Freedom to Music
Posts tagged Duane Hitchings
New Cactus Band – Son Of Cactus (1973) (@256)
18 Oct 2009
(Review from amazon, wikipedia)
After Cactus disbanded, Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice got together with Jeff Beck to form Beck, Bogert & Appice. Duane Hitchings decided to keep the Cactus name alive teaming up ex-Iron Butterfly Mike Pinera, as the “New Cactus Band”.
Highlights of their sole album include “It’s Getting Better” (a real upper of a song), “I Can’t Wait”, “Senseless Rebel” (boogie, boogie, and more good boogie), “Man is a Boy”, “Ragtime Suzy” (a real rock classic with great bluesy piano and rock guitar fills all over it) and that nasty, dark, sinister totally fine Blu-blu-blu-”Blue Gypsy Woman”.
Sound resembles not Cactus but more of the type of music Mike Pinera always made — simple bluesy hard rock from early 70s.
Line-up:
- Mike Pinera / guitar, vocals
- Roland Robinson / bass, vocals
- Duane Hitchings / keyboards, vocals
- Jerry Norris / drums
- Manuel Bertematti / drums
Track List:
01. It’s Getting Better – 3:50
02. I Can’t Wait – 3:25
03. Hook Line and Sinker – 3:53
04. It’s Just a Feelin’ – 4:10
05. Lady (Spend My Life with You) – 4:27
06. Ragtime Suzy – 2:46
07. Blue Gypsy Woman – 3:16
08. Senseless Rebel – 3:27
09. Man Is a Boy – 3:27
10. Hold on to My Love – 4:13
11. Daddy Ain’t Gone – 3:13
Link in comments.
Cactus – 'Ot 'N' Sweaty (1972) (@256)
19 Nov 2007
(Review from amazon)
Interband troubles led to McCarty quitting at the end of 1971. Shortly afterwards Rusty Day was fired from the group. For Cactus’ half studio/half live fourth album, Bogert and Appice recruited new members.
This took the band in a slightly different direction while still providing some kickass rock and roll. The first three songs were recorded at Mar Y Sol Festival, and five others recorded in the studio. The live portion of this album is frantic and plenty of energy. The studio cuts are more goodtime rock and roll oriented than the traditional classic boogie/blues of Cactus.
‘Ot ‘N’ Sweaty proved to be their final studio album before their break-up.
Line-up:
- Carmine Appice / Percussion, Drums, Back Vocals
- Tim Bogert / Bass, Back Vocals
- Peter French / Vocals
- Werner Fritzsching / Guitar
- Duane Hitchings / Organ, Piano, Keyboards
Track List:
01. Swim
02. Mad Mother Boogie
03. Our Lil Rock N Roll Thing
04. Bad Stuff
05. Bringing Me Down
06. Bedroommazurka
07. Telling You
08. Underneath The Arches
Link in comments.
Cactus – Restrictions (1971) (@256)
18 Nov 2007
(Review from allmusic)
This 1971 release may not see the band at their peak, but it surely showcases the occasionally thundering rhythm section of Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice.
Why a song like “Token Chokin’” was never a hit and why it has yet to be embraced by the classic rock-loving public is a complete mystery. The song is some of the most heels-up, thundering, so-brainless-it’s-genius rock that has ever been to tape. It’s complete with big guitars, big sing-alongs, and a bass-and-drum combo that could knock out windows. Somebody needs to revive this track. Songs like “Evil” and “Sweet Little Sixteen” are all scorching guitars and long-haired riffing. It’s a testament to the blues-inspired power they could surely muster up onstage.
There are competent acoustic blues numbers like “Mean Night in Cleveland” and “Alaska”, the latter an ode to said state featuring lyrics about penguins, Santa Claus, and the aurora borealis.
Nobody has ever said that boogie rock is grad school material, and Cactus are certainly no exception — they did manage to make a big, bearded racket that is both groan-inducing and a lot of fun.
Line-up:
- Rusty Day / Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals
- Jim McCarty / Guitar
- Carmine Appice / Percussion, Drums, Back Vocals
- Tim Bogert / Bass, Back Vocals
with
- Albhy Galuten / Piano
- Duane Hitchings / Keyboards
- Ron Leejack / Guitar, Slide Guitar
Track List:
01. Restrictions
02. Token Chokin’
03. Guiltless Glider
04. Evil
05. Alaska
06. Sweet Sixteen
07. Bag Drag
08. Mean Night in Cleveland
Link in comments.
