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Wheatfield Empire: The Listener's Guide to The Guess Who
Winnipeg’s The Guess Who are Canada’s original international rock n’ roll superstars. But despite the band’s enduring popularity, no one has assembled a comprehensive history of their recording career… until now.
In exquisite detail that serious fans will appreciate, Wheatfield Empire: The Listener’s Guide to The Guess Who goes through the band’s evolution, album by album and song by song. Nothing is left out. Wheatfield Empire covers the complete discography, singles chart action, international releases, important concerts, significant TV appearances, radio broadcasts, and even a selection of unofficial live bootlegs. The book also discusses the solo careers of both frontman Burton Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman.
Written in clear prose with a touch of humour, this book’s encyclopedic detail is supported with excerpts from first-hand interviews with band members and input from top authorities on the Canadian music industry.
Looking beyond the radio hits, Wheatfield Empire documents The Guess Who’s musical output with the loving attention they deserve as Canada’s first band to achieve major international success. This book is a must-have for any serious Guess Who fan.
In exquisite detail that serious fans will appreciate, Wheatfield Empire: The Listener’s Guide to The Guess Who goes through the band’s evolution, album by album and song by song. Nothing is left out. Wheatfield Empire covers the complete discography, singles chart action, international releases, important concerts, significant TV appearances, radio broadcasts, and even a selection of unofficial live bootlegs. The book also discusses the solo careers of both frontman Burton Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman.
Written in clear prose with a touch of humour, this book’s encyclopedic detail is supported with excerpts from first-hand interviews with band members and input from top authorities on the Canadian music industry.
Looking beyond the radio hits, Wheatfield Empire documents The Guess Who’s musical output with the loving attention they deserve as Canada’s first band to achieve major international success. This book is a must-have for any serious Guess Who fan.
- GenresMusic
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2020
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18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 15, 2020
Just let me start by stating that I read this book in one 24 hour period. It is a very well written and well researched book that gives the entire history of the Guess Who. That includes early days through to the various solo projects and bands that followed the classic years. This also includes brief notes about Kales fake Guess Who as well.
But to me the most important item is that the author writes about the music. He goes track by track through all the relevant albums. Very, very well done sir.
This is the definitive book on the Guess Who and as such is rated Five Stars.
But to me the most important item is that the author writes about the music. He goes track by track through all the relevant albums. Very, very well done sir.
This is the definitive book on the Guess Who and as such is rated Five Stars.
December 16, 2020
This was supposed to be a Christmas gift but I already finished reading it because I got so exited reading the positive reviews. A must for The Guess Who fans! Well written and detailed, this book goes into the band's history as well as separate paths taken by the members throughout the years. I started listening to the albums as I was reading about them and I loved reading the book that way.
It truly is a listener's guide. Thumbs up for this one.
It truly is a listener's guide. Thumbs up for this one.
January 17, 2021
It was of great interest to me that this book had been published. Before this there was only the John Einarson biography American Woman (very hard to find) and the 1971 book Axes, Chops and Hot Licks, which had an extensive section on the Guess Who.
Lawson proceeds chronologically, from the early days to later days with band reunions and solo projects. Most interesting are his takes on every song on every core Guess Who album. One is relieved that see that he is a fan who knows the songs very well. Some very interesting tidbits that are new even to long time fans like me. Which guitarist played which solo, that kind of thing. It's good that Lawson gives credit where credit is due to band members like Greg Leskiw and Don McDougall, who were both playing in the shadow of Kurt Winter. Even Jim Kale is treated fairly and given credit, even though his ownership of The Guess Who name and touring with various cover bands has earned the wrath of Burton Cummings especially.
Lawson avoids gossip and speculation, even as sometimes one wants to read the "inside story" on things. Why were Winter and McDougall let go, why was Cummings so disenchanted during the Domenic Troiano era etc. The later chapters read more like a laundry list of chart appearances and album releases, not probing too deeply. One wishes there were double the pages on each album, that the songs were explored even more in depth. Still, I was pretty ecstatic reading this and the maximum five stars is the only rating I can give here. And yes, I was there at Toronto's Molson Ampitheatre in June 2000 when the re-formed Guess Who performed a triumphant concert (and which Lawson writes about here) including the one over-exuberant fan who started dancing in front of the piano during "Clap For The Wolfman".
