Above the Ground

 

 

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Fans have been eagerly awaiting for the release of Above The Ground - the latest solo album by Burton Cummings - one of the top vocalists in rock `n roll. It's been a few years since Burton's last solo studio album - 18 years to be exact since Plus Signs came out in 1990. The good news is I don't think anyone will be disappointed with this album - in fact, in my view Above The Ground ranks right up there among his best albums.

At 19 tracks (all originals) this is the equivalent of a double album - most of Burton's previous solo records contained 9-10 songs and usually at least had a cover song or two. In a recent interview Burton described it as his "White Album" - The Beatles' 1968 double album. One of the best things about the White Album is the incredible diversity of songs. In that respect, Above The Ground is very similar - with a wide variety of material.

The album (which was originally to be titled "Double Nickel") was recorded earlier this year at Joe Vannelli's (Gino's brother) Blue Moon Studio in Agoura Hills, California - north of LA. The Carpet Frogs - a talented band from Toronto - were used on the album and certainly contributed to making the overall sound of the record quite different than any of Burton's previous solo albums. The Carpet Frogs have been Burton's touring band for a number of years and were also featured on the Bachman-Cummings "Jukebox" album which was released in mid-2007.

The songs on Above The Ground were written over the years - some recently (such as the title track) and others some time ago. One song on the album - a humorous song called Rollaway (a rollaway / a rollaway / that bed just down the hall is a rollaway) was actually written in late 1970. Burton would have been 22 at the time and The Guess Who had really broken through on the airwaves around the world and were one of the top selling bands - the single American Woman reaching the top of the U.S. charts earlier in the year, and what ended up being their top selling album, Share The Land, had been released.

We Just Came From The USA is one of the first singles from the album is a real killer rock anthem type song - best listened to while fully cranked up (the volume as well). In the right set of circumstances I could easily see this song as a #1 hit. Whether radio will jump all over it or not given the increasingly narrow programming formats that exist out there remains to be seen.

Pretty Pictures is one of my favourite tracks on the album - a terrific song with some tremendous vocal layering towards the end (those who like the vocals on Pleasin' For Reason from The Guess Who's Road Food album will love this one). The accompanying DVD (see below) has a great split multi-shot scene of the vocals being recorded for the song.

Ponderlust is a song that has really grown on me after a number of listens and now almost puts me in a trance. It's one of the many songs on the album were you spend some time concentrating on the lyrics (in a car, on a freeway / there's a priest whose cryin', a priest who's dyin' / in a graveyard beneath a full moon / I see a black cat lyin' with its throat cut) and the searing guitar solos on it are just tremendous.

A number of the songs draw from Burton's personal life and experiences - these include:
* Kurt's Song (a tribute to former friend and Guess Who bandmate Kurt Winter who passed away in 1997;
* Look Out Charlie (There's A New Bartender In Town) (a song written in the aftermath of 9/11 - the morning of which Burton and the other members of The Guess Who - who were in the midst of touring the U.S. in 2001 - were actually in Manhattan);
* Up In The Canyon (must have been written one day looking out the window from his home in the hills north of L.A.).

There are also a lot of fabulous easy listening tracks on the album such as Dream, A Touch Of Morning, Invisible and Any Minor Miracle.

A number of Burton's musical influences make their way on to the album. Burton, who has a knack for vocal mimicry, brings back Jim Morrison for brief appearance on two of the songs - Ponderlust (with a few lines from Shaman's Blues from the 1969 LP The Soft Parade from The Doors' 1969 LP) and Retribution (a line from Horse Latitudes from The Doors' 1967 LP Strange Days). There are also a couple of nods to The Beatles - Revelation is certainly Beatles sounding in parts, as is the guitar bit at the ending of Retribution.

A DVD is included as part of the regular CD release - a real bonus - which features a lot of great footage relating to the making of the album - most of it shot at the Blue Moon Studio. There is about 60 minutes of regular DVD footage and another 15 minutes of extra footage on top of that. The DVD is worth the price of admission alone.

I've rated this CD a 5 out of 5 stars on the scale provided - for fans of The Guess Who and/or Burton Cummings' solo efforts add an extra two stars.

Looking forward to "Still Above The Ground" in 2009...

