Reviewed on Sunday October 25
The Monterey Pop Festival. Woodstock. California in the ’60s. If you remember it, you weren’t really there maaan. Whether they remember it or not (and as 70-year-old former acid fanatics, who could blame them) Canned Heat were there. Right there, rubbing shoulders with Hendrix and Joplin, bottling the sentiment of the era with timeless songs like ‘Let’s Work Together’, ‘On The Road Again’ and ‘Going Up The Country’.
Now they’re here, in Sydney, for their 50th anniversary tour. Not all of them have survived: co-founder Alan Wilson joined the ‘27 Club’ when he overdosed on barbiturates in a suspected suicide. Bob ‘The Bear’ Hite died after snorting a vial of heroin he’d mistaken for cocaine. Guitarist Harry Vestine departed following the final gig of a ’90s European tour. Frontman Robert Lucas – another overdose.
It’s a wonder bassistLarry ‘The Mole’ Taylor and drummer Adolfo ‘Fito’ de la Parraof the original lineup have made it this far. But they have.
Canadian Charlie A’Court opened, with a bluesy acoustic set of loop-pedal-layered guitar licks. The good-humoured banter and impressive vocals got the capacity Basement crowd suitably warmed up, though most were already dripping with sweat. It’s hot down there.
Then there they were, The Mole and Fito, their number made up by Dale Spalding on harmonica and John Paulus on bass. “Let’s boogie!” yelled an excited punter, breaking the audience’s hush.
And they did. Bluesy stompers rubbed up against more refined jazzy jams. Fito was rock solid and introduced the songs, sharing some sage advice along the way: “Don’t eat the brown acid.” Spalding had a twinkle in his eye, making his harmonica wail and sing while The Mole gave some bass flourishes, shining on ‘Time Was’. John Paulus was on point with some dexterous, soul-soothing guitar work.
At the end they bowed in unison. Survivors. The crowd showed their appreciation in cheers and joyous whoops. “We could walk off and back on again,” said Spalding, “but we’re a bit old for that. Here’s the encore.”
They’re certainly older and road-worn, perhaps a little stiffer than they once were, but they can still put on a show. Canned Heat were really there, and it’s a blessing to have them here.
