Search - Burton Cummings :: Woman Love

An artist with priciples?

bcpcfan | Pennsylvania, USA | 11/25/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You have to own this one. This is the recording that caused Burton to walk away from millions. Once you've heard it, you'll understand why he stuck to his "guns, guns, guns". It is lamentable though that this may have cost him being more of a recognizable solo artist outside of Canada. I feel he's as talented as his contemporaries (Billy Joel/Elton John), but perhaps his principles cost him that kind of recognition. At least if you're reading this, you're one of the folks who know how talented this man is. This is Burton's favorite solo recording, it'll be one of yours too."

Fine state of album, eh?

M. Detko | Scarborough, Ontario Canada | 05/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Interesting. I am a Canadian, and I recall "Fine State of Affairs" as a big hit here, and likely my fave BC solo track ever. It's so full of nostalgia, humour, atmosphere and you can really pop your fingers to it. Anyway, I picked up an original vinyl of this not too long ago and surprise - the album is excellent. I was surprised to read about it being "quashed" for US release. In case the original artwork was not reproduced in the CD, I'll tell you what you got inside. First, the inside record sleeve: A picture in glorious soft-focus colour, the entire size of the sleeve, showing a well-dressed Burton and an unidentified young blonde woman, skipping hand in hand through a beautiful park, a look of ecstacy on Burton's face. Why is the woman unidentified? because she's wearing a paper bag over her head! On the other side, the same scene from the back. Then, you get the lyric sheet. Another picture, but in sepia-blue, of Burton and his bag-lady, this time sitting on a rock, with Burton in a smoking jacket, hand on her shoulder, looking very pensive and far-off but in an aristocratic way. Listen to the words of "Fine State.." and maybe this all makes sense. I think BC had a rep as a misogynist, but who cares? the album is great and features Garry Peterson (ex-Guess Who drummer) and Kurt Winter (ex-GW guitar) on many cuts. The songs are beautifully crafted ranging from smooth jazz to 50's blues or toe tapping hooks. Production first-rate and Burton's voice still had lots of edge (he's kind of lost it now, as recent Guess Who reunion tours show)."

You MUST own this CD

Brett Simpson | Auckland, New Zealand | 01/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the most overlooked players in rock, Burton Cummings is at the absolute height of his (immense) powers on this release. How the US record company could reject an album half as good, let alone as sublime as this is, remains one of the great mysteries of rock. But kudos to Burton for sticking to his guns and refusing to alter it to please 'the suits'.



'Had To Be You' is possibly the best song he's ever written, and I think it's one most people will relate to lyrically. 'Where Are You' is also superb, and as Burton himself notes, does indeed sound VERY like contemporary Boz Scaggs tunes. But, while those two tracks stand out, virtually everything else comes very close to being that good - the exception being the title track - the only cover tune on the album, which, I suspect, few people will find to their tastes. It's BCs favourite cut from this album, which goes to show that the artist really isn't always the best judge of his own work (strangely, BC is usually spot on, but not this time!)



That minor misstep aside, this is easily Burton's best solo album. Come to that, it's better than anything the Guess Who ever put out either. Almost worth ruining a career on, you might say...rock on Burton!"