Search - Michael Schenker :: Mad Axeman Live

Classic MSG revisited!!!

Nikiforos V. Skoumas | Athens Greece, Cambridge UK | 05/23/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a 4CD set of early live MSG captured during the USA Tour of 1980 and the Japanese leg of 1984. The first CD includes the set from 20.11.1980 at Eerie, Pennsylvania, CD2 was recorded at the Country Club, LA 22.12.80. Finally CDs 3-4 make up for the complete 16 track show of 18.01.84 recorded at the Koseinenkin hall in Japan.

All shows provide the consistent appearance of original vocalist Gary Barden along with founder Michael Schenker. These recordings verify than the band was not only at its commercial peak at the time but also at prime stage form.

Over the years a number of MSG recordings have been released regarding this period (namely "Live at Budokan") Never the less this collection is as close as it gets in recreating the original LIVE sound. Indeed the raw bombastic, but overall clear sound will bring you once again at the front seat of these shows. It seems that these archives have been taken straight from the mixing desk and there is no evidence of overdubs;

This is MSG at its artistic peak and a great companion to their latest album "In the midst of Beauty" featuring the reformed line up of Schenker/Barden.

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For serious Schenker fans/collectors

Dirk Diggler | Smallville, USA | 09/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I picked this up because I wanted to add to my collection and have it serve as a time capsule. I know the sound quality won't please the casual listener but overall, it's a great collectors item. You do get the raw vibe of the mixing board and you also get essentially what not many people have, a rough mix and an invitation to experience three concerts for the price of one, all without a time machine!



I would give this five stars just for sheer collectors value but I docked it one star due to the sound. It's excellent for a bootleg recording but still below what some might consider crisp. That said, it works fine for me. I don't listen to these particular discs for sonic brilliance. I listen to them instead to serve as a nice keepsake from the golden years of MSG. If you're a diehard like me, you'll enjoy adding this and it's not as bad as some might think, sonically speaking. I enjoy this for what it is."