The Guess Who Review

If you read my last blog, you’ll note I was a little hesitant about this past weekend’s plans. I’m not a fan of company gatherings, for the most part. But this one was…okay.

And when it came to The Guess Who concert, said company gathering turned downright excellent. My employer rented the entire Woodlands Pavilion (to tell you how big, Kanye West played there the night before), and solicited sponsors, and opened it up to all employees and their families, as well as customers and sponsors. All of the money raised was donated to various charities, which was way up my alley.

Our CEO told us that he had seen this show in Vegas, and it was excellent.

He.Did.Not.Lie.

We had a great time, our friends were ecstatic and we all swayed and sang to the music. There was a little dance floor opened up in front of the stage, and people were jamming. The libations were flowing, and the only thing missing was lighters in the air and a certain kind of smoke, if you get my drift. Grooooooovy, maaaaaaan. Raised Blackberries just don’t exude the same ambiance.

Garry Peterson, drummer/songwriter and one of the original co-founders of the band was joined by Jim Kale, another original co-founder, songwriter and bassist. Each of the band members told stories throughout the night, and were very entertaining. The Guess Who started up in the late sixties, and continued through the seventies.

I totally considered this a band of my time, but my fellow attendees at the concert were a bit older than MLH and I. They swore this was “their band, their era.” I don’t know about that…I knew every word of every song. They couldn’t believe it. MLH chalked it up to a couple of things: my brother Scott and I having an intense interest in music, plus growing up in the shadow of our older brother’s musical tastes. I chalk it up to Scott and I hanging with older running buddies throughout our high school years – most of them probably rock and rollers, at that. One of my friends kept saying, “Who knew you would know all the words to these songs? Who knew?” Well, heck, even I didn’t know I would! I couldn’t name a single The Guess Who song…until I got there.

And later, some of us were granted access to the VIP room, and given picture moments with the band. My friends ate that up, as well as the autographed CD’s they were presented.

And hey, Jim…this “American Woman” did not come “Undun”; matter of fact, she was “Laughing” and did the “Clap for the Wolfman”. Then, “These Eyes” vowed to “Share The Land”…before there is “No Time”.

If The Guess Who come to your town, go, see. Dance. Laugh.

If you knew them back in the day, you’ll reminisce. If not, you’ll enjoy.