The Guess Who

[Fracktured]

Anyone on here fans of this Canadian band? I recently started listening to their classic albums. I don’t know a lot about them. I always liked the hits. Their albums seem a bit uneven to me even though there is some great music and playing on them. I know Cummings released some solo material but have never heard any of it. Also I know that Randy Bachman was in the band for awhile before he formed Bachman Turner Overdrive. Can anyone fill in some of the missing pieces that I’m sure I don’t know about them?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SteveSly]

Anyone on here fans of this Canadian band? I recently started listening to their classic albums. I don’t know a lot about them. I always liked the hits. Their albums seem a bit uneven to me even though there is some great music and playing on them. I know Cummings released some solo material but have never heard any of it. Also I know that Randy Bachman was in the band for awhile before he formed Bachman Turner Overdrive. Can anyone fill in some of the missing pieces that I’m sure I don’t know about them?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am far from an expert, but am a fan. I own a few compilation albums and 5 of their studio albums. There is a current version of the band out there touring with only one original member in drummer Gary Peterson, but the rest of the band have not worked with each other in years. IMO Burton Cummings is one of the more overlooked vocalists of all time. These guys should be a sho-in for the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame, but it will probably never happen.

[pb2015]

I understand the first few albums with Randy Bachman are usually considered the classic era but the later albums like 10 and Road Food are pretty good and remind me a bit of early Steely Dan. The original bass player took ownership of the name and has had various lineups on the road for the long time, although there have been some brief reunions with Cummings and Bachman.

[ronmac]

Great, GREAT band and should absolutely be in the R&R HOF. The Peterson band has deceiving people all over the place for decades. Burton is truly one of the great singers and songwriters of all time, IMNSHO. While I am not totally up to speed on his solo work, his best of album is essential.

This is a great 2CD Guess Who comp:

s-l500.jpg

[clivey]

Great, GREAT band and should absolutely be in the R&R HOF. The Peterson band has deceiving people all over the place for decades. Burton is truly one of the great singers and songwriters of all time, IMNSHO. While I am not totally up to speed on his solo work, his best of album is essential.

This is a great 2CD Guess Who comp:

s-l500.jpg

As Per. Loads on YouTube.

This number is the one most folks I know associate with them .
https://youtube.com/watch?v=AggMBSRmQco

[Trane]

never really understood the behinnings of the band (Chad Allan), but for me, the real GW is from Wheatfield until Share The Land and Live at the Paramount. Bachman's departure definitely hurt the band, even if the consuquences took a couple of years to show.

Had a few viyls from the band but as far as CDs are concerned, I only have the 5 classic album boxset (to which I disagree somewhat about the later two albums, which I'd replace with Wheatfield & Paramount) and probably won't go beyond it. Overall, I'd say Canned Wheat is my fave of theirs

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/co...lbum-classics/


Saw the band twice, way past its prime, and mostly because they happened to be on the bill.

[ronmac]

Bachman's departure definitely hurt the band, even if the consuquences took a couple of years to show.

Well, that changed it, that's for sure. But there were still some really great tunes after he bolted.

[progcd54]

The string of hits between 1969-1970...Laughing, Undun, These Eyes, American Woman, No Time. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature, Hand Me Down World and Share The Land are still alive and fresh today. I never tire of listening to those tunes

[Sturgeon's Lawyer]

I have heard a fair amount of their singles, and have a ROIO concert of the "classic" band. Good stuff, but I don't know which albums to buy...

[soundsweird]

I can't think of any reason why they're not in the RRHOF. They certainly fit all of the requirements, although it's possible that Cummings didn't exude enough "frontman persona".

[Dan Roth]

The string of hits between 1969-1970...Laughing, Undun, These Eyes, American Woman, No Time. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature, Hand Me Down World and Share The Land are still alive and fresh today. I never tire of listening to those tunes

I couldn't have said it better. When I was a pre-teen in the 70's, I was handed down a Best of Guess Who record that had all of these songs. Talk about a collection of songs that you just don't skip any. Lifelong fan of the Burton-era band.

Well, that changed it, that's for sure. But there were still some really great tunes after he bolted.

