Scorpions/West Germany 1976 & more

Since the shocking discovery of “SWISS TV 1977” and “MINDEN 1974,” the early SCORPIONS excavation movement has become more and more active, far from being tired. The latest superb live album is here. Two vintage audiences are imbued in this work. This is a single album with the “Winterberg performance on June 26, 1976” as the main performance, and the “Birmingham performance on March 17, 1976” as a bonus. Speaking of 1976, the two tours “IN TRANCE Tour” and “VIRGIN KILLER Tour” intersected, and the differences in the details of the time are also important. Let’s look back at the schedule at that time and check the positions of both performances. 1975 January 5th – February ??: Europe #1 (7 shows) April 23rd – July 5th: Europe #2 (43 shows) ← * KOLN 1975 August 30th + September 6th: West Germany #3 (2 shows) 《September 17th “IN TRANCE” released》 September 27th: Wallerfangen show October 17th – December 27th: Europe #3 (35 shows) 1976 January 2nd – June 7th: Europe #1 (78 shows) ← ★ Bonus of this work ★ June 24th – July 1st: West Germany #1 (4 shows) ← ★ Main of this work ★ August 7th – September 26th: West Germany #2 (16 shows) 《October 9th “VIRGIN KILLER” released October 2nd-December 4th: Europe #2 (25 performances)This is the SCORPIONS of 1975/1976. “VIRGIN KILLER” was released in the fall of 1976, and before that was the “IN TRANCE Tour”. Both of the two performances in this work were from the “IN TRANCE” era, and the main Winterberg performance in particular was the third concert of “West Germany #1”. The vacuum-packed recording of such a show is truly the best audience… probably. No, it is actually released as an “audience”, and it is probably correct from the sound. However, the core is too tight and powerful, and there is no sense of distance. And the details that come with it are vivid down to the smallest detail, and the separation of each instrument is also wonderful. I know. It must be the audience. But somewhere in my heart, I want to immerse myself in it while thinking, “Isn’t it a soundboard?”… It is a great recording that cannot deny such a true feeling. Moreover, this work is the highest peak version of such a great recording. This is a master unearthed by an overseas enthusiast who has been working on early excavations recently, and has been released with a semi-challenging confidence, saying, “This is definitive. If there is more, please release it.” In fact, the freshness that supports that statement boasts a freshness that is more than enough to block refutation. Such a direct sound depicts the stage of SCORPIONS in the 1970s, where overflowing emotions burn the heart. As you can see from the schedule above, the closest to this work is the soundboard album “KOLN 1975,” so let’s organize the sets of the two performances together while comparing them here. Main: Winterberg performance Fly to the Rainbow: This Is My Song/They Need A Million/Speedy’s Coming In Trance: Life’s Like A River (★)/Robot Man Other: Rock ‘N’ Roll Queen/Long Tall Sally Bonus: Birmingham performance Hey Little Woman (★)/They Need A Million/Life’s Like A River (★) *Note: ★ marks songs that cannot be heard on “KOLN 1975”. …And so on. Looking at the tracklist below, there are also “Instrumental” and “Hey Hey Hey”, but these are more jams than songs. The former is a semi-guitar solo led by Uli, and the latter is mainly call and response. On the other hand, “Rock’ N’ Roll Queen” is an unreleased song that was not recorded in a studio. “Hey Little Woman” marked with a “★” is a valuable cover of Bobby Sherman, but it can also be heard on “MINDEN 1973 (Shades 1462)”. On the other hand, “Life’s Like A River” from “IN TRANCE” is surprisingly rare. There are two takes on this work, but it is a great ballad that was not only not on “TOKYO TAPES” but also not heard on any of the early live albums that have been released recently. SCORPIONS in the Uri era, which exudes plenty of dark melancholy melodies while also having delicious jams with different grooves at each performance. This is a treasure album where you can enjoy the precious “Life’s Like A River” with a direct sound that you would not think was recorded by an audience. In 2022, the reevaluation movement of the early SCORPIONS suddenly began on the underground side. It’s a fresh surprise to experience it in real time. This audience album adds a bonus performance from “Winterberg on June 26, 1976” to “Birmingham on March 17, 1976”. The main Winterberg recording is particularly excellent, with a tight, powerful core and no sense of distance. The details are vivid and the separation of each instrument is excellent. It is a direct recording that is vintage yet has a soundboard-like listening experience. This is a treasured album that features a 70s-like show with Uri’s guitar playing a major role, and you can also enjoy the unreleased song “Rock’ N’ Roll Queen” and the precious “Life’s Like A River”. Winterberg, West Germany 26th June 1976 TRULY AMAZING/PERFECT SOUND (53:50) 1. This Is My Song 2. They Need A Million 3. Life’s Like A River 4. Rock’ N’ Roll Queen 5. Instrumental 6. Speedy’s Coming 7. Hey Hey Hey 8. Long Tall Sally 9. Robot Man BONUS TRACKS Bogart’s Club, Birmingham, UK 17th March 1976 10. Hey Little Woman 11. They Need A Million 12. Life’s Like A River Klaus Meine – Lead & Backing Vocals Ulrich Roth – Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals Rudolf Schenker – Rhythm Guitars/Lead & Backing Vocals Francis Bucholz – Bass Rudy Lenners – Drums