Memory Lane with Michael Schenker (Warsaw Progresja 7-03-26)

 

After 43 years or so, it was brilliant to catch up with Michael Schenker live again.

Saw MSG 3-4 times in the early 1980s, including mid-80 on the first MSG album tour and a year later on the second album tour (love the first two MSG albums).

But then after 1982 or 1983, I just lost touch with Schenker, never being in the right place at the right time to see him again.

That's why getting to see him again at Warsaw Progresja was a real blessing:

Seeing a 1970s, all UFO set was magical: Only You Can Rock Me; Rock Bottom; Lights Out; Love to Love; (and of course) Doctor, Doctor etc. It gave me the goosebumps.

Back in the late 1970s, the UFO double live album, Strangers in the Night, was never off my old record player. It's a toss of the coin between Strangers in the Night and Rush's All The World's a Stage for my favourite live album.

Yeah, the recent Schenker concert at the Progresja was a beautiful trip down memory lane, with an entire UFO setlist being the icing on the cake (saw UFO many times over the years, including my first gig in January 1980, but never with Schenker).

Back in the early 1980s, the MSG setlists were kind of half MSG-half UFO (which was great, of course). 

Seeing UFO in January 1980 (without Schenker), then seeing MSG about six months later, kind of let me know/imagine what seeing UFO with Schenker would've been like.

My favourite UFO era, obviously 1972-1978 with Schenker, but also love the early (pre-Schenker) psychedelic period with Michael Bolton and the early 1980s material with Paul Chapman. 

Colourful Mural Outside the VooDoo Club.

Came out of the VooDoo Club (Warsaw) after the Cold in Berlin gig the other Saturday to be greeted by this incredibly colourful mural.

Cold in Berlin: My First Gig of the Year

 Brilliant first gig of the year, catching Cold in Berlin at the VooDoo Club, Warsaw on 21st February:

First time I've seen Cold in Berlin and was massively impressed:

Loved every song in the set especially White Horse and Love Buzz (Shocking Blue tune). 

Was also massively impressed with Datûra:

Will have to get more familiar with this band, they were brilliant.

Was also nice to catch Dead Tahiti early on:

And decent beer at the VooDoo Club too:

Had only been to the VooDoo Club, a kind of friendly Goth haunt, once before, about 20 years or so ago to see Jarboe (ex-Swans).

Cabbage Stew and Other Meals

This meal was brilliant: my wife's cabbage stew, fried egg, and potatoes, just the thing for a prolonged cold winter.

And the next day, cabbage stew with black lentils which worked a treat too:

And a couple of my own, more simple meals, starting with baked beans and white cheese with buckwheat:

 And buckwheat mixed with sweet potato and sweetcorn, topped with yellow and cottage cheese:

It's been a long winter and these inexpensive meals have been invaluable.

Marymont Metro Station: Latest Abstract Art

 Passing through Marymont metro station, Warsaw, the latest abstract art on offer:

I'm the exact opposite of an abstract art person but this stuff did catch my attention.

It kind of reminded me of the month-long snow that would confront me when I got outside.

Exercising in the Snow

Throughout January, it has pivoted between zero and about -12 degrees.

So I've found myself exercising in the snow:

Offering great catharsis for being on the computer most of the day.

The bench is useful for leg stretching exercise:

Always feel rejuvenated after visiting this place.

The snow is an added bonus, of course.

Snow Man Lighting Up a Town Hall

 Close to Christmas, this Snowman came to light up a small town hall in Warsaw:

He came with several friends including a big reindeer:

A small deer:

And an angel getting ready for Christmas:

The Snowman and his friends made the place look and feel a whole lot better.