Michael Schenker Michael Schenker/CA,USA 1996 2Days

After the release of “WRITTEN IN THE SAND”, Michael Schenker went on “The Michael Schenker Story U.S. Tour” in 1996. This is a must-have for fans, as it features two live performances in California in November, both recorded using high-quality audience masters! Michael left UFO in the middle of the tour in October 1995 and once again sought to lead his own band. With former GREAT KING RAT member Leif Sundin and Barry Sparks and Shane Garas, who had also participated in YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, Michael released “WRITTEN IN THE SUND” in July 1996 as M.S.G. This was the first time in 12 years since 1984 that he had resumed his activities as “MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP”. Michael brought the concept of “Story Live” that he had been planning since around 1993 to this tour, and started a US tour mainly in the Midwest with a set list that covered representative songs from the SCORPIONS era in 1972, when they debuted, to the new work. This work packages two of the performances that took place in California. Discs 1 and 2 feature the San Juan Capistrano performance held on November 14th. The sound quality, which combines outstanding stability and separation with great visibility, feels more like an FM source than an audience recording. The dramatic acoustics and superb tone that enhance the appeal of “Story Live” are at full throttle from the opening “On And On”, and this sound will amaze the listener the moment you hear it. Since Leaf was unable to participate in this US tour, former CRIMSON GROLY member David Van Landing will participate. David, on stage as a pinch hitter, flexibly handled everything from Michael’s backing numbers to new songs, singing a variety of different types of songs with his own unique style, such as Gary Barten’s “Armed And Ready,” Graham Bonnet’s “Assault Attack,” and Klaus Meine’s “Another Piece Of Meat,” demonstrating his ability as a singer. For a while after this tour, Michael will continue to use two frontmen on stage, one who mainly sings new songs and one who sings past catalogs. It is not difficult to imagine that Michael’s idea was inspired by David’s performance in this live show. The part from “WRITTEN IN THE SAND” in the middle of the live show was reproduced by Leaf’s singing as in the album during the Japan tour, so it is valuable to hear this part in David’s voice. In particular, the speedy “Back To Life” makes you think that David’s powerful performance would be more suitable. The rare selection of songs for M.S.G. live performances, such as “Love To Love” and “Too Hot To Handle” in the latter half of the live performance, are also worth listening to at this time of year. This special live performance, captured with superb recordings from the opening to the end of the show, is a blissful 120 minutes that would not feel out of place even if it was released as a single CD! Discs 3 and 4 contain the Hollywood performance on November 18th, four days after the San Juan Capistrano performance. Although it is not as direct as discs 1 and 2, the well-balanced sound image is comparable, and the natural echo that seems to be an audience recording gives the impression that this side is superior in terms of realism and stress-free ease of listening. On this day, Michael’s equipment seemed unstable at the beginning of the show, “On And On,” and the guitar repeatedly went on and off. However, from “Are You Ready To Rock,” the guitar sound stabilized, and Michael’s playing became more heated as if to make up for the mistakes he made at the beginning. The instrumental parts of “Essence” and “Bijou Pleasurette” in the middle of the live performance, and the acoustic parts of “Lipstick Traces” and “Positive Forward” are particularly excellent. The torrent of sound woven by clear and delicate tones is intertwined with pure beauty and passionate touch, and the performance here makes you feel like you are seeing the true nature of Michael as a player. The drama that flows from the acoustic part through “In Search For The Piece Of Mind” to the heavy “Lost Horizons” is a drama that could only be realized in this “Story Live”. The sound quality is further improved on Disc 4, starting with “Into The Arena”, and the listener is immersed in Michael’s world of songs from start to finish. It is said that some fans were dissatisfied with the fact that songs such as “Cry For The Nations” and “Captain Nemo” were not played on this US tour, but it would be too much to be dissatisfied with a set that included the famous song from the first album, “Feels Like A Good Thing,” and UFO’s “Only You Can Rock Me.” The show ended with four UFO songs in a row: “Too Hot To Handle,” “Lights Out,” “Doctor Doctor,” and “Rock Bottom.” I can understand Japanese fans saying, “I want to hear more M.S.G. songs,” but for the majority of American audiences, this flow was probably more suitable. As you can hear from the wonderful solo in “Rock Bottom,” there is no hesitation in Michael’s guitar, and he closes the live show with the highest excitement. The “Story Live” from the Japan tour in March 1997 was recorded at Nakano Sun Plaza on March 19th, and was released on the official live album “THE MICHAEL SCHENKER STORY LIVE” and the official DVD “LIVE IN TOKYO 1997”. In Japan, Michael suggested that the songs be played in chronological order from 1972 to 1996, but the set list for the US tour, which prioritized the flow of the show, is also interesting, and it will be fun to compare the two live shows. This is a comprehensive album that looks back on Michael’s quarter-century career in a total of 240 minutes on 4 discs, covering two performances, and is definitely a must-listen for all Michael fans! The Coach House, San Jaun Capistrano, CA. USA 14th November 1996 TRULY AMAZING SOUND The Palace, Hollywood, CA. USA 18th November 1996 TRULY AMAZING SOUND Live at The Coach House, San Jaun Capistrano, CA. USA 14th November 1996 Disc 1 1. On And On 2. Are You Ready To Rock 3. Armed And Ready 4. Assault Attack 5. Natural Thing 6. Let It Roll 7. Written In The Sand 8. Back To Life 9. Essence 10. Bijou Pleasurette 11. Lipstick Traces 12. Positive Forward 13. In Search For The Piece Of Mind 14. Lost Horizons 15. Into The Arena DIsc 2 1. Feels Like A Good Thing 2. Attack Of The Mad Axeman 3. Love To Love 4. Only You Can Rock Me 5. Another Piece Of Meat 6. Too Hot To Handle 7. Lights Out 8. Doctor Doctor 9. Rock Bottom Live at The Palace, Hollywood, CA. USA 18th November 1996 DIsc 3 1. On And On 2. Are You Ready To Rock 3. Armed And Ready 4. Assault Attack 5. Natural Thing 6. Let It Roll 7. Written In The Sand 8. Back To Life 9 Essence 10. Bijou Pleasurette 11. Lipstick Traces 12. Positive Forward 13. In Search For The Piece Of Mind 14. Lost Horizons DIsc 4 1. Into The Arena 2. Feels Like A Good Thing 3. Attack Of The Mad Axeman 4. Love To Love 5. Only You Can Rock Me 6. Another Piece Of Meat 7. Too Hot To Handle 8. Lights Out 9. Doctor Doctor 10. Rock Bottom Michael Schenker – Guitar David Van Landing – Vocals Barry Sparks – Bass Seth Bernstein – Keyboards/Guitar Shane Gaalaas- Drums