The Michael Schenker Group - Live in Tokyo 1997.
3.5 / 5
Metal Mind Productions, 236 minutes.
released July 12, 2005
Legendary hard rock / metal guitarist Michael Schenker celebrates his 25th anniversary as a recording artist on this 2005 DVD release. Born on January 10, 1955 in Sarstedt, Germany, truly he is one of the chief architects of hard rock and heavy metal and remains a vital guitarist and songwriter. I've never seen him live, mostly due to the fact that he was always overshadowed by the groups that he used to be in and wasn't given a chance to form his own foothold in North America. He's big in Japan, though. I don't recall him every playing my city, Winnipeg.
From reading the back of the DVD case, I was immediately impressed with the huge number of songs included - 40! Schenker was a founding member of The Scorpions and recorded on their 1972 album, Lonesome Crow when he was 15. He then joined the British band UFO from 1973 to 1979, before rejoining the Scorpions for 1979's Lovedrive, and then heading out on a solo career. Schenker's output with UFO coincided with their most popular recordings, including 1977's Lights Out and 1978's Obsession and the massive hit, "Only You Can Rock Me."
Despite the fact the Scorpion' Love Drive album contains several notable tracks, such as "Loving You Sunday Morning", "Coast To Coast", the title track and "Holiday," only "Another Piece of Meat" in included on the DVD.
It's hard to believe that someone of Schenker's status would release such a bush league DVD. What do I mean by that? There's only one camera used to film the 30-song Tokyo concert!!! Sure, it zooms in once in a while, but it's not as good as a full film crew with multiple cameras.
On the plus side, the sound is acceptable. Schenker's guitar is razor sharp and vocalist David Van Landing is clear as a bell. Due to his classical sounds, you can hear why Schenker was an influence on Yngwie Malmsteen. The guitar playing is glorious. Listening to this DVD as I type away or surf the Internet, I feel like I am reliving the glory days of 70's hard rock, before thrash metal came along and placed more emphasis on speed than melody and whose seriousness took the fun out of music. This music "breathes" and feels less congested than much of the metal that came later and I love it! Obvious non-MSG highlights for me include the UFO classics "Doctor Doctor", "Lights Out", "Only You Can Rock Me" and Contraband's "All The Way From Memphis" (a Mott the Hoople cover.) Even when the songs aren't so hot and sound rather like pedestrian hard rock, Schenker's guitar playing drew me in.
Article comments
1 - Paul Roy
I've passed on this one so far thanks to the mostly poor reviews. I think you probably summed it up well with the "bush league DVD" description. I heard the same things about World Wide Live too. I own plenty of low budget productions that still turn out great,if the producers have a clue, but I cant stand a poorly produced concert DVD. I saw Schenker a few years ago at a small club in Virginia with Rick Derringer opening for him, and I was not that impressed with the show. Thanks for the great review.
2 - Rob
I was watching a DVD called "UFO Story" this weekend. It was great to see a young Michael Schenker having fun and playing the classics that make UFO special. As with the DVD you're reviewing, there seems to be only one camera filming things. The sound isn't too bad. I think I'll pick up the new DVD for sentimental reasons and to hear Schenker's new takes on some old classics.
3 - Dave
A fair review!
I think the main part of this DVD is essentially the video that was released in 97/98 through the now defunct Michael Schenker Records (essentially selling stuff for his now defunct Fan Club). When originally released it was called 'The Story Of Michael Schenker' and from what I can recall was basically filmed by his then wife/girlfriend/manager (it's all a bit complicated), hence the quality.
Still worth getting though I reckon...
4 - Troy
Thanks for the review - seems like a production "bootleg". I've always been a big Schneker fan, seen UFO twice just a couple years ago playing with all the original cast playing in bars - ventura amd san diego, CA. Shows were great. Here is an arena band in a small venue 15 feet away from you. Then Michael played at 4th and B - a club down here in SD. The interesting thing was he wasn't pushing any band - just him out playing. Vinny Moore (sp? and also very good) warmed up for him and then Schenker came out with the same band. However, there was white tape on the stage - securing schenkers area - no one entired and he never stepped out of it the entire concert. If was fun anyway.
5 - Pedro
Great video. Fantastic Michael.
This review is very poor, of course in my opinion. But could be worst.
Greeteings
Pedro
Admin od Michael Schenker Polish Site