American Woman – The Guess Who – What’s On The Table
Two Austrians talk about “American Woman” by four Canadians
We come back to this album every few years and are repeatedly surprised by its creativity and harmonies. Not all of you will be intimately familiar with The Guess Who, especially if you’re from the UK or Europe but we’re sure the North American MLT Clubbers will have a lot more to say about this album.
In today’s WOTT episode we dive into this 1970s album “American Woman”. We picked it up years ago at a vinyl sale in Liverpool, and the music has stayed with us ever since.
We always love to hear from you on these vinyl discussion videos so please join the conversation in the comment section. 🙂 What do you think of The Guess Who? Do you know / own the album? Where were you when you first heard the music? We love hearing your stories!
Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa
Hi. Another very good WOTT! Yes, being a Canuck (Canadian) I was quite curious to hear your take on the Guess Who and quite pleased with your thoughts. Down below, some others posted some interesting facts about the band. I was too young to see them, and was a teen in Vancouver when BTO was huge, but didn’t see them. I did see the original BTO line up for a reunion tour in Bern, Switzerland in the 90’s though. I don’t have this album but do have their greatest hits. I always refer to No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature as one tune.
Hear is a story I heard many years ago before the internet. Don’t know how true it is, but I like to think it is. When American Woman was a hit in the US, someone at the White House thought it would be a good idea to invite the band that is honouring the “American Woman” to play for Nixon of all people. Things were being planned until until someone realized American Woman wasn’t too flattering of the US. I just found this link on this story https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guess-who-white-house/
The Guess Who album I had was Live at the Paramount; early on, I had a preference for live performance over studio recordings…must be why I’m such a big fan of your Cavern Club & Duo Sessions cds! 🧡
I love the Technics SL1210 turn table never gave much trouble in repairing them very reliable. Love what’s on the table episodes very informative
I had the 8 track of this album during my college years and I do believe I wore this tape out to the point it was unplayable. I really enjoyed their music!!!
So here I am again late arriving to the show/party. There is so much to the Guess Who that many likely don’t know. I will try not to bore anyone with a whole pile of trivia, but there are two main two things:
Randy Backman was a converted Mormon; in order to get married he had to convert, and as such had a lot of trouble fitting in to the wild Rock and Roll scene due to his converted faith. He did not drink, didn’t do drugs, didn’t smoke, typically not your rock band type dude at all. Burton Cummings was basically a shy introvert and struggled with publicity pressure and almost stage fright many times.
At the early beginnings, they lived the road life out of their car, had little money and barely made it to some of their appearances; similar to what you girls mentioned about the draft and border issues.
Their creative and personal differences (Randy and Burton) were part of the problems that led to tearing the group apart. They both still do shows and tour around some, but Randy is writing and recording as much as he can. He did live in Washington State near Lindon, on a large estate, bit I believe that has been sold and he and his wife have been separated for some time now.
I love that album still, and especially the title song, it’s a blast to jam along with. But there is so much more to their music that many don’t give credit for. They were one of (if not “the”) first Canadian rock bands to gain international fame and success. I never saw the Guess Who live, but I have seen both Randy and Burton solo appearances. They are still solid musicians, well worth seeing still.
Thanks ladies, once again you have pulled my heart strings and rekindled my youth!
Been away for a while so playing catch up (not ketchup)😁 at the club. I didn’t know they were a Canadian band. I especially liked “Hand Me Down World” and “No Time”. One of their albums came with a really cool black light poster of the band. I have the albums but the poster is long gone. Maybe someday I’ll find a copy with the poster intact. Another interesting and fun WOTT. 🫶🎶✌️
I’ve never heard of this band before but will definitely check them out.
What absolutely blows me away when watching these sessions is how absolutely into this music era you both are and your passion for music of this time comes through from your excitement at sharing these finds.
(that waistcoast is so cool, Mona, and very of the time!)
I think I’m in the minority on this one. I never cared for “American Woman”, because of its attitude. When I was a Junior or Senior in college, every Saturday night someone in a dorm across the street would blast it as loud as they could late at night. The school had a 3:1 male to female ratio, so they may have been disgruntled in love. “No Time” is fine. The only other one I recognized was “No Sugar.”
I graduated high school in 1969. In the early 70’s our band, which was named, “Babylon”, went to see the original Guess Who at the Cobra, a venue for bands in Michigan USA. They were so good live. Burton Cummings made comments about how good they were for a Canadian band. This was a rather small venue with tables, and when they took a break, the drummer came and sat with us at our table. Very cool and personable then. I still really enjoy their music
Wow! I had forgotten how much I love Burton Cummings voice and Randy Bachman’s guitar tones. When I was a kid I was really into Bachman Turner Overdrive. It wasn’t until my early 20’s when I started getting into the older Guess Who music, I think because I heard them frequently on the radio (does anyone listen to broadcast radio anymore?)
