Alan Wilson's BLIND OWL BLUES (Pt. I)

They were one of greatest bands to come out of America during the Sixties; a combination of rock, blues and boogie that no other ensemble could ever rival.
If anything, Canned Heat knew the formula for getting into a generation's hearts: keep it simple, upbeat and fun.

But, thanks to their co-founders, Bob "The Bear" Hite and especially Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, they also laid tracks that showed a great understanding and appreciation for the sounds that started it all -- the blues.

I just finished reading Blind Owl Blues -- The Mysterious Life and Death of Blues Legend Alan Wilson by vibrant author Rebecca Davis Winters (it's my third reading, by the way; that's how interesting this book is!). Within the pages, you come to know the man who, though enigmatic to many, produced some of the greatest music the rock world has ever heard.

Born on Independence Day in 1943, "Blind Owl" (he got his nickname due to his nearsightedness) was a bluesologist and conservationist who wrote most of the band's material. In fact, two of their best-known hits, Going Up The Country (aka Woodstock's Theme Song) and On The Road Again, were composed and sung by Wilson. Raised by a father whom he felt rejected him, Alan suffered from severe depression and varied emotional problems -- and his songs often showed a desire to escape from those troubles.
But there was so much more inside the "Blind Owl's" mind than music.

Alan was a man who loved nature so much that he often slept outside just to be closer to it -- in fact, in Rebecca's book, you can almost feel that passion yourself: his marvel at the California seascape and reverence of the Redwoods. As I was reading, I was struck at how many organisations claim to be preservationists whilst in Wilson alone one could find the purity and honour of that calling.

In "Blind Owl Blues", you'll also find that Alan was responsible for the world "rediscovering" legendary bluesman Son House (in fact, House had been out of music for so long that he'd forgotten some of his material. Wilson refreshed his memory ...). Even John Lee Hooker was amazed by "Blind Owl's" ability to follow his guitar-playing (anyone who worked with Hooker back-in-the-day knew how difficult that could be!).

There's so much to actually cover in this amazing book that I'm gonna stretch this out, in segments, amongst a few other posts. But, before we sign off for this edition, I've gotta give Rebecca an unusual "thumbs-up" (along with the two thumbs already wayyyy up for this amazing book! Yeah, I know ... three thumbs?? Well, ya haven't met me yet, have ya? lol):

She has a chapter called Blind Owl Behind The Wheel that tells ya about some of Alan's first driving experiences. Now, I've read loads of books and articles on music stars, but this is the first I've read that puts such a human side as this into the mix. This is one amazing writer, people ...

I'll be back within the next 48 with more on this book (including ordering information) ... and up-to-the-minute rock news. Until then ... see ya on the flip side!