Pathetic. Not The (real) Guess Who
by mel777 on 3/16/14Twin River - LincolnRating: 1 out of 5I had to review a concert for a music business course. This was the only show that fit my schedule. I was aware that this band contains only one member of the original group, the relatively obscure bass player, Kale -- and that, because he obtained legal title, the singer/songwriter who made the band famous can't use The Guess Who name. But I tried to review the new band on its own merits.
The venue looked sold out. Questioning, I learned that it was, in fact, poorly sold --that most tickets were given, free, to loyal casino patrons.
The band came onstage to recorded music -- oddly not their own but sounding distinctly like the opera, Carmina Burana, popular in Hollywood and Nazi Germany. Bizarre.
Except for the replacement drummer, for me, the band's music had more in common with noise than nuanced art. The singer showed no feeling for words or music but played at "rawk star" poses. The showmanship, I think, reflected awkward judgment and inept timing with corny stories, gimmicks, dead-pan looks from curmudgeonly Kale pandering for applause, repeated reference to "Winnipeg" roots as if common heritage could justify making money from someone else's art.
Commercialism reigned. Kale's first words were about money, the bar sold a $13 flashing-light "American Woman" cocktail. Tee shirts were overpriced at $30 - $40 for boring designs. The band apologized for selling photos that included players no longer in the group -- but still sold them.
Band-name-owner, Kale, was apparently unable to stand for much of the show. The lead singer was said to be taking antibiotics, the regular drummer was reportedly out for surgery, and having hit 60, one of the guitarists had just retired -- a long list of excuses. Curmudgeonly Kale mumbled misleading stories, giving a sense that "the band" (all new except for Kale) had participated in original Guess Who history. The group performed no original music. Even their merchandise drew entirely from Guess Who art that none of them had created. A sense of commercialism and misrepresentation, if not fraud, permeated everything. Art was out to lunch.
The show was a painful experience because the audience had obviously come to have fun, to enjoy familiar music from their youth. They danced, stood, tried to sing along, but the band acted like group-sing leaders, not at all fulfilling the powerful legend they claim.
I've seen shows by the legend -- by Burton Cummings, the artist who made The Guess Who famous. Cummings is often mentioned as a candidate for "best voice in rock-music history." He has a unique voice, genuine song-writing talent, on-target showmanship, and above all, an obvious passion for music. He gets into his music and connects powerful with his audiences, inspiring, even regularly moving people to tears of joy. This audience wasn't reacting in the same way, wasn't getting the real Guess Who show. Not even close. They were being seriously short changed. As, I think, are promoters who buy this show.
Just my opinion, the bottom line: The Guess Who music is priceless, but the group now using the GW name is a pathetic travesty, not even a competent tribute band. Whether a concert-goer wants to hear good music, find inspiration, party to some of rock's greatest tunes, or all of the above, they'd do far better, I think, to see Burton Cummings' show, or if not possible, to enjoy other talented, classic rock artists, such as Eric Burdon or Steve Miller, but save money when these Guess Who pretenders come to town.