Running Back Thru Canada

Rating:
Summary: magical reunion concert, must-have!
Review: As I was shopping with my Mom, I spotted the newly released Guess Who DVD, Running Back Thru Canada, which was filmed at the Goldeyes' baseball park in Winnipeg, in June, 2000. I was at the concert and I will never forget it. I can recall the darkening, menacing skies, with lightening flickering all over the area. Would we be spared from a downpour? We weren't, but with an unforcasted intermission, the show went on. The ten-minute intermission lasted over an hour due to the weather. Fortunately, the rain didn't last all evening. They actually risked electrocution by playing on instead of calling it a night, which made the evening all the more special. From watching the DVD commentary in between songs, the band was actually more concerned about the wind picking up and blowing apart the covered stage.

The band sounded fantastic. You might expect the sound at an outdoor show to be mediocre, but that wasn't the case from I stood, on the field. Seeing Randy Bachman play live only enhanced, in my mind, his status as a guitar virtuoso. Witness his euphoric, dazzling soloing on the jam part of American Woman. The Guess Who are my favorite Canadian band and at this warm summer evening show, I was in my glory. I only wish they had played another encore. Clearly, they left the audience wanting more. I know I would see them again and again and again, if I could.

The Guess Who have a huge amount of strong material, much more than they could play in a show. Some of the lesser known, but equally appealing songs that were played included: Rain Dance, Guns Guns Guns, Talisman and Glamour Boy. Also included was the Bachman-penned BTO hit, Takin' Care of Business and Takin' Care of Number One.

The now swelte Bachman looked liked a well-fed grandfather, with the beard and a bit too much girth. Donnie McDoougall and Bill Wallace on guitar and bass, respectively, didn't look anywhere near their 50-something years from my vantage point. Burton Cummings looked like he was in his 40s. Drummer Gary Peterson looked like he could lose a lot of weight, but he was solid in his performance and that's all that really matters.

There are some things you see in the DVD that I didn't notice from the show. During the American Woman jam, Bachman took a drumstick from Cummings and used it to run up and down the fretboard, which resulted in a string breaking, You suddenly see the broken string swaying by itself in the camera close-up.

There are a couple of things about the DVD that I was disappointed in. The concert was originally filmed for a 2-hour television broadcast. Consequently, six of the tracks are not part of the main feature, but they are relegated to the bonus section of the disc. It would have been better if all 21 tracks were played sequentially. There an inlay card, but no extensive liner notes. There's nothing that actually tells you who is in the lineup on the card.

The DVD also includes an interview and footage from one of their rehearsals. Although the concert was already aired on TV, I'm glad I purcased the DVD and I know I will watch it over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Must have for even casual Guess Who fans
Review: I did not attend the concert so hold no bias from being there. This DVD features good video, especially for an outdoor concert and good sound. Not on par with exceptioanl DVD's like those from the Eagles, Beegees, Styx, Fleetwood Mac, etc but still very enjoyable with no critical flaws. I thought the instrumentals overwhelmed the vocals a bit. Exceptioanl selection of songs, I recongnized each one upon hearing it even though I didn't recognize the name of the tune from the DVD jacket. The rehearsal hall bonus was very amusing and enlightening for a non musician such as me. This is a solid 4+ out of 5 and definitely a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: And they're talking about one more tour in 2005...
Review: I was lucky enough to both see this band in Montreal on the 2000 tour and catch the CBC special after the tour wrapped up. This is an extended version of the special, and a magical night it was for Winnipegers and GW fans everywhere. The night they played Montreal, the video cameras were on them as they were headed to the stage, and the thunder that came from the audience would make you think God had approached the stage...Bachman and Cummings are the Lennon & McCartney of the Great White North, and from the performances that night and on the CD...they're playing better than they ever did the first time around (and I had seen them back in 1971). Some people may consider Mr. Cummings a bit full of himself...but he's earned it if he comes across that way...the legendary material he and Randy (and all his other collaborators in the band including the late Kurt Winter) have given us over the years is some truly great rock & roll...this band deserves a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...if the powers that be ever get their heads in the right geographical location. The morning after I saw the Guess Who in Montreal, the morning guy on CHOM-FM said it all: "I've been to a ton of concerts over the years, but I've never been to a show where I sang along with every single song all the way through... but I did last night." This is one of those shows...worth your money and worth them taking it on the road again next year (and hopefully to the US as well as Canada...if not, I guess I'll just travel north again). Bravo Burton, Randy, Bill, Donnie and Garry. After 35, nearly 40 years I am still a solid fan!

Rating:
Summary: From A U.S. Fan
Review: I've Been A Guess Who Fan Since The Early 70's. Since I Missed Ever Seeing Them Live, This DVD Is Very Much Appreciated By This Fan. Great Songs, Great Performances. The Fact The Band Chose To Ride Out Weather Conditions At This Show Proves How Dedicated They Were To The Fans. You Can't Say That About A Lot Other Bands. It's Great To See A Group Of Guys Having Fun And Seemingly Not Doing It For The Money (Gene $immon$, Take Note). The Guess Who Kicks Ass And This DVD Proves It. CANADA ROCKS!

Rating:
Summary: the guess who running back through canada
Review: this dvd is just a copy of the cbc winnipeg concert...video is not what i expected from a dvd although its still high quality..sound quality is great..and the 6 bonus tracks are a nice added feature.. with sour suite and clap for the wolfman included...overall a good buy for guess who fans..its great to see bachman and cummings together again...