To me this is jazz with an interurban bluesy undertone. I picture myself in the middle of the night, looking out through my balcony door at the distant city lights, feeling those sultry avant garde vibes wash over my soul like a wave.
I have been recommending this smokin' bluesy jazz tune for a long time. Absolutely great, mesmerizing guitar work by the master, Randy Bachman. How is this not a universally acknowledged all-time classic? Fred Turner's vocals are clear but beautifully restrained. Next, a few BTO tunes you rarely hear on radio or on reaction channels - Gimme Your Money Please and Lookin' Out for No. 1.
Randy started as a violin prodigy but turned to guitar in his teenage years. Randy was just nominated to the song writer hall of fame with Burton Cummings.
Randy has jazz elements hiding in plain sight in many of his performances. It tends to be a small footnote in his biography but I always think the fact that Randy took some of his early lessons from Lenny Breau had an impact in his playing.
Lenny and Randy are from Winnipeg Canada .....Randy took guitar lessons from Lenny......Chet Atkins said Lenny was the best jazz guitar player at that time
1975 - I drove between 4 & 5AM to my summer job at a steel mill in Lemont IL. My favorite drive song - I played it on an 8 track portable player in my back seat. Some great memories.
Yes yes YES! So glad you finally reacted to Blue Collar, Harri. I've always thought this was their masterpiece (much like Undun for the Guess Who, Randy Bachman's first band). A real musical tour de force. I've never understood why this wasn't a 70's classic. Randy took lessons from eventual jazz great Lenny Breau while they were both still teens in Winnipeg. Both of Lenny's parents were musicians and he is looked upon as a genius of the guitar, though sadly didn't get the recognition he deserved and died far too early under mysterious circumstances. This is one of my 10 desert island discs. Great suggestion JamieA!
Fantastic song and jam, has been my favorite from BTO for years! Great reaction, I could tell you were really diggin' it. Thanks Harri and to who requested this gem, I think he said Jamie!
Just wow, spectacular and even at 70+ I’ve never heard it before. Carlos Santana meets BTO ? Dang I love the music of this era…! Oh gosh that’s my early 20’s 😂
This has always been their best song. and IIRC, this wasn't even originally released as a single at first. It took a lot of us time to listen to the whole album to figure it out. One of the best B side songs ever.
My understanding is that Randy Bachman took guitar/music lessons from jazz phenomenon Lenny Breau while both were living in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. They were both teenagers at the time. Bachman said that Breau had a great influence on his guitar playing.
This song was my intro to the band, back in the day, and while they went harder and poppier they remain one of my favorite bands. . . And this IS among my favorite all time songs. . !
I had this album and this was my favorite too! Every note of those solos is burned into my brain. I couldn't help humming along while watching this. Great reaction!
Now that I’m officially old this song needs my recliner, a fire in the fireplace and a nice glass of bourbon. Maybe a selection of the hard stuff and then this to bring me back down before bed.
I remember when i first heard this back in 73 - 74, I was blown away. I was hearing Jazz guitar on top 40 radio! My dad was a jazz guitarist and I though rock was going in the right direction. And there have been a few, namely "King of the World" by Steely Dan. But this was whole 'nother level stuff.
My hometown boys from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Lenny Breau who was an amazing jazz guitarist loved down the street from Randy Bachman and was a huge influence on him. Please check out Looking iut for number one which is in the same vein. This is one of my favourite BTO songs for sure. Cheers
I have never heard this song before and it changed how I think about BTO. I knew they were from Winnipeg and formed after The Guess Who but I had no idea they had chops like this. Thank you Harri and thanks to whomever turned you on to this track, you have edified me!
Yes, sadly most non Canadians and even some of them only know the mostly "Pop Rock" styled hits of BTO. The depth of these dudes was off the charts. Time to deep dive them, it will be very much worth it.
