FINYL VINYL Canned Heat (Ruf Records) *****
What an unexpected treat this turned out to be! Finyl Vinyl, Canned Heat’s first new album in 15 years, is a boogie masterpiece. Of course it isn’t the same band we know from the 60’s and 70’s- drummer Adolfo De La Perra is the sole existing member of the classic lineup. The band’s storied career is detailed in an excellent liner essay by Tone Scott, a fine read to dig into as you enjoy the boogie-licious classic vibes.
The Heat thought guitarist Dave Alvin was coming in to play on one of the unfinished tracks, but he brought in a song he’d written about one of the band’s founding members, Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson, who wrote the seminal hits On the Road Again and Going Up The Country. Dave sings and plays guitar on Blind Owl, with a nod to Wilson’s environmentalism; “the odds are stacked against it, but that Sequoia somehow still survives, standing strong, and that’s where the Blind Owl still flies”. It’s a moving tribute to a talented and caring man.
Aside from the aforementioned hits my knowledge of Canned Heat’s work is skimpy at best, but that’s a blessing as I can’t compare this to their past…. instead I can enjoy the merits of Finyl Vinyl on it’s own, and to say I’m impressed is an understatement. From the relaxed production to the swingin’ boogie as the band trundles down the tracks, this album is everything I never knew I wished it would be. Canned Heat of 2024 is mainly these 4 intuitive and talented musicians; Dale Spalding, harmonica and vocals… Adolfo “Fito De La Parra on drums… Jimmy Vivino on guitars, keys and vocals and Richard Reed on bass. As I listen I can’t help thinking Alan Wilson and Bob Hite would enjoy this record were they still around.
A couple of songs worth mentioning- So Sad (The World’s A Tangle) written by the band’s manager/producer of 57 years, Skip Taylor. Canned Heat originally recorded it in 1970, but the message is even more relevant today. Lead guitar on this is by Joe Bonamassa who says Heat’s original guitarist Henry Vestine, was an early influence. East/ West Boogie, an instrumental, is the Heat’s adaptation of the theme for Tehran on Apple TV… call it ‘middle-eastern boogie’.
To sum up the above, Finyl Vinyl is a delicious record and anyone into blues n boogie MUST add this to their collection.
HOT TRACKS: One Last Boogie, So Sad (The World’s In A Tangle), A Hot Ole Time
PLAY LOUD & SMOKE OFTEN Cryin’ Out Loud (Pilot Light Records)****
Cryin’ Out Loud’s new album is balls to the wall party blues just itching to show you a good time. Play Loud & Smoke Often is what these guys do best; traditional blues with innovative and modern original songs- in fact this one is all original stuff. Produced by Paul Nelson it’s fair to characterize Play Loud as big and meaty, and the playing is loaded with attitude.
As a singer Brandon Stallard has a raspy, classic blues voice, not unlike latter day Johnny Winter, and he ain’t no slouch on guitar either, naming Stevie Ray, Albert Collins and “all three Kings!” as influences. Ben Chute plays lead and rhythm guitar, Jim Fratini holds down the low end on bass while drum duties are shared by Jeff Glidden, Tommy Rush and Scott Stallard… and of course there are some guests too. Play Loud & Smoke Often is traditional blues in most respects, and the spacious production of Paul Nelson gives everyone room to shine. In spirit this album reminds me very much of The Downchild Blues Band and even Roomful of Blues; the songs are played well, and they have attitude without undue swagger. That’s a fine line to walk by most, yet Cryin’ Out Loud succeeds with attitude, precision and spirited musicianship.
A fellow deejay I worked with years ago in Northern Alberta, when discussing the blues, said to me “you probably love that old, scratchy stuff.” That IS true, but when it comes to really getting into it, this kind of stuff .is where I live. There’s some real fire-breathing blues here on tracks like Instead but this band of seasoned pros shift effortlessly through the gears. Of course it doesn’t hurt to have a producer like Nelson to pull exactly what he needs out of you.
The back cover is a lit cigar laying across a tumbler of scotch, and while I don’t smoke I’m partial to the occasional belt of single malt, and that’s kind of how Play Loud & Smoke Often makes me feel… a wee bit buzzed and ready to go. This is pretty damn good blues, and I highly recommend adding this gem to your playlists and/ or cd collection. It’s wicked good fun.