Mona, like you, I love the song “Talisman”, it is a beautiful song, the guitar and the piano at the end are splendid. Mona and Lisa, I am sure that you can do a nice cover of “Talisman”. Mona there is a song that I think you could like, it is “Sour Suite”, I have it on my greatest CD. Very beautiful song. Merci.
Wow I am a week late here Mona and Lisa….geez….LOL…But love this WOT Segment. As a drummer I loved the Guess Who due to the great drum parts and riffs on guitar thru out the history of this group. I was 12 when this album came out and loved it! Again this proves my point of the album came out in 1970 and I feel thru 1972 music from the 60’s spilled over and that is why I Love the early 70’s music. One cool song the guess who did was Clap for the Wolfman and guessing it was around 72….73? I first heard of the guess who when in 1969 my parents took me to a place in Pennsylaina called Canadota Lake and there was a dance hall and I heard These Eyes and loved that song and started listening to the Guess Who. So thank you again for this great video all though a week late…LOL…God bless and hugs from me and Maddie
In Australia I remember American Woman, as I was at the age of conscription for the Vietnam war but as I remember they were not really that big in this country or else I just didn’t listen to them.
I love your take on the ‘Guess Who’ album
You are absolutely right when you said that Guess Who wasn´t so big in Europe. Their albums never got in charts here in Finland but their best hits got some airplay here. So the albums title song is known here as well their later hit “Dancing Fool”. Dancing Fool” is also made in Finnish by Hector. You can find his version “Menin kipsiin taas” in You Tube if you´re interested. I liked Mona´s outfit by the way.
I’ve always liked the Guess Who. They just sounded different than many of the bands in the late 60’s and early ’70’s. I’ve heard a different story about the origin of the name “American Woman”. “American Woman” didn’t refer to pretty women (like Mona & Lisa) but to the “Stature of Liberty.” The Vietnam war was still going on and everyone was sick and tired of it. The lottery for the draft was still being used in the US. My number was close to coming up and I filed for a college deferment. When the next lottery came up, the war was over. I would have fought for my country but not in a war that was a game played by a government so vile they used the war to allow their cronies to get rich on the backs of dead soldiers. That war opened my eyes as to what government actually stands for. That was a good album though…Stay Groovy!
Mona and Lisa you surprise me, I am so happy that you like The Guess Who, I think they are The Greatest Band in Canada, I do not have the album but I have a greastest hits CD. They have so many great songs, the list is too long, Burton Cummings is a great singer and also Randy Bachman and a great guitarist. I saw them two times in Montreal at Bell Centre, great concerts. I heard the group on the radio in 1970 or 1971 for the first time, it was “American Woman” what a great song. I loved it right away. I should buy their first album. I always like your comments. Merci pour tout.
My, aren’t the MonaLisa Twins full of surprises! Yes, American Woman, both the album and the song were ubiquitous in Canada and remains a timeless classic of Canadian Rock n’ Roll. The band was originally from the eastern prairie city of “Winterpeg”, and guitarist Randy Bachman has been instrumental in documenting, and indeed, promoting a Canadian rock and roll identity for decades. As the de facto historian, storyteller of tall tales and a working musician, Bachman has branched out over the years as a CBC Radio host and authored a couple of books about life on the road.
And then there is the Beatles connection, such that it is. Bachman.has played in Ringo’s All Starr Band on a number of occasions, (no doubt the source for many stories), and more recently (2018), recorded a cd of George Harrison covers, called By George By Bachman. (Harrison devotees take care).
Herewith a couple of fun facts with a connection to the U.K. scene. Before the band was the Guess Who, they were Chad Allen and the Expressions. A friend brought them a U.K. single, a one hit wonder by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates called Shakin’ All Over. The Expressions/Guess Who recorded it, and again, it was a regional hit, this time in Canada. Over the decades, the song has maintained its notoriety, and both the Johnny Kidd and the Guess Who versions are worth listening to. And Johnny Kidd, as an added benefit, has made a little money on the residuals.
In addition, Randy Bachman has frequently referred to Cliff Richard and the Shadows lead guitarist, Hank Marvin, as one of his most. influential guitar players. (Lisa, take note). There are a number of YouTube videos of Marvin playing with other guitarists, Mark Knopfler among them.
I did see the Guess Who a couple of times in the early days. The Canadian scene back then was very regional, lacking infrastructure, as Lisa mentioned, and bands were always in a struggle to be recognized outside home base. Some would seek recognition in Toronto, Vancouver or the U.S. Most did not survive that exercise. Happily, the Guess Who did receive some recognition. As to the title, American Woman, whether geo-political, or boy meets girl, I’m inclined to go with the bigger picture. Given the times that were a changing, how could you not?
.
Like many others have said here, I never owned one of their albums, but the singles that hit the charts in the US were definitely favorites and a big part of the soundtrack of my college years. “These Eyes” was a standout for me and then probably “No Time”. I really liked “American Woman” but never could figure out what he had against American women? Thanks to you, now I understand… (duh).