Hey Jami. This is very different from anything I have ever heard from BTO. I like it a lot. It was a great request and Harri did a wonderful reaction as usual. Thanks Jami and Harri 🌺✌️
He lived in my town (Blaine, Washington, on the North Western tip of Washington State. Had a home with a Studio on H Street hill. There were not too many streets. (early use of Echo-plex on the second solo). I sat with him once in the Bleachers of the Lynden County fair, watching the Tractor 🚜 pulls. I never played a not, so that's as Musical adjacent as I got. I worked a lot of graveyard in those days, trying to get back to college! Song has meaning to me too!
I can hear Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian and George Benson all over this. Randy def has some serious chops. I can hear some of his Guess Who guitar sound in this too. Great stuff from the north country.
For me, this kind of music today is more valuable than any commerce, it was mostly jazz, or jazz rock, I can listen to this kind of music for a very long time, we noticed that there were two guitars in the solo, which is why listening with headphones you seemed to have two echo, first in the right and then in the left ear, in fact, there is not much such music now, you just listen, relax and get a buzz.
Harri, you react to more songs than anyone I know. Lots of what you react to, I skipped to the next song in the past, and now am hearing for the first time. Try "Life Still Goes On" by BTO from Freeways album. I think you'll like it. Thanks for your reactions.
Their massive hit was "Taking Care of Business." Randy Bachman use to live just a few miles from me, in a suburb of Vancouver BC. I believe he now lives on Vancouver IslAND.
Harri, you should have dimmed the lights for this. Perhaps my favorite BTO track. I bought the album when it first came out, and BTO played in my High School's auditorium shortly after. My very first real rock concert. 👍
I would never know in a million years that this was Bachman Turner overdrive. For the record, I much prefer Let it Ride and Roll On Down The Highway to this one
Bachman really is a much better guitar player than I realized back in the day. There is a better version live of this song under Bachman & Turner. Guessing its about 10 years old so not all of the old band just Randy and Fred. Really sounds great!
The same band that can deliver a "Sledgehammer" is the same one that brought this great song from their first album. Severely underated band, one of my favorites.
This is the full influence of innovative jazz guitarist Lenny Breau on Randy Bachman. Lenny Breau was playing 7 string electric guitars before they were even a gleam in the eye of today's metal and shred masters.
Correct..it IS jazz..listen same band and react to LOOKIN OUT FOR #1..And The Guess Who "Undone" ..same guitarist/ writer..and Hans Staymer Band " Hello Central " ..these cuts will please you..very much Canadian pure talent..do 'em
Randy Bachman was greatly influenced by friend Lenny Breau, one of the best guitarists ever. I'm not exaggerating about it. Google Breau, maybe find some of his music. He died young, but if I recall Randy would go to Breau's house and learn everything he could from him. Maybe Randy can fill you in on that. BTO has lots of jazz undertones and I've always thought it's because of Lenny.
Yes I think it is their best song, but in fairness, I am not a huge fan of BTO. Some of their songs were massively overplayed on our radio back in the day because of Canadian content requirements. Blue Collar is a tru;ly great song though!
I got this album (best of BTO)back in ‘76, when I was 12. I didn’t appreciate this song at all back then. It’s been my favorite BTO song for about 25 yrs….
🔥🔥🔥 Without a doubt, my Very Very Very favorite BTO song! It is So sultry... 🔥🔥🔥
I agree, absolutely outstanding music!!!!
To me this is jazz with an interurban bluesy undertone. I picture myself in the middle of the night, looking out through my balcony door at the distant city lights, feeling those sultry avant garde vibes wash over my soul like a wave.
My favorite song from BTO!
I have been recommending this smokin' bluesy jazz tune for a long time. Absolutely great, mesmerizing guitar work by the master, Randy Bachman. How is this not a universally acknowledged all-time classic? Fred Turner's vocals are clear but beautifully restrained. Next, a few BTO tunes you rarely hear on radio or on reaction channels - Gimme Your Money Please and Lookin' Out for No. 1.
You said it!
