Canned Heat - Vintage (CD)

Orange colour vinyl, 180g. Recorded in 1966 but not released until 1969 on the Janus label, these are the earliest-known recordings of American blues-rock band Canned Heat, produced here by Johnny Otis. The musicians in this lineup of Canned Heat consists of Alan ""Blind Owl"" Wilson (guitar harmonica vocals), Stuart Brotman (bass), Henry ""Sunflower"" Vestine (guitar), Bob ""The Bear"" Hite (vocals), and either Keith Sawyer (drums), or perhaps his replacement, Frank Cook (drums), who joined circa 1966. The group here cut their teeth with some authentic recording tributes to the blues greats including Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker and Elmore James. This reissue comes pressed on heavyweight orange vinyl, with remastered audio.

Best known as the first American band to successfully blend rock and blues, Canned Heat gained worldwide fame after appearing at the Monterey Pop and Woodstock festivals at the end of the 1960s, becoming one of the most popular bands of the hippie era. The band achieved worldwide fame with a lineup consisting of Bob Hite, vocals, Alan Wilson, guitar, harmonica and vocals, Henry Vestine (and later, Harvey Mandel) on lead guitar, Larry Taylor on bass, and Adolfo de la Parra on drums. Now in their fifth decade, the band still has original members Taylor, Mandel and de la Parra. Presented here is their classic 1970 album, ""Vintage,"" featuring reworkings of vintage blues numbers from John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Willie Dixon, sprinkled with a few original numbers. All selections have been newly remastered.

This album presents the first recordings from the emerging talents of Blues group Canned Heat. It was produced by the legendary Johnny Otis and was recorded a full two years before their international breakthrough with ""On the Road Again"". These early tracks include versions of Blues standards that became regulars on their play list throughout their career. Songs like ""Rollin' and Tumblin', ""Spoonful"", ""Got My Mojo Working"" and ""Big Road Blues"" became staples of their live act. Canned Heat still record and tour the world today. A truly fascinating look at the origins of a band that have become synonymous with the blues.