Historical Figures & Ancient Heads / the New Age

I think what made Canned heat such as strong album making band, is the two very different song writers, Al Wilson brought a more innovative sound to the band, whereas Bob Hite style was firmly based in tradition R & B, which made a perfect mix for a series of great records.“Historical Figures..” is as you probably anticipate is mostly based in the R&B camp, but what make it interesting, is that many of the tracks have a jamming, live in the studio feel to them, perhaps the band where re-grouping after such a traumatic event & were testing the waters a little.This certainly isn’t the case for “The New Age” with the whole album brimming with confidence , the five tracks sees the band adopting a honky-tonk, roots, a bit like the band style, which defiantly breaths a breath of fresh air into the bands music. The other four songs are regular Canned Heat fair, with some masterful electric guitar .Like most fans of the band, you exhaust all the Wilson era Canned Heat first, before tentatively moving on to the rest of the bands back-catalogue, but these first two records at least are worth collecting.

Haven't listened to it yet, but the cd arrived okay, no "HEAT" damage or anything, more to come...

I've had this album since it came out in 1972 and it just never ages. I lost track of Canned Heat about this time with all the other music coming out, and didn't pick them up again until the late 70s when The Bear was on his last legs (The Human Condition is also a fine, fine album forom '78). I've been trying to find out what else they were doing in the mid-70s, but I can assure you, this is a top notch Canned Heat effort! They've got Little Richard in the house and there's not a dull moment on this vinyl. These are songs you never heard on the radio or anywhere else. If you've ever liked anything else by them, get this thing---you will be glad.......... Henry Vestine was still playing guitar at this time....... I was listening to it today for the first time in many years on the way home from work and damned near rear-ended a red Mustang which was stopped dead in the road trying to turn left. I just didn't notice what was going on I so deep into this record! So be careful with it; it's very powerful stuff.

I really enjoy listening to these CDs.

yes

I'm writing because the other reviewer seems to suggest this was cd is just of one album. It is a twofer of the first two albums after Alan's passing.Historical Figures I always liked a lot although I'm not big on the Little Richard song. Better the instrumenal with Charles Lloyd who was big in the Hippie ballroom circuit at that time. (Try Love In by Charles Lloyd to here his band at one of the Filmores). Henry smokes on a few cuts, notably Foolin' Around, the slow blues on the first side. There is another totally different, way hotter version of this on one of the Boogie House tape sets. I love the groove of Cherokee Dance, not a lot of notes by Henry but he really rides the groove. Nice variety of sounds and songs and arrangements on this LP.By New Age Joel Scott Hill, the first replacement for Alan, was gone. There is some slippage in the song quality but again Henry gets to rip. Framed on this set has maybe Henry's hottest moment on any studio recording. It is an incredible performance that got forgotten because the band was fading from the public eye by this time. I don't think I ever heard a recording after this where Henry was really at the top of his game.Long live the Heat

this is the best cd love the song utah underground music best song on this cd.I love that some.Double cd cant beat deal

I think what made Canned heat such as strong album making band, is the two very different song writers, Al Wilson brought a more innovative sound to the band, whereas Bob Hite style was firmly based in tradition R & B, which made a perfect mix for a series of great records.“Historical Figures..” is as you probably anticipate is mostly based in the R&B camp, but what make it interesting, is that many of the tracks have a jamming, live in the studio feel to them, perhaps the band where re-grouping after such a traumatic event & were testing the waters a little.This certainly isn’t the case for “The New Age” with the whole album brimming with confidence , the five tracks sees the band adopting a honky-tonk, roots, a bit like the band style, which defiantly breaths a breath of fresh air into the bands music. The other four songs are regular Canned Heat fair, with some masterful electric guitar .Like most fans of the band, you exhaust all the Wilson era Canned Heat first, before tentatively moving on to the rest of the bands back-catalogue, but these first two records at least are worth collecting.

A slight diversion from earlier stuff still great though.

Als großer Canned Heat-Fan musste ich mir natürlich die CD der 2 älteren Alben zulegen. Sie sind jedoch recht unterschiedlich in der Qualität. Ich beginne mit dem positiven Album: Historical Figures and Ancient Heads ! Für mich ist es das letzte Album, das sowohl von der Musik als auch noch ein wenig von der Ur-Besetzung noch zu dem bekannten und geliebten Boogie-Jahren zu zählen ist. Hier stimmt noch fast alles. Fetzige Rock-Boogie-Nummern, wie Rocking with the King (mit Little Richard) oder bluesig, wie That s Allright oder auch mal ein wenig jazzig (mit Querflöte) bei I don t care what you tell me. Alles in allem ein gelungenes Album.Dies kann ich nicht unbedingt vom zweiten Album The New Age behaupten. Der Titel ist Programm. Recht belanglose, ziemlich eintönige Mischung aus Rock und ein bisschen Blues. Jedoch ohne Biss und Emotion vorgetragen. Sicherlich eines ihrer schächsten Album, vielleicht auch durch die zahlreichen Todesfälle in und um die Band herum, beeinflusst.Dennoch, vor allem für Sammler, eine empfehlenswerte CD von einer der besten Blues/Rock-Gruppen aller Zeiten.

thanks

LPで聴いた感激は忘れない。もっとブルースしていた様な気がしたのに‥こっちが変わってしまったのかな‥