Randy Bachman is such a great guitar player and song writer with BTO and The Guess Who.
underrated and often overlooked.
Randy started as a violin prodigy but turned to guitar in his teenage years. Randy was just nominated to the song writer hall of fame with Burton Cummings.
Thank you, Harri. Blue Collar is one of the greatest songs of the 1970s and is criminally underappreciated.
"Rock is my Life
(and this is my song)"
I haven’t heard this since the late 70’s. Such a great tune!
Randy has jazz elements hiding in plain sight in many of his performances. It tends to be a small footnote in his biography but I always think the fact that Randy took some of his early lessons from Lenny Breau had an impact in his playing.
Lenny and Randy are from Winnipeg Canada .....Randy took guitar lessons from Lenny......Chet Atkins said Lenny was the best jazz guitar player at that time
Yet another Canadian treasure ............. :)
1975 - I drove between 4 & 5AM to my summer job at a steel mill in Lemont IL. My favorite drive song - I played it on an 8 track portable player in my back seat. Some great memories.
th-cam.com/video/rnIjkIx1Qww/w-d-xo.html Live at Roseland Ballroom, ending jam at 5:20 is fantastic to watch
Yes yes YES! So glad you finally reacted to Blue Collar, Harri. I've always thought this was their masterpiece (much like Undun for the Guess Who, Randy Bachman's first band). A real musical tour de force. I've never understood why this wasn't a 70's classic.
Randy took lessons from eventual jazz great Lenny Breau while they were both still teens in Winnipeg. Both of Lenny's parents were musicians and he is looked upon as a genius of the guitar, though sadly didn't get the recognition he deserved and died far too early under mysterious circumstances.
This is one of my 10 desert island discs.
Great suggestion JamieA!
Great music from a great Canadian
For as many times as I've listened to this, it wasn't until about the 6:50 mark where suddenly the bass hit my senses. Extraordinary bass.
You should react to the live version of Bachman &Turner Blue Collar live.Also Bachman & Turner Not Fragile live.Amazing live versions both.Enjoy.
Fantastic song and jam, has been my favorite from BTO for years! Great reaction, I could tell you were really diggin' it. Thanks Harri and to who requested this gem, I think he said Jamie!
Best BTO ever did.....the musicality......
Rock Is My Life (And ThIs Is My Song) is another great BTO tune.
Just wow, spectacular and even at 70+ I’ve never heard it before. Carlos Santana meets BTO ? Dang I love the music of this era…! Oh gosh that’s my early 20’s 😂
Check out their song Lookin Out For Number 1.
Probably my favorite BTO tune, love the jazz feel to it, especially when Fred starts running up and down the bass
I can swear there was Stand Up bass on this in parts as well.
My favorite song of theirs! So unexpected, and shows the true talent of this group.
So glad you did this one Harry, it's a great one.
Favorite BTO tunes are Not Fragile, Let it Ride, Takin' Care of Business, and Hey You.
Yeah, this is their best.
This has always been their best song. and IIRC, this wasn't even originally released as a single at first. It took a lot of us time to listen to the whole album to figure it out. One of the best B side songs ever.
My understanding is that Randy Bachman took guitar/music lessons from jazz phenomenon Lenny Breau while both were living in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. They were both teenagers at the time. Bachman said that Breau had a great influence on his guitar playing.
Exactly. Breau was a phenom.
Have always enjoyed Bachman’s guitar work
Ah dude, I've been waiting for you to get to this tune. I knew you'd like it. Love this tune. Number one is another like this. Peace
They sound like Carlos Santana and like Steely Dan. It has a jazzy beat with the guitar and percussion.
Definitely hear them, but I also hear a little Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
This song was my intro to the band, back in the day, and while they went harder and poppier they remain one of my favorite bands. . . And this IS among my favorite all time songs. . !
My favorite BTO song. The definition of SMOOTH!
This is my favorite BTO song. Has such a great sound!
Check out the live version from the Roseland Theater in Canada about 9 years ago.
