30 years on, Arjen Lucassen and Robert Soeterboek reformed Plan Nine and released ‘The Long-Lost Songs’

Reviewed By Phil M

There seems to be no shortage of bands and musicians delving deep into their archives and reworking some of their older material. This time round it’s Dutch multi-instrumentalist Arjen Lucassen who in the 90s hooked up with vocalist Robert Soeterboek (at that time singing with Bodine) whose vocals had impressed him. They started writing together and put down many tracks in a basic studio in his bedroom, bringing in bass, keyboards and drums to complete the sound. At that time though the music scene was at peak grunge, dominated by the likes of Nirvana and Pearl Jam and it proved not easy to land a record deal and the ideas that they had put down were shelved.

Soeterboek went on to join the German band Wicked Sensation worked with Lucassen on the first Ayreon album and then headed up the Cotton Soeterboek band.

In 2022 though the pair reconnected, Soeterboek had been thinking of recording one of those earlier recordings ‘Annie Moore’ and Lucassen, though busy with other projects, agreed to work on it. They brought in their original bass and keyboard players – Peter Vink and Cleem Determeijer respectively as well as Koen Herfst on drums. The results were good enough for them to start reworking their old catalogue of cassettes and DAT tapes and this album is the result. There are eleven tracks that are released here, as well as a further twenty on the bonus CD.

With plenty of Hammond and distorted guitars, the sound of the album is reminiscent of Deep Purple, and Hughes/Coverdale-style vocals complete the comparison. Throughout the album, highly competent musicianship abounds.

First up is ‘Doctor Robert’s Medicine Show which opens with heavily treated harmonies which feature throughout the track. The riff kicks in with a gritty guitar sound and plenty of brass and a nice ascending scale and a good memorable chorus.

‘The Preacher’ is slower and more laid-back and soulful with harmonious vocals lending to the atmosphere. The heavier chorus sounds even more Purple-like and the lead guitar work is excellent.

Acoustic guitar starts ‘Annie Moore’ with slide guitar behind it giving a busking-style feel to it before the band kicks in with a rockier sound. Again, there are plenty of backing vocals giving a full sound to the track.

‘Get Down to Bizniz’ starts with some American-style dialogue before the riff with plentiful guitar harmonics and brass sounds. The middle eight features backing vocals and wah-wah guitar.

‘Before The Morning Comes’ is the first single released from the album and the longest track from the album, coming with a nicely shot video available on YouTube:

The start sounds like ‘When a Blind Man Cries’ though the chorus belts out and the guitar works like Blackmore in its thoughtfulness.

Predictably maybe, the following track ‘High-Speed Chase’ starts with revving engines, cop sirens and screeching tyres and picks the beat up a notch, and ‘Let It Ride’ has an intricate intro riff across guitar, bass, and keyboards. ‘Ice on Fire’ has a distinct 80s feel, with the keyboard sound and guitar working in sync.

Contrastingly, ‘Long Cold Night’ will appeal to any country fans out there, while ‘Drunker Than Whiskey’ has a grittier southern feel as you may expect from the title. “Die With Your Shades On’ starts with some strange-sounding vocals following the riff before the punchy sound of the guitars and strings fills out the sound. There’s more good wah-wah guitar in the guitar solo.

The album completes with ‘Stand Tall’ which features a great bass sound and riff.

This is a solid rock album, well-produced and with great musical performances across the whole band.

Track Listing:

1. Doctor Robert’s Medicine Show

2. The Preacher

3. Annie Moore

4. Get Down to Bizniz

5. Before the Morning Comes

6. High Speed Chase

7. Let It Ride

8. Ice On Fire

9. Long Cold Night

10. Drunker Than Whiskey

11. Die With Your Shades On

Personnel

Robert Soeterboek – Vocals

Arjen Lucassen – Guitar

Marcel Singor – Lead Guitar

Koen Herfst – Drums

Rob van der Loo – Bass

Joost van den Broek – Hammond

Irene Jansen – Backing Vocals

Jane Goulding – Backing Vocals