Scorpions - World Wide Live

by Wayne Graham

So when you talk about great metal live albums, the obvious Citizen Kane-level one is (few would argue) Live After Death. No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith is up there. Ozzy's Randy Rhoads Tribute album is a contender. As often as they release best-of compilations, KISS opus Alive is the best reference point for what's good about them.

I submit World Wide Live as an applicant. This is really the best destination for a lot of good songs in the Scorpions catalog, played with vigor and met with thunderous applause. I prefer a ton of the live versions of these songs to their studio album versions. And Klaus Meine's stage banter is fucking HILARRRRIOUS. And it does the trick....he just screams the city name, and begins some sort of inquiry into how they're enjoying the performance so far,or are they ready for ____(nasally loud screaming of big hit title, sometimes along with some sort of reference to the album where it can be found)_____ !!!!??!!! and the crowd is ready and starts screaming and then the band will start the riff, which is of course instantly recognizable, and will get more people yelling and the ones already yelling, yelling louder. It's effective Banterwerk.

He really shines at :30 of this clip. This also has some pretty bad-ass Framptone noodling. And then some banter about the song coming up...

Hook of the Day - Scorpions "Big City Nights"

by Wayne Graham

Dear Scorpions---

Where are the U.S. tour dates at?? You released your latest album last year, and you haven't come around yet! Why? Is it something we said? There were rumors that you'd swing by with Judas Priest but that's looking unlikely now....

Perhaps by making "Big City Nights" the Hook of the Day, an olive branch will be extended, and you will honor our humble request for a tour in the States some time soon.

Sincerely,
Hooks So Big

Rumor of the Week - Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Motorhead to Tour Later This Year?

by Wayne Graham

According to a story posted this weekend on Blabbermouth, the rumor mill is white hot with reports of a possible trek later this year featuring Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, and Motorhead. As far as we can tell, Blabbermouth seems to have started this rumor themselves, but many Blabberbashers (who all claim to have "reliable sources") are pointing towards the buzz being correct.

A few months ago, there was chatter about a possible Judas Priest/Scorpions tour, but there's no mention of the Scorps being involved on this bill. (Though Testament is strongly believed to be a possible 4th act for the JP/H&H/MH outing)

We'll let you know if we hear anything else. Grain of salt and high hopes til then.