Formed in 1969 by former members of Vanilla Fudge - Tim Bogert on bass and Carmine Appice on drums - Cactus released their self-titled debut on the Atco label in 1970. Although originally slated to feature Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck, the line-up would be cemented by Jim McCarty (from Mitch Ryder's Detroit Wheels and The Buddy Miles Express) on guitar and Rusty Day (from Ted Nugent's original band, The Amboy Dukes) on vocals and harmonica; the line-up that would record the band's first three LPs.
Among the originals on the first disc of this 2 CD set, are covers of Mose Allison's blues standard 'Parchman Farm' (also covered by proto-metal band Blue Cheer), plus Willie Dixon's 'You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover'.
Releasing their second LP in 1971 (disc 2 of this set), "One Way...Or Another" was recorded at Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios in New York, and also includes two classic covers in Little Richard's 'Long Tall Sally' and Chuck Willis' 'Feel So Bad'.
With remastered audio and four bonus tracks, this set features liner notes from Classic Rock's Malcolm Dome based on recent interviews with founder member Carmine Appice. Cactus are currently touring with a line-up of Jim McCarty, Carmine Appice, Jimmy Kunes, Pete Bremy and Randy Pratt.
01 Parchman Farm 02 My Lady From South Of Detroit 03 Bro. Bill 04 You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover 05 Let Me Swim 06 No Need To Worry 07 Oleo 08 Feel So Good 09 Rumblin' Man 10 The Sun Is Shining 11 Sweet Little 16
Disc 2
01 Long Tall Sally
02 Rockout 03 Whatever You Feel Like 04 Rock 'n' Roll Children 05 Big Mama Boogie 06 Pt. 1 & 2 07 Feel So Bad 08 Song For Aries 09 Hometown Bust 10 One Way...or Another 11 Hound Dog Sniffin'