The Best of Canned Heat

This ten-track set contains essential sides from the classic rock blues and boogie combo Canned Heat, culled from their first four long-players: Canned Heat (1967), Boogie With Canned Heat (1968), Living the Blues [Akarma] (1968), and Hallelujah (1969). Notably, this discounts Canned Heat Cookbook (1969), a hits package that cashed in on their association with the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair, and was the first LP to contain the single "Going up the Country." The core personnel during this seminal run includes Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson (guitar/vocals), Larry "The Mole" Taylor (bass), Henry "Sunflower" Vestine (guitar), and Bob "The Bear" Hite (vocals). Frank Cook (drums) stayed long enough to play on their eponymous debut LP, and was replaced by Aldolfo "Fido" Dela Parra (drums) prior to Boogie With Canned Heat (1968). The Heat's interpretations of both blues standards, such as Muddy Waters' "Rollin' & Tumblin'," or the funky update of Wilbert Harrison's "Let's Work Together," were lauded for their uncanny authenticity. With an almost cerebral respect for their craft, few would have guessed Canned Heat did not hail from the R&B meccas of Chicago, Memphis, or St.