A great WOTT. I’d never heard of this band. This is very interesting
One of the coolest fringe benefits of being in this club is the chance to learn about old songs or groups that were marketed in North America but not Europe, or vice versa. When you’re on the receiving end it’s like opening the door to an alternate timeline.
https://fb.watch/mP4-q8gmks/ I hope this link works but this is Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman playing American Woman not long ago. Yes, they are friends today. Coll little version with Burton doing a little jig at the end.
Thank you for this excellent and well-researched WOTT. In the mid and late 1960s ‘Let’s Go!’ was a CBC pop music program for us young kids. On different days of the week, it came from different Canadian cities. To me (then in Montreal) the Guess Who will always represent the Wide, Wide Land of Winnipeg – that’s where their weekly show came from.
I once read a feature article which said that the CBC wanted a band which could read music and none of the Guess Who could. However, they knew most of the popular songs and they were good musicians; at the audition they looked at the sheet music and just played. Google Music has a 2005-released album (entitled ‘Let’s Go’) of the Guess Who’s live mid-1960s CBC performances. It’s not perfect, but it is an interesting album for fans.
For a 10-year-old current events nerd, our happy Centennial celebrations and Expo 67 contrasted with serious things happening in the US. Gordon Lightfoot’s 1967 ‘Black Day in July’ was a powerful musical version of what I watched each morning on the CBS Morning News with Joseph Benti. Wiki says that song was banned in 30 states. The year 1968 hammered me with even greater tragedies – especially the loss of Bobby – see: ‘Abraham Martin & John’ by Dion. Sadly, I was too young for the ‘peace, drugs and free love’ of the Swingin’ Sixties.
In the wake of all this, English-Canadian school kids were tortured by their history teachers in the 1970s when the teachers asked: What is a Canadian? “Well, we’re not Americans!” A better answer seems to be that our history helps explain who we are. Today we know that French-speaking Canadians and Aboriginal Canadians, etc, etc, had their own heartfelt issues at the time. Burton Cummings nails how ‘we’ felt at the time – but not all Canadians.
P.S. Lenny ‘Mr Cab Driver’ Kravitz is a worthy heir to ‘American Woman’ and I like his version better.
Here’s something for Mona,
(You don’t need to answer me back, I’m sure you’re busy enough to have to comment on every request!) Anyway, I just saw a video of the Guess Who doing “Undun.” What a nice tune, & unusual for most Rock Bands to feature a Vocal Scat solo followed by a Flute improvisation! Only 8 measures, but very good!
Mona, have you thought any more about doing another Flute solo? Maybe something on one of your original songs?
On “Janitor Joe,” I hear a Flute-like Synth sound I believe, sprinkled throughout the song. Unless that IS you? (I’ll have to listen to your “WHY” question-answering video again.) I realize you must focus on Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Harmonica & Percussion, but it would be super cool for you to do some Flute work too!
Please give it some thought….20 minutes practice a day, 3 days a week would be enough to get you going!
Thanks for hearing me out, & I’m glad I joined your Club! You & Lisa are both very special musicians AND personalities! Take care! — Bud
Bud, I read on Wikipedia that Burton Cummings learned how to play the flute from scratch specifically so that he could do that solo in Undun, much as Mona did for I’ll Follow the Sun.
Well, that just proves how someone very musical can learn an instrument quickly like Burton, and Mona for that matter! Having taught music for over 30 years I’ve seen all ability (& non-ability) levels. When I’m teaching beginners, I like to make it fun for them! That’s a whole other discussion, but thanks for that interesting tidbit!
Check this out for great Guitar AND Flute playing!
Best Flute in The World – YouTube — Bud
I’ve heard most Canadians live within 200 miles of the border, but I’ve always lived within 45 miles of it. Tomorrow I’ll be in downtown Detroit at the Jazz Festival – you can see Canada across the river from 2 of the stages. Largest free jazz festival in the world. I grew up watching CKLW, for Hockey Night in Canada, and in my rock and roll formative years, CJOM was one of the stations we listened to.
Any rock fan from Detroit knows the Guess Who. They were a very sophisticated rock band, by which I mean they had a keyboard player. Lol. Burton Cummings was such a great singer. I used to play Albert Flasher back in the day. I’ve always liked them.
But as much as I like them, I’ve never seen them play live, and I don’t own any of their albums. I’m not sure why. Back in their heyday, I was banging my head a little harder than them. I mean, I remember scraping together $4 to see Rush play in a bar in 1975; that was more the kind of Canadian R&R I listened to then. But, there were other people, like Elton John, who I listened to a lot, and he wasn’t hard rock. So I’m not sure why. But as a result, I don’t know the songs that weren’t hits, like the one Mona liked best, Talisman. But I just consulted the YouTube oracle, and it’s there of course. So I need to go have a listen.
The Guess Who is a great band and that’s a great album. Bachman played great guitar and Cummings great keyboards and vocals. And they had great songs. What else is there? Thanks a lot for posting this – another wonderful WOTT.
