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The Guess Who was better ...

posted 2 years ago by brux (14840)
25 replies | jump to latest

The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1965.

The band originated in 1962 and achieved an international hit single with a cover of "Shakin' All Over" in 1965 under the name Chad Allan and the Expressions. After changing their name to The Guess Who, they found their greatest success in the late 60s and early 70s, under the leadership of singer/keyboardist Burton Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman, with hit songs including "American Woman", "These Eyes", and "No Time".

And so many other great songs.

I'm thinking the only hit that BTO had was the great immortal classic "Takin' Care Of Business". Still loved and listened to today, an accomplishment that most bands never get close to.

That said, I am so sad to hear Randy Bachman's bro Robbie died today. The music from this era was the best.

Guess Who, Share The Land, still one of my favorite albums with top lyrics and musicianship, not to mention Burton Cummings great voice.

[–] GolfnGuitars (3123) 2 years ago

I love both bands and Randy Bachman was obviously the common denominator between the two. I actually like BTO a little better, although you can't go wrong with either band.

BTO had several hits besides "Takin' Care Of Business." They really rocked...their music was a lot "heavier" (no pun intended) than The Guess Who's. But both bands were great and it really just boils down to personal preference.

[–] brux (14840) 2 years ago

> Randy Bachman was obviously the common denominator between the two

I'd say in common to the two bands. BTO was always kind of juvenile, and we, my friends and I at the time thought their music was too simple, though "Taking Care Of Business" got everyone's toes tapping. We thought they were a sell out. At the time Paul McCartney too.

A lot of "heavy" members of those bands. I think it is in reaction to the frigid Winnipeg climate perhaps.

BTO hit at a time when music was being commercialized and trivialized, so "heavy" hits like "Taking Care Of Business" we given more airtime than the equally powerful and powerchorded, say, "Hang On To Your Life" by the Guess Who.

The Guess Who - “Hang on to Your Life”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-strrP2-UOw

Listen to the amazing guitar here:
https://youtu.be/-strrP2-UOw?t=77

You can clearly understand that Kurt Winter, who passed away at the tender age of 51, December 14th, 1997, was a massively unrated guitarist, one of the best in the world as far as I am concerned.

The "Share The Land" album is in my list of all-time best rock albums ever.

[–] GolfnGuitars (3123) 2 years ago

I wasn't familiar with "Hang On To Your Life." Yes, great guitar playing there...thanks for the clip!

However, I wouldn't exactly call BTO's music "juvenile." They did a lot of "harmonized guitar solos" and it takes a lot of time/coordination to work those out. Yes, Randy Bachman has a real "jazzy side" to his guitar playing (and I think he showed it with those Guess Who hits you mentioned). But I liked it that he really let it rip (most of the time) with BTO. I wanted to include "Four Wheel Drive" in the "Top 3 BTO songs" here, but I just couldn't do it. So...I will do it here:
https://youtu.be/sbpf7upzrYs

In no way would I demean "The Guess Who's music...I love their music. I just prefer BTO...sometimes, you just wanna rock! 😃

[–] brux (14840) 2 years ago

Sometimes 3 chords and a clever line makes for a good song.
A lot of times, in fact.

Personally, I'd say BTO was kind of juvenile, as it had an appeal to us juveniles back in the day.
I don't mean to disparage the music though, so maybe simple would be a better term.
Mindless would work too, but it does have an unintended negative connotation.
Hey, the Beatles songs were simple, but they are beloved and still around.
But I recall many times when that song came on me and my buds would indeed act very juvenile. ;-)

If there is an intellectual artistic scale for rock music, I, personally would file BTO under TGW.
Not to say that I don't like them both a lot.

You should listen to the "Share The Land" album by "The Guess Who".
Every song is really great in its own way. I think this song never got as much notoriety as it should have because in America the whole "share the land" phrase probably probably set the anti-communist fanatics off. It's a credit to a great album that it did as well as it did.

