Customer Reviews

Ot N Sweaty

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the last album recorded by Cactus, and the one and only official release of live material by this fabulous band. The original LP had only three live songs (Swim, Bad Mother Boogie and Our Lil' Rock'n'Roll Thing), recorded at Mar Y Sol Festival, and five others recorded in the studio. The band had passed by some changes: original members Rusty Day (lead singer) and Jim McCarty (guitar)were replaced by Pete French (vocals), Werner Fritzschings (guitar)and Duane Hitchings (keyboards), all of the fine musicians. The live portion of this album is frantic and plenty of energy, and the studio tracks are all very interesting (Bedroom Mazurka is my favourite, by the way), but Cactus were falling apart. Founder members Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice would play with Jeff Beck, and Hitchings formed The New Cactus Band, with disappointing results. But if you really like rock'n'roll, boogie and hard rock, don't miss this album, it will make you smile every time that you play it. Look for an obscure release by english label Rarity Records, because it features three bonus tracks: Bedroom Mazurka (recorded at Mar Y Sol), and No Need to Worry and Parchman farm (recorded by the original 4-piece Cactus).

I admit that I was not expecting to much from this recording, given the departure of original singer and guitarist. I bought it for the live recording aspect.

'Ot and Sweaty' is a terrific both live and in the studio.

All musicians play with 'fire' on this recording.

'Ot and Sweaty' contains the traditonal Cactus sound with a bluesy soulful element added, with the singer sounding like Humble Pie's Steve Marriot at times.

The keyboards properly fill the gaps of the 'slash and burn' guitar playing.

A quality underrated recording.

If the rating was out of 10, it would get an 8

I don't think this version of the band is as strong as the original lineup, but that was a hard act to follow. The addition of Peter French on vocals (not "Peter Finch wailing on guitar"), Duane Hitchings on keyboards/vocals and Werner Fritzschings on guitar took the band in a slightly different direction while still providing some kickass rock and roll. The live half of this disc just SMOKES, while the studio cuts are more goodtime rock and roll oriented than the classic boogie/blues of the McCarty/Day edition of the band. (I have no idea where Fritzschings came from or where he went afterwards, but the man could rock.)

Shortly after the concert these live tracks were taken from, Bogert and Appice joined Jeff Beck for BBA, meaning all four original "Cacti" were now gone. (A watered-down group with Hitchings and guitarist Mike Pinera continued as The New Cactus Band - avoid THAT like the plague if you come across it.)

Definitely worth grabbing - Cactus sounds as vital today as they did then.

When i began studyng college way back in 72 or maybe 71 there was this rock festival in Vega Baja Puerto Rico named Mar y Sol rock Festival. There it was Elp ossibisa allman bro. band Nitzinger Alice cooper and of course Cactus.I was over there to see one of my favourite bands Cactus.Although thy were not tho original band Jim mac cartney had left the group they did a great show.Cactus still have the greatest drummer in america Carmine apicce and the greatest bass player tim borget.Ive been a fan of those guys since the day of vanella fudge.Cactus was a real speed band.The singer Rusty was a real boogie man Nobody can rock the way this guys did in the 70s. I was there sweating.REALLY hot in puerto rico that time of the year.If anyone who read this was at the festival please let me know.andresh69@hotmail.com

The live songs on this albulm will set your CD player on fire. Carmine Appice and Tim Bogart were really cookin' this particular night. I am unsure of the guitarist's name on this album, but he is great too. The studio cuts are alright, but could have been better. I just played the live tunes for a friend. He could not believe the excitement of the band. It is amazing so few people even know about this album.

THIS IS VERY GOOD. THEY LACK THE AWESOMENESS OF JIM MCCARTY BUT THEY STILL KICK IT OUT HARD. CHECK THIS ONE OUT.

You know, sometimes the memory plays tricks. I thought this was better then than now. Maybe it was. Without Jim and Rusty, is there really a Cactus? I think not. Is it still fun? Sure it is! Is it still Cactus? Not by definition created by the first three outings!

Released in 1972, Ot'& Sweaty was the last album for Cactus. Though original members Rusty Day and Jim McCarty are not featured on this recording, It still holds up well against the rest of the Cactus catalogue! Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert's playing are as usual, outstanding!! With the addition of Peter French(former Atomic rooster vocalist) and Duane Hitchings on keyboards,Cactus could still boogie but also got some much needed song writing help! Unfortunatly,it didn't last! Bogert & Appice joined Jeff Beck in BBA following this album ! The bottom line is this... If you're a true Cactus fan, you'll truly enjoy this album!

When was the last time you had your socks rocked off? If you don't know the feeling, purchase a copy of this and get familiar.

The first three tracks were great when I first heard them in the '70's and still are. Just great rock the way it was meant to be played and enjoyed.