Canned Heat - The Very Best Of (1967-73 us, classic psych blues rock, 2005 issue with previous unreleased track)

With the glut of Canned Heat compilations available, what makes this 19-song Capitol/EMI release better than the rest? For starters, the previously unreleased track "Henry's Shuffle," featuring guitarist Henry Vestine and recorded in 1968, which was undoubtedly the zenith year for the band; the inclusion of "Low Down (And High Up)"; the rare Liberty B-side "Time Was," and the rollicking 1970 date with Little Richard, "Rockin' With the King."

Also included are several tracks that both the novice and die-hard fan alike would find essential -- three live cuts from the Monterey Pop Festival, a nod to the 1971 collaborative effort with John Lee Hooker on "Whiskey and Wimmen'," and two Woodstock era classics culled from the Boogie with Canned Heat album, "Amphetamine Annie" and "Fried Hockey Boogie."

And, of course, what would a Canned Heat compilation be without the bona fide hippie hits: "On the Road Again," "Goin' Up the Country" and "Let's Work Together." These are the original versions, digitally remastered and sounding great, so ignore the glut, this really is the Very Best of Canned Heat.

by Al Campbell

Tracks
1. On the Road Again (Floyd Jones, Alan Wilson) - 4:56
2. Goin' Up the Country (Alan Wilson) - 2:51
3. Amphetamine Annie (Bob Hite, Alan Wilson, Henry Vestine, Larry Taylor, Adolfo de la Parra) - 3:32
4. Rollin' and Tumblin' Live (McKinley Morganfield) - 4:14
5. Dust My Broom Live (Elmore James) - 4:58
6. Bullfrog Blues Live (Frank Cook, Robert Hite, Samuel L. Taylor, Henry Vestine, Alan Wilson) - 3:08
7. Henry's Shuffle (Previously Unreleased) (Henry Vestine) - 4:52
8. Fried Hockey Boogie (Samuel L. Taylor) - 11:02
9. Same All Over (Adolfo De La Parra, Robert Hite, Samuel L. Taylor, Henry Vestinee) - 2:52
10.Time Was (Alan Wilson) - 3:23

11.Low Down (And High Up) (Adolfo De La Parra, Robert Hite, Samuel L. Taylor, Henry Vestine, Alan Wilson) - 2:52
12.Poor Moon (Alan Wilson) - 3:26
13.Let's Work Together (Wilbert Harrison) - 3:13
14.Future Blues (Alan Wilson, Robert Hite, Jr., Adolfo De La Parra, Harvey Mandel, Samuel L. Taylor) - 2:58
15.Human Condition (Al Wilson, Robert Hite Jr., Chris Morgan, Adolfo De La Parra, Mark Skyer, Richard Hite) - 5:25
16.Whiskey and Wimmen' (John Lee Hooker) - 4:37
17.Long Way from L.A. (Jud Baker) - 3:07
18.Rockin' With the King (Richard Wayne Penniman, Skip Taylor) - 3:17
19.Rock & Roll (Robert Hite) - 2:27

Track 16 feat. John Lee Hooker

Track 18 feat. Little Richard

Musicians
*Al Wilson - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
*Bob "The Bear" Hite - Vocals, Harmonica
*Henry Vestine, Joel Scott Hill, James Shane - Guitar
*Ed Beyer - Keyboards
*Larry "The Mole" Taylor, Tony De La Barreda, Richard Hite - Bass Guitar
*"Fito" De La Parra, Frank Cook - Drums
*Little Richard - Vocals, Piano
*John Lee Hooker - Vocals
*Harvey Mandel - Guitar

More Canned Heat releases, here:
1968  Canned Heat - Livin The Blues (Akarma edition)
1970  Future Blues (Remastered and Expanded)
1971  John Lee Hooker And Canned Heat - Hooker 'N' Heat
1970-73  Memphis Slim Canned Heat Memphis Horns - Memphis Heat
1971-72  Canned Heat - Historical Figures And Ancient Heads
1973  Canned Heat - One More River To Cross

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