Review by Paul Monkhouse for MPM
Celebrating a half century since his recorded debut with London’s finest hard rockers UFO, German maestro Michael Schenker had only just turned eighteen when he joined the band but when the aptly titled ‘Phenomenon’ was released the world took notice and this collection pays tribute to those heady times.
With an all-star cast, the guitarist has cherry picked eleven of his favourite tunes from his time with the outfit, giving them modern polish and a different spin that shines new light through old windows. Having written some of the most iconic riffs in rock history, the youthful energy of the teenager who first cranked these out is still present but there’s also a more mature and refined approach that adds a classy sheen to the muscularity, each number a gem.
Whilst the playing throughout is peerless, the variety of vocalists gives the album a kaleidoscope of textures as each embraces the challenge in their own way and some revelations are heard. The songs themselves are beyond any form of criticism, lodged in the hearts and minds of countless thousands over the years so the choices of guests had to be just right.
Fortunately, unlike many such projects, this is so much more than a tribute album as the presence of Schenker elevates the whole and the obvious love everyone had recording it shines through. A very worthy companion to the original catalogue, this is a joy to listen to.
The album opens with a spiky and snarling take on ‘Natural Thing’, Dee Snider’s vocals and Joel Hoekstra’s fretwork giving the whole a visceral feel, the contributions of Joey Tempest and Roger Glover heightening the majestic feel for ‘Only You Can Rock Me’, the Europe vocalist nearest tonally on the album to Phil Mogg. Former Rainbow frontman Joe Lynn Turner appears twice on the album, a threatening ‘Too Hot To Handle’ being the most impressive contribution and ex H.E.A.T./Skid Row singer Erik Grönwall continues to exude star quality on ‘Mother Mary’.
Joining that particular party, Slash makes his presence felt and his duelling with Schenker an axe fans nirvana but arguably the album’s peak comes from the contribution of his Guns n’ Roses bandmate Axl Rose on ‘Love To Love’. Giving a vocal we’ve not heard from him before, the singer elevates the number to extraordinary heights and with the pitch perfect acoustic guitar touches it all adds up to a thrilling rendition that will doubtless be many people’s highlight.
Elsewhere, Biff Byford gives a street tough spin on ‘Kids’ and Steven Pearcy brings a patina of Sunset Strip chipped glamour to closer ‘Shoot Shoot’. With Carmine Appice, Jeff Scott Soto, John Norum, Kai Hansen, Adrian Vandenberg and vocalist/co-producer Michael Voss along for the ride as well as main players on the project Derek Sherinian on keys, drummer Brian Tichy and Barry Sparks on bass, the album is not short of world class players and star wattage.
Irrespective of the guests, this is Schenker’s album first and foremost, his playing reaching dizzying heights and the production alongside Voss giving a perfect balance of everything in its place for maximum effect.
Whilst some such albums are patchy at best, ‘My Years With UFO’ sets the bar to new levels and whilst it was never intended to replace the original works, this comfortably sits beside them.
As a tribute to the songs, the band environment that birthed them and the six string genius who made them sizzle, this is near perfect and an outstanding piece of work. Here’s hoping he will bring this particular magic out on the road.
Tracklisting:
- Natural Thing feat. Dee Snider & Joel Hoekstra
- Only You Can Rock Me feat. Joey Tempest & Roger Glover
- Doctor Doctor feat. Joe Lynn Turner & Carmine Appice
- Mother Mary feat. Slash & Erik Grönwall
- This Kids feat. Biff Byford
- Love to Love feat. Axl Rose
- Lights Out feat. Jeff Scott Soto & John Norum
- Rock Bottom feat. Kai Hansen
- Too Hot Too Handle feat. Joe Lynn Turner, Adrian Vandenberg & Carmen Appice
- Let It Roll feat. Michael Voss
- Shoot Shoot feat. Stephen Pearcy
LP Side Split:
Side A: 1-3; Side B: 4-6; Side C: 7-8; Side D: 9-11
Michael Schenker online
