The best-known version of
UFO included German guitar master
Michael Schenker from the mid- to the late '70s, and issued such all-time rock/metal classics as Lights Out and Strangers in the Night. But there was indeed a
UFO before
Schenker signed on, and it's this era that the 2009 release Beginnings focuses on. Sporting a cover that looks straight out of the "Planet Hoth" sequence of The Empire Strikes Back, this double-disc set contains
UFO's first three albums in their entirety -- 1971's self-titled debut and Flying, as well as 1972's Live. If you're a fan of the band looking for high-energy rock à la the two aforementioned
Schenker-era releases, you'll be a tad disappointed, as
UFO started off as a part bluesy, part spacy rock band (especially such tracks as "Boogie for George," "Star Storm," and "Prince Kajuku"). And original guitarist
Mick Bolton was more of a direct disciple of
Cream and
the Yardbirds with his playing than the shredding
Schenker would be on later
UFO albums. While most
UFO fans would agree that it wasn't until
Schenker arrived that the band truly gelled,
UFO early on were certainly capable of whipping up some worthy (albeit derivative) rock & roll, as proven throughout Beginnings. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
