Music review: UFO – 鈥楾he Salentino Cuts鈥�
Anytime I hear a tune from UFO, I鈥檓 instantly transported back to my glorious days in high school when attending concerts with my buddies became a regular spot on our social calendar.
My love of the British rockers鈥� gutsy sound originated after my first listen of the band鈥檚 1979 sizzling performance captured on 鈥淪trangers in the Night.鈥� This live recording is still considered by many rock critics as one of the finest live rock albums ever released.
Thirty-eight years later, I still manage to catch a show whenever the band hits town.
For nearly five decades, UFO has been grinding out albums that blend muscular classic rock with a blues edge and thrilling audiences across the globe with legendary live performances.
Following up 2015鈥檚 simmering 鈥淎 Conspiracy of Stars,鈥� the band鈥檚 latest effort finds the lads delivering their first collection of all covers.
The album is a tribute to some of UFO鈥檚 favorite songs and is dedicated to the memory of the band鈥檚 tour manager Tonio Neuhaus.
The 12-song set opens with frontman Phil Mogg belting out a passionate performance on the Yardbirds鈥� 鈥淗eart Full of Soul,鈥� followed by Mogg channeling the charismatic spirit of Jim Morrison with a rousing offering of the Doors鈥� classic 鈥淏reak on Through (To the Other Side).鈥�
Mogg鈥檚 commanding vocals lead the way for Vinnie Moore鈥檚 blazing guitar riffs, Andy Parker鈥檚 thunderous drumming, Paul Raymond鈥檚 inspired keyboards and Rob De Luca鈥檚 dynamic bass licks.
Moore鈥檚 guitar work is spotlighted front and center on John Mellencamp鈥檚 鈥淧aper in Fire,鈥� Mountain鈥檚 鈥淢ississippi Queen鈥� and Robin Trower鈥檚 鈥淭oo Rolling Stoned,鈥� while De Luca and Parker add a soulful groove to an engaging version of Bill Withers鈥� 鈥淎in鈥檛 No Sunshine.鈥�
Other highlights include a memorable cover of Tom Petty鈥檚 鈥淗oney Bee鈥� from the rock icon鈥檚 second studio album 鈥淲ildflowers鈥� and a show-stealing performance on the pounding Montrose track 鈥淩ock Candy.鈥�
The band also unleashes invigorating covers of ZZ Top鈥檚 鈥淛ust Got Paid Today,鈥� Steppenwolf鈥檚 鈥淭he Pusher鈥� and Mad Season鈥檚 鈥淩iver of Deceit,鈥� before bringing the party to a close with the Animals鈥� 鈥淚t鈥檚 My Life.鈥�
The robust energy displayed by UFO on 鈥淭he Salentino Cuts鈥� proves that the veteran rockers aren鈥檛 ready to pack it up and go anytime soon.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.