Fred Turner Bass and Vocals, wrote this song.
I had this album and this was my favorite too! Every note of those solos is burned into my brain. I couldn't help humming along while watching this. Great reaction!
I had never heard of this song before until today and I am very impressed and I love the jazzy sound!👍
World class stuff right there. So good. Thanks!
Now that I’m officially old this song needs my recliner, a fire in the fireplace and a nice glass of bourbon. Maybe a selection of the hard stuff and then this to bring me back down before bed.
Just scored tickets to BTO, hope Fred Turner re-joins the band for the tour!
I remember when i first heard this back in 73 - 74, I was blown away. I was hearing Jazz guitar on top 40 radio! My dad was a jazz guitarist and I though rock was going in the right direction. And there have been a few, namely "King of the World" by Steely Dan. But this was whole 'nother level stuff.
The BTO kissing cousin of the GW's "Undun." So jazzy-cool smooth. The tape delay effect reminds me of early Queen.
This has always been my favourite song by BTO. I loved the jazz sound of it which is such a sharp contrast to most of their other offerings.
This has always been my favorite BTO song. There's a great live performance on YT from a reunion show they did a few years back. It's great!
My hometown boys from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Lenny Breau who was an amazing jazz guitarist loved down the street from Randy Bachman and was a huge influence on him.
Please check out Looking iut for number one which is in the same vein.
This is one of my favourite BTO songs for sure.
Cheers
I have never heard this song before and it changed how I think about BTO. I knew they were from Winnipeg and formed after The Guess Who but I had no idea they had chops like this. Thank you Harri and thanks to whomever turned you on to this track, you have edified me!
Yes, sadly most non Canadians and even some of them only know the mostly "Pop Rock" styled hits of BTO. The depth of these dudes was off the charts. Time to deep dive them, it will be very much worth it.
One of my favorite BTO tunes. I saw them in 1978 with Foghat headlining and Judas Priest opening. 4 Wheel Drive is a great rocker.
Try "My Wheels won't turn. It is perhaps Blair Thornton's best Lead guitar moment with the band. The solo alone is worth the listen.
I'm very jealous.
Hey Jami. This is very different from anything I have ever heard from BTO. I like it a lot. It was a great request and Harri did a wonderful reaction as usual. Thanks Jami and Harri 🌺✌️
So Smooth. Very good music . That Les Paul standard doing jazz.🌄☕🌴
That was great! I really love that song. Awesome reaction!
Me too!✌️❤️
He lived in my town (Blaine, Washington, on the North Western tip of Washington State. Had a home with a Studio on H Street hill. There were not too many streets. (early use of Echo-plex on the second solo). I sat with him once in the Bleachers of the Lynden County fair, watching the Tractor 🚜 pulls. I never played a not, so that's as Musical adjacent as I got. I worked a lot of graveyard in those days, trying to get back to college! Song has meaning to me too!
I realized that I've heard this song in the distant past, but what an incredible song on all levels by BTO. Amazing track.
I’ve grown to really love this as one of my favourites from them.
Definitely one of their more intricate songs of all their catalog I’m sure.
Check out BTO's "Looking Out For Number One"....
Their Best work Randy and Fred!!!
I like your reactions! Love it!
Saw them 1979 Wichita falls. Tx.
Good choice. You can't go wrong with BTO
Hands down my favorite BTO Track.
Always my favorite of theirs. They busted out the creative chops on this.
I was about 15 when this came out. I started blue-collar jobs at 17. I LOVE this jazz tune, and your reaction is priceless. Thank you!!
I can hear Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian and George Benson all over this. Randy def has some serious chops. I can hear some of his Guess Who guitar sound in this too. Great stuff from the north country.
Yea I hear George Benson in there too.😁 Saw him many times in Pittsburgh
A wonderful jazz composition, more jazz on Harri's channel
Yeah, when you said Jazz undertones a screamed SOLID JAZZ !
