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Michael Schenker My Years With UFO Album Review
Michael Schenker has been one of my favorite guitar players since I was a teenager.
I first heard him on the Scorpions debut album “Lonesome Crow”.
I was completely blown away by his playing.
I then got into the band UFO, in which he played guitar for a few times over the decades, recording some of the best hard rock music you could possibly hear.
He also has his own band MSG (Michael Schenker Group), in which there have been many lineups of, and he’s recorded A LOT of albums over the decades with MSG, UFO, and other off shoots, and even solo instrumental albums (Acoustic and electric ones. I highly recommend his instrumental album “Adventures Of The Imagination”. My girlfriend Mariah loves it too.).
50 years after the first UFO album Michael played on (called “Phenomenal”), he has released a newly recorded album of UFO classics featuring many singers and musicians.
It is called “My Years With UFO”.
Guests include Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Axl Rose (Guns N Roses), Slash (Guns N Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, Velvet Revolver, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators), Biff Byford (Saxon), Erik Gronwall (Skid Row), Joey Tempest (Europe), Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo, Journey), John Norum (Europe, Dokken), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force), Adrian Vandenberg (Vandenberg, Whitesnake), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Rod Steward, Blue Murder, King Kobra), Stephen Pearcy (RATT), Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Joel Hoekstra (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Whitesnake, Night Ranger), and others.
Star studded lineup of singers and musicians, but ultimately, it still comes down to the songs and Michael’s phenomenal guitar playing. And he is still PHENOMENAL!!
So, if you are a UFO or Michael fan or a fan of any of the guests, then this album is for you.
Crank it up!!
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My Favorite Albums Released in 2024
It’s now January 3 of 2025 as I type this (Happy Birthday John Paul Jones and Stephen Stills!!), so it’s time for me to give a listing of my favorite albums released in 2024.
Many great ones were released and there’s still many I have not bought and listened to (hopefully someday I will), but until then, here it goes:
1. Riley’s L.A. Guns “The Dark Horse”-This album was initially released digitally early in 2024 but eventually was released physically later in the year. I bought it on digital and preordered the CD. Let me tell you: I love what Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns have been doing since they started working together again. They’ve released 4 awesome albums since 2017 and have another coming this April. Having said that, I also like Riley’s L.A. Guns. Their album Renegades is amazing, as is The Dark Horse. Just a great, raw, rock and roll album. I cannot recommend this album enough. Sadly, drummer Steven Riley passed away so I’m guessing this particular version of the band is no more, but either way, they made two awesome rock and roll albums. The Dark Horse is by far my favorite album of 2024.
2. Ace Frehley “10,000 Volts”-I’ve been an Ace fan since I was 15 years old (I’m 42 as I type this.). I love his work in KISS and his solo work. This is another solid album by the one and only Space Ace. I think it’s his most catchiest album, too. Every song is quite good, and if you are a fan of Ace or of good hard but catchy rock and roll, this album is for you. Rock on Ace!!
3. Sebastian Bach “Child Within The Man”-Wow what an album!! Baz is still making awesome rock albums. This is one of his best ever. I love every single song and loved hearing a lot of these songs when I last saw Baz in concert (review here). Do yourself a favor and check out Child Within The Man. Incredible rock album.
4. Burton Cummings “A Few Good Moments”-The singer of The Guess Who put out a phenomenal solo album in 2024. Called A Few Good Moments, it contains 17 awesome songs. Burton is still a great singer/songwriter and I love these songs so much. Thank you sir for this great album.
5. Deep Purple “=1”-Deep Purple are still making phenomenal albums. =1, to me, is one of their best albums ever. I wish that more bands/artists that have been around for decades would still make albums. Especially albums as great as this one. Get this album. You won’t regret it.
6. Judas Priest “Invincible Shield”-The second “Heavy Metal” band is still making phenomenal albums also. Invincible Shield is another awesome album in a long and awesome discography. Priest rules!!
7. Saxon “Hell, Fire And Damnation”-Saxon is another band that’s been around for decades and keeps making arguably their best work. This album is another one of their best.