I grew up three miles from the Canadian border in Niagara Falls, New York. Now, I live about a half-hour from the border. Hockey Night in Canada, Wayne and Schuster, SCTV, and Material World were my favorite Canadian programs. Still listen to the FAN 590 in Toronto and CBC radio. CHUM-FM has morphed into a hot contemporary station (ugh)…it was THE progressive rock station back in the day, and the inspiration for Rush’s Spirit of Radio.
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Niagara Falls, New York. I’ve been to Niagara Falls, Ontario, though. They have an ice wine festival there in January. Good stuff. And it sounds colder than it is. When I went, I didn’t even need to wear a coat. Worth a journey.
Austria makes Eiswein too.
Ever watch Corner Gas? Lol.
Yes…loved Corner Gas…I live about 1 and a half hour away from Cornwall /USA ( NY state ) border crossing or 2 hrs approx . from the 1000 Islands / Ivy Lea /USA ( NY state ) border crossing ….
Hi Chris,
That all sounds very cool! Can you let us know which Jazz groups that you heard at the Festival? I took my middle & high school students to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho 11 times! We won a bunch of solo awards & heard AND met many Jazz greats! (Of course, I’m a big Rock fan too!)
Thanks, & have a great time! — Bud
Thanks, I always have a great time. It’s been going on for over 40 years so I have gone, idk how many times, maybe dozens(?). I never heard of the Lionel Hampton Fest but it sounds great. Ok, I see it’s in Idaho. I’d love to see it some time.
If you want to watch, ever since the pandemic started, they’ve been simulcasting the festival on the web. https://www.detroitjazzfest.org/
Price is the same – free.
Chris, thank you for sending the link, I just took a look at the site. I’ll have a better look tomorrow. The concert part was currently down.
I just found this entertaining TV clip of Lionel Hampton doin’ his thang!
I saw him live 8 times! My students saw him 6 times. The cool thing about the festival is that students see world famous Jazz Artists in concert, and attend Clinics with some of these great musicians, AND we teachers conduct them in the festival during the day so they can be judged against other school groups. We won a bunch of Solo Awards between 1997 & 2009. Lionel lived from 1908 to 2002, & we saw him that last year!
You can love Jazz, and still LOVE the Mona Lisa Twins!
Lionel Hampton “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” on The Ed Sullivan Show – YouTube
Hope you like it! — Bud
I like that a lot. I don’t think I ever saw Hampton play live, but I’ve seen other vibes players. Jack Brokensha I’ve seen – he played for years for Berry Gordy as one of the Funk Brothers, the backing band for Motown recordings. I never saw him doing that, but I saw him play one time in an all star band back in the ’90s. He was playing with a pianist that I studied with when I was in high school, named Matt Michaels. Matt was amazing with a piano.
I also saw Gary Burton play vibes 3 different times in the duo he used to have with Chick Corea. Gary’s great if you ever get a chance to see him. The first couple times were in the ’80s. The last time I saw him was just a few years ago at the Detroit Jazz Fest. Chick used to come to Michigan frequently, I always thought that was because his wife was from here.
I just looked up Burton, I didn’t realize he and Chick played as a duo on and off for 40 years. They won 6 Grammies out of their 8 albums. He’s my fave vibraphonist, amazing.
And yesterday I saw Stefon Harris and his band Blackout at the festival. Stefon plays vibes as well. I had never seen them before; he’s really good too.
Thanks Chris,
I’ll have to check out the Funk Bros. again. Then there’s the Wrecking Crew! I saw Burton live at least once, & Chick Corea too. I met Chick in a hotel elevator once & had a short conversation with him! I can always tell his writing when I hear it! The Detroit Jazz Festival sounds great!
Here’s another newer Jazz musician, if you’ve never heard of her — Grace Kelly. I saw & met her at Jazz Alley in Seattle last October. She offered “free sweaty hugs” after her show & had a line of people that she talked to! She dances while playing, & has a very unusual, but nice voice!
Enjoy!
GRACE KELLY GO TiME: Fish & Chips Feat. Leo P #2Saxy – YouTube
This one really brings back memories. I was in the U.S. Army at Ft. Carson, Colorado when the album was released. Barracks life meant no privacy, and lots of boredom. Music helped us keep our sanity; it was on loud every night and this album was one of the favorites of the group. My personal favorite from the album has always been “No Time”.
I see that real Canadian maple syrup bottle in the back – only the best for the Wagners!
That last song sounded like he was channeling Janis Joplin. Anyway, I was surprised I knew three of the songs on the album, no doubt from the radio back in the day. I’ve known the name but never had the album or knew much about the band. At that time in the 70s what I heard was mostly what my older brothers would pick up. I remember a few years later being introduced to Emerson, Lake, and Palmer on my brother’s 8-track, as the sound bounced from channel to channel.
