Label: EMI Records (US), 7243 8 29165 2 9
Style: Blues Rock, Boogie Rock, Rhythm and Blues
Country: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Time: 77:07, 78:57
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 465, 475 Mb
For all but the completists, this anthology should more than suffice
as an apt compact-disc retrospective of Canned Heat's releases on
Liberty Records. To that end, it's a more or less chronological overview
of the combo's LPs, commencing with a trio of tunes from a spring 1967
studio session that predates their self-titled debut (1967). Primary is
an extended, seven-plus-minute "On the Road Again," losing the trippy
pretensions of the more popular version. Rather, it churns and steadily
burns throughout, displaying Canned Heat's primordial boogie-fused
R&B delivery. The remainder of disc one focuses on the
aforementioned Canned Heat (1967), the follow-up Boogie With Canned Heat
(1968), and a half-dozen previously unreleased sides, this time from
the fall of 1967 with a slightly different lineup that included Alan
"Blind Owl" Wilson (guitar/vocals), Larry "The Mole" Taylor (bass),
Henry "Sunflower" Vestine (guitar), and Bob "The Bear" Hite (vocals).
Frank Cook (drums), who had contributed to the band's first effort, was
replaced by Adolfo "Fido" de la Parra (drums). It is this aggregate that
is considered the core of the "classic" incarnation. They are
thoroughly solid, especially on John Lee Hooker's "Whiskey and Wimmen"
(sic), a title that would resurface several years later when they faced
off with Hooker on Hooker 'n' Heat (1971). Another not-to-be-missed
rarity is the nearly ten-minute "Gotta Boogie" jam building off of
Hooker's familiar rambling "Boogie Chillen" riff, as it explores some of
Canned Heat's trademark instrumental interaction. This is most
prominent between Wilson and Hite, and predates "Fried Hockey Boogie,"
although the vibe is undeniably the same. Disc one ends with two vintage
radio adverts for Levi Strauss & Company and Boogie With Canned
Heat, respectively. Disc two picks up with the singles "Evil Woman" and
"Amphetamine Annie," among the other anticipatory tracks. Also included
are "Going Up the Country," "Time Was," a take of the seasonal release
"Christmas Blues" with Dr. John, as well as a 1968 vocal-less reworking
of Robert Johnson's "Terraplane Blues" -- the latter pair being offered
here for the first time. The same is true of the Hooker 'n' Heat outtake
"It's All Right" and the poignant reading of "Human Condition,"
featuring Wilson on lead vocals. While those are the only hard-to-find
recordings on this disc, there are two radio ads at the tail end.
Otherwise, the albums Living the Blues (1968), Hallelujah (1969), Future
Blues (1970), Historical Figures & Ancient Heads (1971), as well as
The New Age (1973), are given their due, though most casual listeners
and/or purists may see these to be filler rather than killer. The
accompanying 28-page liner booklet is filled with discographical
information and a great historical essay from noted music journalist
Greg Russo.
(allmusic.com/album/uncanned%21-the-best-of-canned-heat-mw0000624607)
(allmusic.com/album/uncanned%21-the-best-of-canned-heat-mw0000624607)
01. On The Road Again (alt. take) (07:06)
02. Nine Below Zero (04:09)
03. TV Mama (06:22)
04. Rollin' And Tumblin' (03:06)
05. Bullfrog Blues (02:18)
06. Evil Is Going On (02:21)
07. Goin' Down Slow (03:44)
08. Dust My Broom (03:15)
09. Help Me (03:08)
10. The Story Of My Life (03:39)
11. The Hunter (03:39)
12. Whiskey And Wimmen' (04:00)
13. Shake, Rattle And Roll (02:43)
14. Mean Old World (03:27)
15. Fannie Mae (03:07)
16. Gotta Boogie (The World Boogie) (09:57)
17. My Crime (03:58)
18. On The Road Again (05:02)
19. Untitled Commercial 1 (hidden track) (00:59)
20. Untitled Commercial 2 (hidden track) (00:59)
01. Evil Woman (03:00)
02. Amphetamine Annie (03:57)
03. An Owl Song (02:44)
04. Terraplane Blues (03:22)
05. Christmas Blues (alt. take) (07:35)
06. Going Up The Country (02:51)
07. Time Was (03:37)
08. Low Down (And High Up) (02:52)
09. Same All Over (02:50)
10. Big Fat (The Fat Man) (01:59)
11. It's All Right (05:36)
12. Poor Moon (03:25)
13. Sugar Bee (02:37)
14. Shake It And Break It (02:32)
15. Future Blues (02:59)
16. Let's Work Together (Let's Stick Together) (03:12)
17. Wooly Bully (02:31)
18. Human Condition (05:25)
19. Long Way From L.A. (03:05)
20. Hill's Stomp (03:02)
21. Rockin' With The King (03:16)
22. Harley Davidson Blues (02:34)
23. Rock & Roll Music (02:29)
24. It's Music City (hidden track) (00:22)
25. Huh (hidden track) (00:51)
No comments:
Post a Comment