Guess Who I Saw Live, Burton Cummings

Doo-Ron-Rona and the Duke of Earl - they were friends of mine... The Guess Who (Burton Cummings) - Clap For the Wolfman

I was fortunate enough recently to get to see Burton Cummings formerly of The Guess Who.  For a man in his late 70's he looked great and still had his voice. He played a great set that included all of the great Guess Who classics and even his great solo song Stand Tall.  The Canadian played keyboards and even flute on Undone. 

The Guess Who was a very underappreciated band that produced an impressive singles list and some fine underrated albums.  One of my favorite albums of theirs is 1969's Wheatfield Soul which features These Eyes and I Found Her In a Star.  Another favorite of mine is 1974's Road Food.  This one feature Star Baby, Road Food & Clap For the Wolfman.  Burton introduced Clap for the Wolfman, saying that he got to know the Wolfman on their appearances on The Midnight Special and became friends.  So, he wrote the song in tribute to him...a fine tribute.

The Guess Who Discography (Highlights):

• Wheatfield Soul (1969)
• Canned Wheat (1969)
• American Woman (1970)
• Share the Land (1970)
• Road Food (1974)

Tim O'Reagan of The Jayhawks

If you go, the bottomless cup runs out... The Jayhawks - Bottomless Cup

Tim O'Reagan is known as the drummer, backup vocalist and occasionally lead singer for the seminal Americana band The Jayhawks.  He has also written and/or co-written many songs for the band including the fantastic Bottomless Cup featured below.  

In 2005 he released a self-titled solo album.  I discovered the album recently and I highly recommend it.  O'Reagan's songs are very melodic and Americana sounding.  His voice reminds you of a Lennon/Dylan combination.  Some of the highlights for me include the opening tract These Things, River Bends, Just Like You, etc...

I got to see the Jayhawks in concert last year.  They were fantastic.

Brian Wilson: 1942-2025

If you should ever leave me, well, life would still go on, believe me... The Beach Boys - God Only Knows

Brian Wilson died today.  He was 82.

For the past several years, I have listened to The Beach Boys quite a bit.  I have gained a real appreciation for their music.  In 2022, I got to see Brian Wilson, along with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin in concert.  Although it wasn't the young vibrant Brian Wilson, I am glad to have seen him.

Around and Around

Well the joint was jumpin', going 'round and 'round... Chuck Berry / The Rolling Stones - Around and Around

I can remember watching a rerun of this clip, probably 14 years after it was shown live on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.  I was in High School and my friend and I both laughed at and loved the way Mick Jagger clapped as he sang. 

The Rolling Stones recorded this Chuck Berry classic on their 1964 EP Five By Five.

The Only Living Duo in New York

Tom, get your plane on time, I'll know your part will go fine; fly down to Mexico... Simon & Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in New York

Simon & Garfunkel released their final album in 1970, Bridge Over Troubled Water.  The great album contained the song The Only Living Boy in New York.  It's a brilliant song and sounds great with headphones.

From what I have read, Paul Simon was left in the studio to finish the album as Art Garfunkel had flown to Mexico to film the movie Catch-22.  Paul refers to Art as Tom, because they used to perform as Tom & Jerry.

I discovered Josh Lee Turner on YouTube just before Covid and became a big fan of his channel.  The first video that I saw of his was with the cast of The Simon & Garfunkel Story doing the Buffalo Springfield classic For What It's Worth and I was hooked.  I think I watched every one of his videos. To top it off, I ended getting to see The Simon & Garfunkel Story in 2000, just prior to the lockdown.  It was a fantastic show, and Josh Lee Turner was the guitarist.  This video captures his talent as well as the greatness of this song.

One Man Daltrey

I paid all my dues so I picked up my shoes, I got up and walked away... Roger Daltrey - Giving It All Away

The Who's lead singer Roger Daltrey released 3 great solo albums in the 1970's:

His first was 1973's Daltrey, an acoustic affair with songs written by Leo Sayer, David Courtney and Adam Faith.  

The next was 1975's Ride a Rock Horse, a more R&B sounding record.  Russ Ballard contributed several songs for this album including the fantastic Near to Surrender.

