- Format: MP3
audience
In the summer of 2002, Burton Cummings, riding high with the reunited Guess Who, came down with a sore throat. The usual round of honeyed water and lozenges did nothing to alleviate his symptoms over the next few days. It is at this point that the usually hale and hearty singer went to the doc. The doctor took a quick look "down there" and, with some concern, referred Cummings to a specialist. To make a long story short, Cummings underwent a battery of tests, I believe even having a biopsy done on his throat to determine whether the white growth nodes on his throat were cancerous. Imagine how scared the man was, especially given the fact that one of his best friends, Winnipeg radio man and sometimes musician Gary Maclean, had died of throat cancer only a short time before. In personal e-mails to myself and others, Cummings expressed more than a little fear over the matter. He spoke candidly of the nightmare of never being able to sing again; of course, understandably, he stayed away from discussions of mortality, despite it being a real possibility. Well, the tests came back and it was determined that the growths on Mr. Cummings's throat were something called leukoplakia, a pre-cancerous condition, something that left untreated would turn into cancer but something not IMMEDIATELY life- threatening. Of course, this was to be taken as good news, and Burton was finally able to exhale.
Now, fast forward a month or two to the Darien Lake gig. Consider as you listen to this that the Guess Who had canceled quite a few gigs due to Burton's throat ailment and it would be some time before the frontman was to regain 100% of his powers. Darien Lake is a plucky, gusty performance from a once-dynamite vocalist who, due to the ravages of time and bodily infirmity, found himself in a position of fighting to regain his form. This gig showcases outstanding efforts from Randy Bachman on guitar, Donnie McDougall on backing vocals and guitar, Bill Wallace on bass, and Garry Peterson on the skins. But the real star of the night is Cummings. Although somewhat shakey at the starting bell, the consummate performer regained his confidence and his vocal chops, settling into a nice rhythm after largely nailing These Eyes (missed a few high notes on that one, but for a guy with white mud clinging to his throat, quite understandable).
A highlight of this show, apart from plucky performances in These Eyes and Glamour Boy (songs a good many vocalists couldn't pull off at their full powers), has to be the gift song: Tribute To Buddy Holly. Rather than have me describe it to you, simply listen to the preamble to the song and check it out for yourself. Nothing like personal experience to help one form an opinion, right? Suffice to say, a fine and singular performance, and Burton has his Buddy impression down-pat. Not surprising, consider he's one of the master mimicks in rock history. Check out his "Stars On 45" bootlegs for proof of that. If you ever come across them in your travels, you'll be treated to dead-on impressions of some of the legends of Motown and rock history, from both sides of the Atlantic.
As a final note, I must make special note of the person who taped this fine Guess Who show. That taper is none other than our very own #4bobbyorr, who you'd think passed off a soundboard as his own handiwork. Not so. This guy is one of the better tapers you'll find anywhere, and his ear for sound is very much in evidence as you listen to this item. I rate the item's sound an 83, and some might think I'm being a little stingy. Oh well. and 83's an 'A', and this gig stands as a feather in #4bobbyorr's cap. Well done, sir! We all thank you very much for your fine effort! This show will always be one of my favorites for the pluck and courage Burton showed. An old lion fighing the old fight and rising up, victorious! Memorable!