Review: Canned Heat ‘Finyl Vinyl’
By Jim Hynes
It is rather astonishing that Canned Heat, a blues band that peaked in the early seventies, is still enduring. The last surviving original member drummer Fito De la Parra gets credit for keeping the engine greased through numerous personnel changes. Yes, they are finally calling it quits as the title ‘Finyl Vinyl’ definitively proclaims. This lineup includes blues veteran Jimmy Vivino on guitar, keyboards, and vocals, harmonicist and vocalist Dale Spalding, and Richard “Rick” Reed who succeeded long-time bassist Larry “The Mole” Taylor, who passed in 2019. This is the band’s first recording in fifteen years and is a celebratory send-off with guests Joe Bonamassa and Dave Alvin. Yet, before we dive in, a little history follows for the younger generation of blues fans who may only know a few of the band’s enduring songs.
“Goin’ Up the Country” was one of the anthems of the Woodstock generation. It became the theme song of the Woodstock festival after it was used in the soundtrack of the film when it was released in 1970. The song was from their third album Living the Blues, which was released in 1968 as a double album and became their biggest hit. Like many songs of the period, it was not entirely original. Henry Thomas’s 1928 release “Bulldozer Blues” was plagiarized nearly note for note with re-written lyrics and unfortunately, the cutoff date for “Public Domain” was 1926 just two years earlier. Given the musicologist bent to the band members, the band was named after a 1928 song from Tommy Johnson about a fuel containing methyl alcohol, also referred to as “canned heat,” misused by alcoholics as a substitute way of getting high.
In any case, the band, beyond bassist Taylor, boasted legendary original members, Alan “Blind Owl” Wison on slide guitar, vocals, and blues harp, and Bob “The Bear” Hite on vocals. The Grateful Dead wrote a song about the latter and this album has one for Wilson, “Blind Owl,” written by and sung by Dave Alvin who plays the lead guitar on the track. The band’s other big single was “On the Road Again,” (not the Willie Nelson song), “Let’s Work Together,” and “Boogie with Canned Heat,’ which led to their collaborations with John Lee Hooker (Hooker ‘n Heat-1971), Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown (Gate’s On the Heat – 1973), and Memphis Slim (Memphis Heat – 1974).
Vocals and songwriting are split between Vivino and Spalding here. Vivino wrote and sings on three. The opening “One Last Boogie,” is done in classic Heat ‘n Hooker style. “Goin’ to Heaven in a Pontiac,” mentions four other brands of automobiles that have all graced blues and rock songs – obviously Cadillac, as well as Coup DeVille, V8 Ford, and Coup Deville. Spalding wails on the harp as the rhythm section keeps it choogling. They render “When You’re 69” in Muddy Waters slide guitar style with Vivino on the axe and Spalding on blues harp, suggesting that it may well be time to hang it up (“When you’re lookin’ over the hill/Man you got a different point of view”). Again, Spalding absolutely wails unrestrained.
Spalding contributes the shuffling “Tease Me,” “You’re the One,” a feature for Vivino’s slide in classic Canned Heat boogie, and “Independence Day,” another one rendered in Chicago blues style. Spalding is a terrific singer, and it will be interesting to watch where he lands next.
Three others that stand out are “So Sad (The World’s in a Tangle),” “East/West Boogie” and “Blind Owl.” The first was written by Canned Heat’s manager/producer for 57 years, Skip Taylor. The tune dates to 1970, and the band calls it “psychedelic, environmental boogie,” so the climate saving theme is even more topical today. Originally, it was cut with the band’s guitarist, Henry Vestine, an early influence on Joe Bonamassa who lays down the blistering lead guitar while Spalding sings and Vivino plays rhythm and slide.
“East/West Boogie” is an odd one. Vivino switches to organ as he and Spalding combine Arabic and Western scales over the boogie-like rhythms. This writer may be biased as a longtime Dave Alvin fan, but “Blind Owl” is the strongest track on the disc. “Blind Owl” Wilson was behind those two big hits – “Goin’ Up the Country” and “On the Road Again.” The tune is signature Alvin with his dynamic guitar playing too. Wilson was also an avowed environmentalist which Alvin nods to in these lyrics – “The odds are stacked against it, but that Sequoia somehow survives, standing strong, standing proud and that’s where the “Blind Owl still flies.” (Note: The song also appears on the forthcoming Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore Album with the Guilty Ones, TexiCali, due in late June).
The record bids farewell but Canned Heat is giving it one final go on tour in 2024 in both the U.S. and Europe. Boogie on while you can.
‘Finyl Vinyl’ see here
“One Last Boogie”
Tip of the hat to Jim Hynes who “gets it!” His review of our album shows his musical education and love of real music, both old and new. I hope that anyone who listens to or buys the CD or LP (red vinyl) refers to Jim’s review in case they have a question or “wonder” about anything having to do with Canned Heat’s “FINYL VINYL.” Enjoy! Skip Taylor Manager/Producer
I’ve been following Canned Heat ever since september ’68, when On the Road Again came out in Belgium. I was immediately overwhelmed. Indeed, Fito kept the band alive through all these years, through high and low. It was an honour for me he and Skip signed a few covers at their performance in Diepenbeek, Belgium, juin 30 last year and I hope they enjoyed the photos I could give them.
It’s refreshing to hear ‘Finyl Vinyl’. Good songs and top musicians! Canned Heat at its best. Wish them all the best! Frans Bosmans.
This record is beyond fantastic! And I’ve seen these guys play a number of times over the years. What you see is what you get: a force to be reckoned with; a highly functioning kick ass unit of rocking blues history up close and amplified to perfection. To all you blues fans and young players just coming up and wanting to learn from the masters; go out and buy this record; Final Vinyl. And after that go see Canned Heat live.
In a way, experiencing Canned Heat perform live today, seems to me, is abut as close as you’re gonna get to the old blues masters from back in the day; Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, Willie Dixon, Rev Gary Davis, Sonny Boy Williamson, Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, all rolled into one band.
Dale Spalding has been my friend since we were just kids coming of age in Southern California. In my view, he’s always given his best to stay true to the blues. As, I imagine, the this crew have done each in their own ways. This may be their final studio album, but hopefully a bit early to throw in the towel.
One thing for sure, Fito is THE master consummate band leader, blues/boogie/rock and roll drummer extraordinaire. Rick Reed; a great bass player; superb and bass soulful lines, himself having played with the best acts around. Dale Spalding is a powerful blues harp player and singer. A gifted harp teacher as well, and a rounded blues/jazz musician, Dale carries on the New Orleans tradition of the inimitable late great Duke Burrell. Guitarist and singer Jimmy Vivino channels the old masters back to life every time he straps on an electric guitar.
Yup, Canned Heat is one fantastic blues band. Do yourself a favor kids; buy the recored and go see em play. You will not be sorry. And if you ask nice, Dale might just give you a harp lesson out back, just like Sonny Boy WIllimanson did al life time ago. Pass it forward.