Tokyo Live [Import] [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Reissue of the soul great's 1981 album, recorded in 1978. 75 minutes long, it features great versions of most of his best known hits, including 'Let's Stay Together' and 'L-O-V-E'. 14 tracks total. Also features the original cover art. 1999 release.

Tokyo Live,Al Green,Hi Records UK,Pop,R&B,R&B/Soul,Soul/R & B

Tracks:

Time Again
Wildest Dreams
One Step Closer
Roundabout
Without You
Cutting It Fine
Steve Howe Guitar Solo
Fanfare For The Common Man
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

Tracks:

Don't Cry
Court Of The Crimson King
Here Comes The Feeling
Video Killed The Radio Star
The Heat Goes On / Carl Palmer Drum Solo
Only Time Will Tell
Sole Survivor
Ride Easy
Heat Of The Moment

Album Description

Asia, featuring members of Yes, ELP and King Crimson, was the first "supergroup" of the eighties. Their eponymous debut album, released in 1982, was a huge success racking up global sales in excess of 15 million copies. In 2006 the original four members reunited for the first time in over 20 years for a series of concerts in the US and the UK. The success of this tour led to a full-blown world tour running throughout 2007 in celebration of their 25th anniversary. This CD was recorded in Tokyo in March 2007 on the Japanese leg of the tour. The companion DVD will be released in Fall 2007 on Eaglevision.

Customer Reviews:

Needs a remixing.......2007-08-04

I saw the reunited Asia in concert in Toronto on Canada Day weekend and this recording doesn't do the band justice. Carl Palmer's drumming at the Toronto show was astounding...he was the driving force behind the performance and his kit sounded incredible. But I find the drums are buried on this recording...I have to strain to hear some of his rolls because they're simply muffled. As well, John Wetton's vocals are too far "up front". The music needs to be a bit louder to achieve a better balance.

All that said, this is still a good performance and the "unplugged" versions of Don't Cry, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes and Ride Easy are fantastic.

And yet..........2007-07-28

I bought this CD mainly for a nostalgia factor, since my memories of past live albums should have kept me away from it. But it was the original band...To my surprise this is the best sounding live CD from the band so far. Wetton is much better here than Lake was in '83, and nobody wants to remember Moscow. The band seems relaxed, even in their solos, and there is a level of showmanship (which is expected), that really outshines other recordings.
I generally dislike "unplugged" versions of anything, but I was surprised that "Don't Cry" and "the Smile has Left Your Eyes" sound extraordinary in their new incarnations.
The real gem of the CD (worth the price of admission) is "In the Court of the Crimson King", a 4 1/2 minute rendition that sounds solid, with a guitar arrangement from Howe that sounds like a respectful hommage to both his own 70's work in Yes, and the intricate virtuosity of Fripp (Yes, I'm a Crimson fan).
And now, the bad news... The voice and keyboards are a bit forward on the sound mix, and unfortunately some songs have the drums buried in an ancient tomb. I think Palmer's drum sound is a bit outdated, a pity because I love his playing on most ELP recordings (including the live ones). "Only time will tell" has the worst drum mix of the CD, hi-hats and cymbals are all over the place, when you hear them; and I refuse to think it's the drummer's fault (c'mon this guy played Prokofiev live!).
Other than that "Roundabout" should have been rehearsed a bit, it's too erratic even at the slower tempo which they chose (listen to recent Yes live in "The House of Yes" for a killer version).
The rest of the songs are fine, and I can actually confess that as a nostalgia item, it turned out be better than a lot of the stuff out there today!

AR

Surprising & Enjoyable...........2007-07-26

The vintage tracks from Yes, ELP, & King Crimson alone were nearly worth buying the record. I never thought the Buggles were anything to brag about since their only claim to fame was being the first video.. you know the rest. They played that tune just to appease Geoff Downes who really never had any success on his own. It was evident when he tried to hold Asia together after everyone split. Anyway.... wish they would have recorded a show in the states somewhere, probably wouldn't have drawn what they did in Japan though. Wish they would have put Starless & Bible Black on here. Like I said up top, they earned some serious cool points for Roundabout, In the Court, etc... & did Steve Howe a solid by letting him do his virtuoso thing. Should have went all out on Don't Cry... forget doing the acoustic version.

