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The Michael Schenker Group
MSG
12"
VINYL
RECORD LP
BRAND NEW & FACTORY SEALED


Chrysalis Records
CRV1055
UPC | 5060516090662
1980, 2017

• 180 Gram Vinyl
• Produced by Roger Glover
• Made in U.K.


TRACK LISTING

SIDE ONE
1. Armed And Ready
2. Cry For The Nations
3. Victims Of Illusion
4. Bijou Pleasurette
5. Feels Like A Good Thing

SIDE TWO
6. Into The Arena
7. Looking Out From Nowhere
8. Tales Of Mystery
9. Lost Horizons
Musicians / Lineup
Michael Schenker ~ Guitar
Gary Barden ~ Vocals
Don Airey ~ Keyboards
Mo Foster ~ Bass
Simon Phillips ~ Drums
Roger Glover ~ Producer
♦
Legendary hard rock guitarist Michael Schenker’s notoriety begins with the Scorpions before taking over as the axeslinger for UFO. In 1972, at the age of 16, Schenker recorded the studio album Lonesome Crow, alongside his brother, Rudolph, with the Scorpions. Schenker then took flight with the Rock band UFO, recording five studio albums and the live album Strangers in the Night, which was released in 1979. Schenker’s storied past is a part of his enigma; leaving UFO in 1978, as the band was positioned to make a huge splash in U.S., he rejoined the Scorpions, touring and recording with them on 1979’s Love Drive studio album. This was just a brief pause, as Schenker contemplated starting his own band.

At some point in ’79 Schenker, while in London, he gathered into the MSG ranks Denny Carmassi (ex-Montrose), Billy Sheehan (ex-Talas) and then-unknown vocalist Gary Barden. Call it MSG “Mark I,” if you will, as a group the band produced a five-song demo, preparing the way for the first studio album; however, plans soon were derailed when Schenker checked himself into a hospital. At some point Schenker, cut his hair to be less recognized and drastically changed his outward persona before resuming the quest to complete his band.

The Michael Schenker Group’s self-titled release was recorded in Wessex Studios in London from May through July of 1980. Released in August 1980, the album was produced by Roger Glover (Deep Purple). The recording lineup included Simon Phillips, bassist Mo Foster, keyboardist Don Airey and vocalist Gary Barden.

There is no doubt that Schenker’s time with the Scorpions and UFO solidified his status as a bonafide guitar hero. The release of the debut MSG self-titled album was his way to declare to the Rock community that he could stand on his own two feet. Schenker surrounded himself with musicians who, each, exemplified the best attributes with their own chosen instruments. Barden, who at the time was an unknown element, proved he had the “metal” to craft music with Schenker.

The original nine songs are a compilation of hits, all of which have been staples of MSG’s live set list at one time or another. While the song “Into the Arena” is Schenker’s signature guitar instrumental performance, the album also is graced by a second instrumental song the elegant, “Bijou Pleasurette.” Plenty of mid-tempo rockers await the listener from the opener “Armed and Ready” to the closing epic “Lost Horizons.” Plenty of great song titles feature Barden’s written lyrical prose, such as “Cry for the Nations,” which is an ode to Nostradamus. And the mood set by the music and lyrics harkens back on several songs to another time, such as “Cry for the Nations,” “Lost Horizons” and “Tales of Mystery.” The entire album features amazing performances from Schenker, as he lets his voice be heard through the notes that pour out of his guitar.