Customer Reviews

M S G

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

after michael schenker left ufo i was extremely excited to here that he was putting together another group. when the first album came out it was everything i expected from him and more. the songs were moodier than what i was used to hearing him play but the guitar was wicked as always!the band was great as were the songs although i thought roger glover's production was a little weak but that wasn't stopping me from enjoying songs like "looking out from nowhere", "lost horizons",and "feels like a good thing" and then when MSG came out about a year later that was every bit as good song wise and the addition of cozy powell on drums and paul raymond on keyboards and guitar just made it a supergroup. the songs aresome of the most powerful hard rock ever played, just listen to "but i want more" or "looking for love". the dynamics are seldom matched on any other record. putting these two albums together on one cd is a dream come true for me or any schenker fan!

the enigmatic, but profoundly talented michael schenker puts it all out on the line for his faithful following on this masterpiece. Previous releases always seemed to lack that one little ingredient that makes an interesting meal outstanding.
Having followed michaels career from 1972 through today, and purchasing everything our sorry record outlets carry, i found this nugget tucked away ,and hurried home brushing it off and finding the gold pressed into this plastic.
Michaels patient testing of various rock throats ,and co-writing talents kept his success on a virtual roller coaster.
He and Robin McAuley hit the mark by giving us one of those rare albums where every song is a great song.From the opening riffs of 'EVE', you are transported back to the great power playing and melodic stylings that makes him one of the greatest guitar players in metal history,and the misunderstanding as to why he hasn't become a household name.
this is the record that spawned the great radio hit "when i'm gone",this is one of those "1" time listen and love songs,with its melodic hooks,and searing vocals which sing out success.
"we believe in love " is another fabulously hooky "1" time listen song.whatever Michael chooses to do in his private life is his business,we don't need to completely understand the man,we know what he can do ,and how well he does it.
i'm afraid of running short on words,but as a music audiophile, or a rock guitarist who is on the fence about michael,run tommorow to your fave record store and pick up a copy of this album,you will be happy with what blasts from your speakers.

THANX FOR THE LISTEN

The Michael Schenker Group and the follow up MSG are classic Schenker. These two discs' worth of music contain solo's that are so unique, so inventive, it boggles the mind. Every guitarist should own these recordings. Guitarist after guitarist will site Michael as being a major influence. Tracks like "on and on" and "attack of the mad axeman" have such authority, passion, and blistering speed, it is hard to imagine that someone is that familiar with their instrument. If you've never heard Michael before, he is not like Yngvie Malmstein where he's one measure into the solo and you've heard every trick he has got! Michael crafts his solo's like mini compositions. Simply awesome. On these recordings, he had great players, the songs are fairly standard rock compositions (a la Rainbow, UFO), but the guitar work will leave you shaking your head in wonder. If you need new inspiration for your playing, or you've just accepted the line that Eddie Van Halen is the end-all, be-all inguitar playing, pick up this collection from Amazon and listen to a guy that was blowing minds while Van Halen was still in junior high school!

I wore out my cassette copy of MSG's Perfect Timing back in the day. Years later I found it on CD and rediscovered what a great record it is. A few weeks later I ordered Save Yourself (save your $$) and then this one, which I never even knew existed until recently.

Note to Michael Schenker: probably not a great marketing idea to call this record MSG considering you already had an album called MSG released back in '81. Good way to confuse fans. Just look at the reviews for this disc here on Amazon--some of them are actually reviews of the '81 album. (Worthless trivia: Ratt did the same thing--an EP called RATT back in the 80's, then their big comeback disc a few years ago. Same title. Maybe they got this idea from Schenker when he played with Ratt as a sub for Robbin Crosby??? Told you it was worthless...)

In spite of the duplicate name, this album is really good. Jeff Pilson plays bass and James Kottak (ex-Kingdom Come, ex-Warrant, Scorpions) plays drums. The first tune, Eve, is the best song on the disc. I'm surprised I never heard it on the radio back then. Every album in this genre is apparently required to have at least a ballad or 2, and this disc is no exception.

The pairing of McAuley & Schenker was great, albeit short-lived. This 3rd disc was their last. Since then, Schenker has put out about 47 more albums with about as many line-ups, but none (in my opinion) match the quality of Perfect Timing or this MSG disc.

I stumbled onto this disc by accident...didn't know anything about it, just ordered it. I was pleasantly surprised at just how good it was.

