The Guess Who Album: “So Long Bannatyne/#10 [Remaster]”

Hey, kids, I can only speak for this two-fer of "Bannatyne/10" (haven't heard the other three reissues), but this doesn't sound so bad to my rock-blasted ears. The drums do indeed sound boxy, but that's just like they did back in the day, 1971-1973. On my office system (a Bose, but nothing fancy), the bass is generally well defined on "Bannatyne," and other than some extra crispy cymbals on the otherwise excellent "One Man Army," I have no real problems with the sound quality, and I certainly didn't have to change my normal settings to enjoy. In short, don't let overstated mastering complaints dissuade you from what are two pretty rockin' albums that have been out of circulation for way too long. Any disc with "Sour Suite" on it is automatically granted four stars in my book. A totally underrated band that never seems to get its proper due, although my man Lester Bangs sure liked 'em, and I'm glad they got their props in "Almost Famous." Growing up in Detroit and listening to Windsor's CKLW, I was convinced they were as huge as, say, The Beatles or something (because every single got pumped due to the Canadian content rule), and I dug mightily every single single, but their albums always seem to have four or five great sleepers that reward the careful listener. Welcome back, "Bannatyne/10."

Personally, I wish So Long Banatyne would have been paired with Rockin', and #10 with either Artificial Paradise or Road Food. Nevertheless, it's great to see this stuff back in print. I have to address #10 - this LP was in the $1.99 bins about a year after it came out, not due to the failure of the Guess Who, but more likely due to the failure of RCA records. #10 is an excellent album - as the other reviewer said the vocal harmonies shine. Some of the material is country tinged (with pedal steel) such as Lie Down and Take it off my shoulders and some of it is funky/rockin/jazzy such as Musicione and Self-Pity. One of the most amazing songs is Cardboard Empire which I believe was written by Kurt Winter & Billy Wallace. The lyrics are bizarre and the looping guitars are very spacy. I love #10 - it should have been a huge success. So Long Banatyne is another favorite of mine. Pain Train is another Kurt Winter showcase - Sour Suite is a beatiful ballad - introspective almost depressed sounding Cummings. Rain Dance is another reason to buy this collection. I think these are two of the more perfect Guess Who albums, so I heartily recommend this 2-fer.

YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #10 has FINALLY been put on CD!!!!!

GOD I love this album. Look, I wasn't around back in 1973, but this album is truly fantastic. I am so happy people can finally get the chance to hear this extremely underrated album from the Guess Who. My aunt gave me this album 10 years ago, and it was one of the best albums in her collection.

I will make a promise to you right now: if you like some of the Guess Who's more quiet and softer numbers, you will LOVE the song "Take It Off My Shoulders". That is a really good song. "Musicione" is a really fast frantic guitar-driven track with a catchy chorus coming in occasionally.

I really love the one song that goes "I think it will be alright, ah AH, I think it will be alright, ah ah. Think it will be alright". GREAT song. It also has funny lyrics about "being a woman tonight". You'll love it though because it's really melodic.

Everything on side 2 is just as good as Side 1. Many times a band will put weaker material on the second side of an album- not in this case! I think "Cardboard Empire" is the highlight for me. I seriously don't know what it is about this song that gives me the creeps. Even though I wasn't around in the 70's, the music really takes me there. I don't know what it is about the demanding guitar blended in with the soothing and uplifting vocal melody that both come together to deliver something truly fantastic. Honestly, the song reminds me of my childhood in the early 80's, but I can't explain why. It really feels like an important song that was meant to be remembered years later.

I should also note that it's not just the vocal melodies themselves that make me love this album- it's the fact that the Guess Who were a mix of blues, pop, and a little bit of roots rock that all comes together and makes the experience golden and memorable. A great band that apparently only got greater as the years went on, and unfortunately most people won't know that when they're listening to "American Woman" or many of their other classic hits.

If you like the Guess Who from the songs you've heard on the radio, PLEASE buy this collection of songs. You won't be sorry.

So Long, Bannatyne (1971) has the best overall sound of all the albums. However, there are problems here too. The sound quality is slightly sterile, and once again the vocals should be louder on some tracks. Equalization varies from song to song. The guitar solo in the middle of "Grey Day" seems to disappear instead of panning back and forth between the channels. "One Man Army" sounds good, but the mix isn't right. The strings in "Sour Suite" suffer due to the high end being rolled off.

#10 (1973) suffers from entirely too much bass on most of the album. Compression rears its ugly head once again on "Musicione." "Miss Frizzy" sounds fairly decent, although the vocals (once again) should be louder. "Self Pity" is the only track on the album that sounds like it should. The rest of the album's second side has way too much bass and "Just Let Me Sing" is a compressed mess.

Gotta love this package , showcases how great burton cummings and kurt winter are canadas best songwriters.