If ever there’s an example of album which does exactly what it says on the tin, this is it. Michael Schenker: My Years with UFO. What it lacks in the title’s subtlety it makes up for in content, consisting of 11 solid tracks and inordinate amounts of solos and guest artists. You’ve Biff Byford from Saxon, Roger Glover and Joe Lynn Turner from Rainbow (or Deep Purple depending on the time of the year!), and Dee Snider from Twisted Sister, amongst others, including two guys from a supposedly well know band named after armaments and flora. Crossbows N’ Tulips? Something like that! All of which adds up to a fresh new take on old songs, some of which predate even the likes of me albeit ‘Doctor Doctor’ manages this by only three days.
On first, and then subsequent listens the impression is this: It’s a celebration of both what was five joyous years of music after having departed Scorpions, as well as his and his guests’ musicianship. If you’re a UFO fan you’ll most likely know all of the tracks and thus you’ll be looking for differences provided by Schenker et al. and they’re here in abundance. For example Jeff Scott Soto sounds so at home it’s like he’s been singing ‘Lights out in London’ for the last 50 years and who am I to question if that’s what he does in the shower in the privacy of his own home? We’ve all been there. Sung in the shower I mean, not in Soto’s shower! It’s a fantastic version and the same could be said of the aforementioned Joe Lynn Turner’s performance on ‘Doctor Doctor’, although there IS one noticeable stammer…
The whole thing has a feel to it that it’s been set up to for the various contributors to show off, which makes a lot of sense given the prowess of those taking part. ‘Mother Mary’ finishes with an excellent guitar dual guesting Slash, and it’s followed up with Biff taking charge of the vocals on ‘This Kid’s’ but it’s not really the vocal which sets this song apart from some of the others. Instead, it’s the bluesy musical last half of the track consisting of a driving central overlay which sounds like it’s come straight out of a John Carpenter film (think They Live or Assault on Precinct 13) and a guitar solo transitioning into what sounds suspiciously like a Hammond organ and then back again. It’s immensely listenable to and put together perfectly. ‘Love to Love’ is performed with Axl Rose’s distinctive voice but again it’s all about the composition on a track which substantially passes the seven minute mark, especially nearing its climax with rising and falling guitarwork showcasing what this album is all about.
Speaking of longer songs, it’s absolutely required to mention ‘Rock Bottom’. At 11 minutes and 5 seconds long and guesting Kai Hansen of Helloween fame you know you’re in for something of a treat. Sounding like he’s about to ask ‘Can I sit next to you Girl?’ lasciviously it’s a different but effective way to add something to the vocal, which leads nicely into a lengthy meandering but entertaining solo, played with such a clear tone to it that it’s worth tipping a nod to the production team and sound engineer as well as the obvious talent displayed by the player. Having seen Schenker perform this live in Wolverhampton circa 2015 I have to say hearing it like this made me smile.
All in all, there’s a huge amount to like about these new versions. From the ethereal intro to ‘Doctor Doctor’ to hearing Joey Tempest’s voice carrying (should that be Carrie-ing?) off the vocal to ‘Only you can Rock Me’, etc. combined with both the obvious nostalgia involved and the huge admiration for the skill of the practitioners it makes “My UFO Years” interesting, but perhaps more importantly fun…..Lots of fun!
Highly recommended…
My Years With UFO – Track Listing:
1. Natural Thing feat. Dee Snider & Joel Hoekstra
2. Only You Can Rock Me feat. Joey Tempest & Roger Glover
3. Doctor Doctor feat. Joe Lynn Turner & Carmine Appice
4. Mother Mary feat. Slash & Erik Grönwall
5. This Kids feat. Biff Byford
6. Love to Love feat. Axl Rose
7. Lights Out feat. Jeff Scott Soto & John Norum
8. Rock Bottom feat. Kai Hansen
9. Too Hot To Handle feat. Joe Lynn Turner, Adrian Vandenberg & Carmen Appice
10. Let It Roll feat. Michael Voss
11. Shoot Shoot feat. Stephen Pearcy
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- Pre-order ‘My Years With UFO’ HERE
