Canned Heat - Blues-rock
12. Oct. 2006

Today I'm going to introduce a step between blues and rock, i.e. Blues-rock, and who better for that then Canned Heat. I think most of you might even recognize some songs here.

Bob Hite, nicknamed "the Bear", was the singer and Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson was the guitar/harmonica player. They founded the band in 1966. In '67 they played a big festival called Monterey and in Woodstock '69 but never managed to build up a great number of followers. Then in 1970 Alan Wilson died, probably related to drug-overdose. He was apparently really depressed all his live but still not all agree about his cause of death and many claim it to be accidental. The band kept on going, although never as good. Then in 1981 Hite died from a heart seizure. He was replaced and the band is still touring around today although Henry Vestine, rhythm guitar, died in 1997, which just leaves Adolfo de la Perra on drums from the original band since Larry Taylor, the bass-player, quit in 1970.

FYI. a fun side-note. Larry Taylor and Henry Vestine both played bass for the Monkees before joining Canned Heat. (The Monkees was supposed to be USA's responce to the Beatles and the best known song is propably I'm a Believer by Niel Dimond.)

Going up the Country is propably there most know song and without a doubt my favorite with them. Do you recognize it? (Live in Woodstock '69)

On the Road Again is quite simular to the previous song and perhaps even more blues-ee. But then again they are both written be Canned Heat's guitar/harmonica player Alan Wilson

Little Red Rooster (live in Woodstock '69) This song was about 10 min long but for some reason the make it fade out in the guitarsolo. You might not enjoy this as much as I but the guitarplaying is just so brilliant. I love it.

Rollin' and Tumblin' Live at Monterey '67. This is a cover best know in the versions og Muddy Waters (Old blues legend) and Cream (Eric Clapton and pals)