Canned Heat--Going Up The Country (1968)

     Canned Heat was a blues/boogie band who's most famous years surrounded the late 60's/early 70's, but continue to tour today albeit having gone through many changes. The band formed in the 1965 around blues enthusiasts Al Hite, and Alan Wilson. Like many who saw great success in the late 60's, the group was helped tremendously by an appearance at Monterrey in 1967 where the group went into their "classic" period with Hite on vocals, Wilson on guitar, harmonica, and vocals, Henry Vestine: lead guitar, Larry Taylor: bass, and Adolfo de la Parra (is the only remaining member of this group playing today). 

     "Going up the Country" musically was based on Henry Thomas', "Bull Doze Blues' written and recorded in 1927. The lyrics provided by Wilson (who also sang lead), emphasized a environmental theme and hippie esthetic which fit in well with the times. As mentioned, the group was a hit at Monterrey, and also at Woodstock. The groups laid back take on the blues was well received at both festivals. Hite, Wilson, and Vestine have all passed, but the Heat continue to tour all over the world with Parra keeping things together.