Schenker revisits the UFO years. Classic songs with guests galore accompanying the iconic axeman.

Release Date: 20th September 2024

Label: earMUSIC

Format: CD / digital / LP

Breaking out and doin’ what we wanna. Yes indeed Mr Schenker. Forever associated with the classic days and landmark albums and songs of the UFO legacy, from Phenomenon to Obsession, here he is, presenting a celebratory album containing 11 of UFO’s greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of singing guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keys, Brian Tichy on drums, and Barry Sparks on bass.

the same but different

It’s not too difficult to make a call on the tracklisting. The album looks like Strangers In The Night, plays like Strangers In The Night, even smells like Strangers In The Night. To all intents and purposes it is Strangers In the Night; with a twist. The roster of guest vocalists – of course Schenker is used to working with different singers in his recent projects – includes Axl Rose, Kai Hansen, , Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Jeff Scott Soto, Dee Snider, Joe Lynn Turner, Stephen Pearcy, and Erik Grönwall. Even Slash pops up for a guitar slinging turn on Mother Mary.

Every song is a gem and with a star studded band backing them (including some nice Sherinian twinkling piano on This Kids, more prominent on Doctor Doctor intro and Love To Love), how do the singers shape up? Not too bad at all as it happens. Given the songs are sure fire winners anyway, it would be a drag for singers of this ilk to drop a b****ck.

a hard rock who’s who

Dee Snider shapes up pretty well on the opening Natural Thing, setting a high enough bar of expectation and really enjoyable is Biff Byford’s This Kids. A singer of NWOBHM vintage, it’s great to hear the two icons trading off. And well done to Axl Rose who manages to resist yelping through Love To Love. It allows the boss to reprise his majestic mid song and closing guitar solos. A wise choice of song to catch Axl in a performance that’s more about passion and feel than belting it out.

On the heftier side, Rock Bottom moves into extended solo territory and as you’d expect, Jeff Scott Soto proves another wise choice, linking up to deliver his trademark power and dominance on Lights Out. Interestingly, none of the vocalists ‘sound’ like Phil Mogg, although they remain respectful to the songs and his melodies and phrasing. Maybe the evidence to show how most rock and metal singers have their special identity. An interesting discussion, not that it matters, but a good one to have down the pub is who’s the closest? Possibly Erik Gronwall on Mother Mary.

an album that can’t fail

That’s the beauty of this album. Looking back for sure; the same picture in a different frame (or different picture in the same frame?). An album that can’t really fail.

Here’s Only You Can Rock Me, with Joey Tempest heading over to join Schenks after guesting on the new Opeth album:

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