Lawson proceeds chronologically, from the early days to later days with band reunions and solo projects. Most interesting are his takes on every song on every core Guess Who album. One is relieved that see that he is a fan who knows the songs very well. Some very interesting tidbits that are new even to long time fans like me. Which guitarist played which solo, that kind of thing. It's good that Lawson gives credit where credit is due to band members like Greg Leskiw and Don McDougall, who were both playing in the shadow of Kurt Winter. Even Jim Kale is treated fairly and given credit, even though his ownership of The Guess Who name and touring with various cover bands has earned the wrath of Burton Cummings especially.
Lawson avoids gossip and speculation, even as sometimes one wants to read the "inside story" on things. Why were Winter and McDougall let go, why was Cummings so disenchanted during the Domenic Troiano era etc. The later chapters read more like a laundry list of chart appearances and album releases, not probing too deeply. One wishes there were double the pages on each album, that the songs were explored even more in depth. Still, I was pretty ecstatic reading this and the maximum five stars is the only rating I can give here. And yes, I was there at Toronto's Molson Ampitheatre in June 2000 when the re-formed Guess Who performed a triumphant concert (and which Lawson writes about here) including the one over-exuberant fan who started dancing in front of the piano during "Clap For The Wolfman".
December 16, 2020
This throughly-researched book is exactly what it claims to be - a listener’s guide to the recordings and performances of The Guess Who. It was refreshing to read an account of The Guess Who’s music without having to delve into all the old drama between the band members, ground which has been covered many times over the years. This excellent volume has filled a void that has long needed addressing. A very welcome addition to my bookcase.
December 20, 2020
An encyclopedic account of The Guess Who's discography. A well written and thoroughly researched book providing detailed accounts of the recording and writing process. A must for any Guess Who fan!
January 25, 2026
A very detailed and comprehensive review of the Guess Who recordings, from 'Shakin All Over' to 'Power In The Music', and beyond to include the reunion recordings & specials and the post GW careers of Cummings & Bachman.
Lawson has said in interviews that this is not a biography of the band, but rather a listening guide. That may be true, but it also does serve as a comprehensive biography of the Guess Who in my opinion. This book will appeal primarily to hard core fans as I imagine a very casual listener's eyes might gloss over at much of the very detailed information regarding various recordings. Having said that, it's indispensable to said hard core fans. Deeply researched & well written, I consumed this over a few days, but will refer to it often when I spin a GW record. Little tidbits in this book will send me to the recordings to relisten: For eg....Troiano injects a lick from Shakin All Over into the track "When the Band....." ? Got to go back & find that; Or Cummings whispers the words in one channel while singing the tune in the other on "Dreams" . Wallace sings lead on a couple Artificial Paradise tracks that I thought were Donnie McDougall's, and so on.
Kale & Peterson both get kudos in this book for their musicianship and, despite them both not being particular fan favourites these days, he doesn't let interfere with his objective point of view. Close listening will make anyone admit Kale was a very good bass player in his prime as was Peterson on the drums.
I made plenty of mental notes while reading this. Gotta go listen to this, gotta go check that. Alas, mental notes are worth the paper they are written on, so I'll be revisiting this book often.
Superfans are going to end up with well worn & dog eared copies of this book as it will be pulled off the shelf with regularity over the years.
Couple of interesting ( likely only to me 😊) points. Lawson references the Hamilton Live recording that never was released apparently due to drumming issues. I first met Cummings in June 1980 at a Coles Bookstore on Yonge Street and he told me the same thing after I asked him about the Hamilton recording . For years I was wondering who the drummer was in the touring band at that time, Jim Gordon? Peterson? Still don't know.
In the post GW section, Mr. Lawson recaps plenty of media interviews & TV appearances. I was getting excited to read about the infamous ( to me anyway) Linehan interview that Cummings did. I saw that interview when it first aired, & I've had thoughts ever since. Alas, I've never seen it again, & it appears to be completely unavailable. If it ever resurfaces, it's worth a watch.... whoo boy.
