'Bob Hite, lead singer and ranking heavyweight in the group
(280 pounds) jumps up and down like a soulful, long-haired gorilla'
Original title
"Canned Heat Adds Blues to Its Rock: Band at the Fillmore East Performs With
Power."
By MIKE JAHN. Printed November 23, 1968
Canned Heat is a soulful rock group that escaped from the psychedelic badlands of California and now is working hard to become the top blues rock band.
Appearing last night and tonight at the Fillmore East, 105 Second Avenue, Canned Heat displays a strong repertory of honest country blues with rock power behind it.
They don't fly all over the stage, as is the current fashion. They stand in one spot, play and bounce up and down. Bob Hite, lead
singer and
ranking heavyweight in the group (280 pounds) jumps up and down like a soulful,
long-haired gorilla urging on whoever happens to be soloing at the moment.
Their music is simple, clean and powerful. They play country blues, the same kind of music that first inspired such early rock figures as Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry. But they play it with the power of hard rock and the expertise of pop music technologists.
The lead guitar uses fuzz tones, those electronic sound extensions and distortions that have become a major obsession with West Coast rock musicians. Sometimes this was overwhelming last night, but for the most part such gimmicks were controlled.
All that remains is pure blues and rock, and Canned Heat proves that this is enough Using bass, two guitars, drums and harp (harmonica), the group plays with a fine touch and a clear soul. The music is exciting without being overbearing, and loud without losing the essential honest feel of country blues.
Canned Heat has two albums on the Liberty label, and a third is soon to be released.
The Youngbloods and Iron Butterfly were also on the bill.
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