around an 88%.......2007-07-25

Strong sounding CD with solid bottom end (kick drum and bass) ... What I really like about it is it's from one live show ... I don't like live CDs that are a hodge-podge of different shows ... I'm as big an ASIA fan as there is so I'll give my straight impressions:
Track: Time Again - Just a kick-a#* song, get's everybody going. Always loved the cynical lyrics
Wildest Dreams - One of ASIA's strongest, most epic-sounding songs ...
bass is strong as are drums, Steve Howe's guitar sound is weak on this one for some reason, Wetton's voice is sort of weak in places but he pretty much nails the high parts when they come along.
Roundabout - Way better than the orginal Yes version ... totally different vocals of course but heavier and ballsier courtesy of Wetton's rumbling bass and Carl Palmer's heavier drums. Those out there who say this doesn't compare to the Yes version are living in the past. Yes are a prog band / Asia are a ROCK band (a semi-heavy rock band when you hear other tracks like "Soul Survivor" ~ which Wetton absolutely nails the vocals in that one ...)
Without You - This one doesn't really work, live, and I'm not sure why. Now, on the tour, they're doing "Midnight Sun" I think, which is a kooler song anyway. On "Without You" the instrumental breaks are great, the end verse is nice with the chimes and acoustic guitar (of some sort, I don't know enough about guitars to know what it is ...) I don't know, live parts of this song sound choppy.
Cutting It Fine - Kool tune, Geoff does kool job of blending the original intrumental ending with new modern keyboard sounds.
Guitar Solo - Very good but I'm not a fan of that style of guitar playing
Fanfare For Common Man - Asia's version of this just kicks the crap out of everthing, ELP or otherwise ... Steve Howe really shines on this as does Geoff.
Smile Has Left Your Eyes - Still quite the emotional ballad, in a lower key these days but JW sings a couple real powerful notes at the end
Don't Cry - This acoustic version, turning it into a ballad is NOTHING SHORT OF BRILLIANT. If they record some new song that has this type of sound and can get it some airplay with a video it could bring Asia back in a huge way.
Court of Crimson King - Wetton does a good job on this one. The original is a super long sprawling piece of music that defines everything I hate about old-school progressive music. Geoff has his keyboard doing the Mellotron exactly. (Carl really does a kick-a#* job on this one).
Here Comes the Feeling - This is a live version that really works, with JW strongly belting the high notes. Interesting this version is a half-step below the original studio version, but a half-step ABOVE the key Greg Lake sang it in, back at the disastrous Asia in Asia show 12/1983. I own Enko Sai on CD (someone got it for me) and if you listen to both "Here Comes the Feeling"s you hear how Wetton is miles better now, in his late 50s, than Lake was in his 30s at the time of that MTV broadcast show.
(However, Greg Lake's voice was at one point quite good ... I have the live CD of his '81 solo tour) ..... side notes aside this is a good Wetton/Howe creation and it's kool how crisp they wrap up the ending of the song.
VKTRS - My favorite of the non-Asia songs, sounds more rock and it just plain ........ works. Still has that haunting melody at the end: "You
were___________________________ "
The Heat Goes On - Good rockin' song, drum solo shows why Carl is still pretty much the best in the business ... that guy is a monster ..... so-so
Wetton vocals, he doesn't consistently hold that high G in the chorus that's real important in the cut on the record (ALPHA). On the other hand, the live version is more raw, if you hear the studio version off ALPHA that's just an absolutely brilliantly recorded song (perhaps too brilliant?)
Sole Survivor and Only Time Will Tell - Both of these songs just rule!
Amazing how much emotion Wetton put into the verse melody of OTWT. These 2 songs are ASIA, I've always like them both better than "Heat of the Moment"
At least for "Heat of the Moment" this version closing the show has a heavier sound, with a crashing snare/tambourine hit of Carl Palmer and
Geoff using very kool 'voices' on his keyboards in the middle. The jam session at the end is interesting to hear.
Possibly the koolest thing on the whole CD is the acoustic guitar/piano version of "Ride Easy". Just has a kool vibe to it you might not expect from the band ASIA ..... now it would be kool if in future shows they maybe throw in the ALPHA-session b-side "Lying To Yourself", which is a great song.
This CD is just awesome ... These guys are bad-as-he*# musicians, that's
the short the long and the end of it. And the voice of JW (one of the
clearest voices in music) is leading this band ... which is as a band should be. {unless you're Velver Revolver}

ASIA's Live Show Now on CD.......2007-07-17

WOW! If you remeber the early 80's power prog and pop hit makers you'll love this collection. All the Wetton era hits summed up on two CD's. One of the things that caught my ear when I saw ASIA live and on this cd was Carl Palmer's fantastic playing. As a matter of fact the whole band is spot on. If we can only get them to do a DRAMA era yes song.

Average customer rating:

Anita O'Day a Jazz Icon
Anita O'Day at her very best in Tokyo
Anita at her best surfaces after 44 years in the vault

Live in Tokyo '63
Anita O'Day
Manufacturer: Kayo Stereophonics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Essential O'Day: Basin Street West 1964
Waiter, Make Mine Blues
Anita O'Day - Live at Ronnie Scott's
Anita O'Day and the Three Sounds
High Times Hard Times

ASIN: B000MMLPF0
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

Boogie Blues
Trav'lin' Light
Honeysuckle Roe
Avalon
Bewitched
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Night and Day
Let's Fall In Love
Sweet Georgia Brown
Tea For Two
Stella By Starlight
Love For Sale
Get Out Of Town
That Old Feeling
Four Brothers

Album Description

This astounding soundtrack to the 1963 live televised concert from Japan is destined to become the quintessential Anita O'Day concert. Anita is backed by a full orchestra. This particular concert has never been released, until now. It is a classic performance capturing Anita at the pinnacle of her Verve period. Bob Corwin on piano with Toshiyuki Miyama and The All-Star Orchestra and Takeshi Inomata and His West Liners. Arranged by Buddy Bregman.

