I can happily report that at long last I got to see Burton Cummings, of The Guess Who and singer/songwriter fame perform live. I have been tracking his concert appearances in the hope of seeing him live for a couple of decades now.
I literally stumbled upon the fact that Burton Cummings was playing Mohegan Sun Wolf Den. I discovered this fact the night I waited on line to see Johnny Rivers perform. It was a major discovery I was jazzed to find. I have been searching high and low for a Burton Cummings concert date on the Web, with PollStar for years.
For those of you who may not be familiar with the Mohegan Sun Casino, Wolf Den it is a venue in the middle of the Casino of the Earth. It resembles a huge tented alcove from the outside. Inside it is a nightclub in a semicircle with a rock covered stage area. Its as if you are in the mountains somewhere watching an act perform. The amazing part of the acoustics is that when the musics playing you can’t hear the whir and bing of the slot machines at all 
The shows are free to the public, you just have to arrive early for a seat. I typically get there three+ hours before they let the audience in at 6:30 for an 8 o’clock show. Its a long time to stand but the music is very worth it as are the caliber of artists they bring to the Wolf Den.
It was a busy night at Mohegan Sun on the fourth of July weekend. Def Leppard and Heart were performing at the Arena. We hope to see Heart someday as a headliner act. Yes, they are on my bucket list
I can now draw a line through Burton Cummings on my bucket list. It was my expectation that he would perform hits from The Guess Who period of his career and he didn’t disappoint us at all. Last night was the opening night of Burton Cummings Your Backyard U.S. Tour. He and his band the Carpet Frogs played a great set of music as the set list indicates below.
Burton Cummings was enthusiastic with the reception he received from the Wolf Den crowd. He said something interesting to all of us. He stated that he wasn’t sure if he should tour the US with there already being a band that calls themselves The Guess Who. I am glad he reconsidered that option and played his heart out for us last night.
I loved that Burton Cummings performed Rosemary’s favorite Guess Who single, “Undun” as he did mine, “These Eyes”. Burton Cummings has a signature voice and he is one of, if not my favorite vocalist of all time. Granted he’s 63 now and he was 20 when he had his first two gold records (Laughing and These Eyes both from the same single…). He lowers the octave range of his voice to compensate for time and his voice sounded great last night let me tell you.
I am including some pictures I took last night with my Apple iPhone. The balance of the photographs are available here on Flickr. I need to get a better smartphone camera, maybe when the iPhone 5 comes out
July 2, 2011
Mohegan Sun Wolf Den
Burton Cummings
and the Carpet Frogs
Set List
1. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature
2. Albert Flasher
3. Clap for the Wolfman
4. Laughing
5. Guns, Guns, Guns
6. Stand Tall
7. Hand Me Down World
8. Rollaway
9. Undun
10. Bus Driver
11. These Eyes
12. American Woman
13. Star Baby
14. Break it to Me Gently
included as part of #14,
Oldies Medley
Working on the Chain Gang
Be bop A Lula
Another Saturday night
Donna
Duke of Earl
15. No Time
16. I Will Play A Rhapsody
Encore
17. Louie, Louie
18. Share the Land
Sent from my iPhone
Related articles
- Burton Cummings In Concert, Saturday July 2 (musicofourheart.wordpress.com)
- Johnny Rivers, Set List, from the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den, 6/18/11 (theconcertslut.wordpress.com)
“Burton Cummings has a signature voice and he is one of, if not my favorite vocalist of all time.”
Sir, you have excellent taste in music.
He is coming to Columbus,OH on Wed July 13th and I already have my ticket..FIRST time for me,as well……
I have had the great pleasure of seeing Burton live on many occasions now and he is still amoung the very best. His longevity is testament to his enduring conviction to his music and his audience. He still bows to repeated standing ovations, still sells out at his concert venues, still leaves us in tears with so many great, great songs that have stayed in our hearts, minds and souls for over forty years now…and he’s still going strong. For any music enthusiast attending Burton’s concerts is a must do without question. I can’t wait to see him again…and often in the days, months and years ahead.
Your review was very good! However, I attended the show and took notes myself. New Mother Nature was part of #1 No Sugar Tonight. Burton did not play Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon it was Albert Flasher at #2. Guns, Guns, Guns was #5. The oldies medley is part of #14 Break It to Them Gently and not a separate number. No Time was # 15 and I Will Play a Rhapsody was #16. You should correct your set list!
Mark,
Thanks for the corrections, I don’t profess to know The Guess Who and Burton Cummings discography as well as I’d like. I was hoping someone like yourself might come along and help me make this more accurate.
Thank you for your comments and input regarding the set list. Its very appreciated and welcomed.
Peace,
Ed
Hi Ed,
Nice job! Set list is now spot on with the very nice review of the show.
Peace,
Mark Farrell
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