The UFO Discography And Listening Party Thread

[TAC]

So, UFO's website and Facebook page mentioned that Neil Carter would be interviewed and broadcast last night at WOMR of Provincetown, MA, of all places. The DJ is a guy named Kyle Chygrin who does a deep cuts rock show every Thursday night from 9pm to Midnight. Apparently, the guy is a huge UFO fan, specifically the Paul Chapman Era, and in fact apparently plays a block of UFO every show at 10pm. (I'm gonna check that next week.)

Here's the link to the interview:
https://womr.org/podcast/special-k-interview-with-neil-carter-of-ufo/

If you're a fan of the Chapman Era, it's really good. He talks about joining the band, the band's demise, and its current state.

He also discusses the Chapman/Carter/Parker demos that produced Murder In The Skies....of course, you all knew that already.

There's not a lot of Gary Moore talk, but he talks about joining Gary's band for the 1983 US tour.



Two things he said that I found really interesting..

1. He NEVER met Paul Raymond. This blew my mind, actually.

2. He talks about introducing the sax on Mechanix, and the blueprint for what they were going for on The Writer was actually Aerosmith's Chiquita, which was played on UFO's house tape before they went on each night.

[devieira73]

Cool to know, Tim!
By the way, do you know if Phil will release a solo album?
About the sax... didn't Neil already have introduced on UFO on Lonely Heart?

[TAC]

Cool to know, Tim!
By the way, do you know if Phil will release a solo album?
About the sax... didn't Neil already have introduced on UFO on Lonely Heart?

Yes, he added the sax part on Lonely Heart.

He mentioned Leo Lyons wanted to incorporate it on Mechanix, and I thought him mentioning Chiquita was really interesting as Night In The Ruts is easily my favorite Aerosmith album.


Neil mentioned that Phil indeed has an album coming out, but there's been no announcement on it yet.

[Stadler]

I love The Writer; that riff is excellent!

I'm with you, Tim; Night In The Ruts is excellent; other than "Walking In The Sand" (which isn't actually that bad) there's not a duff song on that record.

[wolfking]

I love The Writer; that riff is excellent!

I'm with you, Tim; Night In The Ruts is excellent; other than "Walking In The Sand" (which isn't actually that bad) there's not a duff song on that record.

This is an amazing song.  The sax solo takes it to new heights also.

[devieira73]

I love Mechanix. It has 4 songs that are incredible openings and closers (on vinyl original A/B sides). There’s a very balanced participation in the compositions of Chapman, Way and Carter, which I personally found an excellent addition. It has more guitar layers in the arrangements and the keyboards tones are very cool. Let it Rain is very commercial, but in a good way, and there’s excellent ballads like Back Into my Life and Terri. Even Something Else, although a bit strange, I like it a lot. Because all of that, it’s my second favorite UFO album.

OBSESSION (my favorite)/MECHANIX- 10+/10
FORCE IT/NO HEAVY PETTING/LIGHTS OUT/ THE WILD THE WILLING AND THE INNOCENT - 9,5
[...]

Well, what I've said when Tim was talking about the albums... I LOVE Mechanix and especially The Writer. All the soloing in this song is KILLER!!

[TAC]

Mechanix has my favorite Chapman Era track...Dreaming.

[devieira73]

When I first heard UFO, a friend of mine, who is maybe the biggest brazilian UFO fan (I'm not joking!) have recorded a cassete tape for me with the A side from Schenker era and the B side from the Chapman era and the 2 Mechanix songs that he choose were The Writer and Dreaming. 

[wolfking]

Makin' Moves keeps climbing my rankings as far as Chapman era tracks go.

[ProfessorPeart]

Makin' Moves keeps climbing my rankings as far as Chapman era tracks go.

So Makin' Moves is making moves?

Sorry, I'll see myself out.

[wolfking]

Makin' Moves keeps climbing my rankings as far as Chapman era tracks go.

So Makin' Moves is making moves?

Sorry, I'll see myself out.

Oh dear. 

Fucking class solo in that one.

[Stadler]

I love Mechanix. It has 4 songs that are incredible openings and closers (on vinyl original A/B sides). There’s a very balanced participation in the compositions of Chapman, Way and Carter, which I personally found an excellent addition. It has more guitar layers in the arrangements and the keyboards tones are very cool. Let it Rain is very commercial, but in a good way, and there’s excellent ballads like Back Into my Life and Terri. Even Something Else, although a bit strange, I like it a lot. Because all of that, it’s my second favorite UFO album.

OBSESSION (my favorite)/MECHANIX- 10+/10
FORCE IT/NO HEAVY PETTING/LIGHTS OUT/ THE WILD THE WILLING AND THE INNOCENT - 9,5
[...]

Well, what I've said when Tim was talking about the albums... I LOVE Mechanix and especially The Writer. All the soloing in this song is KILLER!!

Dreaming is excellent and I know I'm an outlier on this, but Doing It All For You and Heel Of A Stranger are both top 10 UFO songs for me.

