Ripple Theater - UFO/MSG Rockpalast DVD's

Are you ready to rock? Hot n ready? Armed and ready? Then you are ready to for these two new kick ass DVD’s to rock your television into the ground. Rockpalast (Rock Palace) is a German music TV show that’s been around since 1974 and they’re starting to release some of their historic concerts. Yours truly has already drooled all over the ZZ Top and Thin Lizzy releases here on Ripple but this double dose of primo heavy rock is a major cause for celebration.

First up is UFO live, loud, proud and drunk in Dortmund, Germany from November 1980. True, that means no Michael Schenker or Paul Raymond but the excellent Paul Chapman is on lead guitar and this is the tour supporting the solid No Place To Run album. Starting off with the high energy “Lettin’ Go” UFO comes out blazing. Chapman doesn’t have the charisma of Michael Schenker but his fiery playing is terrific and it gives Pete Way an excuse to jump around even more than usual. Watching vintage Pete Way in action, it’s obvious what a big influence he was on Steve Harris and Nikki Sixx, not only in his playing but for his awesome stripey jumpsuits. Andy Parker is one of the most underrated drummers in rock. He’s hard hitter with a huge sound and never overplays. Neil Carter does a fine job on rhythm guitar and keyboards and mainly stays out of the way. Phil Mogg is in excellent voice and his tipsy in between song banter is always entertaining. There are some great shots of the crowd. Some 13 year old little shit loves flipping the bird to the camera every time it gets near him. Classic.

The entire UFO concert is great but does drag a bit in the middle with a few too many slower songs like “No Place To Run,” “Making Moves,” and “Love To Love” all in a row. Luckily they wake everyone up with their blistering cover of “Mystery Train,” one of the highlights from the No Place To Run album. Old favorites like “Only You Can Rock Me,” “Lights Out,” “Doctor Doctor,” and of course “Rock Bottom” kick major ass. Chapman really scorches on “Rock Bottom” and proves he was probably the only guy who could replace Schenker in this classic band. (Lots of people forget that he actually played side by side with him in the short lived twin axe attack UFO line up of 1974).

Watching UFO in 1980 is the perfect warm up for the Michael Schenker Group 1981 live show. What a band! You get Paul Raymond on guitar & keyboards, Chris Glen from the Sensational Alex Harvey Band on bass and Cozy Powell on powerhouse drums. The only weak link, unfortunately, is vocalist Gary Barden. He sounds good on the opening number “Armed & Ready” but not long after that it’s obvious his voice is pretty shot. He’s not really a great frontman, either. Despite a lot of cracked notes, Schenker rescues the concert with superb playing. On a good night there are few guitarists that can come close to his tough yet melodic playing. It’s incredible what that guy can do with just a Gibson Flying V, a wah-wah pedal and FOUR STACKS of 50 watt Marshall amps.

In 1981, only the first MSG album was out so the best songs from that like “Cry For the Nations,” “Victim of Illusions” and “Into The Arena” get played alongside UFO standards “Natural Thing,” “Doctor Doctor” and “Lights Out.” It’s a lot of fun to compare these versions with the ones on the UFO DVD. Schenker and Phil Mogg never got along too well but they did make a great team. As much as I love Andy Parker, it’s too bad they never built a super UFO with Mogg, Schenker, Chapman, Cozy, Paul Raymond and Pete Way. These 2 DVD’s is the closest we’ll ever get. Get a 15 pack of Strohs and tell the old lady to hit the road when you bring these home. Tell me your ready to ROCK!!

 --Woody

Buy here:  UFO - Rockpalast: Hardrock Legends Vol. 1
buy here CD: Rockpalast: Hardrock Legends 1
buy here mp3: Rockpalast: Hardrock Legends Vol. 1

Buy here: Michael Schenker Group - Rockpalast: Hardrock Legends Vol. 2
Buy here CD: Rockpalast: Hard Rock Legends Vol. 2
Buy here mp3: Rockpalast: Hardrock Legends Vol. 2