Search - The Guess Who :: Wheatfield Soul

Wheatfield Soul---Prairie Pride

John C. Onyun | Kensington, MD | 05/19/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This fine reissue of the 1969 LP should further help define Burton Cummings as one of Rock's most underrated singers, and the Guess Who as an underrated pop group, not too far behind the Beatles and Stones.....



That said: I have seen the Guess Who seven times in concert (1970--2001) and own over 15 of their RCA albums. Although I have always rated Wheatfield Soul as "middle of the pack," it has been growing legs with each passing year, it's charm growing with time (possibly because of Randy Bachman's return to the group, circa 2000).



The deep liner notes are worth the price of admission, the foursome giving memories of the writing/recording process (oddly, the original LP has no photos, and the liner notes here have no photos, either). The sound is pure and natural, remastered by Vic Anesini.



This album in the past has been described as a group casting about for a style--probably true. Here we have the 10 minute Jim Morrison freakout/tribute "Friends of Mine" alongside an Eleanor Rigby-lite "Maple Fudge" (possibly the album's only filler). By the way, I'll take Friends of Mine OVER the Doors' The End and When The Music's Over.



All in all, a very, very nice reissue effort from Iconoclassic........we can only hope for the same treatment on "American Woman" and "Share The Land"--the two greatest Guess Who albums.







"

THE HARVEST IS READY!

M. McKay | Downey, CA United States | 09/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gee! Could we have waited long enough for this release? I never understood why "Wheatfield Soul" was absent from the band's 2000 reissues on Buddha/RCA, seeing as though it is ABSOLUTELY one of the band's best offerings. It's better than their second U.S. album, "Canned Wheat," from late 1969 and FAR better than early 1970's "American Woman." But finally we can gather up the plentiful crop that is the band's U.S. debut album along with three great bonus tracks that showcase the band on the cusp of entering the States and sealing their new found American chart success. Funny enough, the band had entered the U.S. with a hit years previous, that hit being a cover of Johnny Kid and The Pirates "Shakin' All Over" in 1965. Then nothing was heard from The Guess Who for three years until "These Eyes" was released as a single in late 1968 on RCA. Their new album, "Wheatfield Soul," was released in Canada on the Nimbus 9 label at the beginning of 1969 (who, I might add, had the lamest looking logo I've ever seen) with a U.S. release following in March (or April of 1969, the CD booklet states both).



In all honesty (and you would want me to be honest with this review, wouldn't you), I'd have to say this is ultimately Guess Who's best album, perhaps save for 1970's "Share The Land." When I purchased a mint used copy of "Wheatfield Soul" on vinyl back in 1997 I was immediately entranced by it at first listen. I just LOVED it! There was so much creativity pressed into it's grooves; some psychedelia, some beautiful ballads with gorgeous string arrangements (specifically referring to "I Found Her In A Star" and "Wednesday In Your Garden"), and some groovy pop rock. Lead vocalist Burton Cummings really shines on this album, his vocals carrying so much conviction and emotion without the "harshness" that would mar some of his later work with the band. It may be hard to think of Burton Cummings as a "neo-Jim Morrison" as the press described him at the time of the album's release, but one listen to the side closing epic "Friends Of Mine" and there's no doubt. Burton himself admits to it, but he and Randy Bachman also have a different take on the song. It was also very much inspired by The Who's 1966 mini-operetta "A Quick One While He's Away." The song starts off with a slow, throbbing, psychedelic groove that builds and builds until it's hyper speed whirlwind beat comes to a sudden halt. A funky groove then takes over and so begins Burton's improvisational lyrics. He proceeds to go on an incredible, Morrison-like rant about a condemned man meeting his mortal end at the gallows, complete with a giant cloaked figure who awaits him. Burton then ends the rant by questioning God's role in it all. It will make the hair stand up on your arms!



The album's second side showcases even more diversity starting off with the groovy rocker "When You Touch Me" (which the band wanted as the first single instead of "These Eyes"). "Love And A Yellow Rose" is another psychedelic rocker complete with a echoed, Gregorian chant and a sitar. "Maple Fudge" is what Randy Bachman describes as the band's attempt at writing an "Eleanor Rigby" but failing at that attempt miserably! The album ends with the bad-boy sounding "We're Coming To Dinner" warning everyone that The Guess Who is "coming to dine whether you like it or not." The bonus cuts include an A and B side, plus another A side to two different Canadian singles that were released in 1968 on Nimbus 9. The original "When Friends Fall Out" is considerably better than the version that was re-recorded for their "American Woman" album but the original "Of A Dropping Pin" (re-recorded for "Canned Wheat") is a toss up. As for the B-side "Guess Who Blues," well, let's just say you're not missing much. Probably the only time you'll hit the skip button throughout the entire CD."

Great package all around

Charles R. Husson | Honolulu, HI United States | 06/20/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While I always bought the Guess Who's singles as a teenager, I didn't pick up an album (Flavours) until the late 70s. I have come to realize over the years that there are hidden gems on their non-singles material, but always heard negative things about the CD releases. So, when I saw this remaster, I snapped it up. Simply put, it's a great package: lots of informative liner notes, excellent remastering job, and pleasant musical surprises inside (I can't stop listening to 'Pink Wine' and 'Garden' . I look forward to further releases in this series!"