Tuesday 23 February 2021

Wheatfield Empire - A Listener’s Guide to The Guess Who






Robert Lawson’s new book, “Wheatfield Empire The Listener’s Guide to The Guess Who” is a welcome addition to the literary history of one Canada’s foremost bands, a history that is surprisingly thin. The Guess Who, a Canadian group that should need no introduction, have been around in various incarnations since the early 1960’s. Starting out in Winnipeg, they became international successfully, and are best known for their 1970 hit “American Woman”, a number one single in both Canada and the United States. The band is also known as the launching pad for two of Canada’s best known rock stars, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman. 


Robert’s book is valuable compendium for fans of the group providing exceptional detail not only of their recording history, but also of the different musicians who over the years were part of the Guess Who. The author is described on the book’s cover as “a life long fan of The Guess Who” who “has spent years tracking the band’s recording history and consulted closely with many Guess Who experts to compile this comprehensive guide”. This is certainly borne out in the thoroughness of the detail contained within. 


The information is provided in a chronological order, including the earliest iterations of The Guess Who, and the various reunions that have taken place after the demise of the band in 1975, and also includes details about Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings’ solo careers. Robert also includes details about specific live performances made by the band such as appearances on television shows, and “bootlegs” from concerts performed by the group.  


Each of the dozen albums released during the band’s golden period (1969 - 1975) has its own chapter, including details about the recording studio, the producer and engineer, and release date. The description of the album includes a background, an overview, details concerning the release and reception and the subsequent reissues and remasters of the recording. Complimenting the above are reproductions of promotional materials pertaining to the release of the record and other relevant documents of historical relevance, as well as commentary from band members (including Burton Cummings), individuals closely associated to the recording and those with insight into what was going on at the time. As to be expected, the book also contains a complete discography. 

 

I found the book to very entertaining and an easy read, containing all of the kind of detail a fan of the group would be interested in. The commentary provides interesting context about the what was going on with the band at the time the records were being made, with many humorous asides. It goes without saying this book is a must for fans of The Guess Who, especially when one considers the scandalous paucity of written material about this seminal band. Definitely recommended.    


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