Back at that time I bemoaned the turn that music took, and right about that time. From the 60's and 70's folk, political, songs with lyrics that often meant something and had a point to the "juvenile", then the ugly with punk ( not that there is not some good punk too, check out "I'm Tired of Waking Up Tired" by The Diodes - another Canadian band ) sometime, to the downright criminal, racist, misogynistic, and abusive rap.

The Diodes- Tired Of Waking Up Tired (HQ)
https://youtu.be/NYnYj8_27FE?t=5

Needless to say that I am not a fan of much of today's music, or in general of very many TV shows or Movies. I prefer stuff that has critical, artistic value that adds rather than detracts from civilization. But there are time where good old fashioned, primitive, mindless energy, feels good!

[–] GolfnGuitars (3123) 2 years ago

It sounds like you're older than I am (I wasn't born in 1969). I've heard a lot of people say the same things you have, that the music business changed for the worse around 1971/1972. I still love the music of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, though.

I am with you 100% about today's music/movies/TV shows/ etc. For me, I thought the music got worse when Lou Pearlman started putting the "boy bands" and Britney Spears in the late 90s. The music seemed to take a back seat to image again, IMO.

What I can't understand as well is that there are so many talented musicians out there today, but popular music is so terrible now. There used to be a lot of creativity and innovation...however, it doesn't sound to me like that's the case anymore (To be fair, I don't really listen to a lot of new music...which is fine, because it's given me a great opportunity to dig into past music).

[–] brux (14840) 2 years ago

I've been listening to both bands today. I think the reason I used that term was the
frequent use of a kind of punk type voice that is not really singing in many of BTO's
songs, and the stutter ...

"Baby, you j-j-j-j-just ain't seen nothing yet" :-D

and in some other songs.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

the first canadian band to make it in the usa.

[–] brux (14840) 2 years ago

Winnepeg Manitoba to be specific.

[–] Kowalski (79174) 2 years ago

I LOVE THE GUESS WHO...I LIKE BTO...SO I AGREE.🙂

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

running back to saskatoon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFEIVkSHaJU&ab_channel=MariosSiopis

[–] brux (14840) 2 years ago

Hahaha, a small town where nothing much happens, he says.
Such a great, great band.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (13183) 2 years ago

Guess Who is band of which I know little. Of course I've heard the song "American Woman" but it never resonated with me.

But I have heard a song by them I like. "No Time":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq3BylHjiuk

Just let me add I've ever been a BTO fan. I require an 'edge' to music and they're too lukewarm and mainstream.

[–] brux (14840) 2 years ago

Oh yeah, I've heard all the big Guess Who songs and even some that are lesser know.

American Woman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_3yeQeBOAI

No Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqT59dDf8EU

No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMG-Mi9I0-k

Bus Rider
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03ovHuASCzg

Hang On To Your Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-strrP2-UOw

Hand Me Down World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt6zQK6_WWw

Undun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLMF5GM0Kt8

These Eyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJmYUmrnP0o

Do You Miss Me Darlin'?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI7DV5qjzyI

Laughing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CQr32oSgoU

Share The Land
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rf1suSFOpM

Some pretty good guitar from the late great Kurt Winter

The Guess Who - Share The Land ( Burton Cummings )
Have you been around?
Have you done your share of comin' down
On different things that people do?
Have you been aware?
You got brothers and sisters who care
About what's gonna happen to you
In a year from now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe I'll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe I'll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now
Did you pay your dues?
Did you read the news
This morning when the paper landed in your yard?
Do you know their names?
Can you play their games
Without losin' track
And coming down a bit too hard?
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe I'll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe I'll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe I'll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand (Shake your hand)
Maybe I'll be there to share the land (Share the land)
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, together together
You know I'll be standing by to help you if you worry
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Now more sadness, no more sorrow, and no more bad times
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everyday comin' sunshine, everyday everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Walkin' together by the river, walkin' together and laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody singin' together, everybody singin' and laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Good times, good times, everybody walkin' by the river now
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Walkin', singin', talkin', smilin', laughin' diggin' each other
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody happy together, I'll be there to worry you if you need-a me
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Call on me, call on me, call my name, I'll be runnin' to help you
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody walkin' by the river now, everyday everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody singin' and talkin', smilin', laughin', diggin' each other

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (13183) 2 years ago

The Guess Who are a very good hard rock band. Thanks.

