CACTUS – Temple Of Blues / Influences & Friends (2024) *HQ*

One of the baddest, meanest, most unsung heroes of classic rock history, CACTUS, recreate their greatest moments with the help of their many admirers and acolytes. Including founding Cactus members, drummer Carmine Appice and guitarist Jim McCarty, on ”Temple Of Blues / Influences & Friends” they are joined by a super ensemble of guest artists, all of whom have called the group among their biggest influences.
Once heralded by critics as America’s answer to Led Zeppelin, Cactus recorded four hard rockin’ albums for Atco Records before Appice and bassist Tim Bogert left to form their own supergroup: Beck, Bogert & Appice.
Among the beasts playing here CACTUS more bluesy songs we find Joe Bonamassa’s guitar, Ted Nugent, Steve Stevens, Billy Sheehan rumbling bass, Dug Pinnick, Bumblefoot’s solos, Dee Snider distinctive voice, Pat Travers unique guitar sound, plus members of Vixen, Gov’t Mule, Vanilla Fudge, Living Colour, and more!

“The music of Cactus has always been steeped in blues tradition,” says Appice, who wanted the group to re-visit its best songs within a modern approach to traditional blues. “We kept hearing from so many of our music celebrity friends how much Cactus influenced them and how they would love to be a guest on a Cactus album”.

In addition to Appice on drums on all tracks, original Cactus guitarist Jim McCarty also appears on ”Temple Of Blues”. Current band members vocalist/guitarist and harmonica player Jim Stapley and bassist Jim Caputo also appear on many of the tracks. Appice announced today a new member to the band’s line-up: guitarist Artie Dillon will handle guitar duties for live tours and plays on one track for the new album.
Founding member Jim McCarty currently contributes as a writing and recording member of Cactus on occasion but no longer does live tours.

​The current line-up of Cactus came together in 2021. Lead vocalist Jim Stapley comes from England and had worked with ex-Faces/Who drummer Kenny Jones in the Jones Gang and Humble Pie. “Nearly five decades after I formed this band, the time had come to re-invent Cactus once again,” says Appice, who also still drums for Vanilla Fudge, The Appice Brothers Drum Wars, and a hybrid tribute to former band leader, Rod Stewart.
Adds Appice: “The music remains the same and Cactus is still a ‘hot and sweaty’ band. The level, quality and consistence of the band’s musicianship is as strong as ever.”

​Featured along with the current Cactus band is a who’s who of blues and rock icons: Guitarists Joe Bonamassa, Ted Nugent, Pat Travers, Warren Haynes, Vernon Reid, Steve Stevens, Johnny A (The Yardbirds), Ty Tabor (King’s X) and bassists Billy Sheehan (Mr Big), Dug Pinnick (King’s X) Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder), Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne), Kenny Aaronson (ex- Joan Jet and The Yardbirds), as well as members of Government Mule, Vixen, Rainbow, Zebra, and Whitesnake.

Vocalist Dee Snider of Twisted Sister appears on the band’s remake of the Howlin’ Wolf classic “Evil,” and Appice’s bandmate in Vanilla Fudge Mark Stein turns in a powerful vocal on Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally.” A second version of “Guiltless Glider,” appears as a bonus track with former Judas Priest vocalist, Ripper Owens. Another of Appice’s musical partners, Fernando Perdomo, also appears on the new record.
”Temple Of Blues / Influences & Friends” is a strong, instantly likeable slice of bluesy classic rock.
Highly Recommended

1. Parchman Farm Feat. Joe Bonamassa, Billy Sheehan

2. Bro. Bill Feat. Randy Jackson (Zebra), Randy Pratt (Cactus), Bob Daisley

3. Guiltless Glider Feat. ‘Bumblefoot’ (Guns N’ Roses), Phil Soussan

4. Evil Feat. Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Dug Pinnick (King’s X)

5. One Way… Or Another Feat. Dug Pinnick, Ted Nugent

6. Alaska Feat. Johnny A. (Yardbirds), Tony Franklin (The Firm)

7. No Need to Worry Feat. Warren Haynes & Jorgen Carlsson (Gov’t Mule)

8. Oleo Feat. Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Billy Sheehan

9. Big Mama Boogie Feat. Pat Travers ; James Caputo (Cactus)

10. You Can’t Judge a Book By the Cover

11. Rock N’ Roll Children Feat. Britt Lightning (Vixen), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Rudy Sarzo

12. Let Me Swim Feat. Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), Marco Mendoza (Blue Murder)

13. Restrictions Feat. Ty Tabor (King’s X), Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne)

14. Long Tall Sally Feat. Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge), Fernando Perdomo

BONUS TRACK:
15. Guiltless Glider Feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest)

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