The Guess Who - Running Back Thru Canada (2004)

In 2004, Saifer Entertainment and V.I.K. Recordings released a stunning DVD of the band's 2000 appearance at an outdoor stadium in Winnipeg entitled "The Guess Who - Running Back Through Canada" and it is a winner from beginning to end. The group is remarkably tight both musically and vocally and roar through an amazing set of their popular tunes and lesser-known gems. Fueled with high octane, the band kicks off the set with "Runnin' Back To Saskatoon," a rollicking number that was never recorded in the studio but did appear on their "Live at the Paramount" album back in 1972. It's followed up by their 1970 hit, the crowd-pleasing rocker, "Rain Dance." Up next is the Cummings-penned "Glamour Boy," which turns out to be one of the highlights of the show. A minor hit in Canada, this dark ballad exposing Cummings' disdain for the glam-rock scene of the 1970s takes a twist halfway through as Bachman soars into an energetic and mind-numbing guitar solo. It's a brilliant display of musical virtuosity that places Bachman in the upper echelon of great guitarists.
The set steamrolls along with an impressive array of the band's greatest hits like "These Eyes," "No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature," "Undun," "Laughing," "American Woman," and "No Time," just to name a few. Interspersed between the Guess Who numbers are 3 of Bachman's classic tunes from his days with BTO – "Looking Out for #1," "Let It Ride," and a butt-kicking version of "Takin' Care of Business." Adding a bit of drama to the proceedings is a huge thunder and lightning storm that sweeps through the area (coincidentally just as the band finishes "New Mother Nature"). The show is postponed for a short period of time until the lightning subsides, but remarkably the huge crowd remains even though it is pouring rain. Nothing is going to rob these devoted fans of an evening with their hometown heroes (every band member was born and raised in Winnipeg).
Overall this is a demonstration of solid musicianship, from Bachman and McDougall's striking guitar work to Cummings' great vocals and keyboard prowess. Of course we can't leave out the pounding and powerful rhythm section of Peterson on drums and Wallace on bass. The sound quality is superb, capturing all the power and fury of this great band, plus the camera work and video editing is top notch. There is a 5.1 surround audio mix plus extra features including six bonus songs, 20 minutes of rare rehearsal footage and an in-depth interview with Cummings and Bachman. If you are a fan of this great band or just a fan of great rock and roll, then this DVD is a must-have for your collection. ~areuonsomething

Tracks:
1 - Runnin' Back to Saskatoon
2 - Rain Dance
3 - Glamour Boy
4 - These Eyes
5 - Lookin' Out For #1
6 - No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature
7 - Let It Ride
8 - Undun
9 - American Woman
10 - Albert Fisher
11 - Takin' Care of Business
12 - Laughing
13 - Bus Rider
14 - No Time
15 - Share the Land
bonus:
- Clap for the Wolfman
- Gubs Guns Guns
- Hand Me Down World
- Sour Suite
- Talisman
- Heart Broken Bopper
+ The Rehearsal Hall
+ The Interview

Personnel:
- Burton Cammings
- Randy Bachman
- Garry Peterson
- Donnie MacDougall
- Bill Wallace

Big thx to alexred2009