I've now listened to this two-fer three times now; the first time as usual, just to lay back and enjoy the music. The follow up times I've been more focused on getting to know the songs, sound quality, mix, etc. During my review here I'll makes comparisons to other individuals and bands, as all of this music is basically new to me. It just helps me, at first, to try and ground my thoughts through those comparisons while still keeping focused on these titles as individual entities from The Guess Who. I can already tell the more I hear these songs, the more they become something that holds my attention and creates that personal connection. Heck that's what multiply plays can do for you, like in the old days of 60's and 70's radio when you'd hear certain songs multiple times throughout the day until they stuck; but knowing that the really great songs stuck with only one listen!
In my High School years in the late 60's-early 70's, my buddies and I would have beer/smoke parties and focus on a particular album to listen to, and I remember "The Best of The Guess Who" was one of them; just couldn't seem to get enough of that record. However I never owned or heard any of their stand alone albums or much follow up music after that first "Best of" record.
It's now standard (but by no means any less astounding) that the mastering job by Michael Dutton is a thing of beauty. This release only wets my appetite for their next The Guess Who release of "American Woman" and "Share The Land" arriving soon. Another great job by steelydave on the liner notes for the very comprehensive band history, which is required reading if you have any good sense at all.
Some thoughts on "Rockin'":
The first thing that hit me is feeling the mix could be better on this one; just sounds a little weak in the bass guitar, certain vocals and instruments need to project a little more, and on some of the songs Cummings' vocals are stuck in the left front channel (I'd prefer more centered, out front vocals.) Hey, just personal preference there, some may find that O.K.
Something else hit me pretty profoundly while listening to Rockin', was how similar tonally, that Burton Cummings' voice is to Jim Morrison's. For me it was really evident during the quieter, more spoken passages of "Running Bear" and later on the next album and the live "Runnin' Back To Saskatoon."
Listening to the songs of "Rockin'" I hear various styles of Honky Tonk/Blues- track 4 "Arrivederci Girl"; the 50's Rock n' Roll/Doo Wop- track 7 "Back To The City" (one of my favorite tracks on the album); and on track 5 - "Guns, Guns, Guns" reminded me of "The Buffalo Springfield" sound. I almost feel I get what may be a Canadian Country vibe from some songs (but not sure I even know what that is?)
Track 9 "Herbert's A Loser" has some nice harmonica playing on it (and made me wish they'd used more harmonica in their music); but also I notice a much weaker vocal performance, wait a sec. that's not Cummings' singing, it turns out to be Greg Leskiw singing. I understand it is a Leskiw song, but IMO, it needs (should have had) a powerful vocal performance by Cummings' in order for the song to really work for me.
Overall I'm enjoying "Rockin'" the more I hear it; but I may need to go into Audacity at some point and do my own thing with levels to get my most enjoyment from it. The other mixing part of it that I noticed is, it seemed a little light in the Right Rear channel overall.
" The Best of The Guess Who Volume II"
Like I said, it's important to read steelydave's liner notes; because right off the bat I noticed the mix and sound of this title was much more up front and vivid than "Rockin'." So come to find out from the liner notes, that this album was re-mixed by Brian Christian and I believe it makes all the difference. I can actually make a better connection to the music when you have both really good mixing and great mastering of an album (and of course the clarity of SACD to take advantage of it all.)
The song "Rain Dance" -track 13, has a very Beach Boys sound to me. I also really enjoy "Sour Suite"- track 14 with it's use of strings, giving it more of a polished feel; although I felt Cummings' vocals should have been a little more centered and up front in the mix. Track 15 "Life in the Bloodstream" has that 1950's Doo Wop sound, but with my same thoughts as track 14 on vocals.
Now we get to the two tracks that were also on "Rockin'"; "Guns, Guns, Guns" and "Heartbroken Bopper." I switched back and forth between these songs from album to album, and they are definitely different mixes and also sound much punchier/up front on "The Best Of II." "Heartbroken Bopper" on "Rockin'" starts out with a psychedelic type guitar sound which has been removed from the "Best Of II" mix; I only wish they'd kept that in, because I liked that part. Also the main rhythm guitar part (once the vocals kick in) doesn't sound as pronounced as they are in the "Rockin'" album, which seems odd, as the rest of the album is more up front. Just a mixing decision I guess. Track 19- "Follow Your Daughter Home" (another one of my favorites) has a Caribbean feel to it; made me think of Harry Belafonte! Track 20- "Orly", has a great fiddle part in it which has that "Loggins and Messina" thing going on for me.
Here is the Dutton Vocalion link for the set:
https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDSML8562
Packaging – 10%
5%- Form & Function (Ease of access to its contents, appropriate size & secure storage.)
{Typical}
5%- Value (Extra contents considered- value added or excess trinkets.)
{Very Good/Excellent – Great liner notes by David Zimmerman aka steelydave.}
Audio Fidelity – 30%
10%- Perceived Dynamic Range (Sounding loud / bothersome, clarity & quietness.)
{Very Good}
10%- Equalization (Balance across the frequency range appropriate for the music.)
{Very Good}
10%- Production qualities (Studio Production / live recording.) & Mastering.
{VERY GOOD/EXCELLENT – I don’t believe we’ll ever hear this any better!}
Surround Mix – 25% (of 30%)
10%- Degree of Discreteness between all channels (Level of ambience overall.)
{Very Good}
10%- Spatial Definition (How each note is projected to a defined point in the room.)
{Very Good}
5% (of 10%)- Instruments, Sound Effects and Vocals (evaluating instrument placement and levels)
{Good to Very Good: The Best of The Guess Who Vol. II has a much better mix IMO, with Rockin’ often sounding like the vocals and instruments should be up-front more, and lacking a little on the bass guitar.}
Content – 25% (of 30%)
15%- Does the music make you feel something (heartfelt, excitable, somber, self-reflective?)
{Very Satisfied}
10%- Overall quality of the music (How many songs resonate with you overall?)
{Satisfied – minus 5% for lack of personal connection with the music, which should improve with more exposure and familiarity to the songs.}
My vote is a strong
9 on this release!
when I play it. Give this latest one a 9
