CANNED HEAT ‘The Boogie Tapes Volume 2’
Ruf Records RUF 1103 (2004)
When a band has been going for so long, in various formats and
guises, you're gonna have some leftovers worth listening to.
Playing a mix of blues and southern boogie, The Heat lasted in
various guises for over 30 years with several hits along the way.
Many of the tracks here are genuine rarities and gems, tracks recorded
during rehearsals, TV commercials for Levi, Seven Up and others to
which Canned Heat provided music, and a wealth of live material.
Extra special are 4 tracks recorded by Alan Wilson while in hospital
shortly before his death. The band never got round to recording them
so his Robert Johnson style solo picking/singing (despite the poor
sound quality) are a real treat for the collector.
Disc 2 contains several live tracks recorded during the 80s and 90s,
showing how good the band remained.
The music, track details and intention are all excellent, the low
mark due to the limited appeal of this double set. But for fans it is
essential listening.
***½
Review by Joe Geesin
|
