UFO – Still more than humanly good

First off I feel I should say that I think it’s a shame that we aren’t able to walk over heads tonight. On the other hand the venue is filled enough to make it look full and keep the atmosphere relaxed. Soon we discover that there is only a main course, which means that UFO will have to make this evening work on their own accord. It does fill us with hope that they might play a longer set, even though that might not be easy for (and I say this with respect) these elderly gentlemen. It’s a real pity that for the first 20 dates of this tour they will be without the very sympathetic professional drinker Pete Way. Yes, tonight is one of the early dates, but as the big man is replaced by the formidable Barry Sparks, we’ll forgive him. The man even carries the same bass guitar, only without the Aston Villa colours!

When the guys enter the stage it seems that singer Phil Mogg works best in a skirt, giving his crown jewels room to manoeuvre, and a good reason not to move too close to the edge of the stage. The band starts with Helldriver off their new album The Visitor and it must be said that it does really rock and make you want to listen to the whole record. After that we get another reasonably young song, before they start to play just about the whole Strangers In The Night album. Which isn’t a surprise, as it still is one of the best live albums of all times, but it also says a lot about this band depending on their past so much.

Not that you’ll find anyone complaining, because the band is in great form tonight. Phil Mogg, who isn’t exactly known for his healthy lifestyle, clearly goes to the gym quite often. The result is that he is as fit as a fiddle, also because of the Dutch water he drinks and praises tonight, according to him. His voice is very strong this evening, which is an absolute must if a show of UFO is to become a successful one.

Guitarist Vinnie Moore is clearly fully integrated within the band, as he plays as if he never has done anything else. It makes you hardly miss the original guitar player who made most of the songs played tonight very famous. Only with the real pure Schenker songs, Rock Bottom and Doctor Doctor, does it become apparent that Vinnie has trouble to play them the way the great master always does. It is only a minor smudge on a further flawless night. Tonight’s sound is perfect and the backbone of the band, drummer Andy Parker and bassist Barry Sparks, work their arses off to keep the band going. And, well, the utterly boring presentation of guitarist/keyboardist Paul Raymond doesn’t hide the fact that he is playing to his heart’s content. When you see these guys perform together you have to see that they still play everything with the utmost pleasure, worthy of a nice warm round of applause. And yes, after this show of pleasant music I do feel great again.

Just over an hour and a half later the guys run out of juice, run out of steam. That is a pity, but it also means that we can go home early this Sunday, and make sure we get home before dark. It gives the aging people a chance to get in bed in time enough to go to work fit on the Monday.

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