THE BOOGIE HOUSE TAPES VOL.2 - CD September 2004
(Ruf Records / Germany)


Blind Owl and Bear Hite's last recordings and Boogie!, September 21, 2004

   Featuring the last four bottleneck slide recordings from Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson's hospital bed following a suicide attempt in 1970, Disc One of the Boogie House Tapes Vol. 2 gives listeners a final insight into the tortured genius who helped delta blues grandfather Son House recall how to play guitar like Son House. Wilson's ghostly high vocal intonations and perfect vibrato on "Sloppy Drunk" and "Death Bed Blues" are literally frightening to listen to, while "Blind Melon" illustrates his complete mastery of open tunings. The record also features the last roadhouse recording of the mountainous blues shouter and bandleader Bob "The Bear" Hite bellowing "Hell's On Down The Line" in 1981, days before he collapsed on stage and died of a drug-related heart attack. The collection of rare recordings was assembled from the vaults of drummer/producer Fito de la Parra and Walter "Dr. Boogie" de Paduwa who provides two live shows from the early 1990's with the trademark buzz of original guitarist Henry "Sunflower" Vestine on the second disc. Go to Canned Heat's website and get the album direct! www.cannedheatmusic.com.

© 2004 Brett Lemke - Maximum Ink music magazine / www.maximumink.com