I think after Ozzie everyone had higher expectations of hard rock. It had to explode. But The Guess Who had a finer more finessed style.

In contrast, BTO is not "hard" at all.

[–] GolfnGuitars (3123) 2 years ago

I would disagree with you there. BTO was heavier than anything The Guess Who ever did. They rocked.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (13183) 2 years ago

Hmmm. I get your point but The Guess Who's music had denser textured guitar work.

BTO is usually described as "boogie rock". There's a jaunt which kills the harder edge.

[–] GolfnGuitars (3123) 2 years ago

Fair points...yes, I agree that BTO's guitar work was more "straightforward" and more "boogie rock." I get what you're saying there. BTO had more "distortion" in their sound than what The Guess Who had as well.

If I had to pick my favorite Guess Who song, I'd probably pick "New Mother Nature/No Sugar Tonight." I love that song. That chord progression on "Undun" is really great as well. "No Time" is great also. They really were a great band.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (13183) 2 years ago

I was more of a punk back in the day. But I'm open to all music and sample everything.

I spoke too soon above. After seeing brux's list, I realize I'm grounded in more Guess Who than I realized. They were an important band.

[–] brux (14840) 2 years ago

Come on now, I did not intend to get people arguing with each other.
BTO was great ... as any band who can make it in music can lay claim to.

But, The Guess Who, had what BTO did not have, which was the great
Burton Cummings voice and composing talents. That guy could write songs
and his songs had meaning, heart and rythym and musicality. They're
absolutely beautiful masterpieces.

I like BTO and if I had to compare them to a band sort of like that, but with
a bigger success it's be ZZ Top. Heavy songs with masterful guitar and
beat, but without any intellectual or artistic baggage otherwise. That makes
all the difference, but than that's me

Just discovered this BTO blues instrumental that's pretty nice.
Free Wheelin'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HX6gdjR5-M

[–] GolfnGuitars (3123) 2 years ago

No argument here and I apologize if my posts come across that way! FYI, I have a real passion for music and especially "guitar-based music" (and Randy Bachman is definitely one of the greats...not many guitarists have the body of work he has with both The Guess Who and BTO). I thought this was a fun topic to discuss...I think I'm the only one here who prefers BTO to The Guess Who, but that's fine (and I do love both bands). 😃

I can't really disagree with anything that you wrote in your latest post. Burton Cummings was definitely one of the great lead singers (and I believe he played the keyboards on "These Eyes" also). By the way, I love ZZ Top also...what a great guitarist Billy Gibbons is.

Again, I apologize for the tone of my posts. I probably should have phrased a couple of things differently and let some things go. Have a great night!

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (13183) 2 years ago

I didn't get a negative or overly argumentative tone from your post. We had a good exchange!

[–] GolfnGuitars (3123) 2 years ago

Thank you! I very much enjoyed it also!

Have a great night!

[–] brux (14840) 2 years ago

No need to apologize. I get where you're coming from. No one here is out of line at all, but my only point was that it's all good music and no need to get competitive ... which maybe I did with this post since I was saying that I liked The Guess Who better, but Bachman was in the Guess Who so I saw it as recognizing that connection.

[–] GolfnGuitars (3123) 2 years ago

It's all good! And, yes...the music was great for sure! I still love listening to the music of both of these bands 50+ years later after they first came out.

Have a great night!

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (13183) 2 years ago

Brux, I took the liberty of posting your song list on The Guess Who board. It's a great reference:

https://moviechat.org/nm1560057/The-Guess-Who/63c377bdba6ec26af058fda0/Major-hits