Search - Michael Group Schenker :: Reactivate-Live

1 star short of 5 because disc 3 is a bit disappointing

Alexander T. Newport | Oro Valley, Arizona | 11/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"According to my internet-based research, all four discs are soundboard recordings---from the mixing desk at each venue, and this means that the signal is mixed for the mono PA system and therefore doesn't sound all that great through headphones. But, other than a few minor glitches here & there, they sound just fine through speakers---at least discs 1, 2, and 4. Disc 3 is from a rehearsal session in Kent, England in the Autumn of 1980 and sounds very rough at times (especially "Rock Bottom" & "Lights Out"). In fact, Schenker's performance on disc 3 is a bit dodgy and one can only assume that this is due to the fact that there was no audience to feed off of or impress. But nevermind. The performances on the other three discs are excellent. I disagree with one reviewer who suggested that this package is more for the "seasoned fan". It's not. It's for anyone who has ever heard even one Schenker song and liked it alot. The raw nature of the sound quality displays Schenker's virtuosity much better than the glossy and almost muffled quality found on "One Night At Budokan" (which, by the way, is still a damn good album to own). And as for "bum notes": Schenker was an inspirational performer. He played by feeling. He never tried to play a solo the same way twice. He played what he felt at the moment. This means that, despite the fact that there are multiple versions of the same songs in this Reactivate package, each one is a unique performance. The songs you hear on his studio albums were frameworks to jump in and out of during his concerts rather than straitjacket blueprints to confine himself to. And so, if you're gonna perform with spontaneity and inspiration rather than play your songs exactly like your studio versions (yawn), then you're bound to hit a few notes that seem out of place while you're burning a new path through old ground. Believe me, if you hear any "bum notes" on discs 1,2, and 4, you'll be glad rather than disappointed---glad because you'll hear them within awesome solos never to be repeated. Yes, Reactivate Live will be a welcomed addition to the collection of any true fan of Michael Schenker's astonishing talent ---despite the sad fact that each disc holds far less material than it's capable of. (Heavy sigh...) And the liner notes are a waste of space. They don't tell you anything about the history of the recordings. They don't tell you where they've been and how they were chosen---they don't even tell you WHO chose them. They don't tell you if each concert is presented in its entirety or if it's been edited---and if edited, why? No, all we get is some plonkerville prattle from Paul Raymond who has the cheek to say, in reference to the disc 2 show, "A good show by a band that promised so much but, due to the diversity of its members, never really quite delivered". Never quite delivered what? The moolah? The posh clothes & mansions & tropical islands? So what if they were never a HUGE corporate success? They rocked. They rocked harder than any other group. I don't know what Paul Raymond is talking about because I'll tell you what, this 4 disc set DELIVERS some of the very best heavy metal/hard rock guitar soloing you'll ever hear (and there's more on Back To Attack---in fact, even better!). Buy it. Play it through speakers. Turn off the EQ & Xtra Bass and other fun audio tricks---at least for your 1st listen---and hear it the way the audience's did. You'll air-guitar yourself dizzy in no time."

Get Into The Arena With Michael Schenker!

doggiedogma | Mob Town USA | 01/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a double live cd derived from the MSG tour for the groundbreaking debut album by Michael Schenker simply titled - MSG. This double cd is composed from two shows; disc one was recorded in Erie, Pennsylvania, 11/20/80 and disc two is from the Country Club, Los Angeles, 12/22/80. The lineup for both shows is: Michael Schenker - guitar; Gary Barden - vocals; Paul Raymond - guitar, keyboards; Chris Glen - bass guitar; Cozy Powell - drums (RIP).

These have to be the proverbial "Holy Grails" of MSG shows, the original lineup BLAZING through the then new MSG material on their first tour of America! MSG initially was brought in as a supporting act sandwiched between the southern hard-rock bands of Johnny Van Zandt and Molly Hatchet, what a motley crew! Indeed, the southern rock audience did not quite know what to make of the MSG, but Michael and boys were able to convert alot of southern good-'ol-boys into the blitzkrieg of German wunderkind Michael Schenker! MSG would leave the southern rock tour and hook-up with Cheap Trick to tour Canada in December 1980 for a few shows.

The first show - Erie, Pennsylvania, 11/20/80 - shows MSG blowing the roof off the venue in rural Erie. Michael is ON and he plays with a fervor and intensity that must have left the southern rock crowd waiting to see Molly Hatchet slack-jawed in awe! Needless to say, the approving roars from the audience proves that the MSG conquered Erie that night; this show by MSG is superlative! The set list is:

Armed and Ready, Cry for the Nations, Victim of Illusion, Into The Arena, Lost Horizons, Doctor Doctor, Lights Out. Of course, besides getting to hear Michael go "lights out" on guitar, we get to listen to the AMAZING Cozy Powell pummel his drum kit into powder! Cozy was one of the forefathers of heavy metal drumming and getting to hear Cozy on the skins in a true treat; RIP Cozy!

The second disc and show from the Country Club, Los Angeles, 12/22/80, shows MSG in a headlining gig right at the end of their tour of the States. The anticipation and demand for tickets was so great for this show that MSG could have sold out a weeks worth of shows! The crowd is rabid for Michael and Gary Barden feeds the audience's enthusiasm with his underated ability as front man for the band. Gary was the voice for MSG and his performance on both shows are TREMENDOUS! Of course, Michael's guitar playing will leave you breathless. The set list for this show is: Armed and Ready, Cry for the Nations, Victim of Illusion, Natural Thing, Feels Like a Good Thing, Into The Arena, Rock Bottom, Looking Out From Nowhere.

I can't recommend this cd for any Michael Schenker, MSG, guitar player or music fan enough. This is THE BEST live shows of the MSG in existence! The raw, heavy, electric muscle of this band live was staggering! Buy this CD, get "into the arena" and become a victim of the MSG illusion! Lights OUT!"

Worth it !!

Davidm | marlboro, ma. USA | 12/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If your a schenker fan , this boxed set is very cool...... what they are is soundboard tapes that the band taped themselves , there raw unmixed live show's......killer in my opinion , they have'nt been all doctored up ! #4 this to me sound's like a bootleg (a real good audience recording)........funny how we as human's have different opinions....and saying disc 3 is dissapointing from the "built to destroy tour" .........did you read the liner notes?? it's not from the tour at all , it's a rehearsal tape , theres no crowd , it's them getting ready for the tour , which is really cool (it's also not even close to that tour , these recordings are from 1980 before there 1st headlining tour........gary barden is a little loud at some points , but it's the nature of soundboard tapes.... I have been a huge fan of michaels since 1979 & this set is priceless , take it for what it is , great live soundboard tapes , much better than
the boot's floating around out there , & the packaging is nice......so if your an average fan , you probably are better off with a studio cd.....but those who want more , i highly recomend this !! long live MSG"