And Not A Minute Too Soon!!!
Craig T. Case | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma United States | 02/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the disc that started it all. Originally titled "Canned Heat" this is that first Liberty album on CD. It was somewhat ignored because it didn't produce a hit single; "On The Road Again" was from their second album. So what we have here is some good old down home country blues and it's half standards like "Evil" and "Rollin' and Tumblin'" and half group compositions like "Bullfrog Blues". Al Wilson only sings on one track but his harp wails thoughout the disc. This is really a one of a kind affair because starting with the next album the band couldn't resist going a little pyschedelic. The sound on this one, by the way, is clear as a bell."
One of the best blues albums, period
Counterbalance | Seattle | 12/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I could have said one of the best white blues albums. But this is an album of blues scholars for real.
Al Wilson was the center of an outstanding band. Sure, Butterfield and Bloomfield offered superior technical musicianship. But in their debut album, Canned Heat captured a sense of the blues that cannot be reduced to technique or words.
They flat out got it.
Al Wilson's slide and harp playing, combined with the Bear's soulful singing and Henry Vestine's slicing lead guitar, produced an understanding of the blues that defies race and time. All of this was anchored by one of the best blues bass players of all time, Larry Taylor, and pumped by the steady tasteful beats of Fito Del la Parta.
The album is a gestalt of deep delta blues. Although some of the songs from the album appear in other compilations, this album stands as a work of art on its own. It's simply one of the best blues albums ever recorded.
"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1