UFO Show Review (Many Pics!)

waylay00 · #1 04-18-2008, 12:57 AM

I had the chance to go up to Nashville with my dad (the one who first introduced me to UFO) yesterday to see UFO play the Wildhorse Saloon downtown. Although Michael Schenker (original guitarist, great player) isn't with UFO right now, Vinnie Moore is now the main guitarist in the band, and he's been a big influence on me in my relatively short playing-span. As a result, I was thrilled at the opportunity to see him, not to mention Phil Mogg and the rest of the band.

We got to sit/stand right in front of the stage. However, we were unable to get the meet and greet tickets, as they were already sold out. Anyways, we had to endure two warm-up bands, the first of which was a decent pop-country band. The other band, however, wasn't too good, and IMO, wasn't suitable for opening UFO (they were a cheesy cover-band). I guess it made UFO sound that much better when they came on. When they hit the stage, it was much louder than the warm-ups, but it was loud in a good, beat-your-chest kind of way (not in the Yngwie, split-your-eardrums-type loud). They opened up with "Mother Mary," an all time favorite of mine. Vinnie's tone through his ENGL heads (SE and Classic Tube 50) and two 4x12" cabs (Celestion V30s) was extremely thick, smooth and, crunchy. I could hear every note he was playing with ease. His pedalboard was fairly simple too (see picture below). Vinnie also played his new Dean signature, as well as a Dean Z and a Dean acoustic of some type. I must say, as simple as it looks, his signature model left me wanting one of my own.

Before the show, I knew that Vinnie was a good player. But wow, after seeing his playing live, I didn't realize he was THAT good! The guy can flat out play, and his phrasing was really tasteful! Forget the shredding, he can hybrid-pick like a beast! Vinnie handed me his pick too, so that was really cool.

I can't remember the exact set list, but they played all the classic UFO songs, like "Too Hot to Handle," "Lights Out," and "Rock Bottom." Phil Mogg's vocals were dead on, especially for someone of his age. I strongly recommend that any fan of hard rock (not just UFO or Vinnie Moore) to see this band when they roll around. They put on an incredible show, and I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Enough of the talk and onto the pictures (taken with my little Casio Exilim point-and-shoot).

waylay00 · #2 04-18-2008, 12:57 AM

More:

Pedalboard: I spy an Analog Man TS, Arion Chorus, T-Rex Replica, and one of the new MXR Carbon Copy delays.

I thought this picture below was funny. This drunk woman, who appeared to be of the "cougar" type (fifty-year-old old women who dress as if their twenty), came up and started dancing in front of me trying to get Vinnie's attention (for some reason, this always happens to me at shows). I happened to take this picture in the midst of it. Look at Vinnie's face! He's like "check it out."

mi2tom · #3 04-18-2008, 01:10 AM

Awesome pics wade

Thanks for sharing.

freedom's door · #4 04-18-2008, 01:17 AM

Great pics!!!
Vinnie is a tremendous guitar player, and it's good to see him with a nice gig, and not working flipping burgers somewhere...

peace

kotornut · #5 04-18-2008, 01:30 AM

Looks like it was a lot of fun.

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #6 04-18-2008, 04:32 AM

I'm glad you had fun!!! I had no doubt!!!

rastachild · #7 04-18-2008, 02:42 PM

cool, i just got my tickets for the dallas show next week!

satchmo · #8 04-18-2008, 04:14 PM

Knew you'd have a great time cos UFO are one of those rare gems of a rock band - I like to think they're a thinking mans rock band - that never fail to put a smile on your face, despite not being in the...ermm...first flushes of youth. Best thing is they're British

If you can't get to see 'em live, pick up the Showtime DVD and you'll not be disappointed

tristangreatrex · #9 04-19-2008, 07:53 AM

Its really great that you guys in the USA are having a blast.

I run the 'Misty Green and Blue' website (For the hardcore UFO fans, MGAB was inspired by 'Love to Love') for us UFO fans.

I have set up a web page specifically for the 'USA live in 2008' tour:

http://www.beatsworking.tv/UFO/USA08.html

If there are photos / reports that you would like to share with the MGAB web page as well as this forum, PLEASE e-mail me.

Enjoy the gigs and thanks

Tristan

waylay00 · #10 04-20-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S

I'm glad you had fun!!! I had no doubt!!!

Olie, did you see them at HOB in Chicago?

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #11 04-20-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waylay00

Olie, did you see them at HOB in Chicago?

Yes I did Wade! and it was a very good show! although it had a few mishaps!
Like Phil Mogg missing his cue on "Love to Love" and Paul Raymond's strap breaking in the middle of Rock bottom!

Vinnie was on fire, however, he overplayed a bit IMO in some of Schenker's tunes. I was also rather disappointed that the show was VERY SHORT! they did not even play one hour and half! Phil seemed to be having many senior moments and would confuse what song was from what album. For example he said "This kid's" was from the first album!

I guess the biggest surprise/highlight of the show was when they played "Ain't no Baby" from Obession which was quite a rarity for what my Bass player/friend told me who has seen UFO in concert since the 70's at least 10 times

waylay00 · #12 04-20-2008, 05:16 PM

yeah Phil had some of those moments when I saw him

That sucks that Paul's strap broke!

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #13 04-20-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waylay00

yeah Phil had some of those moments when I saw him

That sucks that Paul's strap broke!

At least Raymond's reflexes are still there in spite of his age!

Paul caught his lefty Les Paul before it hit the floor!

rastachild · #14 04-24-2008, 05:51 PM

well i saw them last night...and they were awesome!! i went to the show as a vinnie fan and didn't know much about ufo, but i do like their songs. and vinnie was phenomenal. his chicken pickin' arpeggio pedalpoint technique is insane. i don't think i saw him do one linear/scalar lick the entire night. and the rest of the band was very good. they are older, but they sound very good. good enough for me to be interested in their back catalog, that's for sure

we of course had a crazy rabid fan sitting in front of us having a conniption. and there was one incredibly buxom lady that was on vinnie's side of the stage. she definitely caught his attention, to the point that he even dragged some of his other bandmates over there to view, lol.

shogun · #15 04-24-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waylay00

Before the show, I knew that Vinnie was a good player. But wow, after seeing his playing live, I didn't realize he was THAT good! The guy can flat out play, and his phrasing was really tasteful! Forget the shredding, he can hybrid-pick like a beast! Vinnie handed me his pick too, so that was really cool.

Told ya bro! He is an underrated player, and his instrumental song-writing capabilities are intense.