Track Listing

1. City Lights
2. Competition
3. I Want You
4. End Of The Line
5. Summerdays
6. Night To Remember
7. Wings Of Emotion
8. Come Closer
9. Cross Of Crosses
10. Nana
11. The One
12. This Time

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53789 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 50 minutes

Album Description
Like a phoenix from the ashes, Michael Schenker is back. And it's high time because hard rock fans have been missing this talented guitarist for a long time. This was the man who was the hallmark of great music in the 70s and 80s, when he was part of the Scorpions and UFO.

He now returns to his very own musical roots because the "legendary" Gary Barden joins Michael as the first MSG singer on "In The Midst Of Beauty" album, which was co-written by Michael and Gary. Other well-known international musicians accompany Michael on his long-awaited comeback album. Don Airey from Deep Purple is on the keyboards, Neil Murray from Whitesnake strums the bass strings and Simon Phillips works the drums - an international, star-studded line up of world class performers. Michael's impressive guitar playing provides an extraordinary atmosphere throughout the entire album, which was produced and recorded in the studio of his friend, Siggi Schwarz, in Neu-Ulm.

Michael Schenker recovers his former strength with "In The Midst Of Beauty", resulting in a fine mixture throughout, reminiscent of Deep Purple or Rainbow in tracks such as "Nights To Remember" or "End Of The Line". And with "This Time", MSG even have a track which is chartworthy. A healthy dose of hard rock and plenty of lyrical melodies distinguish his new CD, which his loyal and devoted fans will love and which will also impress a wider audience.

Customer Reviews

In the Midst of Beauty
If you are a Schenker fan, you may may be thinking about buying this. I am and I did. Yes the songs are good, plenty of variety. The thing that interests me most (and always has) are Michael's solos. If, like me you witnessed the "difficult" moments at last years gigs, you may have wondered if he had lost his ability to play. Fear not, he can still play a bit. In fact he has the ability to add a solo to a song that seems to fit just about perfectly, he can go with the "flow" of the song like nobody else.
So for me it is all about the solos.
Are they there?
They are, I agree with the review that said that the Dean guitar does'nt quite have the same "Bite" as his old V's. But there is something simply inspiring about what he is saying when he plays on form.
He can still make my arm hairs stand on end like nobody else!
Can he do that for you?
I hope so.

A Beauty in Our Midst
Don't bother trying to turn back the clock. This is a good rock and roll album by some of the best rock musicians on the planet. Mature and varied guitar orientated rock in a more commercial English style if you know what I mean. All the tracks are listenable. Maybe my taste is unique but I think the first three tracks are the weakest. It then kicks in with a good rock 'n' roll number "End of the Line" and a nice ballad "Summerdays" with some neat vocal touches. The lyrics could be better but Barden is like finding that odd sock down the back of the drawer unit, reunited and fitting well together once more as your favorite pair. My stand out is "Wings of Emotion" which takes me back to the Assault Attack album for some reason. Then "Come Closer" with its shades of Guns & Roses, "Night to Remember" is pure Rainbowesque. "Cross of Crosses" and "Nana" (crap title) both polished with sweet rhythms. Overall very catchy, well-structured rock at its best with a few heavy shots of guitar. The mix doesn't perhaps do justice to Simon Phillips or Don Airey and the dirtier sounds from the Dean take a bit of getting used to, helping to disguise the diminishing speed and clarity of Schenker no doubt. Even so it still gets five stars.

I think this album will be popular because simple is often best. Hell if AC/DC can do it! I wasn't expecting a return to the classic days of MSG. That was 25 years ago. Yes I prefer the old stuff, the zest of youth and the beautiful sound of the Gibson. But hell this is now and I'm definitely not disappointed. This is great. He's still going strong after all these years and has at last pulled out a quality product from the locker. This is fresh and far far better than "Tales of Rock & Roll", "Be Aware of Scorpions " or "Arachnophobiac". Give MS a break and check it out.

Return of a rock god
Not only is he back - but hes back playing better than ever! He was always one of the greatest rock guitarists in the business but in recent years was let down by his personal problems and his songwriting. Supported by a world class quartet of musicians here and writing with Gary Barden again this one stands up as a return to form and then some! Its like the early days of MSG, but modernised. And, oh, the playing...his fluidity and invention and skill comes through in every solo. Whether blistering on tracks like City Lights or more emotional on Summer Days his playing is superb. Welcome back Michael - we missed you!