Back to the Guess Who. Some of you may know this old skit with Harry Shearer (later of the Simpsons), doing a rock version of the old Abbott and Costello classic.
https://youtu.be/ludCVowT-DE?si=E6kISsEMXJm-drao
David,
I haven’t seen that before, but it’s a very funny take-off on the old A & C classic! Thanks!
The Guess Who were promoted by Bill Graham, Fillmore West and East 1968-1971, then Winterland after San Francisco Fillmore closed. There is a Gold Record November 1970 RCA Victor “Share the Land” by the Guess Who given to Bill Graham in recognition of album sales.
The Guess Who performed at Fillmore West/San Francisco and Fillmore East/New York and Bachman’s last appearance at Fillmore East was May 1970.
A number of their songs open with flower child-hippie-utopia sound of the era that Bill Graham promoted.
Graham promoted Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Grateful Dead, Rod Stewart, Tower of Power, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Janis Joplin and a boatload of others.
Maple syrup to Lisa’s left very cool!
I remember the first time I heard about the Guess Who? I thought they were riding off The Who. It’s one of those bands where I know the songs and the band but never put them together, except for ‘American Woman’. All the connections with the BTO songs, I had no clue.
It’s Fab to connect the dots! As always, WOTT is so good. Love it, and always looking forward to them!
Thanks!
Thanks for another thoroughly entertaining WOTT. I’m one of those who always loved their songs played on the radio but never had an album. And I may not have been able to tell you who the band was after listening to a song of theirs. I appreciate them more now that I have watched this WOTT. Sometimes there are songs like Talisman that you might only come to know by having the vinyl or Cd and in my case…cassette. I’m going down that rabbit hole later and watch The Guess Who and BTO on YouTube .Thx for the Friday smiles!!
The Guess Who is one of my favorites. I was just starting high school when they came out;so I have fond memories of their songs. I have their greatest hits CD in my stash. My favorite song is No Time. The back story of No Sugar Tonight is hilarious. I really like the guitar in it. BTO is also a favorite of mine. The back story of You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet is also interesting. Bert Cummings could really sing. He also acted in a few movies. Thanks for the nostalgic trip back to my early teens. Peace be.
Spent a weekend with the band, back in the 70’s, as the winner of a fan club drawing. An unforgettable experience for the young guy that I was at the time. A year later, i was able to introduce my brother-in-law to Burton. He has never forgotten it.
I saw the Guess Who here In Windsor live in Malden Park in 1993 or so. Great show. They were back in Windsor on July 14th at the casino. Another great show!! Best Canadian group ever!!
Groovy girls – I have a question. You are both rarely seen in a video in clothes you have worn in a previous video. When you are not writing, recording, or filming, are you both shopping in Bold St? 🙂
As well as sounding real good, you both always look real good 🙂
Mona, your ‘floating arms’ comment made me smile :), but I see it a different way. In my eyes you have blond extensions flowing over each shoulder 🙂
Any day now, we’re expecting a surprise announcement that Mona and Lisa are launching the next phase of their MLT empire, to be called MLT Fashion, in which everything they’ve ever worn in an MLT video will be available merch to club members. This will range from high fashion gowns a la Questionable? to paisley blouses, as featured in Nowhere Man, and everything in between. Remember, The Beatles tried something the same with Apple Corps, with mixed results. Hopefully MLT Fashion will be more successful, but with most of the Club members being guys, I’m rather dubious.
Another reminder of how lucky I was to grow up with great music on the radio. I did see them play live with only the original drummer. Didn’t know about the Canadian or Mormon bits.
Fascinating stories and anecdotes concerning a band, I have to admit, I had not heard of until now. Enjoyed their music as well. Good choice for WOTT.
I liked , No Time ,better than the title song.
American Woman.
I knew a girl who thought American Woman was insulting to her.
Very good album overall.
It’s amazing how many of my fellow Americans can’t name this band, even if they recognize all of the hit songs produced by the Guess Who. I don’t know if it was a marketing problem, or an unfortunate name (too close to “The Who”), or a Canadian/American cultural divide.
I heard “American Woman” way back then, & a few of their other songs. Thanks for your interesting stories about the Music here! I enjoyed the nice diversity of the Guess Who’s songs, so now I want to listen to the whole album! I agree with Mona’s favorite song choice of “Talisman,” w/it’s interesting twists & turns in the unusual minor scale melody.
I remember playing “TCOB” back in the 70’s, but I didn’t sing that one. I was in 3 different Bands in the ’70’s & ’80’s that played up in Canada.
(I’m about 4 hours from Vancouver, B.C.) In ’86 we played in B.C. & Alberta, & I remember while performing, we saw a man walk into the back of the club with a Winchester rifle! He was mad at someone, but luckily, he was escorted out, & we kept playing. But the people were nice, & the scenery was awesome — especially those long Band bus drives thru the Canadian Rockies!