Already having won over the critics, don't miss this opportunity to own "Above the Ground" (meaning "Still Alive"), Burton Cummings' first solo album release since 1990! All 19 tracks were written by Cummings - honest and revealing reflections on his life. Cummings says: "Let's face it...a 60 year old can't be writing teenage fluff anymore. I'm very conscious of how important the words are at this stage in my life." There are songs of faith ("Any Minor Miracle" and "Invisible"), songs with socio-political viewpoints ("Look Out Charlie", "We Just Came from the USA", "Pretty Pictures", "Up in the Canyon"), songs about friends and music legends gone too soon ("Kurt's Song", "Powers at Play"), the dark side ("Ponderlust"), discovery ("Revelation"), soul searching ("Dream"), poor judgment ("Crazy If You Mess with the Gods"), parenthood ("Junior Won't Behave"), aging ("Above the Ground"), and the simply beautiful ("A Touch of Morning"). Add Burton's expert keyboarding and unmistakable voice to the mix, and the result is a brilliant album guaranteed not to disappoint. A final note: There is an accompanying hour-long DVD of the "Making of Above the Ground", featuring exceptional footage by Lil Sarafian of the legendary Burton Cummings during the recording sessions. If you know nothing about cutting an album (or even if you do), you must see this video - a fabulous "up close and personal" film. Not only do you get the CD, but the bonus DVD as well, all for one very affordable price!

Burton Cummings hoped that the music gods would visit him when he was writing the music and lyrics for the songs on Above the Ground. When you listen to them you will see that they did indeed. The lyrics are pure poetry with lines such as " Healing power like holy water, Held the kiss of a rich mans daughter" from the song " Dream". His voice sounds strong and clear in this collection of songs which deal with universal themes such as loneliness, loss of a good friend, envy, self pity and the hope for healing and redemption. I feel everyone will find something to relate to in these songs, as we have all felt the same emotions that Burton is singing about on our walk through life. He says he is very proud of this album which is his first solo effort in twenty years. I am quite sure that those who listen to it will be lifted up as I was when I heard it.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Total Disappointment
I bought this CD based on the great reviews from Amazon's site.
Burton's voice still sounds great however this CD couldn't begin to measure up to previous Burton. Read more

Published 20 months ago by Novel Girl

4.0 out of 5 stars Burton Cummings' Above the Ground
This CD shows Cummings' talent as a singer/songwriter/musician (piano player). It's a good mix of different types of songs, backed by his band. Read more

Published on Jan 18 2010 by Brian Polk

3.0 out of 5 stars Burton Cummings
I have been a follower of Burton Cummings from when he was with the Guess Who. He has a powerful voice, never ceases to amaze me in its strength, even as he's gotten older... Read more

Published on Jan 14 2010 by Kathy A. Kauranen

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome back!
"Above The Ground" is a testiment to the fact that Burton is indeed still on top of his game! It has been a while since us die-hard Burton fans have had the pleasure of new... Read more

Published on Nov 24 2009 by Cheryl Mansfield

5.0 out of 5 stars Above the Ground
I loved the album and I think that Burton Cummings still have the total control of his unique and totally incredible and charming voice. Read more

Published on Sep 5 2009 by clark moon

5.0 out of 5 stars Get out your patio chair and open up a beer
Burton Cummings already has legendary status in Canada and needs to do nothing to change that.

This aside, this solo album is such a treat to listen to for two... Read more

Published on Mar 8 2009 by R. Dibbley

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love listening to Burton Cummings, this is for you!
Great opportunity to hear TODAY's Burton Cummings!
Mr. Cummings never lets his fans down. I love this CD!

Published on Mar 3 2009 by JimmyDrolet

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Burton Cummings
A must have for Cummings fans. Every song is different and speaks for itself. Fun songs, love songs and ballads. Read more

Published on Feb 16 2009 by Brenda L. Lang

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
All I can say is I'm SOOOO glad Burton is still making music!
This CD is Fantastic!!

Published on Jan 20 2009 by R. Mulholland

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks, Burton!
Others have said so many nice things about this album. I would just like to add that I am grateful to Burton for making this beautiful work or art. It makes life worth while.

Published on Dec 2 2008 by William C. Golembeskidara

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