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DVD Review: Yngwie Johann Malmsteen: Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra in E Flat Minor, with the New Japan Philharmonic: Live
Wonderful review from Metal Express Radio.
"Yngwie’s performance, as well as the Philharmonic, is masterful, passionate, moving, and breathtaking … pure genius and art." To read the entire review, click HERE.
BlogCritics.org
December 01, 2005
By Chris Beaumont
Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra
Many rock acts have taken their act to the stage with an orchestra, but I must say that I have not seen it done quite as successfully as Yngwie Malmsteen has. In most cases the bands get up and play their songs while the orchestra follows along. A good example of this would be when Metallica took to the stage with the San Francisco Philharmonic. I thought that was a good album, but it was nowhere near the level of Malmsteen's concerto.
Back in 2001, Yngwie decided to take his classically influenced playing and combine it with a full orchestra. He went to the drawing board and crafted a concerto for precisely this event. It is a wonderful piece of music that obviously plays around the guitar as its central point, yet complements the orchestra as a whole. the two meld together and become this wall of classical and rock sounds in perfect balance.
This is a different Yngwie than I am used to seeing. Over the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to see Yngwie live, most recently, this past weekend. One thing that has always stood out was his flamboyant onstage antics. He was always swinging his guitar, or raising it to the heavens, always in leather with pointy boots and a frilly shirt, kicking in the air, all sorts of crazy stuff. For this performance, the leather and frills are there, but his presence is much more restrained. He walks out, takes a bow, and proceeds to play some incredibly precise and speedy licks.
The show not only showcases Yngwie's electric playing, but also his acoustic side. A few of the segments having him unplug and show that he cans till shred whether the strings are metal or nylon. As good as his playing is, it is only half the show. The orchestra sounds absolutely fantastic, and they are not just there to back the star attraction, but they also further their own purposes, creating this powerful wall of sound.
The camera work gets the job done as well, bringing you right into the think of the action. Get right into the orchestra as the violinists play, watch as the basses bring out the low end. More importantly we get right in on Yngwie's fretboard as his fingers fly over the strings, and impressive site, to say the least.
There is one lackluster element to this disk, that is the sound. It is presented in both Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0. Obviously, the 5.1 sounds better, but it wasn't nearly as full as I would have liked. The recording is heavily guitar-centric, and that leaves the orchestra sounding a bit on the thin side.
Still, this is definitely a disk worth adding to the guitar fan's collection. It is quite an impressive concoction of classical and rock.
Recommended.
Entertainment Tonight - September 2005: HERE
Online Review from Rockeyez.com
Brian Rademacher sends this link to an online review of UTF: Unleash the Fury
From Dan Palmer
First thing I noticed when I received this album the photo was on the back cover, in this and in the other photos Yngwie
looks really great!
On the first listen, I thought the album might be a bit too "Heavy", but after a few listens
it's just the incredible amount of energy that's coming out of it.
I was glad that the mix is very clear, I can really hear every instrument, and all the vocals.
My favorite tracks are "Revolution", "Winds of War", "Bogeyman", "Cherokee Warrior" and "Guardian Angel".
Of particular note are Yngwie's vocals on "Cherokee Warrior", I really think these hit the spot, also the blues riffs,
the whole of this track is just great - it seems to me to be a development of earlier tracks where
Yngwie has done the lead vocals - is he going to do more of this?
I also love "Bogeyman", especially the bass and the really catchy hooks in this track.
The Bach variation "Fuguetta" is very interesting and has beautiful counterpoint melodies and harmonies.
Is this part of a new classical album? like the Concerto Suite - I hope so!
With regard to Yngwie's playing, the arpeggios are now even clearer and precise, technically he just gets
better and better, also it sounds to me as though he's thinking more and more about each
phrase and note, to bring out even more feel and emotion in them, although it all also sounds really
spontaeneous, so I'd be interested to know what percentage was done on the first take.
I didn't think that some of the tracks on "Attack" would be bettered, but UTF has proved
me wrong, in some ways I don't think it's an album that you can get straight into, it takes a little time, but after a few
listens it has really grown on me to the point that I haven't listened to anything else
since I received it. I still don't think I've realised the depth of the album yet.
It's a seriously good album, by a seriously good musician, for serious listening!
From Bianca Gerent
I'd like to congratule Yngwie!
I'd listened UTF a lot of times 'cause it's almost impossible stay away from it!! I've already elected my favorite ones!!! The first is killing! It is a good one to be the first song of the concerts! The third, I really loved, mostly when comes the chorus (Cracking the whip, it's a new kind of pain!))!!! Wings of Wars is too beautiful, especially the beginning! The Bogeyman is amazing!!! Its riff catches my mind!! Yesterday, this song stayed all day long in my mind!! Fuguettta is great, Yngwie's version of this song is perfect!! Now he needs to play Dreaming after Fuguetta as he used to play during the Odyssey tour which I think it would be breathtaking! Cherokee Warrior, I loved this one!! Yngwie on lead vocal is always amazing!! Guardian Angel is very cute!! Let the good times roll is pick too! Magic and Mayhem remembers a little of Eclipse!! Unleash the Fury is great, its solo like all Yngwie's solo is really nice and the last one, Paraphrase, is very medieval, I suggest him to play it during the acoustic solo before Black Star in concert!!!
I just didn't like of Beauty and a Beast.
I really loved the idea of putting a bonus video in the cd!
From Adrian Milfy
Dear Yngwie, I have just bought your new album in Singapore while I was on holiday and now have all your studio albums and what a brilliant album Unleash the Fury is, infact it just blew me away.
