|
Canned Heat - Live At Montreux 1973
Eagle DVD
Let me preface this review by reminding faithful
readers (and informing new ones) that for about a decade I
listened to blues music almost exclusively. During that time I
considered myself a blues purist and, unfortunately, it made me
a music racist. For many years I believed white musicians had no
business trying to exploit blues' popularity and musically
empathize with the plight of the black musicians and yet usurp
their music. Now, in retrospect it sounds as ridiculous now as
it must have sounded to my peers and other casual musical
acquaintances when I would try to explain to them how much I
thought Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughn sucked and how could
Vaughn and Winter even try to pretend they were blues artistrs
and etc. etc. I have since realized blues does not belong to a
particular culture but is a feeling all human beings go through
at one point or another due to life's circumstances. I will say
I still love the same blues artists I loved then and still do
not feel too much kinship with Vaughn and Winter's music, but I
have learned to respect their talents and achievements. I will
also say I am surprised at how many blues fans feel the way I
used to and will not except other forms of blues and artists
into the genre. I am saddened by that and hope it changes so the
music can grow.
Well, confession over. This ain't Christmas or Easter
anyway.
On to the music.
Founded by record collectors and blues historians Bob
Hite and Alan Wilson, Canned Heat was definitely in the second
tier of classic '60's bands who nonetheless managed to be at the
right places at the right times. While never attaining superstar
status, the band managed to appear at all of the major music
festivals of the '60's but due to their somewhat generic blues
sound never quite made it into the upper echelon of acts of that
time. True blues lovers, they attacked their music the same way
their favorite blues artists had always done: with ferocity,
conviction, and skill. Wilson happened to be a formidable
harmonica and guitar player, who at his relaqtively young age
could play with a depth and skill matching his heroes. The other
guitarist in the band, Henry Vestine, was also a knowledgable
blues scholar and could play blues guitar as if he had helped
invent the style. Hite, while a decent vocalist, had a
high-pitched keening voice which distinguished him from any
other vocalist, blues or otherwise and contributed to the band's
love-them-or-hate-them vibe.
By the time this concert had taken place in 1973,
Wilson had unfortunately died of a drug overdose and Hite and
company were carrying on with various guitarists and dealing
with various comings-and-goings within the band. This show is an
inspiration to watch, in many ways. While the blues boom in the
'60's was winding down by this time, their passion and feelings
for the blues are intense. It is obvious the band members loved
blues music and were playing blues in tribute to the people who
had inspired them, which is not to say they didn't "feel it". It
is obvious when watching this tape that they "got" what the
blues is about. It is also intense to watch the band play music
without their leading light Wilson. Although within ten years
after this concert other Canned Heat members would also be dead,
Wilson had recently died and his effect and presence on the band
is still very palpable. Still, the band plays as if this concert
would be their last and it is very exciting to watch them work
their magic, making even some hackneyed old blues songs come
alive with the fire in their playing. A special guest on this
DVD is blues legend Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown who brings down
the house with his inspired guiat and fiddle playing. Even if
you don't care for Canned Heat, this CD is worth it to watch
Brown throwdown on some blues.
This DVD will appeal to anyone interested in the blues
and also in checking out a band who was right in the midst of
everything musical going on in the '60's. As much as checking
out their powerful blues music, anyone into the band's music
will enjoy the snapshot of the era - which happened to be just
about over when this doucment was recorded. The music world,
hell, the world itself, would never be the same again, not to
mention the band. A great DVD which also comes with a
documentary about the band itself. This is truly a wonderful
DVD. - Scott Homewood
www.cannedheat.com
|
