Disappointment galore---Truly Despicable
Alexander T. Newport | Oro Valley, Arizona | 11/20/2003
(1 out of 5 stars)
"The sound quality is great, you couldn't ask for better, but unfortunately the show is marred by Schenker's very sorry performance. His playing on that night was weak, lame, and disgraceful. I can not recommend this cd. If you want to hear better performances from Schenker-era UFO then check out what the BBC issued ("74/80" or "In Session")."
A real keeper !!!
T. Kurtz | monticello, indiana United States | 08/06/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just got through my 4th listen and am very happy with it. There isnt much live stuff of the time period and anytime I find a version of this kids or rock bottom im thrilled and nothing disappoints here. I really like this album"
Raw! Great Early Live UFO-Schenker Recording
Robert Knowles | Cardiff, Wales, UK | 05/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording kicks off with Let It Roll - a little raw in places, but basically a good performance from the whole band, including the 20 year-old Michael Schenker. The sound quality is very good - crystal clear. Doctor Doctor follows, where some of the later Schenker's traits are already in evidence in the budding young musician we have here. Perfectly respectable performance.
The next track is Oh My, which boasts some excellent guitar-work from Michael - he really begins to warm up and rev up by this point. This track provides us with an early example of Schenker's metronomic engine-room riffing style beginning to take shape. Built For Comfort is next, a cover track that I like less than UFO's own material. Yet, this is another strong performance and, again, the mix and the sound quality are excellent. Superb incendiary lead-break from Schenker, plus some magical blues playing. I can't think what the other reviewer was on about when he calls this a bad performance. Utter balderdash! This is good stuff.
Next up is Out In The Streets, a wonderful track, and one of my personal favorites. Mogg's vocals are excellent on this track - barely distinguishable from SITN - if a little far back in the mix. That's OK though since Schenker is right at the front of the mix. The solo is not quite note-perfect, but close enough for it to make pleasant listening. One thing I notice about this recording is that it is very laid back. The pace of all the tracks is slightly slower or more plodding than usual. Yet, this issue is so slight that it's barely worth a mention.
The next track is Space Child, with truly superb vocals from Mogg. This track has an excellent melody. Schenker's guitar-work is for the most part quite lovely on this ballad-like number. Schenker also accelerates at points into some wonderful early examples of his faster fret-work - much more about feel than about shred, though. The crowd are certainly very appreciative. Next up it's Mother Mary, openning with some great industrial riffing and some strong lead-fills which could easily be the later Schenker. Superb mid-track soloing - not perfect, but you can feel the later Schenker beginning to emerge. Raw and ambitious.
Next it's All Or Nothing - this is great song-writing on a track that I believe dates to around the No Heavy Petting era, but which was not released in studio form until the recent re-releases of early UFO material. Great power-chords from Michael - one fluffed note in the brief solo but hey - big deal! Next it's This Kids, one of my personal favorite UFO tracks, and a good track for assessing Michael's playing. Great strong openning riffing, and tight drum and bass work. Sound quality and vocals excellent. Good solo from Michael - again, not perfect, but showing plenty of ambition. Also, his guitar-tone is great, as usual.
Shoot Shoot is next, and here the pace speeds up to what we're more used to. Schenker's solo-work is great on this track - lovely and forward in the mix, just where we want it. Crystal clear production on this album. And finally, we have Rock Bottom. Phil Mogg provides us with his usual humour between tracks. Magical riff-openning on this track - crystal clear sound - saw-mill on heat. Mogg's vocals as good as on SITN. Lovely melodic guitar-solo - again, not perfectly executed, but certainly still impressive, especially in what Schenker is attempting to do, even if he only fully succeeds a few years later on.
All in all, this is an excellent early recording of UFO playing live - a must for UFO and Schenker fans alike. If a little raw, it must be remembered just how young these guys were at the time. Superbly produced album, and well mixed, with crystal clear sound. Please Majestic Rock, print off some more of this all-too-rare CD!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1