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(Track Listing)
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(Recording Lineup)
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About this Endless Jam album, I feel the same vocal-wise, especially on those songs which I used to hear many times in the past. UFO version of Track 11 itself was a cover. But, it is the original to me and the impression of Phil's vocal is so strongly burnt into my brain that I can't help but feel uncomfortable with Davey Pattison's vocal. Even on the tunes that I am not so familiar with, I feel perplexed a little by his singing probably because Davey's voice and rendering are simply not my type. It's still too early to make a decisive comment, but it seems at present to me that his summit is much lower than Michael's. Of course, he is not bad at all. Maybe he is Varney's choice, so he can't be bad. It's just a matter of personal preference, and actually his singing on I Got The Fire has been circling in my head right now. Maybe it will grow on me.
Now getting down to brass tacks, i.e., Michael's guitar playing! It sounds like most of the backing and rhythm guitars were played by another guitarist (Kevin Curry?) including some cool single-coil tones. Michael plays solos and fill-ins on those backings. I know some of his fans wanted longer solo of Michael on recent MSG albums except instrumental albums. This album should completely satisfy such fans as he plays the lead almost 'endlesly' as the album title shows. His tone on this CD is similar to that on Arachnophobiac, with less distortion depending on the songs. To me, it's not the best tone over his entire career; however, it is definitely the Schenker tone, and it fits well in these '70s materials.
Unlike the case of vocals, how strong I feel about the originals does not affect my evaluation of guitar playing because no lead play on the originals selected for this album remains in my memory. Even I don't remember well how Jimi played, or whether there were actually lead play parts on some of the originals. Moreover, as can be seen from the runtime of each track, solo parts have been extended on many of the tracks. Therefore, it's not like "what if Michael covers other guitarists' playing?" There is no subject of comparison to me. (Well, should Michael participate in a cover project where the songs are played with the same configuration of the originals, it must be interesting, too. I am not interested in other guitar players doing that, but Michael is absolutely different from other players, so some magic would happen there.) I had thought that Michael didn't like playing other people's material. But, regardless of whether he likes it or not, his playing on this album is more than anyone's expectation, I believe. Especially, the lead on Track 7 is one of Michael's coolest play in recent years. The solo on Track 1 is also brilliant. As can be see from their runtime, these leads are not so extended, compared to those on other tracks, but they are beautifully constructed with amazing, fast passages inserted in spots. I assume these leads were pre-arranged to some extent. If they were totally off the cuff without any preparation, I must say it's a miracle. On the other hand, the leads on Tracks 2, 6, 8 and 10 are more extended than the originals, and Michael endlessly and spontaneously plays improvised phrases as his emotion leads him. Such kind of long solo played by ordinary players including professionals tends to be monotonous not entirely but from part to part. But, none part of Michael's solos is boring. It's just like every part of the phrases has some meaning, which is a paranormal thing to me. And, as Gunter mentioned in his interview, Michael's play on Track 4 is also superlative, where such spontaneously improvized phorases are beautifully combined with many cool licks and repeat renditions taken out of his limitless magic drawer. You can also hear guitar harmonization with Wah on this track, which is really cool!
Regarding other members, Aynsley did really reliable and stable drumming with cool fill-ins as always. Gunter keeps tight performance all through the album. And Leslie as a guest never betrays his reputation. It is amazing that his phrasing with simple notes has such a presence that we can recognize it is HIS play by only hearing it.
In summary, I personally think this is none like the other cover album projects with a totally different concept especially in terms of lead guitar playing. I firmly believe it's a must CD for Schenker fans.
Related Links:
Mascot Records' new releases
Battttty's Endless Jam page and review
Tom's Endless Jam page
This is a remixed version of Thank You acoustic guitar instrumental album released in 1993. It sounds like Thank You With Synthesizer, instead of Orchestra. To be honest, I like original Thank You album much better than this remix. Adding orchestration has made the sound thicker and warmer. However, it has made Michael's incredibly beautiful and adequate backing guitars relatively low (anyway, orchestration was not played by Michael). I believe that the original Thank You album had already been completed enough although Michael only used his acoustic guitars. I really love the original and at the time of its release, I was amazed again at Michael's enormous potential. Not only his matchless melody senses but also his fabulous backing guitars are condensed in the original version. In my opinion, this remixed version is a collector's item. If you do not have either of them, I would definitely recommend you to buy the original Thank You.--- (added 01/16/1999)
1. Positive Forward | 2. Courage and Confidence | 3. Faith & Trust |
4. Peace | 5. Endless Possiblities | 6. Humbleness |
7. Harmony | 8. Love and Kindness | 9. Joy |
10. Acceptance and Forgivenss | 11. Patience & Tolerance | 12. Truth |
13. Open and Willing | 14. Escape from the Box |
This is a compilation album. The songs were selected from only two albums which have been released under the Zero label (i.e., Walk On Water and Written In The Sand). It has nothing more than that. Unless you are a collector of Schenker related goods, you should not buy this album. You should buy both of the two source albums, instead.