For me, this kind of music today is more valuable than any commerce, it was mostly jazz, or jazz rock, I can listen to this kind of music for a very long time, we noticed that there were two guitars in the solo, which is why listening with headphones you seemed to have two echo, first in the right and then in the left ear, in fact, there is not much such music now, you just listen, relax and get a buzz.
Randy Bachman is still touring.
Harri, you react to more songs than anyone I know. Lots of what you react to, I skipped to the next song in the past, and now am hearing for the first time. Try "Life Still Goes On" by BTO from Freeways album. I think you'll like it. Thanks for your reactions.
As you liked this one, check out The Guess Who (Burton Cummings and Randy bachman) on their jam Undun. You'll really dig the surprise at the end.
Their massive hit was "Taking Care of Business." Randy Bachman use to live just a few miles from me, in a suburb of Vancouver BC. I believe he now lives on Vancouver IslAND.
Only thing wrong with this song is that it's too short. I could listen to that guitar for hours.
Creative genius of Randy. Influences go way back
Check out "Looking out for Number One" by BTO
Straight up jazz, ala Undun😊
agreed about best song musically.
On the opposite side of the spectrum from the same album. Gimme your money Please.
BTO has a big catalog of good songs. If you like a bluesy feel but a little more up tempo from them try “Blue Moanin”
Thanks Jamie A and Harri - I forgot how good this song was! Has a little bit of a Doors vibe, IMO.
Harri, you should have dimmed the lights for this. Perhaps my favorite BTO track. I bought the album when it first came out, and BTO played in my High School's auditorium shortly after. My very first real rock concert. 👍
I would never know in a million years that this was Bachman Turner overdrive. For the record, I much prefer Let it Ride and Roll On Down The Highway to this one
Bachman really is a much better guitar player than I realized back in the day. There is a better version live of this song under Bachman & Turner. Guessing its about 10 years old so not all of the old band just Randy and Fred. Really sounds great!
This was music in my early 20s. Still like them.
The same band that can deliver a "Sledgehammer" is the same one that brought this great song from their first album. Severely underated band, one of my favorites.
World class stuff.
This is the full influence of innovative jazz guitarist Lenny Breau on Randy Bachman. Lenny Breau was playing 7 string electric guitars before they were even a gleam in the eye of today's metal and shred masters.
Hiya Harri...nice to you again...a great take with fine material to get yer groove on! 😊
How about playing some songs by jazz guitar 🎸 great Wes Montgomery? Bumping on Sunset, The Big Hurt, Tequila, etc. Mike in Tacoma
Correct..it IS jazz..listen same band and react to LOOKIN OUT FOR #1..And The Guess Who "Undone" ..same guitarist/ writer..and Hans Staymer Band " Hello Central " ..these cuts will please you..very much
Canadian pure talent..do 'em
Some say "Let It Ride" is their best song. Just sayin' 🙂
Randy Bachman was greatly influenced by friend Lenny Breau, one of the best guitarists ever. I'm not exaggerating about it. Google Breau, maybe find some of his music. He died young, but if I recall Randy would go to Breau's house and learn everything he could from him. Maybe Randy can fill you in on that. BTO has lots of jazz undertones and I've always thought it's because of Lenny.
Sounds pretty good to me for 1973, doesn’t it? 😄
What piano Harri? No piano on this song. It's a great blues tune, Randy Bachman on guitar & Fred Turner on vocals. Simply the best. Thanks Harri.
There is most definitely a piano on this song. At 44 seconds.
Yes I think it is their best song, but in fairness, I am not a huge fan of BTO. Some of their songs were massively overplayed on our radio back in the day because of Canadian content requirements. Blue Collar is a tru;ly great song though!
How about the Classic UNDUN he had with the Guess Who? Definitely JAZZ!!
I got this album (best of BTO)back in ‘76, when I was 12. I didn’t appreciate this song at all back then. It’s been my favorite BTO song for about 25 yrs….
I remember wearing out an 8track fast-forwarding to hear this song again and again.