A time, a place, and a just a great band...
Don Davis | Paxinos, PA USA | 08/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Canned Heat were emblematic of their era. Excessive, troubled, still learning their craft while selling millions of records, reckless with everything (including the recordings), and finally self tortured. What saved them was their enthusiasm, ability, and deep knowledge of the blues. Cogent choices of blues classics , and Al Wilson's regenerant fleshing of the Delta Sound created a unique and deeply satisfying beat: ie "boogie". What was compelling about it all was the honesty and to some extent, courage they played and sang with. Wilson's LONDON BLUES and PULLING HAIR BLUES lurch and weave along, as we join a club's audience cringing to his psychic nightmare of sexual confession. Just when you want to run for cover, Bob Hite (alternate lead vocal ) mows down the house with burners like: THAT'S ALL RIGHT MAMA and whose stage patter was legendary. (Did you ever see the Jim Morrison impression?)This recording is both a portrait of personal agony, and to the last a few moments of an original American bit of genius. Though a bit self indulgent, like its own era, it goes by much too fast. It is in my considered opinion much too short a sayonara to the Alan Wilson era."
Canned Heat-last time with the Blind Owl
J. R Sategna | Martinez, California United States | 01/27/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This live CD is a reissue of a concert I have had on LP for many years--the poster is kind of cool but it shows Henry Vestine on guitar who is not in the band at the time of this concert--Harvey Mandel was the guitar player--this was made right before Alan Wilson(Blind Owl)'s death. The sound is great only this concert is way too short--the medley is too short and the music drags on. The album notes are very few if any--no mention of the band players and no other information is provided--concert date, place recorded, or band members is shown---I say for collectors like me-stay away from this one-no information is provided. Get the two disc Playing the Blues CD instead."
This Is How It Really Was
Craig T. Case | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma United States | 02/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although the disc was recorded in Europe this is very similar to the concert I attended. Sadly, this would be one of Al Wilson's last recordings. After he took his own life the band was never the same. Most of the tracks are previously unreleased songs and the high point is the duet with Al on harp and Larry Taylor on bass ("Hair Pulling Blues"). This is so representative of what they were like--as much a party as it was a concert. Incidentally, Harvey Mandel had replaced Henry Vestine by the time of this recording. Carry on!!"
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1