UFO have been operating with their strongest line-up in years since the release of their 2004 studio album, You Are Here. The three original band members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Pete Way (bass) and Paul Raymond (keyboards), w... more »ere joined by Jason Bonham on drums and the exceptional guitarist, Vinnie Moore. UFO?s success story began in 1969, when Phil Mogg and Pete Way formed the band in England. They borrowed their name from a legendary London music club, impressed audiences with their unmistakable style and proved with their albums UFO 1, Flying and UFO Live that they had their finger on the pulse of their rapidly growing fan community. Phenomenon (1974), Force It (1975) and No Heavy Pettin? (1976), which arrived in succession, marked their international breakthrough. 1979 saw the arrival of their live recording, Strangers In The Night, referred to as one of the best live albums by experts, and one of the best-selling live albums of all time. Following years with changing line-ups, the band returned to the top in autumn 1993 with their comeback recording, Walk On Water, and have been among the strongest live acts world-wide ever since, releasing two more awesome studio offerings in Covenant (2000) and Sharks (2002). The current line-up cut, You Are Here, in 2004, voted among the ten best albums ever by the British music magazine, Classic Rock. Now with the double live Showtime CD (and DVD), UFO are again ready to show rock fans worldwide what makes UFO such a dominant force for so many years.« less
UFO have been operating with their strongest line-up in years since the release of their 2004 studio album, You Are Here. The three original band members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Pete Way (bass) and Paul Raymond (keyboards), were joined by Jason Bonham on drums and the exceptional guitarist, Vinnie Moore. UFO?s success story began in 1969, when Phil Mogg and Pete Way formed the band in England. They borrowed their name from a legendary London music club, impressed audiences with their unmistakable style and proved with their albums UFO 1, Flying and UFO Live that they had their finger on the pulse of their rapidly growing fan community. Phenomenon (1974), Force It (1975) and No Heavy Pettin? (1976), which arrived in succession, marked their international breakthrough. 1979 saw the arrival of their live recording, Strangers In The Night, referred to as one of the best live albums by experts, and one of the best-selling live albums of all time. Following years with changing line-ups, the band returned to the top in autumn 1993 with their comeback recording, Walk On Water, and have been among the strongest live acts world-wide ever since, releasing two more awesome studio offerings in Covenant (2000) and Sharks (2002). The current line-up cut, You Are Here, in 2004, voted among the ten best albums ever by the British music magazine, Classic Rock. Now with the double live Showtime CD (and DVD), UFO are again ready to show rock fans worldwide what makes UFO such a dominant force for so many years.
CD Reviews
Fresh and inspired interpretations, excellent sound... much
electricphase | Mexico City | 01/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Big UFO fan, yet tired of the same live songs over and over. However, this is the best live release/performance in over two decades.
Phil Mogg sounds awesome here... totally rennovated and inspired, plus changing his vocal style a bit from traditional past interpretations. Vinnie Moore plays his German predecessor's solos at perfection, especially respecting UFO's melodic trademark note-by-note, much to my surprise! (Just check his solo in Only You Can Rock Me). Pete Way rocks, as always! Paul Raymond has never sounded nor played better. Jason Bonham plays with such power and groove, but especially in a very musical way (a unique trait that only a few drummers can achieve).
UFO these days are having fun and it shows (even though the audience sounds as if it there were only 6 people!). Besides, the CD sound is awesome, courtesy of Tommy Newton (Elegy, Gamma Ray, Helloween). UFO today sounds as good as ever. My only complain: no Paul Chapman-era songs (there are some really great ones). This CD is a must for both old and new fans. Rock for the ages!"
Awesome!
R. G. Moore | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida United States | 11/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Are you nuts! Vinnie Moore is awesome on this CD (DVD). Some of the best live playing ever! You can't replace Michael Schenker but Vinnie Moore does a great job. Jason Bonham is solid and the band is tight! Video and sound on the DVD is very well done. If your a UFO fan this is a must! Again, you'll never replace a Michael Schenker in UFO, but this is as good as it get's without him!"
UFO "Showtime" will NOT disappoint !!!!!
Humboldt Myche | Humboldt County, California USA | 01/29/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I would have given this one a 4 and a half. Buy it ! as well as the DVD !! I realllly dig "Mr Freeze", I used to be one of the UFO fans that only had the classics - I was very pleasantly surprised when i heard this for the first time. It is now in my regular rotation. UFO is not going anywhere! neither are the Scorpions...check out "Unbreakable" if you "Don't Believe a Word"
I challenge you to buy this one. I would not be wasting my time
right now if I didn't think that this was a very worthy disc and or DVD to have in our collections !
"
Technically different UFO
Maris Ginters | Riga, Latvia | 09/13/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Although it may seem that any UFO live recording cannot bring anything new to UFO songs, actually it does. Michael Schenker's replacement Vinnie Moore is also top guitar player. What this means is that we get different versions of same old songs despite the fact that some of them sound very similar to the way UFO has played them before. And those versions don't dissapoint.
One thing though. The record makes me think that Moore is too much of a virtuoso for UFO classic songs because at times his playing doesn't fit. It seems "only" technical lacking the "rock" side of it. "Rock Bottom" is an example. The guitar should have had better and bigger sound as well. However, this isn't the case with new songs that gel nicely. Songs that were new at the time of recoring only approve that UFO is still alive and well. Most of them are good. "Baby Blue" and "Mr.Freeze" come to my mind first.
All in all, this is UFO despite the fact that it takes some time to "identify" it and to get used to it."
Please Don't Compare to 'Strangers'
ECU_Classic_Music_Fan | Charlotte, NC United States | 11/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This double cd rocks in its own special way. Vinnie Moore more than handles the job on guitar (both the old and new songs).
What a fun show. The audience seems to be having a great time as these classic rockers lay down some seriously great sounding tunes.
A definite must have for those who love UFO or classic rock in general."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1