I work backstage in the Assembly Rooms, Derby, UK and have seen quite a few famous faces while working there and I know a talent when i see it. I have always liked Hank Marvin, Jimi Hendrix and Joe Satriani but I must confess that as far as I am concerned Yngwie you are the best I have heard, ever since the first time I heard you I can't stop playing your music.
The four instrumetals on the album FUGETTA, PARAPHRASE, GUARDIAN ANGEL and MAGIC AND MAYHEM are brilliant especially FUGETTA and PARAPHRASE which I can't seem to get out of my head as I keep humming the tunes. As for the vocals on the album I can't fault any of them and all praise should go to your band members too as they have done a really good job. What I liked best of the vocal songs was CROWN OF THORNS, WINDS OF WAR, REVELATION, CHEROKEE WARRIOR and UNLEASH THE FURY. Anyway Yngwie well done, I only wish I could have met you when you appeared in ROCK PALACE in NOTTINGHAM recently, apparently I was in Australia and Singapore at the time.
I believe you are working on a new Classical Album like CONCERTO SUITE FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR AND ORCHESTRA IN E FLAT MINOR OPUS 1, if that is so I shall look forward to its release.
Well, congratulations on a superb album Yngwie, don't let anyone distract you from what you are doing, I like the way you think for yourself, nowadays there are not a lot of artist that do that. Best Wishes, Adrian
From Travis Smith, Lancaster, PA
I got the import of Yngwie's new album off of ebay. I couldn't stand to wait for it to be released over here. When I first heard it I thought... Yngwie is playing on the level of Marching Out, Trilogy. I really got that feel from when I first listened to the disc. I saw him in Harrisburg Pa last year at the Dragonfly club. It was the absolute best concert of my life. The energy, power of the music, and Malmsteens precision playing were amazing. I could go on n' on with a huge review about this or that...but its not necessary. Yngwie has once again (as always) created a supreme masterpiece with top notch playing. He is the original Bach of the electric guitar. All others are cheap imitations. Can't wait to see you again in PA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yngwies #1 greatest fan.......... TS
From Jeffrey Bond
Hello all. It is definitely "Time to Rock!" I just received Yngwie's new album from Japan - "Unleash the Fury" and it kicks ass. I haven't had the new album long enough to pick any favorites - but I can tell you, you will not be disappointed. Buy it ... It is one of best albums to date - from beginning to end. Period!
From Allen Turbeville
First off must I say that Yngwie still holds the best tone; this album has the same sound as Attack. Yngwie also sings a few verses of his own and his technique has improved much. About half of the solos are the usual "Yngwie shred", but with newer levels and the chord progressions are surprising and not predictable. He does have a couple of instrumental pieces that would blow anybody away that can appreciate real, good, music. I am more pleased with ripping riffs and changes than the shredding solos. I don't think it's an ego thing, that Yngwie sings, why shouldn't he? This album is so fucking sick!!! It really is jawdropping just like any other album of his. I have been a HUGE fan and I am so happy and pleased with it.
From nickdunn in Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Just Do It
Took a few listens, but the ones you like straight away usually become tired quickly and others (as with albums like this one) after a few spins become life-long friends. Unfortunately a very biased opinion, but thumbs up from me anyway!
From Eddie in Blackpool, England
Wow... My favourite by Yngwie has always been Vengeance, since I started listening to him a few years ago, but this album has totally changed that, with songs such as Russian Roulette, Beauty & a Beast, Exile. I'm going to see him in concert on the 30th and cannot wait to see these songs live! Its an unbelievable album and a must buy for all Malmsteen fans!
From yjmshred in Atlanta GA, USA
Unleashed the fury on my ears; this cd is amazing. The singing is great, the playing is as usual phenomenal. This is an improvment over the last cd Attack, which I liked. This is a must-have.
From Henk Jan Steenvoort
Yngwie unleashes his fury upon us again with this great CD. After all these years his CDs still sound fresh, I guess his music is timeless. Keep up the good work Yngwie, and don't change your style.
I think in general this CD sounds a little more "modern" than his previous work, the riffing is a little more simple, a good thing, because each song stands out more, there is a lot of "airplay" material on this CD, radio and tv pay attention! Of course there is also a lot of Insane guitarwork on it (would you expect anything else??) Yngwie, I hope you will play this whole CD when you visit The Netherlands (including all the instrumentals) , see you in June in Amsterdam and Tilburg
From Alex Ogston
Yngwie has pulled it out of the bag yet again!!! Great Music, Great Production, Great Packaging (Universal Japan). The music is very heavy which is fantastic, and the whole sound of the band is extremely tight. The album has a hint of all Yngwie's work taken from all of his albums, and with added spice of some new musical ventures; which has all been placed in the melting pot and stirred!!!!! All bodes well for the world tour. Looking forward to new albums, on the Universal Japan Label for many years to come!!! (Splendid Job).
From Tim
I have Unleash the Fury (and every Yngwie cd) and it absolutely ROCKS!!! I've listened to it over and over and I LOVE it! The songs are very well written with great melody, rythyms, hooks, solos and lyrics. I love the way this album seems to head in a different direction than the other albums. There are ALL masterpiece cd's. Why listen to anything other than Yngwie? I know I don't.
But these songs seem to have something really unique, I can't describe in words. Maybe it's the harmony or the stories they tell? Power and energy pour from this cd. It's that damn good. Top picks: Locked and Loaded, Revolution, Cracking the Whip, Winds of War (very mysterious eeriness to it), Bogeyman, Beauty and a Beast, Cherokee Warrior, Let the Good Times Roll, Exile, Russian Roulette, Magic and Mahem, Unleash too of course. Another great job by Yngwie and the crew.
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