[EPICVIEW]

Love the UFO

[ProfessorPeart]

So I was getting a good listen in to the Elegant Weapons album today and was reminded that I should post this just so I can watch TAC tear it down. They covered Lights Out and included it on the album. I don't mind it, but something tells me he won't be too fond.

If you're not aware, the band is Richie Faulkner's baby and side-project. This is the studio lineup for the album:

Richie - All guitar
Rex Brown - Bass
Scott Travis - Drums
Ronnie Romero - Vox

https://youtu.be/fk9FUBiz46c

[TAC]

So I was getting a good listen in to the Elegant Weapons album today and was reminded that I should post this just so I can watch TAC tear it down. They covered Lights Out and included it on the album. I don't mind it, but something tells me he won't be too fond.

If you're not aware, the band is Richie Faulkner's baby and side-project. This is the studio lineup for the album:

Richie - All guitar
Rex Brown - Bass
Scott Travis - Drums
Ronnie Romero - Vox

https://youtu.be/fk9FUBiz46c

I've pretty much stayed away from this release for no good reason. I did check the link for Lights Out.
I like how Richie captures Schenker's sound.

Is this album really worth a listen?

[ProfessorPeart]

It's nothing new, really. Just some solid straight up metal.

[wolfking]

I keep meaning to check the album out then think what's the point?

[TAC]

The thing is, I don't want to even listen to KK's album, why would I want to listen to Fake K's album?

[wolfking]

The thing is, I don't want to even listen to KK's album, why would I want to listen to Fake K's album?

Yes I agree, he is a fake KK.

[EPICVIEW]

The E W album is OK it doesnt grab me,  saw KK from Hellbent to Defenders ,,,, saw Richie a few times with JP.
I try to not think about it   : )

I guess nothing can top the early JP shows with Paul in Maiden opening   ,,,,, good times.

[devieira73]

https://www.metaltalk.net/love-to-love-phil-mogg-talks-health-ufo-and-lights-out.php?fbclid=IwAR1T9WnH09U8NOCoEoF-Ab53Be6Sa3HgF5Pjiws4ZWrT4rs5KLM6V7EeFKU
Phil's solo album with Neil Carter!

[TAC]

https://www.metaltalk.net/love-to-love-phil-mogg-talks-health-ufo-and-lights-out.php?fbclid=IwAR1T9WnH09U8NOCoEoF-Ab53Be6Sa3HgF5Pjiws4ZWrT4rs5KLM6V7EeFKU
Phil's solo album with Neil Carter!

Thank you for the heads up on this. That's great that Neil Carter is part of this. That means it's as much of a UFO album as Misdemeanor was. lol

[wolfking]

He caught the bus to go to the hospital?! 

Anyway, cool, hopefully a decent record coming up.

[devieira73]

I also hope so. I'm not expecting Making Contact PT. 2, but maybe a bit more on the hard rock side than blues rock side?
Let's see.

https://www.metaltalk.net/love-to-love-phil-mogg-talks-health-ufo-and-lights-out.php?fbclid=IwAR1T9WnH09U8NOCoEoF-Ab53Be6Sa3HgF5Pjiws4ZWrT4rs5KLM6V7EeFKU
Phil's solo album with Neil Carter!

Thank you for the heads up on this. That's great that Neil Carter is part of this. That means it's as much of a UFO album as Misdemeanor was. lol

Isn't it?

[EPICVIEW]

https://www.metaltalk.net/love-to-love-phil-mogg-talks-health-ufo-and-lights-out.php?fbclid=IwAR1T9WnH09U8NOCoEoF-Ab53Be6Sa3HgF5Pjiws4ZWrT4rs5KLM6V7EeFKU
Phil's solo album with Neil Carter!

Thank you for the heads up on this. That's great that Neil Carter is part of this. That means it's as much of a UFO album as Misdemeanor was. lol

 

[TAC]

I also hope so. I'm not expecting Making Contact PT. 2, but maybe a bit more on the hard rock side than blues rock side?
Let's see.

Yeah, I have no idea. I think Phil was the one in charge of UFO's musical direction, so I'm not really expecting anything too different.

Still, it'll be nice to have some new music with his voice on it.

[devieira73]

https://www.facebook.com/share/q6NguaUfucWf19rc/?mibextid=xfxF2i
Well hello playmates. Time for a ramble...
The album Moggs Motel shall be unleashed on September 6th, which seems an age away. However the motel staff are making a movie in April at a secret location... so shapes must be rehearsed and hats starched. Talking of movies if you get the chance have a gander at one great B movie called Giant Killer Ants. It’s a Band Movie you might like, from 2017. The guitarist has Pete Way's pants on and it has Sydney Sweeney appearing in it. Wonderful silly stuff. If you're a B movie fan you’ll love it, which reminds me, I must check out Attack Of The Killer Donuts.