1. A Self Made Man (Schenker/Mogg) |
2. Venus (Schenker/Mogg) |
3. Pushed To The Limit (Schenker/Mogg) |
4. Stopped By A Bullet (Shenker/Mogg) |
5. Dreaming Of Summer (Schenker/Mogg) |
6. Doctor Doctor '95 (Schenker/Mogg) |
7. Lights Out '95 (Schenker/Mogg/Parker/Way) | 8. Brave New World (Schenker/Sundin) | 9. Essence (Schenker) |
10. Written In The Sand (Schenker/Sundin) | 11. Back To Life (Schenker/Sundin) | 12. I Believe (Schenker/Sundin) |
13. Into The Arena (Schenker) | 14. Cry For The Nations (Schenker/Barden) |
This is the greatest hits album of UFO released only in Japan, the export of which is restricted. The songs were selected from those released under the Chrysalis label. Since it is a compilation album, there is no need for review. However, my impression on this album is that "UFO with Michael Schenker is the best." This album contains some materials played by other guitarists than Michael (Track Nos. 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 13). Actually I heard these songs for the first time. I have had an interest only in UFO with Michael Schenker (although I have listened to the songs played by UFO with Paul Chapman in the BBC Radio Live in Concert album). They sound so thin and boring to me compared with the rest of the tunes played by UFO with Michael (many UFO fans get angry?). Michael created incredibly thrilling and miraculous phrases.
1. Doctor Doctor (Schenker/Mogg) |
2. Too Hot To Handle (Way/Mogg) |
3. Only You Can Rock Me (Schenker/Mogg/Way) |
4. Shoot Shoot (Shenker/Mogg/Parker/Way) |
5. Rock Bottom (Schenker/Mogg) |
6. Yound Blood (Way/Mogg) |
7. When It's Time To Rock (Chapman/Mogg) | 8. Lonely Heart (Chapman/Way/Mogg) | 9. Lights Out (Schenker/Mogg/Parker/Way) |
10. Let It Rain (Way/Carter/Mogg) | 11. Back Into My Life (Way/Mogg) | 12. Highway Lady (Peyronel) |
13. Night Run (Gray/Mogg/McClendon) | 14. Born To Lose (Schenker/Way/Mogg) | 15. Lookin' Out For No.1 (Way/Mogg) |
16. Let It Roll (Schenker/Mogg) | 17. Out In The Street (Way/Mogg) |
This is a purely raw live album which is completely untouched with no post-recording nor studio remix. It was recorded on the eve of a major U.S. tour during April 1976, just prior to the release of their No Heavy Petting album. Michael's guitar tone is cool as always and his lead play is thrilling as usual. Listening to this album made me feel that Miachel, Phill, Pete, Andy and "PAUL RAYMOND" are the best line-up for UFO as was proved in the Strangers In The Night album. Danny Peyronel's Keyboards works are unnecessary for UFO's music.
Note: I never meant to say that I look down upon Peyronel's keyboard playings. On the contrary, 'No Heavy Petting' is one of my faorite albums. I also love "Martian Landscape" which was written by him, and his keyboard playings in the song called "Belladonna". I think his keyboard works have a very strong characteristic, which is in most cases a good thing for professional musicians. However, I personally feel that his playings were in conflict with Michael's playings at least for live performance. This feeling of mine seems to be like my thoughts that I don't want Michael and Chapman to co-exist in a band (this is again my subjective opinion).