8. Mark Farner “Closer To My Home”-I had looking forward to this album for a long time. The singer/songwriter/guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad has still got it!! Such a great new album. Thank you sir for making this album.
9. Russell/Guns “Medusa”-Great White singer Jack Russell and L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns recorded a very good album in 2023 and released it in early 2024. If you are a fan of Jack and Tracii, this is the album for you. Sadly, Jack passed away later in 2024, but he was still singing great all the way to the end. Godspeed Jack!! Thank you for your music, and your kindness!! And I’ll always miss you.
10. Bon Jovi “Forever”-This album is kind of a miracle because singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi has had vocal issues for the past few years. I’m a fan of all of their albums, some more than others, but I like/love all of them, and this is no different. Lots of very good songs on here, great lyrics, and Jon is singing good. I’m glad that Jon and the band were able to make this album. Bon Jovi Forever indeed!!
That is my top 10 albums of 2024. Here are some honorable mentions:
Mr. Big “Ten”-Solid album from this great band.
Black Country Communion “V”-Another very good album from Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian.
Motley Crue “Cancelled”-Not an album, but a 3 song EP. I wish it was a full album because Motley is one of my favorite bands ever, but I’ll take what I can get. I’ve played these songs a bunch and I’m glad that the band is still making new music. I wish guitarist Mick Mars was still there (He put out a solid solo album in 2024 too, listed below.) but nevertheless, Motley still rock and I still love the band no matter what.
Mick Mars “The Other Side Of Mars”-I’m glad Mick was FINALLY able to release his debut solo album. It’s very heavy. Thank you Mick for this!!
The Black Crowes “Happiness Bastards”-Welcome return to Chris and Rich Robinson. Rocking album!!
Punky Meadows “Wrap Me Up”-Not an album, but a phenomenal Christmas original. It should be a future classic.
Like I said earlier in this post, there is so many more albums that were released in 2024 I have not yet bought and heard, but having said that, this is my definitive 2024 list of albums.
Hopefully 2025 will be another great year for new music!!
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Punky Meadows’ Wrap Me Up Single Should Be the Next Christmas Classic!
Angel guitarist Punky Meadows has written and released a new Christmas single called Wrap Me Up.
This is a song that should be the next Christmas classic.
It’s new, but it sounds as if it was written and recorded back when the Christmas classics were made.
Punky assembled a great group of people on this song, most notably singer Gabriel Levine. Wow what a voice.
All the vocals and instrumentation on this song is phenomenal and should make you feel good listening to.
I cannot say it enough that this song should be a HUGE hit and be played at Christmas every year.
Thank you Punky for writing, playing on, and producing this song.
Seek out this song. Trust me you will love it.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!
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Van Zant Always Look Up Album Review
Brothers Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd/solo artist) and Donnie Van Zant (38 Special) have released their first album as a duo since 2007.
Called Always Look Up, it is a Christian album featuring Johnny and Donnie’s great vocals and songwriting in a phenomenal way.
This album is extremely positive, powerful, and inspiring.
You don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy this album, although it would help.
Either way, I find this album to be a feel good album and we as a world need words and songs like this more than ever.
Johnny and Donnie have provided a great service with this album and I thank them both very much.
All of these songs would sound great in churches or anywhere for that matter.
Give it a listen and I dare you to not feel good afterwards.
And thanks guys for signing it too (courtesy of Talk Shop Live)!!
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Mark Farner Closer To My Home Album Review
I’ve been waiting for this for some time.
The great singer/songwriter/guitarist Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) has released a new solo album!!
Released on November 8 of 2024, the album is called Closer To My Home and it is a phenomenal album.
Produced by Mark and Mark Slaughter (Slaughter, The Vinnie Vincent Invasion), this album has everything you want if you are a fan of Mark or Grand Funk.
Every song is phenomenal. It even closes with a Grand Funk classic (I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home).
I can already say this is one of the best albums of 2024 and one of Mark’s best albums.
Thank you sir for making this album and for signing it too!!!!
It rocks, but is yet soulful and has tons of melody and great lyrics.
Rock on Mark Farner and thanks for giving me a shout out recently on a Facebook Live chat too (video below).
