Michael Schenker is undoubtedly one of the premier rock guitarists of the past half century.
Snagged by UFO from Scorpions when a teenager, Schenker rose to prominence (as indeed did UFO) with his remarkable fretwork on that classic run of 1970s UFO albums Phenomenon, Force It, No Heavy Petting, Lights Out, Obsession and the all time classic live album Strangers in the Night (SITN).
Schenker left UFO before the release of SITN with, as the saying goes, “recollections may vary” about the circumstances.
He’d re-join UFO years later for Walk on Water, Covenant and Sharks. Even though he had much success with MSG in between and various albums since, it’s those early UFO albums on which he made his name.
Now to mark half a century passing from Phenomenon etc. Michael’s recorded new versions of eleven classic tracks from those early days roping in an impressive range and number of guests to join him.
The eleven songs selected are all UFO stalwarts. So well known are the songs, I think I’m reasonably safe in assuming you’ll be familiar with them.
The eleven are:
Natural Thing
Only You Can Rock Me
Doctor Doctor
Mother Mary
This Kids
Love to Love
Lights Out
Rock Bottom
Too Hot to Handle
Let It Roll
Shoot Shoot
The guests include Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Joe Lynn Turner, Axl Rose, Slash, Roger Glover, John Norum to name but a few.
Here’s Only You Can Rock Me with Joey Tempest and Roger Glover. Tempest sounds good, though for me it’s not the same without Phil Mogg:
Now, even though I say this as a long time UFO and Schenker fan and acknowledging Michael can do whatever Michael wants to do, to my ears this album comes over somewhat as generally going through the motions. All rather sterile and lacks the feeling and energy of the originals.
Just my preference – I’ll stick with those originals thanks. My Years With UFO is I feel one for Schenker completists.
>> MICHAEL SCHENKER MY YEARS WITH UFO ON AMAZON <<
To experience Schenker as his remarkable best – Strangers in the Night is the essential album in my opinion. And do check out Phill Mogg’s comeback album Moggs Motel. That’s superb.
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.