Seeing as they made their name at Woodstock, it’s only natural that over 40 years later Canned Heat would still be seeking out-of-the-way countryside. So it is with the blues-boogie band’s show this weekend at the Highland Dell, a historic lodge on the Russian River that’s hosted the likes of Leon Russell, Cold Blood and Barry “the Fish” Melton. (David Lindley plays the joint next month.) Hearing “Goin’ Up the Country” and “On the Road Again” way out on the unincorporated roads of the actual country can only be made better by special guest Harvey Mandel, who drops in on his old band mates from time to time to sit in. We’d love to tell you if mean-dog bassist and longtime Tom Waits sideman Larry Taylor will be in the band, but . . . the band didn’t get back to us! Oh well! At any rate, see Mandel, a blues legend in his own right, if only for the excellent Get Off in Chicago album, play with Canned Heat on Friday–Saturday, March 26–27, at the Highland Dell. 21050 River Blvd., Monte Rio. 7pm. $60–$65. 707.865.2300.Gabe Meline
.Mar. 26-27: Canned Heat at the Highland Dell
