Ultra rare video of CH with Al, "Breathe Easy". European tour, 7 february 1970 in Montreux, not the best quality, but hey, it's the Blind Owl! Check out Larry's cool bass solo. More coming soon, stay tuned.
Long live Alan Christie Wilson! It's always a joy to see footage of him performing. And Larry "The Mole" Taylor is laying it down super greasy! Nobody brings the boogie like Canned Heat. I am so happy that film footage of these performances exist! Thank you ever so kindly for sharing.
His voice was one of those one of a kind voices that come along very seldom. Not technically brilliant but a voice that has buckets of emotion. Shame he died so young it would have been good to hear him develop and diversify
Not many people could phrase on the harp like "Blind Owl". Many people attempted to phrase like him years later, but in the late 60's he was totally unique and in a classification all on his own. It was as if an angel sent him our way to play Blues harp for us all. He was a great writer as well. He seemed very depressed and it came out in his playing. I believe in what Danny Kirwan said once in an interview...that a white man could damage himself if he played Blues. I don't believe "Blind Owl" had many close friends, but I recall reading something a long time ago that he was close with Janis Joplin. She was a kind of misfit in society and perhaps the 2 of them hit it off socially like brother and sister. Thanks for posting this because it is a true representation of JUST HOW good "Blind Owl" was on the harp! Love it!
Amanda, I have said on many occasions that Al Wilson would have gone on to one of the best harp players of all time.He just had it and its a crying shame that he ended before he had barely begun.I have played all my life for 40 years and I know a genius when I hear one.And guitarist too.What a waste.Sad though, in so many ways.Jim.Liverpool.
GREAT .... I was there .. I was 18 years as a grew up in Switzerland .. The same week we also saw Deep Purple and 'I got stoned and missed it' .. Thanks for the memory ..
Fantastic, Blind Owl material is always appreciated...And the Mole was also fascinating. Just look at him tearing his bass apart at Monterey pop festival(rollin'a and tumblin')
Your right but im 17 and well i stumbled across this not so long ago and it great i like canned heat it would be great if there was still music like this cuase i dont think modern music will every be like this agian thats why i listen to old stuff :)
Great song and harp play by Alan Wilson & great bass play be Larry Taylor! The very recording can be found on the Canned Heat CD 'The Boogie House Tapes Vol. 1". Thanks for sharing!
@torontobigharpfan - what a cool post - He was raised in Massachusetts. I loved Blind Owl so much and was devastated when he died. He was one of my heroes...
Sweet Jesus, ISB, where the hell do you keep turning these little gems up from? Blistering stuff from all those concerned, and a great little solo from the Mole. What can I say, "He likes to pull hard!" And, as you say, any footage of them during those halcyon days is better than none. We should all just be thankful for what few scraps we get. Thanks man, thanks. This is very, very cool...
I'm nearly certain that this recording is on one of the compilation albums I have/had. Bass solo is the same I'm sure. Totally awesome to see the video to it =D Love Canned Heat and thank you so much for posting this video.
Gods of blues have mercy, Holy soul of alan forgive me if these are not the words you speak - im just trying to understand the master. u gotta breath easy if you wana relax u gotta breath easy if you wana relax dont worry bout tomorro and forget about today like a swan in the lake i drift on thru the world like a swan in the lake i drift on thru the world well my lines in the water and my corks on top
@susanmazey --your age and experience is close to mine. i started getting into canned heat (again) a little over a year or so ago thanks to youtube and other stuff on the internet. my favorite on youtube is "Woodstock Boogie". look what we were missing! thanks for posting this ISB, a real public service!
@kalberthy You're more than welcome, my friend - looks like it was a great gig that night. And you were there! I wonder if we'll ever get to see more footage from this concert. Fingers crossed!
Is Alan`s real mother still alive?He referred to her in "On The Road Again"...."My Dear Mother Left Me When I Was quite Young"...Alan`s blood mother was reputed to have musical talent.
Id like to let you know how to have a good time well id like to let you just how to have a good time when (you only make?) changes, enjoy whats happening now If you Listen on in i got advice for you A bird in the hand in worth ten in the bush nows the time aint no time (better?) you got to breath easy you got to breath easy you got to relax enjoy your self while gotta breath easy gotta breath easy don't let all the trouble get u down nows the time aint no other time
Dear neverfrisco, Is there any other information you feel you can share? Those of us who are forever Blind Owl fans are so hungry for more news. What happened to the Goldtop? Where is it? How did it end up in Holland? Did he leave it there after their June 70 concert? If so, how did that happen? What can you tell us? Many thanks.
