Search - Canned Heat :: Boogie House Tapes 1969-1999: 2

Blind Owl and Bear Hite's last recordings and Boogie!

Brett Lemke | www.maximumink.com | 09/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Featuring the last four bottleneck slide recordings from Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson's hospital bed following a suicide attempt in 1971, Disc One of the Boogie House Tapes Vol. 2 gives listeners a final insight into the tortured genius who re-taught delta blues grandfather Son House how to play guitar like Son House. Wilson's ghostly high vocal intonations and perfect vibrato on "Sloppy Drunk" and "Death Bed Blues" are literally frightening to listen to, while "Blind Melon" illustrates his complete mastery of open tunings. The record also features the last roadhouse recording of the mountainous blues shouter and bandleader Bob "The Bear" Hite bellowing "Hell's On Down The Line" in 1981, days before he collapsed on stage and died of a drug-related heart attack. The collection of rare recordings was assembled from the vaults of drummer/producer Fito de la Parra and Walter "Dr. Boogie" de Paduwa who provides two live shows from the early 1990's with the trademark buzz of original guitarist Henry "Sunflower" Vestine on the second disc. Go to Canned Heat's website and get the album direct! www.cannedheatmusic.com. -Brett Lemke"

Grab bag microscrope

D.L. Jonsson | 08/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tracks 2 through 12 are are definately 5 star stuff on CD 1, not only is there the solo guitar pieces by the man who taught John Fahey music theory - Blind Owl Wilson tapping into the mud of acoustic blues, but there is the flaming electric guitar work by Henry Vestine on the other outtakes. Tracks 2-12 reworked a bit would of perhaps given Exile on Main Street or any other classic blues rock LP a run for its money if put into an atmospheric studio LP.



Sad when you think about it because Hite and Wilson may have never sounded better, and these tracks seem to document their last recordings.



On both Disc 1 and 2 you hear different personalities of the band, tracks 2-7 on Disc 1, and the mostly live tracks on disc 2 have some very intense music on them indeed. Disc 2 clearly proves why this able road band is to this day is maintaining respect on stage under the legacy banner. The 90s recordings show a ongoing re-read of the Canned Heat concept with Vestine, Taylor, Mandel and a semi-revolving door of talented personel. The short commercials and the Wolfman Jack tracks are a kick, but not of the highest quality audio."

Canned Heat - The Boogie House tapes Vol 2.

Billy James | Australia | 06/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought both the Boogie house tapes Cd's. I'm a big fan of Canned Heat. The double cd's are sometimes a bit scrappy but they are mostly terrific and interesting. Obviously it has been compiled lovingly with care from all sorts of bit's and pieces and live gigs. I think the era with James Thornbury on vocals/ guitar and harmonica is really 'cooking' and those tunes are the highlight of this record [on CD 2.].Some of the best rockin' boogie and blues available. Fito has obviously been busy digging through whats out there to release. Sometimes a 'dysfunctional' band with too much hippy 'stone' on board but always passionate and committed bluesmen. I'm really happy to own these records. They are where it's at for a Canned Heat fan in the 21st century. But hey Fito but why dosen't James T. get a royality for his 13 tune involvement on this record? It's a great job and thanks for the product none the less. P.S: Hey what a great 'shuffle' drummer.*High rotation on my car stereo."