“Brixton on the pier in Redondo? Where the heck is that?” Hey, it’s where Harvelle’s used to be, and what an improvement! This relatively small venue hosted Uli Jon Roth’s Sky Academy clinic this year. That’s where peeps willing to shell out $700 can meet, and learn from the master guru and his custom scalloped-neck 30-fret guitars over a long weekend culminating in the first show of his American tour which took place on a Friday night (there was yet another day of Sky Academy on Saturday and then Uli & Co. we’re off to San Diego). The show tonight was only $35 bucks but was WELL worth every American penny. I can hardly wait to re-live this experience with you.
In 2006 our very own Rocker & Atomic Chaser honored Uli’s Sky Academy gig at UCLA with an excellent interview with the legend himself. Well, this year I went on my own recognizance not expecting to do a review at all, but it would be criminal to keep this all to myself, so here goes...
My date and I showed up early enough but there was already a line of nearly 100 enthusiastic fans outside the Brixton. Unfortunately for some of the Sky Academy “cadets” it was a 21 & over show. Sound check went on far too long and the show started an hour late, but in the end I think it was worth the wait.
It seemed whenever a vocalist (of which there was no short supply) took a mic the audience was often shorted the first vocal line due to the myriad conglomeration of Marshall & Framus amps onstage (the person running sound really had to be on their toes for this one). The upside of this was that the sound was pretty good and not too loud. This paid off in dividends as this was a 4-hour show, and my ears didn’t get tired.
Uli finally goes on just after 9:00 and he’s got a seven piece band, including himself. Two awesome vocalists - Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) and Liz Vandall (a veteran Sky Orchestra affiliate). There’s also drums, bass, keys and an additional guitarist. Most people know of Uli Jon Roth’s extraordinary talents through his work with the Scorpions in the late 70s, but UJR’s recent solo works lean heavily towards classical symphonic metal. If you check his website (www.UliJonRoth.com) take note of his many efforts to save the dying classical music form. UJR has composed whole symphonies, and has even recorded a version of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”. Serious stuff.
I came here with no expectations but a lot of respect. I was to learn more about Mr. Roth from one of the attendees to the Sky Academy. During our long wait for the show we met Matt Roth of The Orphics (www.TheOrphics.com) who kindly offered us seats at his table. He had been to the clinic with Uli in the previous days and revered him as a mellow guru in touch with a level of artistry which eludes many. I can vouch for Uli’s mellow and sincere vibe. Maybe it was because he was among friends, but I doubt it. His vibe is very amiable, soft-spoken and genuine.UJR has barely changed physically since his days with the Scorpions. He’s still “Beethoven meets Jimi Hendrix” as it says on his MySpace page. The Dude is steadfast!
The first set lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes and featured some great classically tinged tracks from his new album titled, “Under A Dark Sky”. One Great tune described by Uli as a simple song was “The Magic Word”, exotic and minor yet uplifting. The highlight of the first set was a 10-minute 12-part epic entitled “Tanz In Die Dämmerung” which was awesome. He warned us that it would be intense, and it was.
After a half hour break Uli comes back with a costume change and a new set of old Scorpion tunes, cover songs, and all-star guest appearances. To begin with we were treated to some really great unknown talent that was part of the Sky Academy. A flamenco guitarist and dancer appeared with a local Uli look-alike on Les Paul who shredded through a Marshall as this gorgeous Latina danced with castenettes to flamenco styling’s. Talk about fresh! The crowd loved it. Then lo and behold Uli brings Doug Aldrich (Dio/Whitesnake) up for versions of “Mistreated” and “Spanish Castle Magic” - absolutely bitchin! What next but Don Dokken doing “Little Wing” and “White Room”. Richie Onori (Sweet) appeared on drums and finally we get Warren DiMartini (Ratt) playing harmony guitar on the classic Scorps tune “Dark Lady” and Hendrix's “Voodoo Chile”.
Intermixed throughout these great guest appearances were amazing renditions of old Scorpion songs, "Pictured Life, Catch Your Train, Polar Nights, In Trance (Liz Vandall had to read the lyrics but it was awesome!). UJR’s encore was "Fly To The Rainbow" which was a bit of a let down 'because something broke on his guitar and he couldn't do the crazy-ass whammy bar dive-bombs. Talk about anit-climax, he just threw up his arms and casually said "I think the guitar is broken" in his friendly German accent. What a cool guy. I will welcome this rockin’ hippie guru back to SoCal on his next visit.
