The UFO Discography And Listening Party Thread

[wolfking]

Had a quick watch of a couple of songs earlier but was very distracted because Paul Raymond looked remarkably like my other half’s aunt. 😀😀😀

Haha.

[TAC]

 

[wolfking]

I do like how this is completely live, one thing it seems UFO have never compromised.  Rock Me isn't Phil at his best and I like how they left his blunder in Lights Out in there.

[TAC]

Pretty nice set this.  It's hard though after listening to so much Schenker to hear these songs with Vinnie's tone.  He uses too much neck pickup for my liking.  Although the first half of what he does on This Kids is excellent.  I wished he played a lot more in this style in his time with UFO.  When he plays more that pentationic Schenker style he kills it.  He relies too much on really tradtional blues like licks and playing I feel.  Lots of major influneced stuff going on, it's just slightly offputting to me.

What is neck pickup?  Is that when he solos with really high notes at the bottom (near the body) of the neck?

If so, I find that he could use a bit more smoothness. But when he plays down on the neck, he's a lot better.

I do like how this is completely live, one thing it seems UFO have never compromised.  Rock Me isn't Phil at his best and I like how they left his blunder in Lights Out in there.

 

[TAC]

Tales Of Rock 'n' Roll




Spotify
Youtube

Released March 27, 2006

1. The Ride
2. Setting Sun
3. Angel Of Avalon (Leif Sundin)
4. Dreams Inside (Chris Logan)
5. Dust To Dust
6. Voices In My Heart
7. Journeyman
8. Big Deal (Kelly Keeling)
9. St. Ann
10. Shadow Lady
11. Love Trade
12. Human Child
13. Bittersweet
14. Blind Alley
15. Freedom
16. Life Vacation (Gary Barden)
17. Rock n Roll (Graham Bonnet)
18. Tell A Story (Robin McAuley)
19. Life Goes On


Michael Schenker-Guitar
Jari Tiura-Vocals
Pete Way-Bass
Jeff Martin-Drums
Wayne Findlay-Keyboards/Guitar

With 2006's Tales Of Rock n Roll, Michael seems to snap out of the malaise of his last few MSG albums. He has found a vocalist, Jari Tiura, who to me, really stands out much more than Keeling, Logan, or Sundin. He reminds me a lot of the dude from Odd Dimension.
Speaking of those guys, this is the point where Michael starts inviting his old vocalists back. Even Bonnet, Barden, and McAuley are present.

Not sure if any of you checked his Dreams And Expressions instrumental album, but this reminds me a lot of that, as there are no gaps between the tracks, and the songs are all short.  Michael's playing is excellent here and I highly recommend this album.

They should have named this album A Shit Ton Of Tasty Licks.

[wolfking]

Pretty nice set this.  It's hard though after listening to so much Schenker to hear these songs with Vinnie's tone.  He uses too much neck pickup for my liking.  Although the first half of what he does on This Kids is excellent.  I wished he played a lot more in this style in his time with UFO.  When he plays more that pentationic Schenker style he kills it.  He relies too much on really tradtional blues like licks and playing I feel.  Lots of major influneced stuff going on, it's just slightly offputting to me.

What is neck pickup?  Is that when he solos with really high notes at the bottom (near the body) of the neck?

If so, I find that he could use a bit more smoothness. But when he plays down on the neck, he's a lot better.

I do like how this is completely live, one thing it seems UFO have never compromised.  Rock Me isn't Phil at his best and I like how they left his blunder in Lights Out in there.

 

There are pickups underneath the strings where the guitarist picks/strums.  A bridge, middle and neck pickup.  The bridge pickup is the one closest to the bridge and the neck is the one closest to the neck.  The switch decides which pickup to use and split between.  Most standard is straight bridge pickup for mostly everything but selecting the neck pickup is used more for soloing.  It gives a warmer tone, think Dave Murray's tone.

[wolfking]

Holy shit, I think I have this MSG album on CD!

[TAC]

Holy shit, I think I have this MSG album on CD!

Time to actually listen to it!

I love this album. You can add up the previous 4 MSG albums, and this is still better.

I mentioned the Odd Dimension dude. But there's also a lot pf phrasings that remind me of Doogie.

[wolfking]

Holy shit, I think I have this MSG album on CD!

Time to actually listen to it!

I love this album. You can add up the previous 4 MSG albums, and this is still better.

I mentioned the Odd Dimension dude. But there's also a lot pf phrasings that remind me of Doogie.

I definitely will.  Looking forward to it.

[PowerSlave]

Tim, this video might give you a good idea of how guitar pickups work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK12i4qrWM0

There are a lot of possibilities within guitar playing with pickup selection and volume knob/tone nob manipulation. The pickups are basically magnets that "pickup" the vibration of the strings as they are played. There are basically three different types of pickups: single coil, P90's and humbuckers. There are also several different companies that make pickups, and each one can have different tonal qualities. And while a great deal of tone is in a player's hands that is determined by their playing style, most would argue that a lot of it is determined by their choice of guitar, pickups, amplifier and speaker cabinet.

