Canned Heat
Live At Montreux 1973
Eagle Records
www.eaglerockent.com
By George W. Harris

You want boogie? You want blues? Step right up, and listen to the band that made feelin’ bad feelin’ so good. Canned Heat, which actually has had a couple of radio hits, never strayed from the rumble and tumble of down home and gritty Strat strutting. Here, the band, which features the razors for lozenges voice of Bob “The Bear” Hite, is in vintage form as they cruise like a 67 Chevy Impala on tunes like “On The Road Again” and “Let’s Work Together.” Even better is the addition of special guest Clarence “Gatemouth” (Possibly my favorite nickname of all time) Brown, who brings his voice, violin, harp and guitar to help deliver some rousing and rowdy renditions of “Worried Life Blues,” “Please Mr. Nixon” and a gospel to barroom “About My Ooh Poo Pa Doo.” The rest of the band is Harley Davidson hot as well, with Henr Vestine and James Shane sharing in some moaining guitar work. If you want it down and dirty, here’s the place to park it.