Some have dismissed
Canned Heat's third album
Living the Blues (1968), primarily owing to the nearly three-quarter-hour long "Refried Boogie" jam that inhabits the second half of the effort. However, that did not stop it from scoring in the Top 20, which was not bad for a double LP. One obvious reason for its accomplishments is that the remainder of the title continues in the same solid vein as their previous LP,
Boogie With Canned Heat (1968), issued merely a few months earlier. The quintet of Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson (guitar/vocals), Larry "The Mole" Taylor (bass),
Henry "Sunflower" Vestine (guitar), Aldolfo "Fido" Dela Parra (drums), and Bob "The Bear" Hite (vocals) return with the same aggressive blend of amplified rock with rhythm and blues. They also churn out some impressive self-penned tunes, as well as unique derivations of tunes, such as their interpretation of
Charley Patton's "Pony Blues." Immediately the inspired interplay between Wilson and
Vestine proves as successful a combination here as it had on the band's prior outings. The organic and lighter "Goin' Up the Country" became the
Heat's second major single, and is arguably best-remembered for its prominence in the film Woodstock (1970) and its subsequent triple-LP soundtrack. Expanding beyond their own formidable instrumental prowess, British blues guitarist
John Mayall sits in -- on piano no less -- for a short yet effective rendition of
Jimmie Rodgers' "Walking by Myself." Augmenting the combo on the original "Boogie Music" is another rising ivory-tickler known to many as the "Gris-gris man," and still to others as Mac Rebennack. However, it's
Dr. John under which the Creole-based pianist garnered the most attention. "One Kind Favor" [aka "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean"] is another standard that is given a decidedly modern workout. The sidelong, nine-movement epic "Parthenogenesis" is an experimental suite that allows each band member copious room to move. Among the more interesting sections include the respective sonic trademark of guitarist
John Fahey, who backs up Wilson's Jew's harp twangfest on "Nebulosity," as well as the return of
Mayall on "Bear Wires," the latter being a sly play on the title of
Mayall's concurrent platter, Bare Wires (1968). ~ Lindsay Planer