Michael Schenker Group-Tales of Rock n Roll
8.5 out of 10
By: Sixxswine
Tales of Rock n Roll is Michael Schenkers follow up to last years Heavy Hitters which was an all-star affair featuring some fantastic vocal talents of rock and metal joining in on an all covers album with Michael and his band. Tales of Rock n Roll is a celebration of MSG, much like the last album was celebrating some of Schenkers favorite tunes by some great is rock. This album is MSGs 25th anniversary album, why just have one singer for the bash? When you can have many of the singers that have shared the stage with the mad axe man over the years? Signing on for the album are; Graham Bonnet, Gary Barden, Robin McAuley, Kelly Keeling, Leif Sundin, Chris Logan and recent addition Jari Tiura. The rhythm section for Tales of Rock n Roll are former UFO mate Pete Way on bass and Racer X singer on drums.
There a whopping 19 tracks on Tales of Rock n Roll, which could be for most albums overkill, but for this occasion, its fitting. A concern however that is the more tracks you add the more chances there are that you will be left with a mass of filler somewhere. While there are 3-4 tracks that fit the criteria, the majority of the songs deliver Michaels monstrous melodic signature sound and roaring lead guitar work. There are many moments worth mentioning the opener The Ride, which classic MSG, Dreams Inside is sounds like 70s era Scorpions, Dust to Dust, Journey Man, Big Deal, this features smokin organ playing that would make Jon Lord proud, switching gears theres the mid-tempo St. Ann. One thing that should be noted, unlike most records, there isnt any space in between each song, so there could be some confusion at times where a song ends and another begins. That is a rather strange, then again Schenker is eccentric musician, so its not surprising, there are tracks that arent as strong and when they overlap with the prime stuff it can be a bit annoying. In the end I can appreciate Schenker putting together an album of original music rather than taking the easy way out, he could have easily issued another compilation or another live album. Michael Schenker doesnt get the credit he is due he has influenced so many of the top players past to present from Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine to Wolf Hoffman. He is slightly mad, but then again havent many of historys best musicians or composers been a little off?
8.5 out of 10
By: Sixxswine
Tales of Rock n Roll is Michael Schenkers follow up to last years Heavy Hitters which was an all-star affair featuring some fantastic vocal talents of rock and metal joining in on an all covers album with Michael and his band. Tales of Rock n Roll is a celebration of MSG, much like the last album was celebrating some of Schenkers favorite tunes by some great is rock. This album is MSGs 25th anniversary album, why just have one singer for the bash? When you can have many of the singers that have shared the stage with the mad axe man over the years? Signing on for the album are; Graham Bonnet, Gary Barden, Robin McAuley, Kelly Keeling, Leif Sundin, Chris Logan and recent addition Jari Tiura. The rhythm section for Tales of Rock n Roll are former UFO mate Pete Way on bass and Racer X singer on drums.
There a whopping 19 tracks on Tales of Rock n Roll, which could be for most albums overkill, but for this occasion, its fitting. A concern however that is the more tracks you add the more chances there are that you will be left with a mass of filler somewhere. While there are 3-4 tracks that fit the criteria, the majority of the songs deliver Michaels monstrous melodic signature sound and roaring lead guitar work. There are many moments worth mentioning the opener The Ride, which classic MSG, Dreams Inside is sounds like 70s era Scorpions, Dust to Dust, Journey Man, Big Deal, this features smokin organ playing that would make Jon Lord proud, switching gears theres the mid-tempo St. Ann. One thing that should be noted, unlike most records, there isnt any space in between each song, so there could be some confusion at times where a song ends and another begins. That is a rather strange, then again Schenker is eccentric musician, so its not surprising, there are tracks that arent as strong and when they overlap with the prime stuff it can be a bit annoying. In the end I can appreciate Schenker putting together an album of original music rather than taking the easy way out, he could have easily issued another compilation or another live album. Michael Schenker doesnt get the credit he is due he has influenced so many of the top players past to present from Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine to Wolf Hoffman. He is slightly mad, but then again havent many of historys best musicians or composers been a little off?
