Masters of Rock: the Very Best of the Michael Schenker Group

Masters of Rock: the Very Best of the Michael Schenker Group
Customer Review: Great early MSG
It is a common misconception that Michael Schenker went downhill after leaving UFO in 1979. This compilation taken from his first four MSG albums proves the utter falseness of this misconception. Schenker’s ability to combine melody, rhythm, good taste, blistering solos, finesse, construction, layers, and testosterone has never been matched in my view. Listening to Schenker makes you wonder what you were thinking about when you bought rock albums by other groups - he makes almost everybody else sound rubbish by comparison.

This compilation starts out with no less than 5 tracks from Schenker’s debut MSG (Michael Schenker Group) album, which shows just what a hard time the compilers had actually cutting out any tracks from that classic. The second MSG album (MSG) is almost as good as the first, whilst the 3rd (Assault Attack) is possibly even better than the debut album. Admittedly, the 4th MSG album, Built to Destroy, was a little weaker. Also, the track selection on this compilation misses out the best tracks from Assault Attack. Nevertheless, this compilation is a good place to start you off on the early MSG material.

I should note another misconception about Michael Schenker. Some think, ‘well, OK, his early UFO was good and, yes, his early MSG was good too - but after that he lost it’. Complete cobblers. MSG’s 5th album, Perfect Timing, has a good solid West Coast feel, whilst his 6th, Save Yourself, has utterly incredible guitar-work. Admittedly, the 7th (M.S.G.) is poorly mixed, but the 8th, Written in the Sand, is as good as any of the early stuff - possibly better. The 9th, Unforgiven, is darker, technical, and more of a grower, whilst the 10th, Be Aware of Scorpions is a brilliant album. The 11th, Arachnophobiac, has a great bluesy deep south sound, whilst his 12th, Tales of Rock n Roll is, in my view, probably the best MSG album ever. It is fantastic. It should also be noted that Schenker rejoined UFO in 1995 for three albums. The first of these is Walk on Water which, against the misconceptions, is possibly the best ever UFO recording. The second and third albums, Covenant and Sharks are not quite as good, but still very solid. Alongside this, Schenker has done three great covers albums - Endless Jam, Endless Jam Continues, and Heavy Hitters. The first of these is brilliant - unbelievable guitar work. And don’t forget Schenker’s 3 recent electric solo projects - Adventures of the Imagination, The Odd Trio, and Dreams and Expressions - and his 4 recent accoustic solo projects - Thank You Vols 1-4. By the time you get through this lot, you’ll be wondering why you ever listened to anybody else. Schenker has improved with time, and not the other way around. Well, there it is, you can lead a horse to water but…..

Customer Review: You are missing out
Don`t buy this as you are missing out on some magnificent material. This compilation is culled from the first 3 MSG albums and if you like it then you`ll prefer the immaculate must own first 2 albums (Michael Schenker Group and the imaginatively titled MSG) whilst the 3RD album Assault attack is now paired up with the live album as a double pack. Some people need a distillation to weed out the weak material but at this phase of his career every track of those seminal first two albums are classics!

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