Now I have to go find MP3 copies of the Runnin back Thru Canada double CD since my Mac blew up & the only track I have on my phone is "...Saskatoon" , which is a blistering version, surpassing the Paramount recording X10
Bottom Line: If you're a GW fan, buy the darn book. I got mine direct from the author, which is an option if you can't find it elsewhere
Lawson has said in interviews that this is not a biography of the band, but rather a listening guide. That may be true, but it also does serve as a comprehensive biography of the Guess Who in my opinion. This book will appeal primarily to hard core fans as I imagine a very casual listener's eyes might gloss over at much of the very detailed information regarding various recordings. Having said that, it's indispensable to said hard core fans. Deeply researched & well written, I consumed this over a few days, but will refer to it often when I spin a GW record. Little tidbits in this book will send me to the recordings to relisten: For eg....Troiano injects a lick from Shakin All Over into the track "When the Band....." ? Got to go back & find that; Or Cummings whispers the words in one channel while singing the tune in the other on "Dreams" . Wallace sings lead on a couple Artificial Paradise tracks that I thought were Donnie McDougall's, and so on.
Kale & Peterson both get kudos in this book for their musicianship and, despite them both not being particular fan favourites these days, he doesn't let interfere with his objective point of view. Close listening will make anyone admit Kale was a very good bass player in his prime as was Peterson on the drums.
I made plenty of mental notes while reading this. Gotta go listen to this, gotta go check that. Alas, mental notes are worth the paper they are written on, so I'll be revisiting this book often.
Superfans are going to end up with well worn & dog eared copies of this book as it will be pulled off the shelf with regularity over the years.
Couple of interesting ( likely only to me 😊) points. Lawson references the Hamilton Live recording that never was released apparently due to drumming issues. I first met Cummings in June 1980 at a Coles Bookstore on Yonge Street and he told me the same thing after I asked him about the Hamilton recording . For years I was wondering who the drummer was in the touring band at that time, Jim Gordon? Peterson? Still don't know.
In the post GW section, Mr. Lawson recaps plenty of media interviews & TV appearances. I was getting excited to read about the infamous ( to me anyway) Linehan interview that Cummings did. I saw that interview when it first aired, & I've had thoughts ever since. Alas, I've never seen it again, & it appears to be completely unavailable. If it ever resurfaces, it's worth a watch.... whoo boy.
Now I have to go find MP3 copies of the Runnin back Thru Canada double CD since my Mac blew up & the only track I have on my phone is "...Saskatoon" , which is a blistering version, surpassing the Paramount recording X10
Bottom Line: If you're a GW fan, buy the darn book. I got mine direct from the author, which is an option if you can't find it elsewhere
May 5, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from
start to finish. Prior to reading it, I was familiar with music from Burton Cummings’ solo career, but I had not heard many of The Guess Who albums. Robert Lawson’s book provided me with helpful background information about the band’s music and inspired me to discover some of their “deep cut” tracks which I wouldn’t have done prior to reading it. I would encourage all to purchase this book about this legendary Canadian rock band - it’s a must for your library collection! 🇨🇦❤️🎶
start to finish. Prior to reading it, I was familiar with music from Burton Cummings’ solo career, but I had not heard many of The Guess Who albums. Robert Lawson’s book provided me with helpful background information about the band’s music and inspired me to discover some of their “deep cut” tracks which I wouldn’t have done prior to reading it. I would encourage all to purchase this book about this legendary Canadian rock band - it’s a must for your library collection! 🇨🇦❤️🎶
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December 9, 2020This book is good overall. It will appeal most to casual fans of the group. But for die-hard fans, like myself, it might be a bit disappointing. By that I mean, lacking in details, photos and consistency. Most of the chart statistics are well presented, but many are not mentioned either. Facts that are found on a search engine like Google, are not thoroughly researched. Hardly any mention is made on the band's national and international gold/platinum certifications. I expected more photos of the group and the album covers inside this book. Considering that each studio album has its own chapter; I thought that at the very least a small reproduction of the standard cover would be shown. The proof-reading for the typos was excellent, though.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews