Scorpions Michael Schenker Scorpions Michael Schenker/West Germany 1973

The early SCORPIONS are attracting the attention of collectors as shocking excavations progress. Going back even further, here is the very early live album featuring the genius Michael Schenker, who was only 18 years old! This work is recorded on the “Minden performance on April 19, 1973”. It is an excellent audience recording. Speaking of Minden, the shocking work “MINDEN 1974” that has shocked collectors around the world comes to mind, but while that was after Uli Jon Roth joined, this work is from Michael’s era. The opportunity to introduce it itself is valuable, so let’s take a broad look at the outline of the activities of the early SCORPIONS. 1972 February 9th: Release of “LONESOME CROW” March 26th – June 13th: West Germany #1 (11 shows) December: Kassel show / Hamburg show 1973 January 12th – June 18th: West Germany #2 (35 shows) ←★here★ June: Michael Schenker leaves → Uli Roth joins June 29th: Vechta show August 18th – September 15th: West Germany #3 (4 shows) November 1st – December 29th: West Germany #4 (3 shows) 1974 February 1st – March 3rd: West Germany #5 (3 shows) April: Production of “FLY TO THE RAINBOW” April 6th – 15th: Super German Rock Festival (5 shows) May 3rd: Minden show ←※MINDEN 1974 June 30-October 30: West Germany #6 (45 performances) December 27: Hannover performance This is SCORPIONS from 1972 to 1974. UFO toured West Germany from the end of March 1973, where they encountered Michael. He joined in June. The Minden performance in this work was about two months before that. It was the 23rd concert of “West Germany #2”, where UFO had visited but had not yet joined. This work, recorded at such a show, is a rare sound that is appreciated as a picture that can be heard. Although it is not as soundboard-like as “MINDEN 1974”, the core is extremely thick and the details are not lost. Although the roundness of the sound makes it clear that it is an audience recording, it is not far away. If “MINDEN 1974” is “closed” with zero space, this work feels like a “closed room” in a small club. Right in front of me, the young Klaus Meine is roaring, and the bass is clear from the attack to the line. Above all, the brothers’ guitars can be heard clearly without any lumps. And the early SCORPIONS depicted in that sound also includes bold improvisations, and is full of the flavor of 70’s rock. Two songs have been selected from “LONESOME CROW,” but the title song is particularly noteworthy. It was a big song on the album, but it was expanded even further on stage and performed for about 23 minutes (!). Moreover, before that, there were plenty of drum solos and jams, which were really freaky. The recording of the other song, “It All Depends,” ended halfway through, but it was a long 9-minute performance that included bass and drum solos. A stage that seems to be from the era when hard rock and progressive rock were mixed together is played. Among them, Michael is still shining. In fact, the tone changed depending on the time, but the sound of V that can be heard in this work is a “phenomenon” itself. Whether it’s Bobby Sherman’s cover “Hey Little Woman” or the composer’s own “Far Away,” the beautiful and ephemeral melody dances. Of course, Michael’s improvisation is also a big hit in the jams. It’s a stage that makes you feel “Michael on the eve of the phenomenon” more than “SCORPIONS on the eve of FLY TO THE RAINBOW.” 1973 was the fetal period of the Scorpions, who would dominate the world, and the eve of the genius guitarist taking flight. This is a historic live album that allows you to experience that stage with a powerful and beautiful sound. Although it is different from the Uri era and the UFO era, the buds were definitely sprouting in this live performance. An excellent audience recording of the “Minden performance on April 19, 1973” that conveys the stage of the Michael Schenker era. It is a closed-room recording with an irresistible club-scale closeness, and the core’s extremely thick feeling and the fineness of the details are wonderful, yet it also has a glossy look that does not falter. Right in front of me, the young Klaus Meine is roaring, and the brothers’ guitars can be heard clearly without any distortion. The show is full of the flavor of 70’s rock with bold improvisation, and the title song of “LONESOME CROW” is a 23-minute long performance. “Far Away” played by composer Michael himself is a must-listen live album with a high rating. Grille, Minden, West Germany 19th April 1973 TRULY AMAZING SOUND (58:10) 1. Intro 2. Hey Little Woman 3. Far Away (Power Outtage Occurs) 4. Drum Solo 5. Improvisation/Jam 6. Lonesome Crow ★23 minutes of passionate performance 7. Journey Forever 8. It All Depends incl. Bass & Dum Solo’s Klaus Meine – lead vocals Michael Schenker – lead guitar, backing vocals ★Michael Schenker, aged 18! Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Ewi – bass Helmut Eisenhut – drums, percussion