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 Hoping for a few more releases, BC Aug 07, 2009
Burton's got himself a tight rock 'n' roll band, no doubt. The Frogs could play "Whiter Shade" or "Slow Ride" if you asked'em to. But if anyone's got quibbles about what they hear from the band, it was all Burton's call, I'm thinking. I do believe the dude knew just what he wanted. Obviously, he knows his way around a studio. Generally, the instrument parts are well-defined with good clarity, crisp rhythm-great drum sound-, fatness, pleasurefully edgy vocals.
But I definitely hear some anti-Richard Perry (the guy who produced BC's debut solo LP, as well as mucho Streisand) vibe here. I love guitar rock as much as anyone, and these guys nail it every time, but I'd like some different arrangement & instrument voicings going on through here. I believe the artistic choice here was generally towards "elegance in simplicity". But the impression one gets from this record is that this guy wants to be remembered as a rock 'n' roller, not the fuggin "Stand Tall" guy. Regardless, the guy was a genius at doing "sweet", from "I'm Scared" to "These Eyes" as much as badass, so why fight it, and all the cool, fat arrangement stuff that comes along with that? And what was so evil about bringing horns to style some Brother Ray?
...Which isn't to say that a couple mellow tunes don't absolutely hit the G spot, most notably "Song For Kurt". The one thing about that one might've been that the guitar solo could have utilitized a snippet/phrase from a monumental Kurt Winter riff or somesuch. "A Touch of Morning" is also mellow Burton without flaw.
He reaches toward the dark side, try to purge a few lizard king demons on a song like "Ponderlust", and this one definitely succeeds in cutting to the quick. A few other excursions seem like good ideas not fully realized, such as "Junior Won't Behave" and "Whatever Happened To Richard". We also get some cool vibe but are left with a napkin sketch of something that maybe needed another drawing board session to flesh out the vignette, "Up In The Canyon". Sounding rather like Steely Dan with a better singer, here, we're lacking some arrangement voicings and progression changes that would make this more than moderately clever, and to fully realize the snazziness toward which this aspires.
The closing "Above The Ground" really does tie this record together, fully deserving of its title cut/closing number status. Sweet piano riff, honest lyrics, absolutely LOVELY bridge. As this fades out, one really catches a wistful sense of the passage of time, not just for Cummings, but for all of us, living in a world so different from when "These Eyes" & "No Time" were new. One cannot help but sigh, wondering whether this fade is a farewell for the official BC catelogue. Sincerely hope not. Still time to embrace the inner Mel Torme, Brother Ray, et cetera...give Fagen a call maybe.
Although I don't feel that Burton bats a thousand on this album, it is a project upon which he should look with pride. Foremost, a very honest record by a guy who was one of the best singers during the classic rock era, showing that he is still that same guy.
 We Need Some Stories About Right Now! Monster Hits!!! Jul 04, 2009
Burton Cummings has been nearly as good if not better at making up story lines as William Shatners "Has Been" cd. Burton Cummings latest "Above The Ground" is filled with current and common story lines that shine through his revived and refreshed musical styles. I consider this a new genre of story telling that Ben Folds, William Shatner, and now Burton Cummings ("Off The Ground") has penned and now created. "Fashionable Frown" lyrics were last used on Ben Folds new "Way To Normal" cd. Burton Cummings has taken an extra-ordinary effort to move ahead with this 2 cd set offering in "Above The Ground".
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 JUST NOT IMPRESSED... Apr 08, 2009
I love Burton Cummings. I've played his music for years and seen him play live all too many times. There is no voice like Burton Cummings and its distintive sound is limited to one only.
Having said that... This album put me to sleep. He is not a true writer but instead a singer. I've heard most of these songs before in other solo albums.
One song has me in a truckstop cafe putting coins into a jukebox and the next song has heavy metal banging music with no real 'rock' sound.
The band he uses is flat. It's not the quality of his Guess Who/Randy Bachman band. It's just too boring.
I'm alone here. I know that. This album scored well in reviews but I'm not the fifty year old that just wants the same old time and time again. Music evolves and I can lsiten to current music with the same ease as I can listening to a Burton Cummings/Beatles album. I enjoy the current as well as the past.
ABOVE THE GROUND (title track) is excellent! His band is not...
Two stars at best and Burton is off of DANCING WITH THE STARS.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Burton is back Mar 19, 2009
It's been about 19 years since his last studio album and he sounds better than ever. The title cut "Above the Ground" is still my favorite after several listens but this CD is chock full of great songs. Among my other favorites; Any Minor Miracle, We just came from the USA, Kurt's Song (a tribute to a former Guess Who member), Dream, A Touch of Morning and Invisible. Also has an interesting behind the scenes DVD on the making of the album. This release stacks up very well against all his previous solo efforts. You will love this!!
Big Fan of Burton Cummings Feb 25, 2009
I love this album! BC never disappoints me. His voice is as good now as it's ever been. Just wish I knew what the title of Track 3 means. Tpos?
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