Michael Schenker Group - Tales Of Rock 'n' Roll-25 Years Celebration

*=Staff's pick	The Ride* Setting Sun Angel Of Avalon Dreams Inside* Dust To Dust Voice Of My Heart Journey Man Big Deal St. Ann Shadow Lady Love Trade Human Child* Bitter Sweet Blind Alley Feedom Life Vacation Rock 'n' Roll* Tell A Story* Life Goes On

Genre	Hard Rock	Jari Tiura (+various)	Vocals
Tracks	19	Michael Schenker	Guitar
Runningtime	48 Min.	Wayne Findlay	Guitar
Label	Armageddon	Pete Way	Bass
Release	28 April 2006	Jeff Martin	Drums
Country	Germany	Wayne Findlay	Keyboards
Similar artists	UFO, Yngwie Malmsteen

The eccentric German guitar player is back with his band MSG. To celebrate 'the band's' 25 years in the business he has gathered all the old singers he has used: Graham Bonnet, Gary Barden, Robin McAuley, Kelly Keeling, Leif Sundin, Chris Logan and Jari Tiura. I think that speaks very much for itself how much of a band MSG has been through the years. But anyway, it's a great initiative. I think I prefer the raspy voice of Graham Bonnet in Rock 'n' Roll. However, it's current singer Jari Tiura who sings on 13 of the 19 tracks. He is doing a great work, with his fitting rock 'n' roll voice.

On bass we can hear Schenker's old companion from UFO, Pete Way. However, on tour Rev Jones will handle the bass. As with all guitar heroes, the song writing is not anything of primary interest. But nevertheless Schenker has put together some fairly good songs, with surprisingly few downs among the 19. St. Ann should be mentioned though as an almost irritating track. The Ride is starting off with a nice melodic chorus. In Angel Of Avalon, Leif Sundin is doing a good work with a quite simple chorus. Dreams Inside is a great midtempo/halfballad track with a beautiful melody, sung by Chris Logan.

Human Child has borrowed some traces from Holy Diver. Otherwise it is more of a dark, melancholic composition. Rock 'n' Roll has the most immediate chorus. Tell A Story is the catchiest song where Robin McAuley does another great singing performance. Michael Schenker himself has as usual an undisputed feeling in his guitar work. It is not just technique, but a certain mood. Just listen to the solo in Freedom! Unfortunately the songs fade into each other on the promo version, which makes it hard to get a grip of the whole picture. Do you become bored with the 19 full tracks? Probably, but not necessarily. Anyway, this is another great rock record from a very productive Herr Schenker.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
8	6	7

Summary
7 chalices of 10 - David