Album Cut Roundup: The Scorpions

[Pete70s]

It's back! I haven't done one of these in ages so it's time to resurrect, and what better day than Easter? This time I'm featuring German metal legends, The Scorpions!

The Scorpions are a band I've only really gotten into just recently. While I've always known the radio hits like "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and "No One Like You", and had a couple of those tapes back in the 80's, it wasn't until I checked out the DVD "Scorpions Live At Wacken Open Air 2006" that I realized just how good they are! The cool thing about that DVD is that they bring back former members Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth (two of the greatest lead guitarists of all time!) to perform a few older songs that fans of the MTV-era Scorpions wouldn't be familiar with. So I went back and checked out the early albums and found some really great stuff!

"I'm Going Mad" 1972, Lonesome Crow

"Lonesome Crow" was the bands 1972 debut, and featured a VERY different sound and line-up from any album that came after. It is the only full album featuring Michael Schenker (who would leave the band to join UFO after this album, causing the band to break up and reform with Uli Jon Roth and a new bassist & drummer). This clip is actually only half the song, but the early footage of the band is pretty cool. The sound, to me, is a mix of early Black Sabbath, Grateful Dead and Cream influences.

"Speedy's Coming" 1975, Fly To The Rainbow

A reformed, rejuvinated Scorpions came back with a vengeance on their second album, incorporating power-pop influences to their growing metal sound (which, not many bands were doing at this particular time. Most "metal" bands of the day were bass heavy and doomy). Uli is one of my favorite guitarists, I love watching him play, the control he has of the whammy bar. Clearly one of the most underrated guitarists of all time!

"In Trance" 1975, In Trance

OK, I have absolutely NO idea what five naked models have to do with the song (This was not the album cover), but at least I gave you a little incentive to check out the clip..

"We"ll Burn The Sky" 1977, Taken By Force

A unique mix of mellow and heavy that would later show greater success in songs like "Still Loving You". From the last album to feature Uli Jon Roth.

"Coast To Coast" 1979, Lovedrive

This is probably the only example I can think of where an instrumental by a band is my actual favorite song by them, usually I regard them as filler. But, damn! This gets stuck in the head so easily...
Michael Schenker returned briefly to play on four tracks from "Lovedrive", this being one of them. You should see the performance on the Wacken 2006 DVD! Euphoric!

"Make It Real" 1980, Animal Magnetism

By 1980, the core line-up of the band that would have much success in the decade to come, was solid. Continuing in the pop metal vein, "Make It Real" has been a concert favorite for many years.

"Media Overkill" 1988, Savage Amusment

OK, many fans will disregard this song, album, and era as "crap", but I bought this tape when it came out in the summer of '88, and this song has always been a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. Catchy and weird..

Enjoy the clips, let me know what you think, and Happy Easter!
("Glückliches Ostern")

[Yesterday's Gone]

I would have loved to see a full on Schenker Scorpions. Michael Schenker is probably one of my top five favorite guitarists.

They really did have so many different phases and sounds ... that beard is the first video is great though!

[dave910]

Pete,

I enjoyed those clips! It's interesting to see how the bands sound has evolved in nearly 40 years! You'll be happy to know that I saw a customer pick up the latest Scorpions CD, which was released about two weeks ago. I haven't heard anything from it just yet, but I am looking forward to previewing it.

[Ken]

Hi Pete,

I also enjoyed these clips very, very much!

I was aware that the band had been around since the 70's (I had seen a few of the albums), but for the longest time the only songs I heard and was familiar with were "Rock You Like a Hurricane", "Big City Nights" and "Still Loving You."


In the early 90's when my brother and I started to look for vinyl to resell at our local record shows, one of the first collections we bought included three of the bands LP's "In Trance" " The Tokyo Tapes" and "Fly To The Rainbow."

I picked all three when it came time to divided the albums between us. I sold them pretty quickly from what I recall, so I didn't really get the chance to listen to them that much, so it was nice to revisit those tracks that you picked.

I'm not sure if I was ever aware Michael Schenker was a member of the group early on but I'm very familiar with his work with UFO.


Not only do I hear some Black Sabbath influence in "I'm Going Mad" (love the drummer's "handlebar" moustache, very 70's . but I hear a little "Uriah Heep" on "In trance."

[H2IZCOOL]

The only thing I knew by Scorpion was Wind of Change, which I had always heard was atypical. This set of tracks that you posted, Pete, gives me a much better feel for them, and makes me think I may try to seek out more.

