Cactus 1970 Album

Cactus

Cactus was part back-up plan and evolution of a previous act. Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert had been the rhythm section of the wildly successful psychedelic band Vanilla Fudge, and in 1969 were looking to team up with Jeff Beck for a new venture, but this was postponed due to Beck's injuries from an auto accident (ironically, they would still join together in Beck, Bogert, and Appice two years later). Instead, the duo called up Detroit veterans Jim McCarty and Rusty Day and set up shop as Cactus. What ensued was a volume-cranking, beer-chasing answer to the British-derived hard rock that was making its mark at the time. The songs may have been flimsy, but covers of "Parchman Farm" and "You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover" reek of festival smoke, dirty noise, and good times. "Let Me Swim" was another straightforward standout. The album was a prime reason why the band was a fixture on the stadium circuit. Subsequent albums have diminishing returns; this one by far is their best, and even the cover is a good indicator of this.