Then we could also get into subjects like amplifier modification, effects pedals and mic choice/placement, but that sort of discussion could be endless.

[wolfking]

I've never really gotten into specifics with pickups and different brands and shit like that.  I don't really care honestly, I just play with whatever the guitar has.  It's good enough.

Tim, Adrian Smith - bridge pickup, Dave Murray - neck pickup.

Neck pickup gets used a lot for soloing as it covers mistakes more than the bridge.

[Lowdz]

I've never really gotten into specifics with pickups and different brands and shit like that.  I don't really care honestly, I just play with whatever the guitar has.  It's good enough.

Tim, Adrian Smith - bridge pickup, Dave Murray - neck pickup.

Neck pickup gets used a lot for soloing as it covers mistakes more than the bridge.

Hence why I use it almost exclusively! 

Not heard this MSG album. Will put that right.

[wolfking]

I've never really gotten into specifics with pickups and different brands and shit like that.  I don't really care honestly, I just play with whatever the guitar has.  It's good enough.

Tim, Adrian Smith - bridge pickup, Dave Murray - neck pickup.

Neck pickup gets used a lot for soloing as it covers mistakes more than the bridge.

Hence why I use it almost exclusively! 

Not heard this MSG album. Will put that right.

Hey, I never said I didn't use it either. 

[TAC]

Tim, this video might give you a good idea of how guitar pickups work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK12i4qrWM0

Thanks Jason, yeah, I just watched it. Cool. Yes, the possibilities do seem endless.

Tim, Adrian Smith - bridge pickup, Dave Murray - neck pickup.

Ahh, now that's a language I can understand.

[wolfking]

I thought so. 

About to search for this Schenker CD and probably won't be able to report back until Sunday night.

[TAC]

I thought so. 

About to search for this Schenker CD and probably won't be able to report back until Sunday night.

No worries. It's worth a listen.

I'll post The Monkey Puzzle Sunday night (Monday morning for you!)

[Zoom E]

I’m falling behind. Still haven't had a chance to listen to Sharks and now I want to check out the most recent MSG album posted.

I did buy You Are Here when it was released. It’s a decent listen but possibly my least favourite of all the UFO albums I own.

[TAC]

I’m falling behind. Still haven't had a chance to listen to Sharks and now I want to check out the most recent MSG album posted.

I did buy You Are Here when it was released. It’s a decent listen but possibly my least favourite of all the UFO albums I own.

I thought we lost you.

I've tried to slow things down a bit leading into the Vinnie Era.

Sharks is skippable. Tales of RnR is not.


I think the next two UFO albums are both better than You Are Here.

[wolfking]

Damn, this album kicks ass.  What an exhausting listen.  Short tracks and no breaks, so fucking unique, love it.  Will post more thoughts later.

[wolfking]

I’m falling behind. Still haven't had a chance to listen to Sharks and now I want to check out the most recent MSG album posted.

I did buy You Are Here when it was released. It’s a decent listen but possibly my least favourite of all the UFO albums I own.

I thought we lost you.

I've tried to slow things down a bit leading into the Vinnie Era.

Sharks is skippable. Tales of RnR is not.


I think the next two UFO albums are both better than You Are Here.

I'd argue that Sharks is skippable.

[Zoom E]

Then it shall be skipped

[TAC]

Damn, this album kicks ass.  What an exhausting listen.  Short tracks and no breaks, so fucking unique, love it.  Will post more thoughts later.

 

[wolfking]

The singer is fucking brilliant.

[TAC]

Yeah I like him a lot. Not sure what else he’s done.

[Stadler]

They should have named this album A Shit Ton Of Tasty Licks.

I've been wanting to hear this for a while. I'm going to try to listen to it tonight.

Tim, if you can find any videos of Blackmore playing, he tends to switch his pickups a lot in mid solo.  Sometimes you can hear the difference, sometimes you can't, but it might help you.   Ace does too (though his is more gimmicky; on the Les Pauls, it makes that "na. na. na. na." sound that Ace uses a lot (as if the guitar is turned off in between).  It's hard to describe but I KNOW you know the sound. 

[TAC]

That’s Ace’s signature move!

 

[TAC]

The singer is fucking brilliant.

Apparently Jari is the singer in Stargazery. I have a couple of their albums Saved on my Spotify. I like them. They released an new album this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqZlfAl6fSk



As far as Tales goes, Bittersweet has such an addictive verse. And I love the last 20 seconds of Big Deal.

So many great Schenkerisms all over this album.

They should have named this album A Shit Ton Of Tasty Licks.

I've been wanting to hear this for a while. I'm going to try to listen to it tonight.

Keep us posted!

