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UFO: Showtime (DVD)
Added: December 23rd 2005 [ Printer Friendly Page ] |
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The music of UFO has long been a reference point in many of the popular Hard Rock and Metal band histories and you read about this in interview after interview. This might be the case because the band is perhaps one of the best Hard Rock acts to have ever come around and the fact that they still perform today is a statement on its own. For many years legendary guitarist Michael Schenker was a part of the band but through it all the signature bluesy voice of Phil Mogg gave this band the consistency that it still holds strong to this day. After years of lineup changes the band now finds three core original members (Phil Mogg, Pete Way and Paul Raymond) and the addition of dynamic players to round out the lineup. On guitar is Vinnie Moore who is a legend in his own right and admits an inspiration from Schenker as do most guitarists. The drumming is adeptly handled by Jason Bonham, son of the one and only John Bonham. Many will state that this is the strongest lineup that the band has had since the days that Schenker a member. The double DVD Set brings you to the front row for a performance the band did in Wilhelmshaven Germany at the club "Pumpverk". All around 2004 the group was supporting their SPV Records release You Are Here. There is a lot to enjoy on this straight live shoot and USA fans who got to see the band will appreciate the fact that they finally are able to see Pete Way perform. The reason for Pete's absence in the States was due to some VISA problems and as a result he had to remain in England. In his place for those shows was bassist Barry Sparks who seemed to fit right in very well. » SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2005-12-23 10:10:27
My Score:
UFO's Showtime DVD set is a must have for fans who have followed the band since the early 70's and still have an interest in how powerful a live act they still are. Gone are Michael Schenker and Andy Parker (although the drummer has since returned), replaced by guitar hero Vinnie Moore and Jason Bonham, both who fit in wonderfully. This concert, recorded in May of 2005 in Germany, is filled with UFO classics as well as some of the best songs from their recent You Are Here album. One of the biggest injustices is the fact that UFO were never a really huge band, as I always felt they had more talent and wrote overall better songs than other hard rock acts who really made it big like Aerosmith and Bad Company. Their live shows are always talked about with high esteem, and one watch of this DVD will cement that reputation for anyone who hasn't seen them on stage. Phil Mogg, looking incredibly lean and muscled, still can belt it out with the best of them, and while Pete Way seems to have not taken care of himself as well as Mogg, his presence on stage is essential to the UFO sound. Also in tow is longtime keyboard player/rhythm guitarist Paul Raymond, who adds the right amount of color to the songs. While it's common knowledge how good a guitar player Moore is, the surprising thing is how well he fits his style into the older songs. Much like Steve Morse keeps the spirit of Ritchie Blackmore alive in the older Deep Purple songs, Moore sounds remarkably like Michael Schenker, hitting the same notes and getting the same overall tone, which makes songs like "Mother Mary", "Rock Bottom", "Lights Out", and "Shoot Shoot" sound especially like vintage UFO. Bonham, in my opinion, is a better drummer technically than Andy Parker, and adds some personality and humor, not to mention great backing vocals, to the drum position.
There's also plenty of bonus material here, including some interviews, documentaries, and some great studio footage of the band performing "Pack It Up and Go", "Try Me" (complete with a string section) and a few other hot numbers. It makes for an enjoyable few hours of UFO music and commentary that can be enjoyed by fans old and new.