The final of the three was released in 1977 and titled One of the Boys.  Daltrey brought out some big names on this one including bandmate John Entwistle, Eric Clapton, Rod Argent, Mick Ronson and others.  Paul McCartney even wrote the song Giddy for Daltrey.  This album sounds more like a Who record than the others.

Discography (1970's):

• Daltrey (1973)
• Ride a Rock Horse (1975)
• One of the Boys (1977)

When Springsteen Was a Western Star

That little voice in my head's all that keeps me from sinking down come sundown... Bruce Springsteen - Sundown

Bruce Springsteen's releases since the 1980's have been somewhat uneven.  I think his 2 best albums since his run of great albums, are 2002's The Rising and 2019's Western Stars.

The Rising struck the right chord after the horrific events of September 11, 2001 (911).  The album was somber, but somehow uplifting.  It was easily one of the best albums of that decade.

Western Stars was a complete unexpected genre change and complete winner.  I read interviews where Bruce said that he wanted to release different types of music.  In 2006 he released an album of traditional folk music sans The E Street Band. We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions sounded like it would have been at home at a 1960's hootenanny.  Then in 2022 he released Only the Strong Survive, an R&B covers album.  The album was solid, but maybe not spectacular.

On Western Stars Bruce hit his stride... in cowboy boots.  The album is a throwback to 1970's west coast sounds of the music of Glen Campbell / Jimmy Webb.  The songs are lush and full and contain stories about loners and drifters.  

A Former Greenhorn of the Greenhornes

I've underestimated your effect on me or maybe I was too blind to see... The Greenhornes - Underestimator

The Raconteurs released the great album Broken Boy Solider in 2006.  What initially seemed to me to be a Jack White vehicle, later I realized I underestimated the importance of the other 3 members.  First, I really got into Brendan Benson's great power pop type music.  Then later I discovered Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler's band The Greenhornes.  Their sound is reminiscent of 1960's garage rock and in particular The Animals.  I guess it is no coincident that they recorded with Eric Burdon in 2012.

I have been collecting their music, but some of their discs are hard to find or really expensive.  I guess to sum it up I will quote the great Michael Scott - "Next time you will estimate me".

Discography:

• Gun For You (1990)
• The Greenhornes (2001)
• Dual Mono (2002)
• East Grand Blues (ep) (2005)
• Sewed Souls (compilation) (2005)
• Four Stars (2010)
• Eric Burdon & The Greenhornes (ep) (2012)

The Opening Act

I remember when your neon used to burn so bright and pink... Houndmouth - Sedona

I have seen many concerts over the years, and the majority included an opening act.  The opening act can be a mixed bag.  Sometimes the opener adds enjoyment to the overall concert and sometimes you are left wanting the headliner to come on out and play.

Friday night Houndmouth opened for The Avett Brothers in Lexington and played a solid set.  I was not familiar with their music, but yet I was engaged and entertained.  Houndmouth's sound was tight, and the songs stuck with me, even after the show.  Their sound was a little reminiscent of Band of Horses, a band that I saw back in 2014.  I plan to investigate this band further.

Lexinton, KY 4/25/2025 Setlist

Some of the notable opening acts that I have seen:

• The BoDeans
• Josh Rouse
• Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez
• Lucinda Williams
• Old Crow Medicine Show

Some of the notable double-bills that I have seen:

• The Kinks / The Romantics
• Steve Earle / John Hiatt
• R.E.M. / 10,000 Maniacs
• Hootie & the Blowfish / John Hiatt
• Chicago / Brian Wilson w/Al Jardine & Blondie Chaplin
• Bob Dylan / Willie Nelson

The Avett Brothers - Will You Return?

Will you come again?  It's hard to say, I surely hope so... The Avett Brothers - Will You Return?

The Avett Brothers are amazing in concert.  First of all, they are uber talented singers and fantastic musicians, but they also connect with the audience so well.  Friday night, they played about 2 1/2 hours of passionate, fun music.  Their set covered their entire catalogue, and the audience knew the songs, singing along at any opportunity.

Lexinton, KY 4/25/2025 Setlist