This is a great series. Please do more roundups!

[Pete70s]

Apr 5, 2010 19:34:25 GMT -5 Yesterday's Gone said:

I would have loved to see a full on Schenker Scorpions. Michael Schenker is probably one of my top five favorite guitarists.

They really did have so many different phases and sounds ... that beard is the first video is great though!

Rob,

Yes, I'd never seen Klaus with a beard before. It appears he'd had some dental work done between the first and second album as well!

[Pete70s]

Apr 5, 2010 23:45:41 GMT -5 dave910 said:

Pete,

I enjoyed those clips! It's interesting to see how the bands sound has evolved in nearly 40 years! You'll be happy to know that I saw a customer pick up the latest Scorpions CD, which was released about two weeks ago. I haven't heard anything from it just yet, but I am looking forward to previewing it.

Dave,

Apparently the new album and upcoming tour is going to be their last. Maybe if they come around here we can get tickets?

[Pete70s]

Apr 6, 2010 0:46:24 GMT -5 Ken said:

Hi Pete,

I also enjoyed these clips very, very much!

I was aware that the band had been around since the 70's (I had seen a few of the albums), but for the longest time the only songs I heard and was familiar with were "Rock You Like a Hurricane", "Big City Nights" and "Still Loving You."


In the early 90's when my brother and I started to look for vinyl to resell at our local record shows, one of the first collections we bought included three of the bands LP's "In Trance" " The Tokyo Tapes" and "Fly To The Rainbow."

I picked all three when it came time to divided the albums between us. I sold them pretty quickly from what I recall, so I didn't really get the chance to listen to them that much, so it was nice to revisit those tracks that you picked.

I'm not sure if I was ever aware Michael Schenker was a member of the group early on but I'm very familiar with his work with UFO.


Not only do I hear some Black Sabbath influence in "I'm Going Mad" (love the drummer's "handlebar" moustache, very 70's . but I hear a little "Uriah Heep" on "In trance."

Ken,

Micheal Schenker's older brother Rudolph founded the band, and him and Klaus are the mainstays. It's too bad they didn't do more stuff with Micheal, but he was great in UFO and it opened up the spot for Uli Jon Roth!

Their 70's output is very overlooked, but those are all great albums!

[Pete70s]

Apr 6, 2010 8:36:55 GMT -5 H2IZCOOL said:

The only thing I knew by Scorpion was Wind of Change, which I had always heard was atypical. This set of tracks that you posted, Pete, gives me a much better feel for them, and makes me think I may try to seek out more.

This is a great series. Please do more roundups!

Ed,

I always enjoy doing these features, my only problem is finding the time to sit and focus (and with my attention span being the way it is, it's not the easiest thing in the world to do).

As you well know, my tastes over the past five years or so have gone more in the hard rock/classic metal direction, which doesn't mean that I no longer like oldies or classic rock/pop, I just find myself listening to them less, as the harder stuff has "lit a spark" in me that I was missing for a long time. (Especially with all I've gone through over the past few years). It may sound corny, but I owe a lot of my happiness over the past year to this music, as it's "re-awakened my passion for life". I realize that there are a few people on the Click who do like some of that stuff, or would be open to checking it out. So I would love to continue this series as time permits.

And obviously, I think one of the main reasons the board has stagnated is that you can only go so far talking about the same old top-40 songs we all loved as kids and young adults. Our tastes grow and evolve, and I like being able to have an outlet where I can say "Hey, I found these great songs that nobody knows about, what do you think?" And, with the clips available on YouTube, it's a great way to turn friends on to new stuff!

[dave910]

Apr 9, 2010 17:49:18 GMT -5 Pete70s said:

Apr 5, 2010 23:45:41 GMT -5 dave910 said:

Pete,

I enjoyed those clips! It's interesting to see how the bands sound has evolved in nearly 40 years! You'll be happy to know that I saw a customer pick up the latest Scorpions CD, which was released about two weeks ago. I haven't heard anything from it just yet, but I am looking forward to previewing it.

Dave,

Apparently the new album and upcoming tour is going to be their last. Maybe if they come around here we can get tickets?

Pete,

I heard the same news when the band did a radio interview to promote their new CD Weds. night. I've heard about six songs from the new release and it sounds great! I haven't seen any local dates for the upcoming tour, yet when they go on sale, I would love to check it out!