get first. I have both the "Live Cactus " and the "Anthology" set and they are both highly recommended.

"

Jim McCarty of the Detroit Wheels, not the Yardbirds drummer

William Holmes | New York | 08/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The editorial review has it wrong, but then again, is that a surprise? Axeman Jim McCarty remains under-known and under-appreciated despite yeoman work with Mitch Ryder, Buddy Miles, Cactus, The Rockets and many others.

THIS is the record that started it all...Vanilla Fudge rhythm section Bogert/Appice miss out on the supergroup with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart and the world benefits greatly - Stewart creates magic with The Faces and Bogert/Appice grab Motor City monsters Jim McCarty and Rusty Day. This original version of Cactus releases three of the best hard rock records of any era, blow everyone off the stage and set the standard for incendiary boogie rock. "Parchman Farm" can flat out raise the dead.

The first three Cactus albums are no-brainer must-haves for any rock collection. Play loud and often."

Correction of details

Duane Albright | Detroit, MI | 12/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jim McCarty of Cactus is not from the Yardbirds. He was in Mitch Ryder's Detroit Wheels and Detroit. He also helped form the great Rockets. He's still jamming in the Detroit rock and blues scene."

Early 70's Also-Ran Has Rockin' Moments.

Mr. E | My House | 10/14/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Cactus is a nice example of blues-based early 70's metal in the style of bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Cactus is a much better CD than most of the stuff currently being produced, but it sure won't make you forget Zeppelin and Purple.

While Cactus has some good moments, Parchman Farm being perhaps the best song, listening to this album makes it clear why Cactus did not attain the heights of popularity that Zeppelin and Purple did. There's nothing really outstanding here. Nothing hits you like "Smoke on the Water" or "Dazed and Confused". These aren't classics.

A lot of obscure bands from this era have recently come to light. Cactus, Leafhound, Dust and others have been hailed as forgotten classics and hyped far too much by people who want to feel like they are part of an elite, enlightened few.

Every one of these 'forgotten gems' has disappointed me when I listened to it after hearing so much about it in reviews and articles.

I'd buy Cactus only if you are an absolute completist of this genre and must have every CD in existence. If you're a fan of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Humble Pie or other heavy blues based bands of the early 70s, just stick with your favorites. You won't find anything outstanding here.

There's a reason Cactus was an also-ran in the early days of heavy rock. You won't hear this stuff on the classic-rock station, and sad to say, it's not really a great loss."

Kick patooni rock and roll

TK | Oregon | 11/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you like kick butt rock and roll with attitude give this a try. It is one of the best straight ahead rock albums I've ever heard. I was a big fan of the more melodic phrasings found in Vanilla Fudge and loved Carmine Appice and Tim Bogerts bottom end. This is the perfect genre for them and with the addition of Jim McCarty and Rusty Day it just doesn't get any better.

Check out "Can't judge a book by its cover". Amazing guitar work in this one. McCarty screams at the beginning of the solo and sets the tone for the rest. Can't help getting out the air guitar when I play this one.

Have only one other Cactus cd (Restrictions) and it isn't nearly as good as this one.

Side note: the hooks and phrasings on this album remind me to a certain extent of early Led Zepp.

Whether you're into straight ahead rock or prog this ought to satisfy."

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