What's good about this album | What's not good about this album | |
1. | You can feel as though you were at the concert place since this is a truly live album with no remix nor post-recording. | There are lots of howling noises and apparent mistones by Michael since this is a truly live album with no remix nor post-recording. |
2. | Michael Schenker's guitar tone is as cool as always. | Danny Peyronel's keyboards works especially in Doctor Doctor and Rock Bottom demolished the great atmosphere the original tunes have (of course he is not bad in his own tunes like 'Can You Roll Her' and 'Highway Lady'). |
3. | Michael Schenker's improvised lead play is as thrilling and scary as usual. Especially, his play in 'I'm A Loser' is perfect. His lead works in 'This Kids' are much bluesier than the one in the Strangers In The Night album. | Pete Way did harmonics tuning checks too many times. |
4. | You can hear rare live takes of 'Oh My' and 'Boogie For George.' | Backing vocal in 'Rock Bottom' was horrible. Since Danny Peyronels's backing vocal is not bad in other tunes, it is probably not him. |
1. Intro |
2. Can You Roll Her (Mogg/Parker/Peyronel) |
3. Doctor Doctor (Mogg/Schenker) |
4. Oh My (Mogg/Way/Schenker/Parker) |
5. Out On The Street (Way/Mogg) |
6. Highway Lady (Peyronel) |
7. I'm A Loser (Mogg/Schenker) | 8. Let It Roll (Mogg/Schenker) | 9. This Kids (Mogg/Schenker) |
10. Shoot Shoot (Mogg/Way/Schenker/Parker) | 11. Rock Bottom (Mogg/Schenker) | 12. C'mon Everybody (Cochran/Capeheart) |
13. Boogie For George (Mogg/Way/Bolton/Parker) |
In memory of Michael Schenker's 25th anniversary of recording, his new album was released on May 10, 1997. This is a double-CD live album recorded during the March 1997 Japan tour. Its title is "THE MICHAEL SCHENKER STORY LIVE" produced by Ron Nevison. As its title tells, it covers the entire history of Michael - from Scorpions to present.
As can be seen from the following track list, this album completely reproduces their March 1997 concert in Tokyo. For my impression about the concert and Michael's guitar play, please refer to my concert report page.
Main Vocalist David Van Landing does not have his own strong characteristics, but did a good job in the concert. Many shouting singers cannot demonstrate their ability as much as they do in the studio album, however, Landing sang with clear and smooth high-tone voice in the concert. He was especially good at singing Clause Meine tunes. Bassist Barry Sparks proved that he is an incredibly high technician. His bass play in his solo part of Into The Arena is amazing, and his acoustic guitar work in Bijou Pleasurette is also cool.
This album is a great live album as a whole. If I am forced, I dare to say that there are a few minor things in this album with which I am not satisfied: (1) As I mentioned in the concert report, Michael's Cry Baby did not work well, and (2) The band somewhat lost their unity in guitar solo part of Rock Bottom which is the most important part of the song.
Disc 1 | ||
1. Scorpions In Search Of Peace Of Mind | 2. UFO Doctor Doctor | 3. UFO Let It Roll |
4. UFO Natural Thing | 5. UFO Lights Out | 6. UFO Only You Can Rock Me |
7. Scorpions Another Piece Of Meat | 8. Michael Schenker Group Into The Arena | 9. Michael Schenker Group Are You Ready To Rock |
10. Michael Schenker Group Assault Attack | 11. Michael Schenker Group Captain Nemo | 12. McAuley Schenker Group No Time For Losers |
13. McAuley Schenker Group Save Yourself | 14. Contraband All Way From The Memphis | 15. UFO Pushed To The Limit |
16. Michael Schenker Group Written In The Sand | ||
Disc 2 | ||
17. Michael Schenker Group Back To Life | 18. Michael Schenker Group Love Never Dies | 19. Michael Schenker Group Essence |
20. McAuley Schenker Group Never Ending Nightmare | 21. Michael Schenker Group Bijou Pleasurette | 22. Michael Schenker Positive Forward |
23. Michael Schenker Group Lost Horizons | 24. UFO Too Hot To Handle | 25. Michael Schenker Group Attack Of The Mad Axeman |
26. UFO Love To Love | 27. Michael Schenker Group On And On | 28. Michael Schenker Group Armed And Ready |
29. Michael Schenker Group Feel Like A Good Thing | 30. UFO Rock Bottom |
You can get this CD at:
MICHAEL SCHENKER RECORDS
13610 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, Arizona
85254 U.S.A.
Phone: (602)314-1155
Facsimile; (602)314-1177
Fan Hotline: (602)280-9090