The Store for Music has released a "new" Michael Schenker covers album titled "By Invitation only". The album is identical with "Heavy Hitters" from 2005 with addition of 3 new tracks.
The 3 new tracks include Iron Maiden
Run to the Hills, which sees Schenker reunite with Robin McAuley handling the vocals. The second track is the highlight off the disc because it is a re-recording of McAuley Schenker Group's
Save Yourself. Robin McAuley still sounds great and the pairing of McAuley and Schenker is Schenker's finest moment after leaving UFO. The Rush song
Finding My Way gets lots of groove with Sebastian Bach laying down solid vocals and Schenker matching the technical brilliance of Alex Lifeson.
It is always good to hear Mark Slaughter's voice on
I'm Not Talking. Schenker is a fabulous guitarist and even though there is plenty of lead playing Schenker doesn't leave a memorable or characteristic mark on most songs. Former MSG singer Gary Barden also delivers a rather weak vocal for Gary Moore's
Out in the Fields. The Pink Floyd cover with Tommy Shaw also fails to impress.
No one can point a finger at the performances, because the line-up features some great names in Rock that play flawless (Rudy Sarzo, Jeff Pilson, Sebastian Bach, Vinnie Appice, Aynsley Dunbar etc.). Most songs are performed with the cruise control bottom pushed and therefore this tribute will be soon be forgotten just like "Heavy Hitters". Several of these classic songs scream out for improvising and inspired playing instead of flawless note for note transcriptions.
The 3 new tracks are definitely the highlights of the disc.
Style: Covers
Rating: 5.5/10Posted by
Michael - Wednesday, July 6, 2011
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