My grandfather was a Canadian Mountie, & my mom’s side of the family goes back to Ontario during the American Revolution era, & even farther back to Scotland. I love not only the African/American Blues & Jazz influences in our Music, but also the British & Irish influences.
Mona & Lisa, I really enjoyed your presentation here! It was well thought out, researched & put together, so thanks for going the extra mile for your fans!
— Bud
Your post title cracked me up. Well played. You could even take it step further…”Two Austrians living in England talk about ‘American Woman’ by four Canadians” ROFL
Yay Mona for the “Talisman” vote! It always evokes King Crimson’s Lark’s Tongue in Aspic for me for some reason, I don’t know maybe the similar chord structure in the beginning, although any similarity sure ends there!
No Sugar/New Mother Nature have been some of my favorite songs of all time by anyone (usually played together as one song, although how No Sugar got a single and New Mother was left off due to length constraints is a great story.). I’ve often thought I’d love to hear the MLT version, although it’s one of those sacred recordings that’s so perfect I’d hesitate to mess with it. But if anyone could do it justice it would be Mona and Lisa.
Both Rick Beato and Adam Reader (Professor of Rock) have discussed them at length and told a lot of interesting stories about them as a band and individually. It was great to hear you throw in some of your own tidbits as well.
The Guess Who is right in my “wheel-house”…….I was in a band about then that covered some of their songs.
The first time I heard this music of the Guess Who was on the radio in Spain. I bought the album American Woman in 1970, I was 14 years old and I still have the vinyl. A lot of memories have came to my mind while i was listening to this music.
Bringing back memories for me when I was in a band. I never got into the Guess Who’s music until later in life. Their music is sometimes still played here in Alabama on the classic rock station.
Mona’s clothing attire resembles something our band wore. We were called The Vikings and we wore turtlenecks with a fur vest over them. Without saying, Mona looks much better in her outfit than we did. Also, Mona’s hair almost matches whatever she has over her turtleneck.
Listening to Mona sing the “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” stutters reminds me of the story Randy told of why it was recorded that way. Randy’s brother Paul had a speech impediment and Randy wanted to honor him and the only way he knew how was to make fun of his stuttering. That might seem cruel to some people but I had seven brothers and that’s what brothers do.
And it was the stutter that really made the song.
https://youtu.be/7kiOyzoHQNI?feature=shared
I recently watched this video and realized I had gotten the name of Randy’s brother wrong. It was his brother Gary that had the speech impediment. I see no way to edit my original comment so I posted this video of how BTO came to be and how the song was recorded. Very interesting story.
Great stuff!!! A great band from Toronto and the inspiration for other super Toronto artists such as Rush and Gowan.
Great tidbit that their first works on CBC Radio were covers. I have always thought that the CBC could be YOUR next breakthrough in the world of music. “CBC Mornings with Saroja Coelho” would be a great setting for the music stylings of MLT!!!
The “American Woman” album was a huge part of the “Canada Russia ’72” movie that was also on the CBC. It is an awesome movie that recreates the Team Canada-Soviet Union hockey summit series of 1972.
Canada…the CBC…again, it would be the logical next place for you to conquer!!!
Have you ever heard the cover from the Swiss Hardrock Band ‘Krokus’ ?
Ahhh, the Guess Who. Many a “road trip” was taken with their (and many other bands) music blasting out of the Craig Powerplay 8-track. How many of you remember or had one of these?
Thanks for the Friday smiles! 🙂
Hi Dana, When I first got my driver’s license I had a 65 Chevy with an after market 8 track player and a case full of Rock n Roll tapes. Great times. I owned a lot of old “beaters” that usually ended up in the junk yard but I usually removed the stereo and baby moon hubcaps.
Yes I remember having one, and I remember they didn’t stay popular for that long.
I have that album along with Wheatfield Soul on RtoR tape – other than the more recent CDs – great video of you gals doing this
I first heard American Woman when I was probably 12 years old on a jukebox in a local cafe. I’ve loved the group and music ever since. So many great records. Randy was/is a guitar genius and one of my favorite guitar gods. Got to see BTO back in the 80’s with their classic line up, maybe the best rock band I’ve ever heard live. I still follow Randy on Facebook, he tells some great stories and is currently out touring with his son Tal. I also think Burton Cummings was a great voice in Rock n Roll, man he had some pipes. Great choice of albums girls. I’m always surprised by how much you know about these iconic bands and albums. Do you do a lot of research for these videos or is it things you learn just by being fans of the music?
Thanks Tim, that must have been a brilliant live show!
