1995 Issue 8005.2
Blues
From the archives of the King Biscuit Flower Hour syndicated radio concert series comes one of the only, if not the only, professionally recorded live disc to feature this particular reincarnation of the 1960s blues and boogie band Canned Heat. They took part in both the Monterey International Pop Music Festival (June 1967) as well as the Woodstock Music & Arts Fair (August 1969), yet failed to garner the commercial success worthy of their considerable instrumental prowess. In fact, the set captured here is taken from the Heat's appearance at a Woodstock reunion show held September 7, 1979, in Brookhaven, NY. This lineup incorporates Larry Taylor (bass/vocals), Bob "The Bear" Hite (harmonica/vocals), and Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra (drums), as well as more recent personnel Mike "Hollywood Fats" Mann (guitar) and Jay Spell (piano). In addition to the anticipated readings of their best-known works "On the Road Again" and "Going Up the Country," there are more than competent cover versions of William Harris' "Bullfrog Blues" -- dating back to their debut, Canned Heat (1967) -- as well as Amos Milburn's R&B Creole anthem "Chicken Shack Boogie." Another highlight is the ten-plus minute title track to Canned Heat's concurrent effort, Human Condition (1978), their last with Hite, who passed in 1981 of a heart seizure. The performance concludes with a thoroughly involved "Shake 'n Boogie," which harks back to the type of white-hot playing that the original combo became known for. The contents have also been issued as Greatest Hits Live and the DVD audio 5.1 DTS Surround Sound From the Front Row Live, both released in 2003.
By Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide.
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In September of 1979, Canned Heat was invited to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival at Brookhaven, Long Island, New York, where this live recording was made.
In the true Canned Heat tradition, it was a great party. The line-up then was a very strong musical force with three original members Bob Hite, Fito de la Parra and Larry Taylor plus two outstanding musicians Mike "Hollywood Fats" Mann on lead guitar and blind piano player Jay Spell, who also sings "On the Road Again" and "Going Up the Country" on this recording.
Disco music was at its height and Canned Heat was having a rough time maintaining popularity in spite of the good music we were making. Not withstanding this trend, a lot of hard core boogie and blues fans got together and enjoyed themselves boogieing with the Heat.
During these times the Dan Akroyd and John Belushi movie "The Blues Brothers" had just been released, making the blues scene suddenly fashionable. The Bear and Hollywood Fats - both tremendous eaters- while downing their second hamburger, stoned in a greasy joint, started calling themselves "The Burger Brothers".
On this historical show Bob "The Bear" shines not only as a great blues singer, but also as a performer creating an environment for fun and a "Get Down And Boogie" attitude with his comments along with the other guys in the band making a party out of the show.
This is the only live recording in existence to feature Canned Heat with "Hollywood Fats" and Bob Hite together. "The Bear" was to die a broken and disappointed man heavily involved in drugs and alcohol only two years after this performance. Shortly after, "Hollywood Fats" suffered the same fate. The loss of these two great talents will be deeply missed by all of us.
Under my leadership, Canned heat continues to record and perform worldwide to this day. For fans and musicologists interested in the history of the band, I am currently working on the book "Living the Blues", the story of Canned Heat, which will be hopefully published in 1995. Enjoy this live performance of Canned Heat, and as "The Bear" always said: "Don't forget to boogie."
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Bob Hite- Harmonica,Vocals
Adolfo de la Parra- Drums
Jay Spell- Vocals,Piano
Antonio de la Barreda- Bass
Larry Taylor- Vocals
Hollywood Fats- Guitar
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01. Intro 1:06
02. On the Road Again 4:29
03. Bullfrog Blues 3:28
04. Chicken Shack 4:46
05. Stand Up for What You Are 3:51
06. Goin' Up the Country 4:22
07. Don't Know Where She Went (She Split) 5:26
08. Human Condition 11:52
09. Shake 'n Boogie 7:38
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