Heavy, guitar-fueled, blues-rock has been my go-to style of music from the day I figured out that Led Zeppelin wasn't just some giant fiery balloon crash. In 1973, British rockers UFO recruited 19 year-old, German guitar-wiz, Michael Schenker, from the Scorpions, and went on to revamp their original space-rock sound into the bluesy, heavy metal force they made famous on such classic albums as Force It, Lights Out, and Obsession. Since that time, UFO has laid down some of the heaviest guitar-based rock and roll ever, and much to my surprise, it looks like they are still doing it.
I was not overwhelmingly interested in getting this DVD, until I found out that Vinnie Moore was the band's new hired gun on guitar. I have been a fan of his ever since I heard his phenomenal debut album Mind's Eye, in 1986, and my passion was later reignited by his killer Live! album of 2000. Moore can definitely shred with the best of them, but he also has the depth and style that many of his counterparts sorely lack.
Interestingly enough, the one time I saw Moore play live was opening up for, you guessed it, Michael Schenker, at a small club back in 1999. Now, I'm as much of a Schenker fan as the next guitar freak, but on this particular night he was downright disappointing. His performance was as uninspired as he appeared five years later on his Worldwide Live 2004 DVD. Boring to say the least. Moore, however, was energized and put on a world-class guitar performance, winning over the crowd with his flawless technique and impressive showmanship. Moore was, admittedly, a longtime Schenker and UFO fan already, and his obvious passion for their music spills over in this performance. I couldn't think of a more well-suited guitarist to resurrect this band.
Showtime was filmed live at the Pumpwerk club, in Wilhelmshaven, Germany on May 13th 2005. This current incarnation of the band was out touring in support of their new 2004 album, You Are Here, which was recorded by founding members Phil Mogg (vocals) and Pete Way (bass), longtime keyboardist/guitarist Paul Raymond, and newcomers Vinnie Moore (guitar) and Jason Bonham (drums) - the same lineup that performs on this DVD.
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