Michael Schenker Group - MSG(1980) erschien das erste Album der Michael Schenker Group. Produziert wurde es von Roger Glover (Deep Purple, Rainbow). Eingespielt wurde es von Michael Schenker (Guitars) und Gary Barden (Vocals). Dazu kamen die Gastmusiker Mo Foster (Bass), Don Airey (Keyboards) und Simon Phillips (Drums). Im eigentlichen Sinne handelte es sich somit nicht um eine Gruppe, sondern um ein Soloprojekt von Michael mit dauernd wechselnden Musikern.

"The Michael Schenker Group" enthält jede Menge späterer Liveklassiker von Michael. `Armed and ready`, das tolle Instrumental `Into the arena`, das Überstück `Lost horizons`, `Cry for the nations` und `Victim of illusion`. Michael hat alle Songs geschrieben, Gary Barden alle Texte. Zumindestens im Studio zeigt sich Gary zudem als guter Sänger (Live konnte er diesen Anspruch nicht immer erfüllen). Musikalisch bewegt sich das Album auf typischen UFO Hard Rock Wegen, im direkten Vergleich gewinnt sogar "The Michael Schenker Group" gegen das UFO-Album von 1980 "No Place To Run".

Das von Roger Glover produzierte Album hat zudem einen guten Sound, vielleicht ein bißchen drucklos (wobei ich hier noch die ursprüngliche Fassung rezensiere). In der Zwischenzeit gibt es auch eine remasterte Ausgabe.
Auf der anschließenden Tour waren dann neben Schenker und Barden an Bord: Cozy Powell (Drums), Chris Glen (Bass) und Paul Raymond (Keyboards, Guitars). Zurück zum Debut, welches aufgrund der vielen Klassiker 5 knappe Sterne von mir bekommt. Der ein bißchen drucklose Sound wird aufgrund der vielen tollen Songs wieder ausgeglichen.
This original release on Chrysalis in 1980 finally showed Michael as the leader of his own band. After playing with Scorpions and UFO, he was on his own. It's hard to know how long Schenker had the music worked out for all of these songs, but what is amazing is how well Gary Barden(Vocals) did with writing the lyrics for most of the songs. The rest of the band was rounded out with excellent session players; Mo Foster(Bass), Simon Phillips(Drums), and Don Airey(Keyboards). The production on the recording was Roger Glover and he worked well with this group of musicians.
Michael's guitar work is sharp, especially on the two instrumentals "Bijou Pleasurette" and "Into the Arena". As always, he plays a multitude of astouding chords and showcases some extremely sharp solos. Barden, for being new to the music arena, does extremely well in the studio. The rest of the band is prime, as most of you who recognize Airey and Phillips know already. Phillips' performance here is as good as on the SIN AFTER SIN album by Judas Priest.
As far as the songs go, there are no songs to weed out to find the good stuff. This release was and remains a breath of fresh air from an old friend, who just wasn't that old at the time. Extremely powerful tracks, both music and lyrics, include "Lost Horizons", "Feels Like A Good Thing", "Cry For the Nations", and "Victim of Illusion". The other tracks, although not as flashy as the afore mentioned songs are still well better than most releases; they are just overshadowed by the songs that are much better. If you like great guitar, seasoned musicians, and fresh lyrics, you should enjoy this disc from begining to end, as the variety of music is truely worthy to eartime.

1. Armed and Ready" - 4:05

 
2. "Cry for the Nations" - 5:08

3. "Victim of Illusion" - 4:41

4. "Bijou Pleasurette" - 2:16

5. "Feels Like a Good Thing" - 3:44

6. "Into the Arena" - 4:10

7. "Looking Out from Nowhere" - 4:28

8. "Tales of Mystery" - 3:16

9. "Lost Horizons" - 7:04