Canned Heat: Finyl Vinyl Review

Finyl Vinyl on one hand is a self explanatory title by one of the first blues rock bands to come on the scene nearly 60 years ago. From “One Last Boogie,” the opening song to “When You’re 69,” it tells the story of somebody ready to call it a day and retire. On the other hand, the band is booked for upcoming shows for much of 2024, which includes dates in Europe. The album includes guest musicians like Dave Alvin who wrote “Blind Owl” and performs it both vocally and on guitar as well as Joe Bonamassa who lets his guitar rip on “So Sad (The World’s In A Tangle).” Drummer Fito de la Parra is the only living original member other than longtime band manager Skip Taylor. The band’s current lineup is comprised of de la Parra – drums, Richard Reed – bass, Dale Spalding – vocals & harp, and Jimmy Vivino – vocals, keyboard & guitar.

The album kicks off with “One Last Boogie” a throbbing bobbing boogie composed by Jimmy Vivino. Reed’s bass dominates with Vivino singing and accompanying himself on screaming guitar runs. “Blind Owl” is the title of the album’s second cut, written by Dave Alvin about Canned Heat’s nearsighted co-founder Alan Wilson. Alvin’s gravelly voice soars as he accompanies himself on guitar along with Spalding’s howling harmonica. The song rocks a groove to a throbbing beat.

“Midnight in Kansas City I see the rain falling down

Another gig another bar room way out on the outskirts of town”

“Goin’ to Heaven (In a Pontiac)” is the second of three compositions by Jimmy Vivino. It opens with an explosion and Vivino dives head first into his vocal delivery before using his six string to add the punctuation. Fito’s drums drive the tune alongside Spalding’s harp embellishments and Vivino’s dancing guitar runs and riotous vocals. “So Sad (The World’s In A Tangle)” was written and recorded by Canned Heat for their 1970 album Future Blues. Joe Bonamassa, who was influenced by Henry Vestine, “Heat’s” original lead guitarist is guest lead guitar on what the band calls a psychedelic, environmental boogie!

“If the bombs start a-fallin’

There’ll be no more home on the range”

“East/West Boogie” is Canned Heat adapting the theme from the Apple TV Show, Tehran, that was written by Mark Eliyahu to their boogie groove. The composition has been described as “a true modern, belly dancing boogie!” which combines the Middle East with the West by using Canned Heat’s primal sound. Dale Spalding wrote “Tease Me” and wails on it both vocally and with his mouth harp. Jimmy Vivino’s dexterous fingers provide ear ringing guitar peals punctuating Spalding’s vocals and harp. “A Hot Ole Time” is another group effort that resurrects the past with the present as the band sings.

“The band was on a boogie with a jump and a jive

People feelin’ good all lost in the wild”

Lead vocalist Dale Spalding is the author of “You’re the One” and it opens with Vivino’s screaming guitar segueing into Spalding’s vocals. The rhythm section provides a throbbing groove for Vivino’s guitar to soar on as it alternates with Spalding’s mouth harp. “When You’re 69” was composed and performed by Jimmy Vivino as a down and dirty blues excursion. Spalding wails on his harp while Fito and Reed beat the time for Vivino’s declaration of freedom.

“Take your breakfast in the evening

‘Cause ya got no sense of time when you’re 69”

Dale Spalding’s song “Independence Day” is a jazzy tune that has Dale’s voice soaring when he isn’t hyperventilating on his harmonica to the beat of the backing trio. The final cut on the album is a cover of Rollee McGill’s 1955 Mercury Records release, “There Goes That Train.” Spalding’s vocals and the band’s execution of the song are true to the original recording except when Spalding replaces Rollee’s sax with his harp.

“That train that stole my love, stole my love

There’s that same old guy, darlin’ darlin’

There’s the guy that stole my girl”

The Review 9/10

– One Last Boogie
– Blind Owl
– So Sad (The World’s in a Tangle)
– East/West Boogie
– There Goes That Train

The Big Hit

– One Last Boogie