The Guess Who - Live At The Paramount (1972)

Because they had too many hit singles in the mid-60s some rock fans believe The Guess Who were only commercially minded, middle-of-the-road rockers, but nothing could be further from the truth. While they did place eleven singles in the top forty - including seven in the top ten - the Canadians proved they could be a dynamic, hard rocking, live act. One of their heavier records, "American Woman," gave them the distinction of being the first group from north of the border to have a #1 single on America's Hot 100.

All these years later, the Winnipeg, Manitoba outfit still hasn't earned the same respect as many other classic rockers, but Live at the Paramount proves they deserve it. This concert album was recorded in Seattle, WA on May 22, 1972 shortly after lead guitar player Randy Bachman - who went on to have additional success with Bachman-Turner Overdrive - left the band.

For this Paramount show pianist and lead singer Burton Cummings was still on board as were two other original members, bassist Jim Kale and drummer Garry Peterson. Apparently, it took two lead guitarists, Kurt Winter and Donnie McDougall, to replace Bachman.

This remixed and remastered CD version of the show was re-released in 2000 and included a few additional tracks - thirteen in all. Hits played that night included "Albert Flasher," "Rain Dance," "These Eyes," "Hand Me Down World," "Share the Land," and a barn burning take of the evening's closer, "No Time."

Unlike on the American Woman LP, "New Mother Nature" is separated from "No Sugar Tonight" - which isn't present here - with an updated, shuffling arrangement that I find to be much more interesting than the original.

"American Woman" is turned into an almost 17:00 jam session that includes a 5:00 Peterson drum solo that goes on just a tad too long and are the only few tedious moments on the 74:00 disc. Otherwise, it's a dynamic performance that starts out with Cummings and the band improvising on the introduction before it explodes into the main part of the song just as it does on the original classic LP.

Cummings proves he's among the finer singers to ever front a rock band in any decade. He possesses both range and power in vocal chords that have always been one of the band's most important assets. He shows off his fine chops on "Sour Suite" a ballad that features only his voice and acoustic piano.

The set also includes three songs, "Glace Bay Blues," "Runnin' Back to Saskatoon," and "Truckin' Off Across the Sky" that have never appeared on any of The Guess Who's studio albums.

Don't be fooled by what you hear on oldies radio. This band can rock.

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