Artist: Canned Heat Album: Big Road Blues

Year: 2002
Duration: 0:0-1

Big Road Blues Album Review: A Critical Look at Canned Heat's Psychedelic Blues

Canned Heat is a legendary band that helped define the blues and rock scene of the 1960s. Their album, Big Road Blues, released in 1972 is a culmination of the group's psychedelic blues sound. The band's incorporation of a variety of instruments and creativity makes this album a favorite of many. In this blog post, we'll take a critical review of Big Road Blues, discuss the history of the artist and highlight the best parts of the album.

Canned Heat was formed in 1965, and their sound is heavily inspired by the delta blues by artists like Robert Johnson. Their music consists of guitar riffs, bluesy harmonica sounds, and vocals that showcase bohemian and counter-culture themes. Big Road Blues highlights the band's love for diverse instruments like the harmonica, slide guitar, and steel guitar. The 10 track album opens with, Sugar Bee, a song that features the signature upbeat tempo and harmonica combination of the band. With lyrics like, Well, you can have my jelly roll and my sugar sweet, But you can't have my honeydew and my sugar meek, the song encapsulates the essence of the album.

One of the best songs of the album is, Whiskey Headed Woman No. 2. The harmonica and guitar combination creates a low down and dirty sound that takes the listeners deep into the blues. The guttural vocals of the lead singer, Alan Wilson, that describes his woman as whiskey-headed, is another nod to the bohemian lifestyle of the band. On the contrary, Bagful of Boogie has a lively swing sound that showcases the group's affinity for diverse music. The guitar and harmonica trade melodies, creating an immersive experience for the listener.

The innovative parts of the album are many, and the band's creative instrumental arrangements stand out. The steel guitar, used in That's All Right Mama, adds a soulful touch to the blues song. The song's lyrics talk about how everybody wants to be their boss, ain't nobody wanna work, showcasing how the band isn't afraid to sing about the struggles of the time. Another example of the band's creativity is the use of the slide guitar in One Kind Favor. The scratching sound of the guitar adds a raw, unfiltered feel to the blues ballad.

The album isn't without criticism. The lack of consistency in the album makes it feel less cohesive. The lackluster vocals in some of the songs detract from the immersive experience the band creates in others. Nonetheless, the musical arrangement of the album and the group's passion for diverse instruments and bohemian themes make it an enjoyable listening experience.

In conclusion, Canned Heat's Big Road Blues showcases the band's creativity in combining psychedelia, blues, and bohemian elements in their music. With experimental instrumentation and eclectic arrangements, the group was way ahead of their time. While the album has its flaws, it remains a classic and a testament to the group's legendary status in the world of blues.