CANNED HEAT - HUMAN CONDITION (Studio)

In May, 1970, both Harvey Mandel and Larry Taylor defected from Canned Heat to join John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

With Taylor gone, Henry Vestine returned on guitar, accompanied by bassist Antonio de la Barreda. De la Barreda had played with Fito de la Parra for five years in Mexico City and was previously a member of the group Jerome.  In July, 1970, the band cut a superb Alan Wilson boogie, “Human Condition,” which unfortunately remained unissued in its original form until it showed up on the 1994 compilation Uncanned! “Human Condition” featured some especially good guitar work by Vestine and was Wilson’s last work in the studio.

"Human Condition"

Well it's a low down kinda condition
Been running round my brain
Says it may drive me insane

And every organism
That I can hear and see
Seems to have the blues with me

So I went to the doctor
Sat down on her bed
Looked up right at her
This is what she said

"You're in a human condition
That's what's got you down
Human condition
Your face is full of frowns
You've got to stand your ground"

"Well, you're sad, weak and weary"
She went on to say
"Nothing seems to go your way"

"And though you've tried and tried
You can't be satisfied
No-one seems to treat you right"

"But there's one thing for certain
That you ought to know
There's been lots of people
In that scene before"

"You're in a human condition
That's what's got you down
Human condition
Your face is full of frowns
You've got to stand your ground"

Well I stood up and I left her
And slowly walked away
Looking for a brighter day

And as I thought about it
A new thought came to me
Maybe we cannot be free

Well a whole lot of bad things
The world might throw at you
Stand up straight and strong
It's the only thing to do

You're in a human condition
That's what's got you down
Human condition
Your face is full of frowns
You've got to stand your ground