Customer Reviews

All This for a Song

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I took a chance and bought this one on vinyl in 1979 when it first came out. I was very pleasantly surprised since Burton Cummings does not appear on this one. (I am still a big Cummings fan) Former members Jim Kale and Don McDougal reformed this band and put together an album of straight-up rock and roll. Sweet Young Thing and Taxman are the real gems on this CD. McDougal's voice comes through loud and clear and makes one wonder what might have happened on some of the Guess Who's "middle period" mediocre albums had he been given more vocals. Put your CD player on "Continuous Play," start the CD on track #6 and let 'er go!!

First of all, this album is of poor quality if compared to the very good body of work Burton Cummings made with the Guess Who. On it's own, it's not too bad. The band really works hard at making a fine quality pop album, and it does show."moonwave maker" "Plastic Paradise" and "Taxman" (not THE Taxman)all hit their mark with a good, solid melody, often very good, and interesting changes, other such as "C'mon little Momma" and "Raisin' Hell on the Prarie" sound like weak Eagles, country-rock rejects. "That's the moment" also is of some quality, not really a Guess Who sounding song, but the whole album is a departure from the Burton Cummings crafted sound. What you really have here is pretty much a totally new band recording under the moniker The Guess Who which is what spells death for this release. Perhaps the same band, same songs, recorded under a different name would have bought the group a better deal with the company they signed with, but alas, it's ancient history now. But hey, I can't believe this release is still available! So just try and drop any prejudice you may have and try and enjoy the collection of better-than-average songs offered.

this band had some very good, solid tunes...more rock oriented than ballad oriented, songs like "moonwave maker", "taxman", and "rasin hell on the praries" are first rate. "all this for a song", tells the listener, yes we will play our old tunes, but these new tunes are what we are about. excellent playing by a band not allowed to reach it"s full potential. if you do not wnt anything new, stick with greatest hits cd.

No Burton Cummings. No Randy Bachman. You would have guessed this album would be a disaster, but it's suprisingly good. Best songs are Raisin' Hell on the Prairies, That's the Moment, and Sweet Young Thing. Moon Wave Maker and C'mon Little Mamma aren't bad either.

This is another example of just how great bands can still be even without the same singers or most famous members in the lineup. It's the spirit that remains in full effect here, as well as the finest Guess Who songs in at least six years that places "All This For A Song" near the very top of the band's impressive canon.

The worst even more just like their other album called "Lonely One". Because of their new lead vocalist and just listening to it does'nt sound great for any classic rock Guess Who fan i'd remember here with any original members and the old lead singer Burton Cummings performing on this CD here cause of different bandmembers joined The Guess Who in my opinion!