In 2006, drummer Carmine Appice gathered bassist Tim Bogert and guitarist Jim McCarty together for a special Cactus reunion show at B.B. King Blues Club in New York City. Replacing the late Rusty Day with vocalist Jimmy Kunes, the band were going to officially kick off their reunion at the Sweden Rock Festival, but decided to test the waters within the intimate confines of the Time Square venue first. The night was captured on tape, and is now available as a double CD called Live In The USA.
The “American Led Zeppelin,” as they were labeled when they first formed after Vanilla Fudge (Appice and Bogert’s previous band) folded in 1970, are on fire here. “Long Tall Sally” opens with some slicing guitar work from McCarty. “Let Me Swim,” a heavier tune, follows, but it’s “One Way…Or Another” that really showcases the band’s range. A full-out jam sees Bogert and Appice locking in for what has to be the heaviest jam I have heard in a long time.
Randy Pratt joins the band on harmonica for “Bro. Bill,” a high strutting number with lots of balls behind it. It gives Bogert some subtle moments and Pratt does wail. Bogert’s “Oleo” is a fast blues number from the band’s 1970 self-titled debut album. It is loud and crazy song that features Bogert strumming a slow bass solo — at least in the beginning. Then the popping begins with the blistering finger flipping on a distorted bass.
A highlight for me is “Evil,” another solo actually, this time featuring Appice, one of best rock drummers, Here, Appice’s special brand of solo magic encompasses hi-hat chugging, stick clicking, tom beating, audience participation and singing — a signature solo that makes the man’s playing so unique. We get the harmonica and swampy guitar on “Cactus Boogie,” a fun little number.
It’s pretty much full steam ahead on “Parchman Farm,” yet another showing of the drive Appice and Bogert manage, with some fast growling from Kunes. This might be where the Cactus / Zeppelin comparison comes in. “Rock N’ Roll Children” ends the set, with the band laying back as Kunes leads the ensemble through his gospel-like read. Cactus have played plenty of shows since, with different members, but Live In The USA is the core band that brings out the best in all the players.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
