The Guess Who's 'Takin' It Back' Tour: A Nostalgic Journey Through Time and Sound
The Guess Who's 'Takin' It Back' tour is a testament to the enduring power of classic rock and the enduring appeal of the 1970s. This summer, the Canadian Music Hall of Famers are celebrating their 60th anniversary with a series of performances that take fans on a nostalgic journey through time and sound. The tour is a well-deserved victory lap for founding members Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, who have spent decades sharing their unique brand of 'toe tappin' and finger snappin' rock and roll' with audiences around the world.
On a warm summer night in Syracuse, the Guess Who took the stage at the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview, joined by special guest Don Felder. The evening began with a video montage of the band's storied 60+ year career, setting the stage for a night of nostalgia and celebration. The show opened with 'Runnin' Back to Saskatoon', a travelogue tune that celebrates the band's Canadian heritage. While the audio engineering didn't quite match the musicianship on stage, the band's energy and enthusiasm were infectious.
Burton Cummings, the band's charismatic frontman, exhibited a youthful exuberance throughout the night, clearly relishing the opportunity to perform classic songs alongside his longtime friend, Randy Bachman. The pair introduced 'These Eyes' with a nod to the memories it stirred up, and the audience sang along, swaying their arms. The nostalgia continued with 'Laughing', a uniquely Canadian blend of humility and bravado, and 'Star Baby', a short and sweet straight-ahead rock song.
The set list also included several Bachman-Turner Overdrive songs, including 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' and 'Takin' Care of Business', which were crowd favorites. The band seamlessly transitioned from their own hits to a cover of The Doors' 'Roadhouse Blues', with Bachman's fuzzed-out Les Paul echoing throughout the amphitheater. The performance of 'American Woman' was particularly memorable, with the band summoning the spirit of Jim Morrison, or maybe local handyman Frank.
Don Felder, the special guest, opened the night with the classic Eagles song 'Already Gone'. Performing the lead lines on a sunburnt Les Paul, Felder ran through hit after hit in his short set, including 'Witchy Woman' and 'Hotel California'. The audience was clearly captivated by Felder's performance, and the standing ovation at the end was well-deserved.
The Guess Who's 'Takin' It Back' tour is a testament to the enduring power of classic rock and the enduring appeal of the 1970s. The band's musicianship and songcraft are top-notch, and the deep cuts can go to some strange places. The tour is a well-deserved victory lap for Bachman and Cummings, who have spent decades sharing their unique brand of rock and roll with audiences around the world. So, if you're a young person who only thinks of The Guess Who as the American Woman band, dig deeper. You might just discover a hidden gem of classic rock and roll.
In my opinion, the 'Takin' It Back' tour is a must-see for any fan of classic rock. The band's energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and the nostalgia is palpable. The technical issues with the mix were disappointing, but they didn't detract from the overall experience. The Guess Who's victory lap is six decades in the making, and I was more than happy to tag along on this nostalgic journey through time and sound.