So anyway, here’s the Motel track listing.
Apple Pie
Sunny Side Of Heaven
Face Of An Angel
I Thought I Knew You
The Princess Bride
Other People's Lives
Tinker Tailor
Weather
Harry's Place
The Wrong House
Shane
Storyville

And just for the record I’m singing, Neil (Carter) is on guitar, keys, vocals, flute, washboard and anything else he can lay his hands on, the little devil. Our Tony (Newton) plays the bass, guitar, and mixing desk, Joe (Lazarus) is on all things percussion, and Mr Tommy Gentry is on guitars.

The Motel pool has been finished I have placed a lovely bar at one end. Now we have to name it. I was thinking The Way Out (that's a bit naff though) or Tonka Town (a bit better). Any suggestions gratefully received.

Have yourselves a smashing summer and maybe we could meet up in September for the launch.
Tally Ho, and Happy Trails.
Phil.

[devieira73]

It seems like Neil is very involved with this album.

[wolfking]

Sounds good to me, hopefully a solid record coming our way.

[TAC]

Oh nice. I usually check their web page, but I must not have.
Really looking forward to this.

[TAC]

So...last year, something called Cleopatra Records released, or rereleased/repackaged a number of live offerings.

I'm going to highlight a couple that I actually bought.



https://open.spotify.com/album/3vjRpY5cqVx27EpetHfr53?si=yWOvwfdBTvmJqaMk_6bb0A

Tracklist:
1. Lettin' Go
2. Youngblood
3. No Place To Run
4. Cherry
5. Only You Can Rock Me
6. Love To Love
7. Mystery Train
8. Doctor Doctor
9. Too Hot To Handle
10. Light Out
11. Rock Bottom
12. Shoot Shoot

This was previously available as:

   and   

What made this release compelling is that the two previous versions were missing Doctor Doctor, Rock Bottom, and Shoot Shoot.


What I like about the Chapman live material is that there's a real aggressiveness and just balls out rocking vibe to it. He kind of stumbles his way through some of the Schenker subtleties but it gives the band a really cool vibe. An example is the intro to Doctor Doctor which is...rough.

But this version of Rock Bottom is amazing. It's not Schenker, obviously, but Chapman is pretty clean throughout the instrumental break.
The other surprise is the 12 minute Shoot Shoot that ends the show. They do a great extended instrumental section that includes band intros. I eyeroll these types of things sometimes, but I had never heard this before, and it was...kind of awesome.

Soundwise, it's an old FM pull, so it's not a polished recording. Even though the guitars are slightly low in the mix, you can really hear every instrument clearly, especially the bass, and Pete Way is killing it the whole time. As with the previous versions, I feel like they used the studio vocal for Youngblood, but the band is quite live.


------------------------------------------------------------------





https://open.spotify.com/album/5bbgCyF110KePtYCpMjKyu?si=-BvWHYGYQp-yZzBWyFh0mQ

Tracklist:
1. Heaven's Gate
2. The Chase
3. This Time
4. Meanstreets
5. Name Of Love
6. The Only Ones
7. Wreckless
8. Night Run
9. Only You Can Rock Me
10. Doctor Doctor
11. Too Hot To handle
12. Lights Out


This was previously available as:



..and is also the soundtrack for the Misdemeanor Tour live VHS.




The previously available version on the Heavens Gate Live had only 10 songs, so this new version adds both Too Hot To Handle and Lights Out. The setlist for the night includes Shoot Shoot as well, but for some reason, it's still missing.
What I like about this live album is that they bang out 8 songs right off the top from the Misdemeanor album. Calling it a UFO album was still suspect, but it remains an awesome album. Also, I love these live versions of the classic songs.


I was kind of hesitant to go through all of these releases as I'm naturally cynical about the endless rehashing of material. I think I'll investigate these further, and if something catches my eye/ear, I'll report back here.

[wolfking]

I'll check these out mate.  I really have picked up on Chapman, he was such a natural and classy guitarist.  I love how he did his own thing personally over the old stuff.

[devieira73]

Love the Chicago show, also a great version of Young Blood!
As for the Oxford show, Too Hot to Handle and Lights Out are interesting, but bootleg quality. It's a bit frustranting when this happens, specially if the songs are from the same show with a proper recording. Probably Cleopatra didn't have access to the original recordings and wanted to include some bonus, so it's Ok.
Last week I was listening to the new remastered version of Sharks and FINALLY I liked it, without trying too hard! It's not good as Covenant, but it isn't so far from it. It doesn't have a Love is Forever or Unraveled to make a difference, but it's a cool album that it  hasn't much difference in level between songs. My greatest surprise was Perfect View - It's a very very cool song and I didn't even remember it that much!

[TAC]

Sharks has aged pretty decently.

[devieira73]

Tim, did you listened to the remastered version of Ain't Misbehavin? There are 4 bonus tracks from this show (OYCRM, The Chase, Night Run and DD):
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/ufo/1986/summerfest-grounds-milwaukee-wi-13d8e15d.html
Killer performances from this show! Even better than Oxford's.