After a severe hurricane threat earlier in the week, under clear skies in downtown Orlando in the Church Street Station area complex, the Guess Who made an appearance for a surprisingly large and appreciative crowd Friday night. This incarnation of the Guess Who is comprised of Garry Peterson, percussionist, who is a founding member of the band with the most seniority (yes, he was there before Bachman, Cummings, or even Kale, and technically outlasted them all, as even Cummings quit in the end), and a few more recent additions.

Dale Russell, on board since 1981 (beginning with the Now And Not Then album), lead guitarist; Leonard Shaw, Keyboards, sax, flute;(since the Liberty/Lonely One album); Carl Dixon, lead singer; (1997), and Ken (Spider) Sinnaeve, bass; (1998).

They opened with "Shakin' All Over", and over the course of the set added "Clap For The Wolfman"(Shaw does a great Wolfman), "Bus Rider", "No Sugar Tonite", "Orly", "Hand Me Down World", "Albert Flasher", "Follow Your Daughter Home", "Share The Land", "Laughing", "Undun", "Star Baby", "American Woman", "Rain Dance", "Rock 'n' Roll Classic"(written and sung by Leonard Shaw), "Runnin' Back to Saskatoon", the encore "These Eyes", and the perennial Guess Who set closer, "No Time".

The show seemed to start a little slow, then snowballing as the familiar tunes kept on coming. Russell was having a great time on guitar, playing solos which were, in general, true to the originals with some fresh new twists. I'm a true Kurt Winter fan who saw him live 4 times, and I've seen Randy Bachman play on video, but Dale truly played the best version I've ever heard of "No Time"; his guitar was wailin' something fierce.

Shaw on keyboards provided another hard working multi-instrument/vocal performance(although where I was the keyboards could not be heard clearly); by the end of the set he was drenched. Spider laid out strong bass lines throughout, along with an apparently now-established solo riff that gives the other members a break while he tears his bass up as a lead-in to "American Woman".

Carl gave a number of different vocal performances during the course of the evening; his contributions are the most prominent, and therefore, the most keenly analyzed by the audience. On some numbers, such as "Laughing" and "Star Baby", he's perfectly suited to the tune. However, even though he provides solid vocals, on others, the spectre of Cummings' original vocals make any attempts at "American Woman" and "Share the Land" seem somehow lesser, without the gritty, growling, huskiness of Burt's original performances. Cummings today, in concert, only has to show up and deliver his own unique tonal qualities, even if the song is keyed down a half-step or two, and much of the gritty, raspy timbre of his pipes are all but absent. Dixon, on the other hand, is up against the 1970's Burton Cummings of the studio recordings - a tough challenge, to be sure. Dixon delivers, in his own way, strong to the end - along with some good guitar work. He appears to be not at ease occasionally, but at others he's smiling, laughing, and doing a good job.

Garry Peterson, on the other hand, is the player most at ease, really relishing each beat of every tune they play. Unfortunately, he's not really tall, and it's hard to get a good look at him surrounded by his drumset. This is temporarily rectified when he comes out front to play the congas for "Follow Your Daughter Home". He also comes across as the most friendly and open, trading jokes and providing the audience with wonderful background on the genesis of some of the songs.

All in all, this was a concert that had something for everyone: hit tunes from the '60's through the '70's; if you're a fan of this band, another good performance; if you're not a fan, some details to pick apart, or perhaps something that hooks you into becoming a fan. I guess it depends on your point of view. For me, whenever Garry Peterson (or any other member from the RCA years) comes to town (especially if they play Guess Who songs), I'm there! I've seen Cummings, Kale, Peterson, Leskiw, Winter, McDougall, and Wallace all live, and tapes of the others. It's all good to me.

Church Street Station, Orlando Florida

Garry Peterson

Dale Russell