UFO – High Stakes & Dangerous Men / Lights Out in Tokyo
UFO – High Stakes & Dangerous Men / Lights Out in Tokyo
Cherry Red Records
Release Date: 22/07/22
Running Time: 52:00 / 72:00
Review by Paul Hutchings
9/10
Few UK Hard Rock bands hold such a place in my heart as UFO. I first saw them on April 6th, 1983, in St David’s Hall, Cardiff. I’ve seen them many times over the years and have booked tickets to see them in Athens on their final ever show. But due to family commitments, there is a chunk of music that the band released that I’m not hugely familiar with.
One such album is 1992’s “High Stages & Dangerous Men.” The first album in a decade to feature original bassist Pete Way, the line-up for this surprisingly good release was completed by ever present vocalist Phil Mogg, drummer Clive Edwards and guitarist Laurence Archer. For the latter pair, this was their only recording with UFO, but it’s a fine release and both should be rightly proud of their involvement. Archer plays some stunning guitarwork from start to finish, on an album that mixes Hard Rock in the UFO style with the more commercial Rock songs that the band have always been able to deliver with a flourish. Songs such as ‘She’s the One’ and ‘One of Those Nights’, both melodic singalong rockers, the thumping opener ‘Borderline’, which works as the ideal first track, and the bluesy swagger of ‘Ain’t Life Sweet’, with Archer adding some delicious slide work all stand alongside their other works.
Elsewhere, the typical UFO class shines through on the likes of ‘Running Up That Highway’ and ‘Backdoor Man’, both highlighting that, in his day, no-one could touch Phil Mogg in the vocal stakes. Full of melody as well as that hard edged tinge, “High Stakes & Dangerous Men” is a fantastic album which sits hidden in their catalogue, but which is now receiving a welcome revival.
It would only be right that the UFO headed to Tokyo, where the band pre-Michael Schenker were incredibly popular, to record their third live album. “Lights Out in Tokyo” was recorded on 20th June 1992 at Topkyo’s Club Citta, and captures UFO on fine form, mixing several tracks from “High Stakes & Dangerous Men” with a decent selection of their older, classic songs. Extended versions of ‘Love to Love,’ the classic guitar work outs on ‘Doctor Doctor’, and ‘Rock Bottom’, are played with gusto and class, whilst the newer material sits comfortably alongside. It’s a live album that can’t match the heights of their seminal 1978 double live album “Strangers in the Night”, but then very few live albums can. The crowd are in exceptional form, singing along with the new songs and giving it their all on the classics. “Lights Out in Tokyo” may not be UFO at their absolute peak, but one listen to this album, with Archer and Edwards working in tandem with Mogg and Way, and you’ll see why one of the UK’s most loved bands will be sadly missed when they finally stop later this year.
‘Love To Love’ Official Audio
TRACKLISTING:
High Stakes & Dangerous Men
01. Borderline
02. Primed for Time
03. She’s The One
04. Ain’t Life Sweet
05. Don’t Want to Lose You
06. Burnin’ Fire
07. Running Up the Highway
08. Back Door Man
09. One of Those Nights
10. Revolution
11. Love Deadly Love
12. Let the Good Times Roll
Lights Out in Tokyo
01. Running Up the Highway
02. Borderline
03. Too Hot to Handle
04. She’s The One
05. Cherry
06. Back Door Man
07. One of Those Nights
08. Love to Love
09. Only You Can Rock Me
10. Lights Out
11. Doctor Doctor
12. Rock Bottom
13. Shoot Shoot
14. C’mon Everybody
LINE-UP:
Phil Mogg – Vocals
Pete Way – Bass
Laurence Archer – Guitar
Clive Edwards – Drums
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Paul Hutchings and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
