Album review: THE GUESS WHO – The Future IS What It Used To Be

August 21st, 2018 by jason

Cleopatra Records [Release date 14.09.18]

Canadian classic rockers the Guess Who have been around since 1965 and this line-up still features original drummer Garry Peterson, whilst original bassist Jim Kale appears on the album, although no longer tours with the band.

The rest of the line-up consists of vocalist Derek Sharp (or D# as he appears on the album credits), Leonard Shaw (keyboards, sax, flute, vocals), Will Evankovich (guitar, harp, vocals) and former Whitesnake/Dio/BOC et al bassist Rudy Sarzo. Styx’s Tommy Shaw also guests on vocals and he co-wrote three of the ten songs on the album.

Like many other established bands The Guess Who have had various line-up changes and the current line-up does feature two original members (although as already mentioned only Garry Peterson still tours) plus Leonard Shaw has been in the band for twenty five years.

This album marks the band’s first new album since 1995′s ‘The Lonely One’ and before that their previous full studio album was released back in 1981! The album highlights include a fond look at days past on ’When We Were Young’, they hark back to their 70′s sound on the chugging rocker ’In America’ complete with rollicking piano and slide guitar. The ballad ‘Haunted’ allows D# a chance to show his vocal prowess. He suits the band to the ground.

The first single ‘Playin’ On The Radio’ celebrates the days of hearing a great song on the radio and this one is made for the airwaves, featuring a catchy chorus and a summery feel to the music. The band’s backing vocals on this one are a perfect fit and give the song a real uplifting vibe and there is a nice psychedelic outro.

A welcome return by the Guess Who still tour regularly and they will I am sure be able to include a few songs off this album as they have retained the band’s past sound – the album was recorded using equipment from the 60′s and 70′s. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)