[ProfessorPeart]

I'll try to check out this MSG album. Was just reading about it on Wikipedia and it mentions that the music was initially meant as a UFO concept record but Michael decided to keep it for himself. Could this be why Sharks is so throwaway to a lot of people? Had to start over and kind of phoned it in and left the band? Just guessing really. There is 4 years between Sharks and this record. Who knows knowing Schenker.

[TAC]

I'll try to check out this MSG album.

Definitely do it. It's really a breath of fresh air.

[TAC]

I'll try to check out this MSG album. Was just reading about it on Wikipedia and it mentions that the music was initially meant as a UFO concept record but Michael decided to keep it for himself. Could this be why Sharks is so throwaway to a lot of people? Had to start over and kind of phoned it in and left the band? Just guessing really. There is 4 years between Sharks and this record. Who knows knowing Schenker.

There's a great Rev Jones (played bass on Be Aware Of Scorpions) interview with Mitch Lafon from this past September. He talks about a little of the album's creation here:
https://youtu.be/z88Y9BRRnr8?t=1606

He says that while Be Aware Of Scorpions was being made, he was not only simultaneously working on The Plot, but also on an instrumental album with Jeff Martin (who also plays on The Plot, as well as BAOS). It's this instrumental album that becomes Tales.
Rev mentions that Marty Friedman was supposed to have some involvement.


This Rev Jones interview is great. He's fucking nuts. If you click the link and continue watching, he tells the great story of him punching Chris Logan on tour with MSG and the band leaving the singer basically by the side of the road.

[ProfessorPeart]

I'll try to check out this MSG album.

Definitely do it. It's really a breath of fresh air.

As soon as I can pull myself away from this Mr. Bungle album. I can't stop listening to it (I'm listening to it now, again, as I type this).

[wolfking]

So, it's absolutely mindblowing that I have had this album in my rack for probably like 10 years.  From what I'm hearing, I didn't even listen to it.  But, this album fucking rips.  I've listened to it twice and it's just 56 minutes of fucking excellent hard rock.  Looks like I'll have to check the Dreams album if that has the same format of every song running into each other.  A few songs in I was confused as hell as the structure and the shifting between songs, but it's glorious.  Love everything about it.  Actually, the singer is so good, I wish the other guys weren't on here.

There's riff after riff and idea after idea, and yes as Tim said, lick after lick.  So many good ideas going on through this whole album it's almost unfair that a lot of these weren't explored further.  I didn't follow the track titles much while listening but the 3 song hit of Dust to Dust, Voice of My Heart and Journey Man is fucking killer!  The vocals on these three tracks are so good and I love Jari's accent here actually.

That last part of Big Deal Tim has a lot of DT influence for me.  There was another part that had DT influence but not sure off the top of my head.  Bittersweet is another highlight, great riff and solo section, as is Shadow Lady a top tune.

Freedom I think is my fav though, holy hell this is one of Schenker's finest moments, those solos, hot damn!  The only negative is that it loses a slight bit of steam after this track.  Let's up the heaviness a little which I'm not sure on.

Nevertheless, this is also one of the most legit reason to own something on cd.  It's brilliant just to listen to driving along.  What a fucking gem I've had hidden away all this time.

[wolfking]

Went out for a browse in the city yesterday to kill some time as I had most of the day to myself.  Actually found the 2cd edition of Covenant to my surprise.    Lucky I was warming to it as I had no hesitation buying it.  It was weird to see this album at JB.

I also managed to get copies of 2 Schenker Temple of Rock albums.  Spirit on a Mission and Bridge the Gap.  I'll try and hold off and listen to these when Tim gets to them.  No real idea what to expect with these really.

[ProfessorPeart]

Well, more money gone. I was checking out samples of Tales and really liked what I was hearing. Jari is the first vocalist that I have heard from Michael that I actually liked. I was liking him so much that I checked out the credits for the next album only to see Barden was back. That didn't make me feel good. Then I checked out Barden's track on Tales and was pleasantly surprised. I actually liked older Barden. So then I checked out some stuff from the next album and I had no issues with how Barden sounded and the music sounded nice and heavy.

Went on a hunt and found the music importer on eBay that I regularly buy from had both discs brand new. $25 out the door for both. Hope to get them late next week so I can actually listen to them.

[wolfking]

Well, more money gone. I was checking out samples of Tales and really liked what I was hearing. Jari is the first vocalist that I have heard from Michael that I actually liked. I was liking him so much that I checked out the credits for the next album only to see Barden was back. That didn't make me feel good. Then I checked out Barden's track on Tales and was pleasantly surprised. I actually liked older Barden. So then I checked out some stuff from the next album and I had no issues with how Barden sounded and the music sounded nice and heavy.

Went on a hunt and found the music importer on eBay that I regularly buy from had both discs brand new. $25 out the door for both. Hope to get them late next week so I can actually listen to them.

We are both going to be broke by the end of this.