Tag: scorpions (Page 1 of 2)

Another killer double live album from the 70’s, this one came out in ’78. I’m a huge fan of this version of the Scorpions due to Uli Roth being on guitar. I know the band became mega huge after Uli left before the recording of the Lovedrive, but this version of the band just appeals to me as they have that classic sound that I love.

If you are guitar nut it’s worth buying this album just for Polar Nights as Uli is on fire. Yep, he’s a big Hendrix nut but it’s the way he interprets those sounds. The band are cooking on this performance and it’s basically a best of all the early albums, including two tracks co-written with Michael Schenker: the very trippy In Search Of The Piece Of Mind, and Fly To The Rainbow. My favourite tracks (yes I have two) are the quite prophetically titled He’s A Man She’s A Woman which has a simple riff, hook, and chorus; and Speedy’s Coming just for the pure joy of Uli’s guitar.

There’s just something about 70’s live albums.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

The end of one era for the band, and the beginning of another. After the departure of Uli Roth it was rumoured that Michael Schenker would be joining the band. He did contribute solos to the album, but it was the unknown Matthias Jabs who become the new guitar player. There was a different vibe to the music as well, with the more way out trippy tunes being phased out for a more hard rock heavy approach.

Another Piece Of Meat was the heaviest thing the band had done up until this point, with a great solo from Michael. Coast to Coast was another track with a solo from Michael, and unusual for the Scorps was an instrumental. The best track on the album is the opener Loving You Sunday Morning, a great riff and groove with a really tasty solo. There are some really dodgy moments as well. like the reggae of Is There Anybody There which is not great and does not work (for me anyway). Holiday the part-ballad part-rocker would be the track that would do well for them, especially in the US. Of course it was all up and up for the band after this album with Animal Magnetism and Blackout doing really well for them.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Believe it or not, the Scorpions have been around since 1965. It was not until ’79 that they started become popular as a world wide mega group. This is the second album to feature Matthias Jabs on guitar – after the departure of Uli Roth. There were hints at a more commercial approach with the last album, Lovedrive, but this album was the one when they realized they could make money from a formulaic song.

There are moments on here where the band rock out, especially with Don’t Make No Promises, which follows the same path as Another Piece Of Meat. It was the singles, Lady Starlight and Make It Real, that made the biggest impression – especially in North America. There are still elements of euro rock, especially on Hold Me Tight and Twentieth Century Man. Hands down the best track on the album is the simple but very effective, The Zoo. This is what this version of the band did best – making sure that the most people possible could get into their music.

The three albums that came after would make the band bigger than the biggest thing you can think of: Blackout, Love At First Sting, and Savage Amusement. To think that this band played at The Outlook club in my hometown is mind blowing. Not a bad album but definitely not their best.

8/10 from The Grooveman.