If you are a long time reader of this blog you know that I’m a huge fan of everything Canadian. I’ve spent a lot of time in Canada, I love the Canadian people, I love the natural beauty of the country, and most importantly….I love Canadian music. To celebrate that love I have a an amazing Special Performance for you today……Randy Bachman and Neil Young performing two different versions of Prairie Town, one electric and one acoustic and both absolutely great. As a bonus I’ve included a short video from 1987 of a celebration of the music of Winnipeg, Canada that features both Randy, Neil, and Burton Cummings. Enjoy……
So…..as a general rule, I do not go in for the classic rock reunions but I am making an exception for Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, and the rest of the Guess Who when they were running across Canada once again back in 2000. I saw the Guess Who back in the early 70s (unfortunately without Randy) and they were amazing. I am happy to say the band has not lost a step in the intervening years. Really good stuff from my favorite Canadian band, I think you will enjoy this.
One of the things that I liked best about this concert was seeing the respect that Burton and Randy have for each other. Never thought I would ever see Burton singing a Bachman Turner Overdrive song….miracles never cease!
One of the first singles that I can remember buying was No Time by The Guess Who (written by Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman). I think this was the start of my love for all things Canadian! I listened that song so much that I couldn’t sleep when I went to bed at night because the lyrics were running through my head:
….No time, no time, no time, no time
No time, no time, no time, no time
I got, got, got, got no time
I got, got, got, got no time
I got, got, got, got no time
No-no-no, no-no-no, no time
No-no-no, no-no-no, no time…..
Ok, you get the point and the lyrics weren’t that great but maybe you have to hear the song to appreciate my infatuation. Let’s listen….
I loved The Guess Who then (and now) and the big reason was that I love Burton Cummings voice. The man could belt a song like few others.
I tell you all of this so that you will understand how upset I was in 1975 when I heard that Burton Cummings was leaving The Guess Who to go solo, effectively killing the band (yes i know that something called The Guess Who kept performing but don’t even get me started on that!). Of course I bought Burton’s first solo album and neither that album, nor any of his other solo albums, came close to capturing the magic of the Guess Who. However……Burton’s first solo album did include one kick ass ballad, Stand Tall, that really highlighted his his amazing voice. Let’s listen…..
It’s funny to me how many people leave bands to go solo only to never again capture the magic that they had in the band. In the coming year we will explore more examples of this unfortunate phenomenon.
While we are on the topic of The Guess Who, can anyone tell why they are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame??? No…..I didn’t thank so! You can help get them in by visiting the following site and signing the online petition. What are you waiting for….do it!
thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard 