Recorded Live in Europe 1970

AMG Review of Recorded Live in Europe 1970

Lindsay Planer
All Music Guide

This is a CD reissue of Recorded Live in Europe 1970 (1971) [note: also released as Canned Heat Concert (Recorded Live in Europe) (1970) in the U.K.] with the short-lived lineup of Bob "The Bear" Hite (vocals), Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson (guitar/vocals/harmonica), Larry "The Mole" Taylor (bass), Aldolfo "Fito" de la Parra (drums), as well as Harvey Mandel (guitar), who had replaced Henry "Sunflower" Vestine (guitar) before their career-enhancing gig at the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair in August of 1969. More significant, however, is that these are among the last gigs to feature Wilson. Sadly, less than six months later, he overdosed prior to the Heat's fall of 1970 European outing. The tour captured on this platter was spawned by the unanticipated success of the combo's cover of Wilbert Harrison's "Let's Work Together," taken off of the album Future Blues (1970). The tune became their most successful side throughout Europe. With Mandel driving the band instrumentally, there is an incremental shift towards more jammed-out interaction and completely rearranged melodies. This is immediately exemplified by the loose and funky "That's All Right Mama." Alternately, Wilson's dark visage is evident on the lonesome and harrowing "Pulling Hair Blues," or the improvised "London Blues," which is also marked by his biting bottleneck slide guitar solos and haunting off-key vocals. Although the track list portrays it as a medley, "Back on the Road Again" bears little in common with the hit "On the Road Again." Rather than, at the very least, a verse from both songs being played, the latter is only alluded to. The live reading of "Let's Work Together" is as vivacious as the original, as the Heat go all out for their appropriately appreciative audience.