UFO | Showtime

December 10, 2014 Publisher Music Reviews 2014 Comments Off

by John Kindred
– Publisher —

Showtime originally was released on DVD in 2005. 2014 sees the re-release of Showtime on Blu-ray format. At the time, UFO’s line-up featured original members; vocalist Phil Mogg (v), Pete Way (b) and Paul Raymond (g)(k) alongside Vinnie Moore (g) and Jason Bonham (d). The Blu-ray contains live performances in Wilhelmshaven, Germany on May 13, 2005, and studio performance recorded with violinists and cellists on May 26, 2005, at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany.

UFO’s live performance in Wilhelmshaven Pumpwerk, Germany features 17 songs. The band is right at home in a smaller venue on a small stage, providing an intimate setting for the band and the packed house of fans. Highlights on the DVD include “Rock Bottom,” which features Vinnie Moore’s own spin on a superior guitar solo, “Love to Love,” and the UFO staple “Doctor Doctor.” The band throws in two tracks from its 2005 CD release You Are Here, “Baby Blue” and “Mr. Freeze.” Moore’s guitar playing is superb; fans who are scared of the virtuoso guitarists turning UFO songs into shred metal extravaganzas need not worry. His impeccable musicianship, finely honed chops and knack for soloing within the confines of the song are comparable to Michael Schenker’s. Moore’s guitar tone is first-rate as well.

UFO fans certainly are in for a treat as the band goes into the studio and re-records UFO classics, “Pack It Up and Go,” “Try Me,” and “Love to Love,” along with “Cherry,” “Slipping Away” and “Profession of Violence.”

UFO offers a splendid live show compilation Blu-ray that displays the band on top of its game once again. Mogg’s voice is as strong and sure as it was in the band’s prime throughout the ’70s. Pete Way still thrashes his bass and maintains his memorable stage presence that he has been known for all these years. Paul Raymond’s guitar work and keyboard and synth accompaniment continue to be a mainstay in the persona of UFO. Newcomer Jason Bonham’s thundering drums lend the band the pedigree of the legendary drummer’s family. Finally, an amicable solution to the replacement of Michael Schenker in the person of Vinnie Moore … Moore doesn’t play the solos note-for-note, but he ensures that key melodies and phrasing that are the staples of most songs are still incorporated into the UFO song structures.

The additional features on the Blu-ray include a “making-of” documentary, slideshow, band biography and discography, the making of studio songs, Rockboat documentary, USA 2004 documentary, band history (interview) and bonus interviews.

Band Lineup:
Phil Mogg (v)
Pete Way (b)
Paul Raymond (g)(k)
Jason Bonham (d)
Vinnie Moore (g)

Track Listing:

Live Concert Wilhelmshaven Pumpwerk, Germany May 13th 2005
1. Intro
2. Mother Mary
3. When Daylight Goes To Town
4. Let It Roll
5. Out On The Streets
6. This Kidds
7. The Wild One
8. Fighting Man
9. Only You Can Rock Me
10. Baby Blue
11. Mr. Freeze
12. Love To Love
13. Too Hot Too Handle
14. Lights Out
15. Rock Bottom
16. Doctor Doctor
17. Shoot Shoot