Customer Reviews

Cactus

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first Cactus lp was released in 1970 not 1977 as listed in the brief paragraph just below the songs list above this review.
The band I have to say... played the hardest blues rock ever made!I have never heard anything that comes close to Jim McCarty's screaming single note runs and riffology....Tim Bogart playing a Telecaster bass like a guitar with booming tone you have to hear!Carmine Appice never played drums again as he played with Cactus very intense.Rusty Day ( Rest In Peace Brother ) was the perfect out front guy for this band .....his delivery suited Cactus perfectly and his manic harp playing was amazing...it also jelled well with the overall Cactus vibe.If you were born after 1955 you most likely missed these guys...they cut 3 terrific Lp's and then the usual ego problems surfaced and they fell apart.The first lp "Cactus" the second lp "One Way Or Another" and finally "Restrictions" are all recommended....all are great listening and curently there is a guy from Russia on E-Bay selling copies of " One Way Or Another " and "Restrictions" I have purchased from him several cd's and copies are fine, made for the Russian market. I do wish to mention the following the album " Ot and Sweaty " now a cd is horrible!gone are Jim McCarty and Rusty Day...in their place are Pete French ( Great with "Atomic Rooster" not here though )and I forget the new guitarist and key board players names...If you do not wish to buy from E-Bay.... currently there are two limited edition releases from I believe " Collectors Choice Music " you will get you all you need from both " OWOA " and " Restrictions " tracks.Check here at Amazon they are both listed the Live set and the Anthology set "Anthology"is the one to get first. I have both the "Live Cactus " and the "Anthology" set and they are both highly recommended.

This old album (released nearly thirty years ago) proves that Jim McCarty is the most over-looked blues guitarist of the post British Invasion peace-n-love era. I saw Cactus in Boston at the old Boston Tea Party in 1970 and I died the death! Eric Clapton, for shame! Cactus...the BEST blues band of that era.... maybe ever. All you long in the tooth hippies out there, buy this cd and remember those younger years. Peace!

The editorial review has it wrong, but then again, is that a surprise? Axeman Jim McCarty remains under-known and under-appreciated despite yeoman work with Mitch Ryder, Buddy Miles, Cactus, The Rockets and many others.

THIS is the record that started it all...Vanilla Fudge rhythm section Bogert/Appice miss out on the supergroup with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart and the world benefits greatly - Stewart creates magic with The Faces and Bogert/Appice grab Motor City monsters Jim McCarty and Rusty Day. This original version of Cactus releases three of the best hard rock records of any era, blow everyone off the stage and set the standard for incendiary boogie rock. "Parchman Farm" can flat out raise the dead.

The first three Cactus albums are no-brainer must-haves for any rock collection. Play loud and often.

Haven't heard this in years. The playing is great , but I don't particularly like Rusty's singing and harp playing anymore now than I did in 1970. By the way, I believe the description by Amazon.com is a little inaccurate, as Jim McCarty of Cactus and Jim McCarty of the Yardbirds were not the same people. At the time the Yardbirds were together, this Jim McCarty, if I am not mistaken, was playing with Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and is responsible for the scorching solos on "Devil in a Blue Dress."

Although they never really made the big time, they were certainly capable of doing so, had they been able to resolve their differences. Jim McCarty was one Hell of a guitar player, still is, actually!! I remember the album rear cover saying "play loud". I did, and drove everyone in my house nuts! Great drums, bass, guitar and vocals, though i could do without most of the harp playing. I have always wanted to know: what's the deal with Rusty Day's hand on the back cover?? is it a fake appenditure? Some of my all time favorite rock tunes. Parchman Farm just kicked serious butt, Let Me Swim as well. The album doesn't really have a weak cut. The best years of hard rock were 67 to 73, in my opinion, and this band was one of the best. Never saw them live, i am sad to say...

Anyway, one of my all time favorite albums.

Saw these guys in a small bar outside Utica, NY in fall 1970, mainly because of the Vanilla Fudge connection of the Appice/Bogert rhythm section and also loving Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. My ears are still ringing today 34 years later because "Parchman Farm" has never been equaled in my view as one of the screamin' best guitar,bass and drum workouts of that era. Jim McCarty has never received the recognition that he deserves as a lead guitarist. Any up and coming guitarist of today should be required to listen to this album. Not a bad track on it.

Have enjoyed these guys for a long time. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who can help me replace a lost copy of "One Way or Another" which in my opinion was their hottest recordings.

One of the best rhythm sections in rock history (Bogert & Appice). This debut 70' album from Cactus is a classic and is highly recommended. This is raw high powered blues, R&B influenced hard rock. Whether you're a Vanilla Fudge fan or not (I am), you cannot but appreciate the musicianship and there are a few solid songs on this album. This was not released on Atlantic (Atco) records domestically on CD. Thankfully for this import, we have a high quality reissue to crank up, LOUD!

If you're looking for good blues and boogie look no further. All of that and more is found on this record. It's too bad all the band's releases aren't available. They truly are overlooked. Carmine and Tim were not the best rhythm section in rock. Probably because they both thought they were the best players around. And they were. Saw them in Omaha in the early 70's opening for Rod Stewart and Faces and the crowd was actually trying to get Cactus back out 10 minutes into the Faces set. Tim Bogart is the best Boogie Bass player I've ever heard and/or seen. Too bad he dropped off the earth. This was the start of Cactus to hear the end pick up Beck, Bogart and Appice. Listening to this album will remind you that raw power and talent in music are not mutually exclusive.

yes,,,, this is one of the baddest lps of the era,,,, sadly never played, parchman farm is one of the hardest rock cuts anywhere, the sound quality on this and other cactus lps is amazing,,,heard jim mccarty was not well in 80s hope he is doing ok, appice is on a variety of lps, pick this up if you dont already have it,,,, i called them the american led zeppelin,,,, and actually think they were better.,.............