Ah, yes. Remember all those really cool Guess Who songs? Do You Miss Me,
Darlin'? or Share The Land or even Undun? I would have to
guess that other than Randy "Weight On Box Is Correct; However, Contents May Have
Settled In Shipping" Bachman, most people who knew anything about Guess Who probably
assumed Burton Cummings was the creative genius behind much of their success.
Well, they probably assumed that until they heard Stand Tall, which is such a
lachrymose, overwritten bag of bolts even I laugh when I hear it, and I always really
liked Burt and Guess Who.
Okay, I take back one spoonful of that. I saw Burton Cummings perform this song
live, on
the first (or, possibly, second) 'Ringo's All Starr Band' tour, back around 1990 or so. It was
just Burt, a little bit of blue spot, and a keyboard. The lyrics still
sound like something inspired by a peyote dream experienced by a haphazardly
foraging Eeyore, but the more laid-back delivery (and lack of violins) did the song a world of good.
Because if there ever was a man who could chew him some fine scenery, it's Burt Cummings.
You know that character Jon Lovitz used to do on SNL, the guy who went around
in a smoking jacket and was always doing camera takes and saying, in a sort of pompous
voice, "ACTING!" Every time I ever heard Stand
Tall, after I first saw that sketch, I wanted to stand up and declare, "SINGING!"
But enough slamming on Burt. I like his stuff, just not delivered like a flaming
pizza -- or delivered like a regular pizza by a flaming delivery boy may be more accurate.