The double-album Hooker ’N Heat, which was once launched on January 15, 1971, is an engaging assembly of mentor and protégés. Canned Heat had lengthy admired John Lee Hooker and had been extremely joyful to determine that the respected blues guitarist-singer additionally loved the band’s track. “I positive like the way in which you boys boogie,” Hooker advised harmonica participant Alan Wilson at a possibility assembly in Los Angeles.

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Canned Heat floated the theory of recording in combination and, in April 1970, Hooker’s document corporate gave him permission to just do that. Only one month later they met up at Liberty Data in LA to document the album that was once titled Hooker ’N Heat.

That actual Hooker sound

In deference to Hooker’s genius, the boogie-rock band, who had a world hit with “On The Highway Once more” in 1967, gave the primary part of the album to him on my own, and Hooker laid down compelling variations of 5 of his personal compositions: “Messin’ With The Hook,” “The Feelin’ Is Long past,” “Ship Me Your Pillow,” “Sittin’ Right here Thinkin’,” and “Meet Me In The Backside.”

Hooker arrived for the recording consultation dressed in a plaid cap, leather-based jacket, black satin blouse, and a few outdated get dressed slacks. He was once wearing his favourite outdated Epiphone guitar. Manufacturers Skip Taylor and Robert Hite had been willing to seize the original Hooker blues sound. They attempted out 8 amplifiers sooner than discovering an outdated Silvertone amp that had that actual “Hooker sound.” The engineers constructed a plywood platform for Hooker to sit down on whilst he performed, with one microphone at the amp, one to seize his vocals and a 3rd to pick out up his unique stomping. Close by was once a big bottle of Chivas Regal Scotch and a glass of water to stay him smartly refreshed.

The second one part of Hooker ‘N Heat

For the second one part of Hooker ’N Heat, Wilson joined in on piano, harmonica, and guitar. “Blind Owl” Wilson, as he was once recognized, died 4 months after the document was once minimize – at simply 27 – from a barbiturates overdose. He had suffered from melancholy and his demise robbed the sector of “essentially the most talented harmonica participant I’ve ever heard,” as Hooker described him. Hooker ’N Heat captures his superb ability for track, together with his piano taking part in on “Bottle Up And Move” (written via the Delta blues musician Tommy McClennan) and “The International Lately,” and his guitar paintings on “I Were given My Eyes On You.”

After extra Hooker solo songs, together with “Alimonia Blues,” “Drifter,” “You Communicate Too A lot,” and “Burning Hell,” the entire band chimed in for the general songs, with Hooker and Wilson joined via lead guitarist Henry Vestine, bass participant Antonio De L. a. Parra, and drummer Adolfo De L. a. Parra on exuberant variations of “Simply You And Me,” “Let’s Make It,” and “Peavine.” All of it soars and strikes, even supposing it kind of feels just like the band are occasionally frantically seeking to stay alongside of Hooker’s vocals.

Hooker ’N Heat ended on a prime, with a rambling and strong 11-minute model of Hooker’s first document, the vintage “Boogie Chillen’.” The music confirmed simply how a lot amusing Canned Heat had been having recording with their musical hero.

After the album got here out, Hooker and Canned Heat – who employed guitarist-vocalist Joel Scott Hill to exchange Wilson – performed some are living displays in combination, together with one at New York’s Carnegie Corridor. The memorable studio collaboration Hooker ’N Heat captured a herbal fusion of empathetic musicians – and Hooker, who was once 53 on the time, reveling within the instance.

Hooker ’N Heat may also be purchased right here.

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