`STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT` - BOOGIE ROCK THAT`S ALMOST TOO HOT TO HANDLE
The 1970`s is renowned as being the decade when stadium rock was its peak complete with huge delirious audiences and the well documented backstage groupies which were customary for the biggest rock acts of the day, just imagine how much white powder and weed all the roadies would have seen behind the scenes at any Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac or Pink Floyd concert.
Hey man! It was the 70`s, so I better lighten up and get with the spirit seeing that I am going to review one very groupie sounding 70`s rock album, marginally metal, but from a band that never achieved a squilloneth of the long term success of the three bands I just mentioned.
Remember the term `spacerock` or `boogie rock`? Both those descriptions accurately describe the style of this band.
We are talking about the UK band UFO and the classic live album which they recorded in 1978 called STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT.
We are talking about the UK band UFO and the classic live album which they recorded in 1978 called STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT.
The band had recorded a few albums worth of solid but uneventful material prior to this unofficial live `best of`, notably with the services of famous pyrotechnic axeman Michael Schenker, a German which they imported into the band at the beginning.
The stand out studio album which is represented the most on this live outing is the critically well received LIGHTS OUT,
but the one thing which this album highlighted the most is that UFO were always meant to be a live band, like Peter
Frampton in the 70`s UFO`s studio recordings just lacked the panache which the band whipped up on stage.
but the one thing which this album highlighted the most is that UFO were always meant to be a live band, like Peter
Frampton in the 70`s UFO`s studio recordings just lacked the panache which the band whipped up on stage.
The formula was simple, three-chords, unpredictable variations in dynamics and a crowd in Chicago and Louisville which went nanas in response to standout performances from a band that had never quite made a album to rave about.
STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT is best described as being ballsy blues rock with a touch of keyboard progression. It does remain ambiguous to this day whether or not Schenker was still a member of the band or not for the recording of the album, some music books have him down as being the
guitarist and other ones dont.
STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT is best described as being ballsy blues rock with a touch of keyboard progression. It does remain ambiguous to this day whether or not Schenker was still a member of the band or not for the recording of the album, some music books have him down as being the
guitarist and other ones dont.
Due to brewing tensions within the band as to musical direction and conflicting
personalities, Schenker did quit the band and the timing of it was awfully close to when STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT was recorded.
personalities, Schenker did quit the band and the timing of it was awfully close to when STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT was recorded.
Officially he quit in November 1978 which
was just after the bands US tour, including the concerts in Chicago and Louisville which were used for the album.
was just after the bands US tour, including the concerts in Chicago and Louisville which were used for the album.
Whether it was Schenker or fill in guitarist Paul Chapman whoever played lead on STRANGERS the performance was brilliant.
Phil Moog on vocals, Pete Way on bass and Andy Parker on drums rounded out the band. The songs all basically sound similar, but it`s a boogie rock-a-thon from beginning to end.
Phil Moog on vocals, Pete Way on bass and Andy Parker on drums rounded out the band. The songs all basically sound similar, but it`s a boogie rock-a-thon from beginning to end.
HOT `N` READY, NATURAL THING, ONLY YOU CAN ROCK ME, MOTHER MARY, DOCTOR DOCTOR, LIGHTS OUT, ROCK BOTTOM and TOO HOT TO HANDLE is quintessential 70`s rock, it has the enthusiasm of The Who, the solid structure
of Montrose, the atmosphere of Peter Frampton Live and a hint of experimentation in the Hawkwind vein.
of Montrose, the atmosphere of Peter Frampton Live and a hint of experimentation in the Hawkwind vein.
Whether or not Schenker was involved with this album or not, he went on to record a classic solo album in 1980 going by the simple title MSG.
UFO never recovered from Schenker`s exit from the band. A number of re-formations have been attempted, the last time anyone know vocalist Moog was the only original
member. This is the one great testament to the world of hard rock which UFO left behind, get a hold of it.
member. This is the one great testament to the world of hard rock which UFO left behind, get a hold of it.
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