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Motley Crue Cancelled EP Review
Now that I can post on the website again, I want to talk a little about the new Motley Crue EP.I’d heard all the songs online, but I love physical product and actually owning it.Motley are the band that many love to hate, especially on the internet, these days.However, I’ve been a fan for 25 years and I always will be.I don’t like that Mick Mars is not there, but Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, and Tommy Lee are still there, along with the amazing guitarist John 5 (John Lowery).I enjoy these songs. I’m not apologizing for it. They rock!I’m glad that Motley finally released more new music and I hope they will release more someday (albums please?!).Thanks guys for all the great music and keep on rocking!!
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Burton Cummings My Own Way To Rock Album Review
Burton Cummings (The Guess Who) released his second solo album, My Own Way To Rock, in 1977.
This album, in my opinion, is a masterpiece.
Every song is amazing.
My favorite is “Got To Find Another Way”.
Burton has been one of my favorite singers since I was little and he is still going strong in 2024.
If you do not know his music outside of The Guess Who (and their music too actually), please seek it out.
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Burton Cummings A Few Good Moments Album Review
Burton Cummings (The Guess Who, solo artist) released his first new studio album since 2008 on September 27 of 2024. It was released digitally on this day, but the physical release will come out November 15 of 2024.
It is called A Few Good Moments, and let me tell you, it has more than a few good moments on it.
I think every song (17 total) is very good.
Burton’s voice is still very strong after being what I consider to be one of the greatest singers of all time since he started in the 1960s.
His lyrics are still excellent and what can I say? He’s still great at what he does.
Burton played one of the new songs, Blackjack Fever, at the show I saw him at (review here), and I’m glad he finally put out another new album.
Again, it’s called A Few Good Moments and it is very good. Seek it out.
Keep on rocking Burton!!
P.S. Shortly after I originally posted this review, Burton himself or one of his people replied to me thanking me for the review and even acknowledged this website for posting this review (pics below)!!! Thank you sir!!!!!
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The Black Crowes Happiness Bastards Album Review
The Black Crowes are back with a great new album called Happiness Bastards.
Released on March 15 of 2024, this album marks The Crowes’ first full on new album of original material since 2009 (they released a cover EP in 2022 called 1972 though) and many thought this would never happen.
That’s because the band broke up, and by all accounts, singer Chris Robinson and his brother, guitarist Rich Robinson, did not get along.
However, they apparently put aside their differences and got back together a few years ago, and now the band includes Chris and Rich, as well as bassist Sven Pipien (who was been in the band for many years), Nico Bereciaua also on guitar, Erik Deutsch on keyboards, and Brian Griffin on drums.
This album rocks!! It sounds like a Black Crowes rock album to me, which is how I want it to be.
Some don’t like that more classic members aren’t there, but Chris and Rich are still great, can still write very good songs, and have a tight, rocking band.
If you don’t like it, fair enough.
But I do like it very much and I’m glad The Crowes are back.
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Jon Anderson And The Band Geeks True Album Review
Original Yes singer/founder Jon Anderson’s latest album, now with his group The Band Geeks, was released August 23 of 2024.
Called True, it is very much what you expect from Jon and his massive discography.
This album is truly awesome.
Jon’s voice is still as great as ever, and his band are great.
It consists of Jon on vocals of course, along with Richie Castellano on guitar/bass/keyboards/backing vocals, Andy Ascolece on drums/percussion/keyboards/backing vocals, Andy Graziano on guitar/backing vocals, Christopher Clark on keyboards, Robert Kipp on Hammond Organ/backing vocals, and Ann Marie Nacohio on backing vocals also.
If you are a fan of Jon, you should really enjoy this.
Every song is great.
I love when my favorite musicians keep making great music, even in their later years.
Sometimes they make some of their best work then.
I wish more would do that. I know most people don’t buy music like they used to, but I know there is still an audience out there.
Many classic artists like Jon Anderson, Ace Frehley, Deep Purple, Mr. Big, and others have put out great albums just this year.
So, it is possible for new music by classic artists to still be great.
Fans need to seek it out.
So, seek this one and others out and see what you think.
Oh, and I got this album signed by Jon, courtesy of TalkShopLive. I appreciate it!!