It depends on the album/artist but we usually do a bit of research before filming these WOTT videos so we have some more interesting stories to share. Unless it’s a Beatles album, no research needed then 😉
🙂
Hi – this single has been in my collection for many years, so it’s good that you have featured the full album here. Always liked the guitar sound, maybe the lyrics are a bit general as I’m sure there are some very nice American ladies out there! I will keep a lookout for a good copy of the album at a sensible price! Luv to both from another twin xx
WooHoo …Gidday EH ?! …. I was thinking of the Canadian Tshirts I sent to Mona & Lisa some yrs back while watching this, Awesome to have chosen another iconic Canadian music choice , as a kid in the 70s, indeed , like Jung said, The Guess Who owned the airwaves back then and were indeed a main contribution of the Canadian Music Scene back in the 60s-80s mostly…. of course, Randy and Burton went on to do well in their own solo efforts …. Randy with BTO, Burton on his own ( not sure about the happenings of the other 2 members of The Guess Who, as it was Randy/Burton that were more known for.
Burton played a part as did Joni in all Canadian version of a special project called ” Tears Are Not Enough ” as thecUSA had their ” We Are The World ” , and UK had the Band Aid with the song ” Do They Know It’s Xmas ” ….
I never owned any of their music in albums, cassette tapes or 45s or CDs, just heard them on radio/seen on TV, but certainly stand out.
I recall awhile back ago , I had borrowed from public library, a real interesting DVD about Canada’s Music History ( sorry the name of the DVD escapes me now ) , but it was fascinating, learned alot that I wasn’t aware of, etc…
Just a side note…. Robbie Robertson from The Band who recently passed was from Canada, and was right up there in the heyday of early Canadian mysic scene of the 60s….
Thankyou Mona & Lisa for another Canucker Edition of WOTT, and the maple syrup jug was a nice added touch…. EH ?! 🇨🇦🍁🤘👌👍😊💜👱♀️👩🦰🙃😉
Oh, we could have worn those!! Glad you enjoyed it. Much ♥ to Canada.
Hiya…Yeppers…maybe on Canada Day July 1st/2024 you can, EH ?!🤗😊🙃😉👍🏻👌🇨🇦🍁 Indeed, Much Enjoyed this I did, Thankyou for your reply😁💜🤘🏻🫶✌️
“Tears Are Not Enough”. Legend states that Geddy Lee did his “you know that we’ll be there” line in one take. Neil Young and Joni Mitchell arrived together in a taxi, while Mark Holmes of Platinum Blonde arrived in a stretch limo.
Something is not quite right there…lol.
“Tears Are Not Enough” just blew away “We Are The World”. Even Wayne Gretzky and the NHL All Stars were in it!
I loved it and the Band Aid one…and the USA version was good … shoot all 3 were good songs at the time ….lol…the legend has it you mentioned…I think I had heard that before…if not….too funny at any rate
Hello Ladies
Another interesting WOTT today. I heard of the Guess Who in my mid 20s. Not so much from an album standpoint, but more of their singles. While American Woman is probably more widely known, I associate with No Time Left For You better. I thought it was CSN&Y at first. It seemed to resonate and felt more of a personal feeling as I was finishing College and didn’t have time left for sentimental feelings. Also No Sugar Tonight hit home as my girlfriend at the time (and Who I’ve reconnected with after 42 years through text) had decided to go in a different direction.
Thanks for a wide range of memories Ladies 😆 🤣
Best Always
Rick Ross
Wouldn’t it be awesome if that wasn’t a vest but Mona’s hair that was that long? Coolest Chick ever!!!😉
That vest gives me Sonny Bono vibes…
Tim, I recall hearing long ago about an old woman somewhere in eastern Europe who saved all of her hair from 60 years of haircuts and knitted it into a shawl for herself. Talk about being frugal!
I truly love how you react to the music, swaying and bopping and singing! I’ll add a song that was a regional hit here int the Midwest USA, Stat Baby. Nice little rocker. I’m guessing Jax from Canada is in her glory!
Yeppers, EH !? 🇨🇦🍁🤘👌👍😊💜
I was in middle school (grades 6-8 here in the US) when the Guess Who became big. They were a powerhouse band with a distinctive sound that blasted out of our AM radios with hit after hit. One of my favorite bands, with some of my favorites being These Eyes, No Time, Undun, Laughing, and Share The Land. Their sound was similar, at least to me, like another band popular at that time, Grand Funk.
Mona and Lisa, you have great taste in music. You would have fit right in with the people I grew up with.
The maple syrup bottle was a nice touch. Mona’s vest is hippie – ish, as is Lisa’s look too. You are too cool 😃.
I’ll have to check out Grand Funk then 🙂 Thanks Tim!
I’ll second the recco on Grand Funk Railroad. Great rock band from where I grew up. I think you’ll like them.
Grand Funk was great. I liked Brownsville Station also, I think they were from Ann Arbor.
Yep, they were from Ann Arbor. Grand Funk was from Flint, about 50 miles north of Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor is about 120k people, a university town. Bob Seger, Scott Morgan and Iggy Popp are from Ann Arbor also, to name a few other well known rockers.
There was a lot of great artists from Michigan Ted Nugent, Kid Rock, wasn’t Suzi Quattro from Michigan and maybe Alice Cooper. Geez, in Wisconsin we only had Steve Miller, Les Paul and Joe Diffy.
