The other bonus of this package is the second DVD entitled Boogie With Canned Heat: The Canned Heat Story. This is a 140 minute documentary on the history of Canned Heat. It is told through the eyes of the drummer Fito De La Parra; the only remaining member of the group. De La Parra joined the band for the second album and has played on every album since then.
The second DVD includes interviews with other living members of the band and personnel as well a lot of rare footage of the early band with Alan Wilson. There is also amateur footage shot at concerts which give insight into what a boogie band of the late sixties and early seventies were really like. It goes on to show how the band deteriorated with the onslaught of the disco movement with drugs and alcohol as well as how it was starting to turn itself around at the time of Hite's death/overdose.
There is footage with John Lee Hooker from the time of "Hooker and Heat"; which subsequently gave Hooker his first album to make the charts. And also talks about the influence that Bob Hite had on the characters known as "The Blues Brothers".
The quality of both DVDs is very good as is the sound. Obviously, some of the footage on the documentary is not of high quality, but its importance is more of historical value. This is a must for anyone who loves the blues and even more important for those fans of Canned Heat.
Track Listing (Montreux 1973):
On the Road Again
Please Mr. Nixon w/ Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Worried Life Blues w/ Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Ooh Poo Pah Doo w/ Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Funky w/ Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Night Time is the Right Time
Let's Work Together
Rock and Roll Music
Lookin' for My Rainbow
Montreux Boogie (improvisation)
Article comments
1 - Rebecca Davis Winters
Canned Heat fans, be sure to check out the new Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson bio!