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Artist
Jim McCarty Blues Band
9+ albums
about
Jeff Beck postponed his plans to team up with drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tim Bogert when he was sidelined by a car accident in 1970. Consequently, the ex-Vanilla Fudge rhythm section chose Motor City wunderkind Jim McCarty to fill the hot guitarist spot in their new band, Cactus. McCarty had cut his teeth with Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels—powering hits such as “Jenny Take a Ride” and “Devil With a Blue Dress On” while still in his teens—and the Buddy Miles Express (where he frequently crossed paths with Jimi Hendrix, who co-produced the band’s debut album). Originally hailed as the “American Led Zeppelin,” Cactus released several albums of high-energy blues-rock before disbanding in 1972. “It was an experiment that never really worked out,” observes McCarty. “There were some interesting moments—along with a lot of banging heads together—but the band developed a cult following after it broke up.” Partially in response to that cult status, the group reformed recently and released Cactus V [Escapi]—an album that’s surprisingly reminiscent of its ’70s-era recordings. Vocalist Jimmy Kunes replaced the late Rusty Day, but the rhythm section still boogies hard, and McCarty’s fat and fiery Les Paul tones still abound. “In certain ways, I like this CD better than the old stuff,” enthuses McCarty. “Obviously, it doesn’t have quite the edge as when we were 25, but, to me, these are better songs, and the playing is much more controlled.” McCarty cut the basic tracks