Yes to both Suzi and Alice. There are a bunch of other ones. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Michigan
That link says “…for 48 straight years (1959–2007) a greater Michigan-area artist has produced a chart-topping recording.”
And I can think of some that Wikipedia is missing too, like Earl Klugh and Youssef Lateef.
That’s a good article Chris. I knew about some of those artists but was surprised by a few, namely Bill Haley, Del Shannon and Madonna. I do remember some of the great motown artists but didn’t know most of them were actually from Detroit. And don’t forget about Da Yoopers, Lol. Maybe they forgot about the U.P. I don’t suppose The Rusty Chevrolet or Turdy Point Buck made it to number 1. (Maybe in Escanaba).
I suspect having Madonna, Eminem, Motown, etc., helped cover those 48 years of hitting #1 in the charts. Stevie Wonder probably covered the ’70s all by himself.
“Only”???! Three of my favorites!
In the early 80s I had a camaro with t-tops. There was nothing better than driving through the mountains on a sunny day, t-tops out, and the radio on. American Woman, No Time, and No Sugar Tonight were all songs that would immediately get me to crank up the volume and jam out! Much as I loved those songs, I had never heard the accoustic opening for American Woman so thanks for sharing that.
I have heard of the guess who, firstly because of “American Woman” and secondly because of “Clap for the wolfman”. Both singles come in the dutch top 2000.
“Clap for the Wolfman” is awesome. I had no idea that was the Guess Who. Of course now who would have a clue who the Wolfman is. Hint: It’s not someone from a horror movie! 😉
Itś Wolfman Jack , maybe one of the most famous DJś of the US, he was so famous that numerous bands made songs about him, not only the guess who, but allsoTodd Rundgren, Leon Russel etc.
American Woman has to be one of my all time favourite rock tunes and I can never get enough of that guitar riff! Yeah, in the late 70s’ on the west coast of Canada, the Guess Who and BTO were huge, right up there along with Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. I never owned any of the Guess Who albums, but they were on the airwaves all the time, and learned of their songs on the radio. You could hear these songs often in the hallways at school, parties, everywhere.
Some great songs you played from the album, I haven’t heard in a while like No Time, No Sugar Tonight, brings back a lot of fond feelings. Another one of Randy Bachman’s song I really love is Taking Care Of Business from later in his BTO days. This song falls in line with the taking care of business aspect of Randy in the Guess Who that you mentioned. Randy Bachman was big in our house, because my older brother had a rock band in highschool, and sometimes when our parents were out they did a gig in the basement, and Randy Bachman’s songs were often played, until on one occasion the RCMP came to the house because of complaints from the neighbours.
What an awesome WOTT, so informative, I loved all the stories like the first version of how American Woman was conceived, or about what led to the break up of the band, the story of what inspired No Sugar Tonight etc.. Learned a lot. Thank You for this, and doing a WOTT on possibly the greatest Canadian Rock Band ever. 🧡
BTW, I liked that little jug of Canadian Maple syrup I think, sitting in the background behind you. 👍😊
I caught that too Jung. It was a nice touch.
Hi Tim. Yeah Maple Syrup is like an institution in Canada. I love maple cookies.
I sent Mona/ Lusa a pkg of them Maple Cookies along with Canadian Teas and Canadian Teeshirts years ago.. The photo is in the photo archives here in the club…Mona holding the maple cookie in her hand and I had also sent customized Designed Mugs too with the Canucker pkg …. 🤘🏻😁🇨🇦🍁
I learned about the Guess Who by listening to an oldies radio station in the 80’s after discovering the Beatles. So many great songs! Their singles from 1969 alone make for a Hall of Fame resume: These Eyes, Laughing, Undun, and No Time. Undun in particular is probably among my ten favorite rock songs of all time.
We don’t own this album, but it has been a staple on classic rock stations since I can remember. Love these guys. I have always related to “American Woman”. They have messed with my mind from time to time.
‘Thanks for sharing the story about No Sugar. That was sweet.
I have a three hour drive ahead of me and the weather is beautiful. You know that means it’s time to play some m-m-m-Music, b-b-b-baby!
Happy Friday!
JP ☕️☕️
Have a nice cruise JP and crank up the stereo MLT style!!
Thanks JP! Have a great drive!!
I have never heard of this band, maybe due to it being Canadian? Their sound is very late 60’s with a British vocal sound, a bit like the Small Faces maybe.
Quite like it but maybe not a unique enough sound for big succcess. Of course I know of BTO and You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet (1974) which is a great track. Still, great to spend time with you two again this week!
Randy Bachman has plenty of entertaining stories to tell. He shared many of them over several years on his CBC radio show, Vinyl Tap.
Hi Jeannette, Randy is a good storyteller. I’ve heard him tell the American Woman story and recently the No Sugar Tonight story. My 3 favorite Canadian bands are Rush, BTO and The Guess Who. Randy is in two of them.
What a nice surprise to hear some Canadians who were popular in my youth! Made me feel young again!