Artist: The Michael Schenker Group
Title: World Wide Live 2004
Format: DVD
Genre: Rock
Label: Music Video Distributors
Website
Michael Schenker is a rock icon, a guitar hero that has been around the block with the Scorpions, UFO and his own band MSG. He has nothing to prove as a guitar player so taping a recent concert was an updated bonus for all of his fans around the world.
World Wide Live 2004, filmed at the Metalmania Festival this year, includes highlights of all periods of Schenker's long and successful career. He gives equal time to his days with UFO and his own solo work to satisfy the audience.
The band behind Schenker is sharp and tight, however, the vocals of Chris Logan prove to be inadequate for the power of the music. His is range is limited, thus making the entire performance a lackluster one for the band as a unit. As I said, this is one potent musical force; however, I think if Schenker were to seek out a vocalist that can match his guitar wizardry, his music would take on a completely different meaning.
August 15, 2004
01. Ready To Rock
02. Mother Mary
03. Assault Attack
04. Let It Roll
05. Lights Out
06. Rock ‘n’ roll Believer
07. Arachnophobiac
08. Into The Arena
09. Only You Can Rock Me
10. On and On
11. Too Hot to Handle
12. Armed and Ready
13. Doctor Doctor
14. Rock Bottom
Rating-7/10
MSG Is:
Michael Schenker-guitar
Chris Logan-vocals
Wayne Findlay-guitar/keyboards
James Jones-bass
Pete Holmes-drums
Article comments
1 - Ron Puttnam
I really love this DVD. It's got some amazing camera work, plus the band is awesome. It's evident that Michael and the guys are really having a great time during this show.
I have to disagree on the Logan vocal comments though... I've seen Logan several times live, and his voice has always been very strong, and his range exceptional. Chris stated in an interview I read somewhere (or was it in person at a show? I forgot which) that he had an extreme case of laryngitis the day before the DVD was recorded and couldn't even speak. He said they almost had to cancel the show because of it. If you've heard him at peak performance, you'll notice a marked difference in his voice on this. But I think he still tackles all the songs very well, regardless, right along with the rest of the band.
The crowd is really into it, although there is very little audience sound included on the DVD - sort of a disservice to the band (Who is responsible for this mistake? FIRED!!!). It also has a few places where it looks like the editor fell asleep, where the camera focuses on the wrong place at the wrong time. But nothing terrible by any means.
It's a great DVD, and very well worth checking out. It is most certainly the best live performance video Schenker has ever appeared on.