Captured live n nasty on their 2006-07 tour, this disc finds Cactus to still be a potent force to be reckoned with. Carmine proves once again that he’s the best rock drummer around and Tim’s bass playing is equally powerful. Guitarist Jim McCarty simply blazes. It’s such a shame more people don’t know how great he is. These three muthers can really burn! Add Jimmy’s raspy, soulful vocals and Randy’s honking harmonica and you’ve got a blues party that you can put to use.
Old classics like “Let Me Swim” and “One Way Or Another” sit nicely alongside songs from their reunion album Cactus V like “Muscle and Soul” and their personal anthem “Cactus Music.” Everyone gets a chance to shine but a real highlight is when Jim and Carmine play a killer duet before setting up Carmine’s epic drum solo in their radical reworking of Howlin Wolf’s “Evil.” Tim shows all the bass players how it should be done on “Oleo.” The climax of the show is an ultra-speedy “Parchman Farm” that slays.
Bonus materials include a cool jam session with Warren Haynes, Joe Bonamassa and Pat Travers with Jim and Pat playing really nicely together. There are also some interesting interviews with the band where they talk about how they really were intent on blowing everyone away. Their version of “Parchman Farm” was in direct response to the type of thing Ten Years After was doing with “I’m Going Home” but Cactus wanted to make it even more extreme. Everyone needs more Cactus in their life so check out this DVD and make sure to turn it up. -- Woody
Buy here: Cactus - Live, Loud & Proud
Comments
What an honor is right! The GREAT JIM McCARTY one of the unsung ass
kickin'players and tone masters of all time!July 26th,1970,Seattle Wa.
opening for Jimi Hendrix the last time Jimi played his home town,I saw CACTUS the first time!They killed!!A wall of Marshalls and Jim with his low slung Les Paul!
Rusty,Tim and Carmine smokin!And then HENDRIX! I kissed the sky
that day! LONG MAY CACTUS ROCK!
I'll check out"Blue and Evil"! Thanks, Harry Beam,Dallas Tx.