Even decades after its release, UFO’s ‘Strangers In The Night’ is still considered to be one of the definitive live heavy rock experiences ever made.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: UFO
ALBUM: Strangers In The Night (Double Live)
LABEL: Chrysalis
SERIAL: CJT 5, CH2 1209
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Phil Mogg – vocals * Michael Schenker – guitars * Paul Raymond – guitars, keyboards * Pete Way – bass * Andy Parker – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Natural Thing * 02 Out In The Streets * 03 Only You Can Rock Me * 04 Doctor Doctor * 05 Mother Mary * 06 This Kids * 07 Love To Love * 08 Lights Out * 09 Rock Bottom * 10 Too Hot To Handle * 11 I’m A Loser * 12 Let It Roll * 13 Shoot Shoot
RATING: 100/100
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Even decades after its release, UFO’s ‘Strangers In The Night’ is still considered to be one of the definitive live heavy rock experiences ever made. Tall praise indeed, but easily justified, because one look at live albums released over the years will show that there are no real competitors, barring Thin Lizzy‘s ‘Live And Dangerous’ album.
And this was from an era when live albums were in vogue, unlike now in the 21st century where they are more a record label after-thought. UFO’s career up to this stage was at a highpoint, with a number of critically acclaimed albums released, namely 1977’s ‘Lights Out’ and 1978’s ‘Obsession’.
With the personnel listed above considered to be their classic lineup, ‘Strangers In The Night’ is the culmination of their most successful period. Recorded on location in Chicago and Louisville Kentucky by Ron Nevison, there are some very special moments throughout.
The Songs
How many bands have recorded their chestnut ‘Doctor Doctor’ over the years? What I can say, is that they can’t touch the original. Those grinding guitars from Schenker and Raymond are simply killer. ‘Mother Mary’ is another track which is absolutely smoking, featuring some very heavy drumwork from Parker and those flying fingers across the fretboard by MS.
But really, when you line them all up in a row, you can’t go wrong with tracks like ‘This Kids’, ‘Too Hot To Handle’, the epic moments of ‘Rock Bottom’ (featuring the extended dual solos from both Schenker and Raymond on guitar and keys respectively) and ‘Love To Love’ (‘misty green and blue..’ yeah!), and the UFO staple song at every concert, the evergreen ‘Lights Out’ (‘lights out , lights out Chicago’). Yep, a genuine classic double live album of it’s time..
In Summary
One of the stranger events involved the departure of Schenker, more or less immediately after the release of the album back to The Scorpions, alongside brother Rudolf. Michael was credited on their 1979 ‘Lovedrive’ album.
But even then, that was a short stopover as he went solo not long after that. Very strange, but not unexpected due to a number of his no-shows during his tenure with UFO over the years. However, this recording is a testament to the UFO guys at a time in their career when they were in their prime.
Video
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
