CANNED HEAT
The Boogie House Tapes (Ruf)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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I'll admit it. I have a very soft spot for Canned Heat. The original Canned Heat, that is. The one before angelic vocalist and stupefying harp blower Al Wilson decided life was not for him. It is Al Wilson that you hear on the timeless classics "Going Up The Country" and "On The Road Again". The post-Al Heat carried on with mountain man Bob "The Bear" Hite at the boogie helm, managing to maintain their sixties momentum for a spell with a spirited, rough boogie attack. Then Bob left this place. Canned Heat continues to this day, in some wack form or another with original drummer Fito de la Parra in charge. And it is Fito, along with crazy musicologist Dr. Boogie (proprietor of a boogie museum in Overijse, Belgium) who keeps the flame alive by assembling long lost recordings such as are found on this two disc collection. Comprised mainly of rousing live performances from venues like Dupage County Fairground, Kickappo Creek Festival and Playboy After Dark (oh those sixties!), The Boogie House Tapes show Canned Heat in primo form, unfortunately hampered by sketchy recordings. This is a Hite album, and to be fair, Hite was the leading, belligerent force behind the band, while Wilson reluctantly stepped up to the mike on the odd occasion. Still, the included version of "Going Up The Country", with Hite replacing the recently departed Wilson on vocals, just shows how much Al meant to the band.

© 2000 - John Sekerka