Search - Historic Performances, Vol. 1 & 2 on DVD

Post Scorpions Roth . . .

trebe | 11/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ulrich Roth, came into prominence playing guitar with the German heavy metal band Scorpions in the mid-70's. The music from Roth's period with the Scorpions was groundbreaking heavy metal, as the band featured both a powerful melodic singer in Klaus Meine, and a virtuoso guitar player whose style and sound was heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix. No other band of that time was producing music like the Scorpions, particularly Roth's material. Songs like Drifting Sun, Polar Nights, Fly to the Rainbow, Sun in My Hand and Sails of Charon, to name just a few. While the music was fantastic, Roth's move in a different musical direction from the rest of the band, resulted in his leaving the Scorpions in 1978.

As Uli Jon Roth, he formed the band Electric Sun, and the group released three albums between 1979 and 1985. Whether you call it progressive metal or something else, the sound is quite different from the Scorpions, blending elements of Hendrix's sound and phrasing, classical and Asian music influences, along with rock, metal, blues, a dose of funk, and a dash of space opera. The music is quite different from where the Scorpions where heading, so it seems clear why the split happened. This DVD features rare music videos and assorted live performances by Electric Sun, who perform both as a power trio, and later as an expanded group with twin drummers and backup singers.

Vocals are very much a part of Roth's music, though his singing voice will not appeal to everyone. It is as a guitar player however, that Uli Jon Roth displays exceptional skills. Making use of some unusual chords and musical scales, and displaying smooth lighting fast chops, Roth paves the way for the neo-classical (shred) metal movement of the mid-80's. Guitarists like Joe Stump, Chris Impellitteri, and Yngwie Malmsteen are among the many that Roth has influenced.

The promotional videos feature the more commercial numbers like Electric Sun, and Sundown. Drawing from various live performances, the band performs some of their more eclectic material including the avant-garde epic Enola Gay/Hiroshima. Some improvised jams are included, though blues is not Roth's strong suit. For many mainstream metal fans, the highlights may be the more familiar Scorpions material, including Virgin Killer, Hell Cat, Dark Lady, and Polar Nights.

This collection is probably more for Roth's hardcore fans, rather than the typical rock concert aficionado. The video quality of the material varies from poor to acceptable. The promotional videos and some of the live footage look pretty flat and blurry at times. Some of the later concert material, features better lighting and production, although the psychedelic and spacey production effects are overdone and become a distraction. There are also some pretty rough editing cuts. Audio quality also suffers, as here and there the sound dips down or drops.

Jimi Hendrix not only influenced Uli Jon Roth's music and appearance, but also his life on a deeper personal level as well. Artist Monika Dannemann, reportedly the last person to see Hendrix alive, later became Roth's girlfriend for many years, until her death in 1996."

Fantastic performances

Maria D. Rodriguez | Puerto Rico | 11/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I truly love Uli's mastery of the guitar. This DVD offers a great example of his inspiring and great taste of composing. He has the most beautiful phrasing, feeling as well as total dominion of the craft of guitar playing. The quality of video might not be the best, but the title says it, its a historic performance. If you love the virtuosic music of this legend, get this DVD!!!!!!!!!!"

Uli Jon Roth among the greatest guitarists of all time!!

Gennaro L. Senatore | New York, USA | 01/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just recently received Uli Jon Roth's Historic Performances DVD in the mail and watched it last night. What a pleasure and a treat to watch such a phenominal virtuoso in action from way back in 1979 through 1983!! Uli is without a doubt probably the greatest virtuoso of our time. He plays with such feeling and emotion that actually gives me chills when I listen to his guitar playing. I had the pleasure to correspond with Uli by letter writing back in 1983-1984. He is an absolute gentleman and a truly incredible musician. I hope to correspond with Uli once again some day through email. Historic Performances Volumes 1 & 2 is worth it at any cost to see such superlative performances by the master himself as well as his fantastic group members."