The opening cut, Eve, slams into you right away, a very powerful start. Schenker's guitar explodes. The vocalist, Robin McAuley reminds me of Nazareth's Dan MCafferty, raspy, yet somehow it works real well.

Excellent tracks include: When I'm Gone, This Broken Heart, Lonely Nights, This Night Is Gonna Last Forever and, Never Ending Nightmare. Most tunes on this album were written by Michael Schenker and Robin McAuley. Exceptions are When I'm Gone by Jesse Harms and Robin McAuley, Crazy by Rocky Newton and Robin McAuley and, This Night Is Gonna Last Forever by Rocky Newton and Kenny Stewart.

All in all a very solid and listenable album that I would recommend to any Schenker fan. Certainly better than any of the stuff that UFO put out toward the end. At any rate, I really liked it.

The only question is, what happened to McAuley? When this disc came out in 1991 McAuley appeared out of nowhere and disappeared just as quickly. Really a shame.

Michael Schenker, a fluent guitarist who is becoming more notable for his excessive drinking than actual talent, shines brightly on "MSG," the second "solo" album from Michael and company. The company this time is a little tighter than future M.S.G. alumni, thanks in large part by drummer Cozy Powell, who has a worthy enough bloodline in rock history to actually challenge the ego/whiskey bravado of Michael.

Gary Barden makes a second round as lead vocalist and again contributes nothing to loft his boss' success thanks to some second stage songwriting and predictable vocal workouts. In any event, it's clear that Schenker runs the show and "MSG" proves to be a great showcase for his guitar playing. Indeed, the first four songs of "MSG" are prime examples of Michael's talents on the fret board while also frustrating the listener who may wonder why more people haven't heard of this guy's abilities.

There are several answers to that question, but for a three album run "The Michael Schenker Group," "MSG," and the follow-up/line-up change effort "Assault Attack" Michael had a great creative burst and flexed big guitar muscle that is deserving of your attention. While by no means a perfect five star release, it packs enough punch to be mentioned in the same breath as "Blackout," "Diary Of A Madman," or "Diver Down." And out of those three albums, I would put "MSG" in front of Eddie's by the numbers playing on "Diver Down." Highly recommended.

This is simply a collection great rock music. Michael Schenker is a brilliant guitarist who never got his just due, but who consistently laid down some of the finest guitar solos on record. You would be hard-pressed to find more melodic, firey and emotional playing in the 20 or so years since some of the earliest tracks on this disc were recorded. Above all else, Schenker was a student of his overall tone, an excellent mid-wah that produced a tight, soaring sound. Try to understand the skill and feeling behind the final bars of "I Want More" or "Mad Axeman". Moreover, the blistering solo midway thru "On And On" is juxtaposed perfectly with the baroque, harpsichord melody of the main theme. By itself, the solo stands out as an archetype of blues-based metal riffing. This is great stuff. As well, the excellent vocals, and thunderous and dead-on drumming by Carmine Apice (of the John Bonham thump-TAP school) complete a killer sound. In the early 80's, Schenker and Eddie VH were the reason I picked up guitar in the first place. Surprisingly, Michael Schenker seems to have stood the test of time a little better than his rival. If you are a believer in straight-up hard rock, save some space on your shelf for this one.

i bought this adition and know why someone give this 1 star and the other give it 5 stars-
never ending nightmare ( track 11) and "when im gone (track 12 the single adit` ant track 3 ) are awesome - must have 6 stars
but the other tracks 2 stars .( unnecessary).
expensive but must have tracks.
tal avraham

This is an excellent album, with great guitar work. Robin McCauley's voice fits the music very well. The best song on the album as far as i'm concerned is "When I'm Gone", which is a very emotional love story. The only minor compliant is the Schenker's solos are too short for someone of his caliber. It is definetly worth spending the extra money on, because it is impossible to find in any music stores.

The McAuley-Schenker combination was a very creative and powerful one,where Michael's instrumental and songwriting abilities found a perfect match in Robin McAuley's vocal skills,songwriting talents and excellent showmanship.This album is their swansong,but a true and undeniable classic,augmented by the powerful contributions of Jeff Pilson,James Kottack,and Rocky Newton:any of the songs is a classic,filled with energy and hooks,while some even have a spiritual value,hinting at Schenker's invovement with the Self-Realization Fellowship.Even though pricy,like many Japanese releases,this is an essential item,not only for the fans,but also for anyone looking for an amazing rock album...