Michael Schenker/London,UK 1982

The best real album of the “ASSAULT ATTACK TOUR” is here. This work was recorded at the “Hammersmith Odeon” performance on November 26, 1982. This is an audience album that records the highlight performance in the UK with the best sound. After the release of the album “Apocalypse”, Graham Bonnet suddenly left the band, but M.S.G. called back his ally Gary Barden and started the tour as if nothing had happened. Instead of a star player, this tour is very popular with an ironclad ensemble that focuses on the basic premise that “Michael Schenker is the main character”. However, it is true that the sound source situation on this tour was not good and there were many “so-so” recordings. Among them, this work has been known as a classic for a long time. It boasts a special sound and a complete recording of the show among many recordings, and is a famous recording that has reigned as the “best of the ASSAULT ATTACK TOUR” by collectors around the world. This is the definitive edition of such a famous recording, re-digitized from the original master provided by the recorder. In fact, it was a Japanese person who accomplished this recording. At that time, it was a work by a recorder who went to the UK to experience the real M.S.G. In fact, the sound of this work is wonderful in that it combines a neat sound typical of Japanese people with the heat of the real thing. Although the real on-site feeling is not the type that is called “like a sound board”, the clear and bold musical sound is vivid to the details, and it is extremely elegant that even a poor line recording / FM sound source can be rejected. Until now, the strongest record of “ASSAULT ATTACK TOUR” was famous for “SOUTHAMPTON 1982 (ZODIAC 102)” of “stakeholder audience recording”, but even in front of that great masterpiece, it is a sound that does not give up even half a step. Although the quality is on par with “SOUTHAMPTON 1982”, the live depicted in that sound is surpassed by this work. The set list is amazing. They play plenty of songs that were not even heard in “SOUTHAMPTON 1982”, including “Bijou Pleasurette”, “Victim Of Illusion” and “Looking For Love”. In particular, “Bijou Pleasurette” is not a guitar solo like the album, but an evolved version that dramatically develops the theme melody with a band arrangement. I have no intention of criticizing the masterpiece “God (The Return of the Flying Arrow)”, but I wanted to hear this version recorded in the studio… It’s such a great instrumental number. However, since there is no “Feels Like A Good Thing” that was played on “SOUTHAMPTON 1982”, it doesn’t immediately mean “SOUTHAMPTON 1982 is unnecessary!”, but this work wins in terms of the “summary of early M.S.G.” Furthermore, the band that plays such a set is also wonderful. The kickoff performance of the tour was the Reading Festival in August, and after three full months, the band’s engine is at full throttle. The whole album is full of delicious performances that run at full speed and are not tired at all. Gary Barden proves that he is in top form. He sings his own songs comfortably, but on this day he even sings Graham’s “Rock You To The Ground” and “Desert Song” beautifully. Of course, even the high notes that even Graham himself struggles with are not exactly as they are in the studio, but his voice is stable and seems like Gary’s original. He even shows off a singing voice that makes you think, “I don’t need Derek St. Holmes for this.” Although the show is a very safe and fulfilling one, there are many obstacles to success. Suddenly, he does something with the great song “Into The Arena.” The bass solo livens up the song, and for some reason Michael doesn’t come in at the highlight! He completely loses his way and becomes confused to the point of collapse. Although they somehow managed to recover and return to the grand finale, it was a pretty spectacular flop. It’s one of their favorites, and I don’t know how many times they’ve played it since the band was formed, but perhaps they were so in good form that they let their guard down… Michael’s tone is sweet and sad, and his recovery phrases are also lustrous, so the gap is striking in his heyday. Another thing that makes you think, “What?” is the MC at the beginning of Disc 2. Gary boldly calls “Looking For Love,” but the song that starts is “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.” Just when you think Gary is in a big mess here, he happily hums the intro to “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.” It seems like he doesn’t even realize that he made a mistake, and you can enjoy this rare and interesting scene. The mistake was so funny that I ended up spending a lot of words on it, but it’s just a minor thing. The live performance itself is a masterpiece in which the performance and singing voices pop out one after another without any mistakes. Although the “ASSAULT ATTACK TOUR” has a strong impression that “Graham is missing”, the contents were a very fulfilling concert that summarized the charm of early M.S.G. A rare recording that completely records that charm with the best sound. This is the highest peak version. If you are going to “ASSAULT ATTACK TOUR”, this is the one to “start with”. Because it is in its prime, it is a masterpiece of a live album where even mistakes can be laughed off. Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK 26th November 1982 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1(51:00) 1. Intro. 2. Ulcer 3. Cry For The Nations 4. Attack Of The Mad Axeman 5. Rock You To The Ground 6. Bijou Pleasurette 7. Victim Of Illusion 8. Into The Arena 9. Desert Courvoisier Concert 11. Lost Horizons Disc 2(43:32) 1. Band Introduction 2. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie 3. Looking For Love 4. Armed And Ready 5. Doctor Doctor 6. Are You Ready To Rock 7. Rock Bottom Michael Schenker – Guitar / Gary Barden – Vocals / Andy Nye – Keyboards / Chris Glenn – Bass / Ted McKenna – Drums