The Great White Cane 1972 Album

The Great White Cane

The Great White Cane was the end result of a number of groups and collaborations between Toronto, Los Angeles, and Detroit which were highlighted in one way or another by Rick James. So, it was entirely possible the King of late 70s and 80s punk funk could have been a crossover rock star in the era of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and James Taylor. Then you have a look at the cover and...putting that aside, the music itself comes off energetic, definitely live-attuned, but the swagger he was so noted for later on is only here in spots ("Find It"). This is more Chicago and Santana with a bit of classic soul tossed in the melting pot ("Don’t You Worry"). Not saying it's not professional, but like the cover itself it's hard to take serious this well-meaning but slapdash affair.