MSG – In the Midst of Beauty

Edward Box reviews 'MSG – In the Midst of Beauty'...

Last year was a new low in the chequered career of the German genius. His chronic, alcohol fuelled performance at the Derby Rock and Blues Festival was all over You Tube and coming off the back of a decade of patchy albums and bad compilations it seemed like the end of this once legendary player.

Fast forward to 2008, and one stint in rehab later, and mad Michael is back, only this time he is not mad but completely sane (we hope!). Classic MSG singer Gary Barden is back in the fold and the stellar rhythm section of Simon Phillips and Neil Murray has been recruited to the ranks. Add to this the legend that is Don Airey on keyboards and you have all the ingredients to make a very solid, classic rock record, which is exactly what they have done. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.

Overview!

The album opens strongly with the rocker City Lights and what is instantly apparent is that real care and attention has been taken on this project to capture the right sound of each of these musicians. The whole recording is very organic and in the style of the first two MSG albums. This can make it sound a little dated but we are not looking for new recruits here, like New Labour, we just have to reassure the party faithful (are you listening Gordon?) and reassured we are. Welcome back Prime Minister Schenker!
I Want You and End of the Line continue on this path and Summer Days is a great ballad. Wings of Emotion is one of the albums best cuts and shows Schenker’s genius for riffs. Often thought of as just being a great lead player, Michael has always had an ear for a killer hook. Cross of Crosses and Nana are also top tunes and The One rounds thing up nicely. 

Conclusion

The album is not perfect and there is some filler amongst its 12 tracks but the return to form is unmistakable: Schenker is back and, more importantly, healthy.
As you may have noticed, I have not mentioned solos once. Put simply, Michael puts in his best lead guitar performance since 1992 and the delivery is very consistent throughout. At the age of 53, he still has the ability to show all the young wiper snappers a thing or two about such things as note selection and phrasing. His vibrato sounds as good as ever and his string bending is still without peer.

Welcome back my friend and please stay off the sauce from now on. The world of guitar still needs you.

Edward Box.