The Guess Who - Wheatfield Soul/Artificial Paradise

Worth it for Artificial Paradise especially

As others have noted here, the early Guess Who Wheatfield Soul isn't a good pairing with Artificial Paradise. The first album has a couple of big numbers; their monster hit "These Eyes" and the meandering Doors-inspired "Friends of Mine". The rest of the album shows the band finding their way, still somewhat scattered, going after different styles, but without a unique sound of their own yet. Burton Cummings hadn't quite emerged as the dominant man in the group either.

Artificial Paradise, several years and many albums later is a great find for those only familiar with The Guess Who's "best of" material. Don McDougall and Bill Wallace had both recently joined the band, and between the two of them took the lead vocals on half the songs here. This was not unprecedented, since Greg Leskiw had sung three numbers in his time with the band, but never more than one per album. The opening song "Bye Bye Babe" should have been a Canadian rock anthem, the same applies to "Rock and Roller Steam". They have a fresh hard-driving sound to them, and Kurt Winter's lead guitar is a highlight of both.

"Follow Your Daughter Home" and "Orly" were the singles from here, both a bit offbeat (calypso beat in the first and a fiddle solo in the second). Despite not singing all the songs, Cummings is in great form here, especially with his piano playing which adds so much to every song. McDougall's two songs ("Samantha's Living Room" and "Lost and Found Town") really show off his fine singing and songwriting. Unfortunately Cummings took over the show again with the next album and this democratization of the band's sound got shunted aside. Too bad.
May 19, 2008

strange combinations....

First of all, I think a lot of the Guess Who's early stuff (eg. Randy Bachman era) is overrated - they were very inconsistent, having some great songs and then some other stuff that seems very dated and misguided now.

But as far as these repackages, it's easy to see why they pair up completely unrelated albums - because otherwise they'd never sell the lesser ones. While a lot of people might want "Wheatfield Soul", I doubt there's a huge demand for "Artificial Paradise". The same can be said for the other duo packages: winners: "Rockin' and "So Long Bannatyne"; losers: "#10" and "Flavours".

Basically, Kurt Winter's departure was the end of The Guess Who and the subsequent albums are yawners. February 24, 2007

Guess Who

As a longtime GW fan, I care little about the aesthetics of which LP should have been matched with another LP. These were two of my favorite vinyls from one of my favorite bands, and it doesn't overly challenge my IQ to still think of them as separate entities which happen to be on one CD for my convenience.

I have enjoyed the contents on this disk very much. One of classic rock's most eclectic and under-rated bands ever shows the breadth and depth of their musical journey, from their debut RCA release of Wheatfield Soul, to their more musically-accomplished but less pensive Artifical Paradise from 1973.

You rockers who long for something more, its not too late to hop on board. There is a reason why this band remains unduly popular among musicians, radio and music industry personnel. May 15, 2006

Great Combo

I'm baffled at some of the bad ratings. These were two brilliant Guess Who albums (as opposed to a lame album coupled with a great album). This contains plenty of brilliant moments, some of which were, until now, rarely available. February 21, 2006

Another CD that only works in some players

The CD wouldn't work right in 4 out of 5 CD players due to some kind of funky copy guard on the last few tracks as the manufacture says (BMG). Started to listen in my office but it messed up, thought I would listen to it on the way home but the same problem in my vehicle CD player. Worked on My living room CD player, But by the time I was done I was so pissed I really couldn't enjoy it the way I wanted. So it really made this a bad listening experience. Also the same thing happened to a Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street CD after buying music all these years (since the early seventies) and now not being able to enjoy the music on my own terms this is the last CD I will ever buy. February 1, 2006

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