Consider this album a historic document. The lineup of founding vocalist Phil Mogg, founding bassist Pete Way, keyboardist/guitarist/backing vocalist Paul Raymond, new guitarist Vinnie Moore and new drummer Jason Bonham is already history, as Bonham has bowed out to join Foreigner full-time. In some ways I regret that because he brought a unique and energetic approach to some of the old, tired Michael Schenkar-era standards.

Bonham's replacement? None other than founding drummer Andy Parker. I guess this is good, but can Parker bring the same energy? Or will this slow down the band and cause it to become another one of those veteran classic rock acts doing tired versions of 30-year-old songs?

That's a debate for another day. Showtime has, for the most part, very good versions of stuff like Shoot, Shoot, Rock Bottom and Only You Can Rock Me. The new stuff, four tracks from You Are Here, comes off very well.

But, freed from Schenkar's wacked-out tyranny, the band could have dipped widely into its huge catalogue and presented a fascinating overview of its entire history. Sadly, that didn't happen. This album is a remake of 1979's groundbreaking Strangers In The Night live recording with four new songs. Not a single song is done from the criminally-underrated Paul Chapman era recordings and even the three albums where Schenkar rejoined in the 1990s are ignored. Why? Talk about a missed opportunity! Talk about going the safe route to satisfy nostalgia freaks!

Big UFO fan, yet tired of the same live songs over and over. However, this is the best live release/performance in over two decades.

Phil Mogg sounds awesome here... totally rennovated and inspired, plus changing his vocal style a bit from traditional past interpretations. Vinnie Moore plays his German predecessor's solos at perfection, especially respecting UFO's melodic trademark note-by-note, much to my surprise! (Just check his solo in Only You Can Rock Me). Pete Way rocks, as always! Paul Raymond has never sounded nor played better. Jason Bonham plays with such power and groove, but especially in a very musical way (a unique trait that only a few drummers can achieve).

UFO these days are having fun and it shows (even though the audience sounds as if it there were only 6 people!). Besides, the CD sound is awesome, courtesy of Tommy Newton (Elegy, Gamma Ray, Helloween). UFO today sounds as good as ever. My only complain: no Paul Chapman-era songs (there are some really great ones). This CD is a must for both old and new fans. Rock for the ages!

Although it may seem that any UFO live recording cannot bring anything new to UFO songs, actually it does. Michael Schenker's replacement Vinnie Moore is also top guitar player. What this means is that we get different versions of same old songs despite the fact that some of them sound very similar to the way UFO has played them before. And those versions don't dissapoint.

One thing though. The record makes me think that Moore is too much of a virtuoso for UFO classic songs because at times his playing doesn't fit. It seems "only" technical lacking the "rock" side of it. "Rock Bottom" is an example. The guitar should have had better and bigger sound as well. However, this isn't the case with new songs that gel nicely. Songs that were new at the time of recoring only approve that UFO is still alive and well. Most of them are good. "Baby Blue" and "Mr.Freeze" come to my mind first.

All in all, this is UFO despite the fact that it takes some time to "identify" it and to get used to it.

I would have given this one a 4 and a half. Buy it ! as well as the DVD !! I realllly dig "Mr Freeze", I used to be one of the UFO fans that only had the classics - I was very pleasantly surprised when i heard this for the first time. It is now in my regular rotation. UFO is not going anywhere! neither are the Scorpions...check out "Unbreakable" if you "Don't Believe a Word"

I challenge you to buy this one. I would not be wasting my time

right now if I didn't think that this was a very worthy disc and or DVD to have in our collections !

I really enjoyed this cd. Vinnie Moore and Jason Bonham are incredible additions to this band. They really put a great spin on these old classics. I don't understand the less than stellar reviews of this cd to be honest. These guys played their asses off and sound incredible. I love Michael Schenker and everything he's done to date. This version of UFO in incredible. Please take it from me......this is a great cd!!!