Michael is so obviously a great, great hard rock player. His phrasing is great. His vibrato is great. His taste is great.
Uli's phrasing is otherworldly. His vibrato is otherworldly. His taste is otherworldly. His playing can be some of the most beautiful, delicate melodies and on the other hand his playing can be absolutely ferocious.
Michaels playing is way more accessible. His songs are way more accessible. Anyone can listen to his songs and anyone can listen to his playing and nod their head along to it and get it.
Uli takes much more of an investment in time to get it. You have to listen deep. Really deep. You'll feel like maybe you should have taken some peyote first, but when it really clicks in, I don't think any other heavy rock guitarist on the planet is as mind-blowing as Uli.
Schenkers stuff I can listen to and think, "that was really cool" but Uli's stuff is more of an "OMG, what on earth is he doing?".
To me, the trio of solo albums Uli did in the late 70's - early 80's were what helped it all to click for me and I guarantee I am going on a huge Uli kick tomorrow because of this thread and it is those three albums I will OD on. "Firewind", "Earthshaker", and "Beyond The Astral Skies" are the names of the CD's.
The vocals are horrific. The songs are just this trippy, hippy freak out, weird, weird stuff, but the guitar playing, once you get it (after a few listens), it is MIND-BLOWING. I think it might help you to get Uli if you smoke dope. I don't, so it took me a while to get there. I think every facet of his music was arrived at by being stoned. That's what it sounds like, but again, dive into it for the guitar playing. If you don't get it after a few listens, well.........
And no amount of listens will help you to like the vocals.
