Album review: THE GUESS WHO – Plein D’Amour

Deko Entertainment [Release date 07.07.23]

The Guess Who’s 2018 album, ‘The Future IS What It Used to Be’, wasn’t bad at all, maybe a bit too AOR/melodic rock for diehard fans, possibly due to Styx’s Tommy Shaw having a large input into the songwriting. He doesn’t seem to appear at all on this album, which still has a strong melodic feel, with a few dips into 70s rock and prog sounds.

The band line-up has also had a couple of changes, with former Lou Gramm guitarist Michael Staertow and ex-Whitesnake bassist Michael Devin, joining the trio of vocalist Derek Sharp, keys/sax player Leonard Shaw and drummer (& sole original member) Garry Peterson.

‘The King’ was released as the first single/album taster and it is a fine bit of 70s pomp rock. Styx and Queen come to mind when listening to this, along with the much missed Jellyfish. In fact, if you didn’t know better you’d swear this was an unreleased Jellyfish song. Song of the album, along with the title track, by a country mile.

The psychedelic ‘Across The Line’ and the summery pop rock of ‘People Around Me’ are both strong tunes. ‘Headline’ mines the CSN vibe highlighting the vocal talents of the Guess Who. Like the two aforementioned songs, perfect for playing on a summer’s day.

The title track throws a lot into the musical pot, with a nice, big 70′s guitar sound, vocal harmonies and a touch of prog.

Despite containing eight songs, the album clocks in at just over thirty minutes but then better than having fillers or songs overstaying their welcome.

The Guess Who certainly deserve a fair listen as they are another classic band on a purple patch. An album that grows on you the more you play it and that’s always the sign of good music. ***1/2

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.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

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 14 April 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 9 April 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 29 April 2024

BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024

09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023

To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account

Tweets by Get Ready to ROCK!