Wild At Heart
Taking a little break from writing and handing the reigns over to my concert buddy Saad Shallal who went to see the Guess Who this past Friday since I was unable to go. I told Garry that I was unable to make it and he seemed a bit sad since he appreciates it when people interview him and also see the show. I fully agree, I like to see every person I interview live on stage, either before or after the show. I saw the Guess Who years ago when I still lived in Toledo and just saw Burton Cummings last week. When I told him I couldn’t make it (living in NY and all), I told him Saad would be there and he invited him to stop by and hang with the band which he did. So without further ado, here is Saad making him writing debut within the anti-blog of the anti-blog known as Motorcityblog (bet that made your head spin also). Unlike me, Saad is more detail oriented while I try more for the emotional but if you like, I might make him do more of these reviews. Here it goes:
On Friday night, 7:15PM, I arrive at the Rockin’ on the Riverfront in front of the Ren Center anticipating the Guess Who. Opening at 7:30 was Hunter Brucs Band (as he likes to be referred as now) from the Detroit area. Hunter Brooks is the lead guitarist and vocalist (joined onstage with longtime members drummer Paul Raab and Bassist John Abraham as well as Hunter’s sister Tasha) and has been rocking Detroit for a long time. The near capacity crowd (gathered all around the fenced in area and standing in the adjoining street) of mostly older aged people gave the band a nice receptive clap. They performed “Motorcity Mustang” (a hit from 1996) and also did a cover of Bad Co’s “Feel Like Making Love”. Overall, they did their job to warm up (a rockin’ 55 minute opening set) for a big name act – The Guess Who (who started at 9:00PM sharp).
The Guess Who, a band from Winnipeg, Manitoba consists of Original Drummer Garry Peterson and Bassist Jim Kale. They were joined by newcomers Guitarist Laurie MacKenzie, Keyboardist Leonard Shaw and latest addition (2008) Lead vocalist and guitarist Derek Sharp (who is also married to fellow Canadian rocker Sass Jordan). They did a great job introducing all the songs and telling some stories about each one regarding where it was written or what year it was a hit which was a GREAT treat for an old classic rocker like me.
Thanks to Bassist Jim for providing me a The Guess Who set list which follows:
*”Bus Rider” – They started the night with this fine song as everyone in band doing background vocals.
*”Clap for the Wolfman” – Leonard did the deep vocals reminiscing the late “Wolfman Jack” and had the audience clapping and singing along.
*”Laughing” – A-side of 45 single along with
*”Undun” – B side of the same single which also made it one of a few double sided hit records at the time. The song ended with a nice flute solo from Leonard Shaw.
*”No SugarTonight/New Mother Nature” – finally had the crowd standing (those seated in the VIP section were urged to stand by Derek)
*“Playing on the radio” – a new song with very strong vocal sounding song with great back harmony vocals.
*”Shakin’ All Over” – their first international hit from 1965 with a very nice guitar interlude between both guitarist at the end while the keyboardist and drummer kept a solid back rhythm.
*”A Long Day” - Another new song was written because they still like to record new material because their re-surgence on I-tunes (and so they can have material to download on their website since Burton Cummings owns the rights to their catalog), as young people are finding their songs because of their parents playing those older songs.- the song ended with a nice duel guitar harmony.
*”Hand Me Down World” - introduced by Leonard Shaw.
*”Share the Land” – got a big applause from the audience
*”American Woman” – this was started as a little drum solo by Garry before the band came on and performed the crowd pleasing song to end their 75 minute set.
-Encore-
*”Lucielle” – as Derek came on first and sat at the keyboards (he also can play besides being a great singer and guitarist) to start this song. As the band played on Leonard came out joining them playing tenor sax, a very nice touch
*”These Eyes” - while the crowd was still standing , the band continued with this song and Derek showed his youthful, dynamic strong vocals as it made you forget who sang the original.
*”No Time” – they ended their concert with everyone singing along as they did throughout the 90 minute set of greatest hits that ranged for almost 50 years – Just an incredible night of hits that could have lasted for another two hours because no one was leaving but still wanting more.
Make no mistake -The Guess Who are still rocking even if that other front man is not in the band. Good Luck guys with the future!!
Awesome Saad, thanks so much. To continue, I will continue with my concert picks of the week:
Wednesday (7/19) - RX Bandits @ Magic Stick, Yes & Styx @ Pine Knob, Steely Dan @ Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
Thursday (7/20) - Streetlight Manifesto & Reel Big Fish @ Clutch Cargos
Friday (7/21) - REO Speedwagon @ Ren Center (Rocking On The Riverfront - free show), Rob Zombie opens for Slayer @ Pine Knob, the Muggs open for Cactus @ Magic Bag, Chrisette Michele @ MotorCity Soundboard
Saturday (7/22) - Sia & Oh Land @ St Andrews Hall, Harper @ Guy Hollerin's (Ann Arbor), OAR @ Meadowbrook Theatre, Creedence Clearwater Revisited @ Pine Knob, Chris Duarte Group @ Callahans
Sunday (7/23) - Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo @ Pine Knob, Paul McCartney @ Comerica Park
Monday (7/24) - Interpol @ Fillmore
Some good stuff though I recommend Sia (a lovely, wacky Australian lass) and the opener Danish band Oh Land who I saw open up for OMD in Toronto. Here is a video by Oh Land to get you psyched.
Have a good weekend, I have a lot of free time this week so look for postings of Lou Gramm Band, Felice Brothers and Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band, etc. Peace out.