That entire Share the Land album, even without Bachman, is just great all the way through imho.

[Mister Triscuits]

That entire Share the Land album, even without Bachman, is just great all the way through imho.

There's a reason why they released a Best Of that included a whole side of songs from Share the Land.

[progcd54]

I had...maybe still have it...the single (45) of Laughing back in the day. I was amazed as it was in stereo...this was unheard of.

[SteveSly]

Great, GREAT band and should absolutely be in the R&R HOF. The Peterson band has deceiving people all over the place for decades. Burton is truly one of the great singers and songwriters of all time, IMNSHO. While I am not totally up to speed on his solo work, his best of album is essential.

This is a great 2CD Guess Who comp:

s-l500.jpg

Agree, probably the best comp available.

[Trane]

Well, that changed it, that's for sure. But there were still some really great tunes after he bolted.

Yup, as I said, STL and Paramount are great albums/

The string of hits between 1969-1970...Laughing, Undun, These Eyes, American Woman, No Time. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature, Hand Me Down World and Share The Land are still alive and fresh today. I never tire of listening to those tunes

Absolutely I had made an XL-II S compilation side for the car-only use.

I can't think of any reason why they're not in the RRHOF. They certainly fit all of the requirements, although it's possible that Cummings didn't exude enough "frontman persona".

Well, TBH, in Canada, at one point (late 70's & early 80's) he had some crooner-type of image (pushed by cheap record TV ads) with those tacky frilly shirt & jacket that were veering towards a tux suit, which didn't give him the RnR aura.
Compared to Bachman's Ironhorse or Union project of that same time.

[Guitarplyrjvb]

Totally agree that Burton Cummings is a fantastic singer. There was a while there that the Guess Who were a hit factory!

[ronmac]

This song simply cannot be played loud enough.

[aith01]

My mom used to play their music when my brother and I were kids, and I developed a real fondness for it. Burton was indeed an excellent singer and writer, and the band put out some great music. I still enjoy their stuff, although I really only know the hits and the ones that my mom played. But anyway, great band!

[pb2015]

From the later stuff, "Clap For The Wolfman" is a good groove even if the song concept is silly.

[spellbound]

I have heard a fair amount of their singles, and have a ROIO concert of the "classic" band. Good stuff, but I don't know which albums to buy...

Live albums:

Live at the Paramount
Running Back Thru Canada

Studio albums:

Canned Wheat
American Woman
Share The Land
So Long, Bannatyne

The above are necessary, but by no means the limit if you find yourself a fan.

Also good, should you wish to continue:

Wheatfield Soul
Rockin'
Artificial Paradise
#10
Road Food

Compilations (Albert Flasher and Broken are not on their studio albums):

Best Of The Guess Who
Track Record: The Guess Who Collection
The Ultimate Collection
Greatest Hits
Anthology

[spellbound]

[aith01]

From the later stuff, "Clap For The Wolfman" is a good groove even if the song concept is silly.

Yeah that's a good one. I like "Rain Dance" too actually -- goofy lyrics and all.

[Trane]

This song simply cannot be played loud enough.

yes, but this was a major AM hit... can't remember really hearing this over FM radios



lovely tune, but attracting a very different audience.

[SteveSly]

Great little creepy song.

"I'm still sittin' with my next door neighbour sayin'
"Where'd you get the gun, John?.........."

[SteveSly]

Live albums:

Live at the Paramount
Running Back Thru Canada

Studio albums:

Canned Wheat
American Woman
Share The Land
So Long, Bannatyne

The above are necessary, but by no means the limit if you find yourself a fan.

Also good, should you wish to continue:

Wheatfield Soul
Rockin'
Artificial Paradise
#10
Road Food

Compilations (Albert Flasher and Broken are not on their studio albums):

Best Of The Guess Who
Track Record: The Guess Who Collection
The Ultimate Collection
Greatest Hits
Anthology

If you still buy CD's there is one of those Original Album Classics mini box sets that contain 5 albums for a bargain price. The mini-box contains:

Canned Wheat
American Woman
Share The Land
So Long Banantyne
Rockin

I picked that one up and all good stuff.