HOT TRACKS: I’m Gonna Drink My Way To Memphis, If You’re Gonna Leave, Tell Her
HERE TO ETERNITY Collective Soul (Fuzze-Flex Records) *****
These 90’s rockers are celebrating their 30th year in fine style. Here To Eternity, their 12th disc, is a double album loaded with instantly catchy mid-tempo acoustic/electric rockers that are their stock in trade. Extra mojo comes from recording at Elvis’s estate in Palm Springs, where Elvis and Priscilla spent their honeymoon. “The sticky DNA, with Elvis being there” says bassist Will Turpin, “you can just tell it was his designs… all pink tiles, straight out of 1977. It was super cool just to be there and in the zone.”
Like most of their stuff there’s a certain southern ‘je ne sais quoi’ to these 20 songs- remember, it’s a double album- that has served Collective Soul well over the years. It’d be interesting to play this next to their 1994 debut Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid and gauge their growth in confidence and song craft. That first record was just the song demos that the record company liked so much they put ‘em out ‘as is’. Here To Eternity was produced by singer Ed Roland. His brother Dean is on rhythm guitar and we also have Will Turpin on bass and bg vocals, Jesse Triplett on lead guitar and bg vocals and Johnny Rabb on drums and bg vocals. Guests include Paul McCartney’s guitarist Brian Ray (Ed ran into him in Palm Springs and said “Hey man, why don’t you come over and break bread? We’re up at Elvis’s house.” The invite for a meal turned into a session of course; “I’m getting pretty sneaky in my old age!” Roland says. Other guests include Sheryl Crowe bandleader Peter Stroud and Mickey Thomas from Starship.
On Here To Eternity Collective Soul sounds fresh yet familiar. With catchy melodies and songs that feel like instant singalongs, it’s not too much of a stretch to think of them as Georgia’s Beatles. I’ve always enjoyed the spirituality of Ed’s lyrics too; on Mother’s Love he sings “Guess we’re all misunderstood/ To what we can and what we should/ Still I find above/ All my strength from Mother’s love”. As I write this on Mother’s Day, that message really hits home.
I’d wandered away from Collective Soul for a number of years but my best friend from high school’s enthusiastic reaction to a concert in Edmonton a few years ago brought me back. Now as I spin Here To Eternity it feels good to be back. This is a great first step in getting to know them again; other album purchases will surely follow as finances permit. Although Collective Soul has never really been away, the new album is saying is saying welcome back.
HOT TRACKS: Mother’s Love, I Know You You Know Me, Kick It
THIS OLD LIFE Big Dave McLean (Cordova Bay Records) *****+
There are certain artists, regardless of genre, who never disappoint- and Big Dave is one of them. If Wikipedia is accurate, This Old Life is McLean’s 7th solo album and, armed with his trusty harp and National Steel guitar, he delivers the goods with room to spare. Billboard magazine has said of him that “Big Dave’s been the quintessential behind-the-scenes bluesman. He’s done more to shape the Western Canadian blues scene than perhaps any other artist.”
Big Dave was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, relocating to Winnipeg at the age of 10 with his concert pianist mother and Presbyterian minister father. This Old Life, recorded live off the floor, has a jaunty Delta feel, but it’s fair to characterize this as ‘prairie blues’. TOL is stripped down blues at its finest, made all the more lonesome by some tasty harp work. Is that Dave or producer Steve Marriner (Monkeyjunk) or perhaps a bit of both? Doesn’t matter- the effect is riveting. Jimmy Bowskill co-produced and appears here too. Jesse O’Brien and Dave Mowat also contribute.
Dave befriended and performed with his hero Muddy Waters in the 70’s, and you can really feel that connection… his performances at folk and blues festivals are legendary as he sings like it’s his last day on earth. Producer Marriner says “He’s as genuine a bluesman as it gets. I’ve been dying to capture Dave and present him to the rest of the world the way I’ve always heard him; raw and real”, and that’s the real essence of This Old Life. Big Dave McLean is a blues artist that should be mentioned in the same breath as BB King, Buddy Guy or Muddy Waters as this album comes across like the streets of Chicago, not Portage and Main. Just listen to how he handles old standards like Honey Bee and See That My Grave Is Kept Clean and you’ll see.
This Old Life is the perfect title for this record as it takes you all the way back home. From the spot on production to the inspired playing by all concerned, this has got to be one of the best blues albums of the decade so far, and there have been many fine records.
HOT TRACKS: See That My Grave Is Kept Clean, Mama T’aint Long Fo’ Day, young Fashion Ways