Customer Reviews:

Anita O'Day a Jazz Icon.......2007-05-14

I first heard Miss Anita O'Day in 1956 at a friends house and have never ceased listning. she was a natural jazz voice and her interpretations of the lyrics swung every time.whether in front of some of biggest bands or small groups. this album is a glowing example and I do not why it so long to be released.

Anita O'Day at her very best in Tokyo.......2007-04-11

Anyone wishing to understand the fully greatness of that most swinging and original of jazz singers need look no further than this sizzling release. Never before on CD, this is an unedited, live concert featuring O'Day fronting a top-notch Japanese band playing her famous arrangements. It's all here: her sensual sound, her hip, flip attitude, her incomparable use of musical time, her unparalleled improvisational gifts, an entire arsenal of talents focused on the task at hand. If you already know and love O'Day, grab this one with confidence. If not, what a voyage of discovery this disc will provide. Freeman Gunter

Anita at her best surfaces after 44 years in the vault.......2007-04-07

Kayo Stereophonic has has a real knock out with this sound track of a TV concert songstress Anita O'Day performed in Tokyo 44 years ago during the acme of her jazz singing career. With a minimum of comments and a maximum of music, the late legend offers 15 of her best-known tunes from her years with Verve and her own Emily label. Kayo has issued or reissued other O'Day CDs in recent years, and this is the best of the bunch. Anita plus fine tunes, sound quality and musicianship from two Japanese groups add up to a real bargain. Agent Robbie Cavolina and producer Takao Ishizuka have outdone themselves in adding this to the Kayo inventory.

Average customer rating:

For Jambased Music Fans Everywhere...
Astounding!
Make my Funk the L-Funk
Diggin on the Live Funk
TOOK A CHANCE

Live in Tokyo
Lettuce
Manufacturer: KUFALA Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Outta Here
Super Heavy Organ
The Zone
Flyin' the Koop
Breakout

ASIN: B0002IYLEG
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

Intro
Nyack
Break Out
The Dump
Kron Dutch
Reunion
Flu The Coop
4 On 6
Squadlive
Break Out Reprise

Album Description

Live in Tokyo captures Lettuce on their November 2003 tour of Japan. After a week of shows the tour climaxed at their Blue Note performance in Tokyo. Taking the greatest moments of that night and condensing it down to one disc was a five month process. Let the Funk begin.

Customer Reviews:

For Jambased Music Fans Everywhere..........2006-01-14

In order to find quality tracks, quality musicians, you must dig in the crates! It took a little while to discover this CD, and I am happy to have stumbled upon this treasure. These cats understand, straight pocket, injecting jazz funk and hip hop flavors through out. Ride with this one. g

Astounding!.......2005-05-11

Absolutely the best cd I've heard in a long, long time! This bad is powerful enough to turn goat p*ss into gasoline! I loved the disc from the time I hit play and on through the last tune. These guys are great and deserve more recognition. Nothing like a great music that makes you wanna move! If you like Soulive, you'll love Lettuce....The Soulive Big Band! Hit me!

Make my Funk the L-Funk.......2005-02-24

As I try to sum up what exactly has drawn me to this group, and how it differs from old school funk, I simply quote Bootsy Collins: "Somebody been messin' with my funk. Funkin' 'round, funkin' with it 'till they funked it up!"

If you want a straight answer, these guys are not only the real deal, but will be what other new funk bands are measured by. These guys are nasty, low-down, self-proclaimed "Defenders of the Funk". I challenge anyone to show these guys down.

If you're a lover of funk, and love to hear how funk can evolve, this album is defnintely for you. Eric Krasno (Soulive)and Adam Deitch (John Scofield Band) have furthered the sound of funk, and this ensemble is right on their wavelength. With the addition of Neal Evans (Soulive) on keys, Lettuce found the missing ingredient from their studio release, "Outta Here", which was a brilliant piece of work in its own right. But in this release, "Kron Dutch" explodes with the most modernized funk sound to date.

If Parliament's P-Funk were the rulemakers for an oppressed society, Lettuce's L-Funk may very well be today's lovers of the oppressed Mother Earth.

Funk on.

Diggin on the Live Funk.......2005-01-21

I'm a big fan of the genre: Soulive, Greyboy Allstars, Galactic, Karl D and all those cats. But as anyone who listens to live music knows: Studio albums fall so short of the live act. It's all about the energy shared by the musicians and the crowd. It is a shared experience. This CD rocked my world from start to finish. I had just come off a wailing Galactic show the night before and I was ready for some funk. Lettuce delivered the produce ( forgive the pun, Just had to) The energy of this live album is off the charts, just some funky cats throwing down some nasty grooves. It comes highly recommended by someone who knows the scene. Pick this one up...you're gonna love it!

Beers

TOOK A CHANCE.......2004-11-11

I'm a Soulive fan so I figurd I'd take a chance, man was I stoked! This live record captures live funk at it's best, not to mention for a live show the sound quality AMAZING!

Live in Tokyo with Special Guest Robben Ford

Average customer rating:

Energy abounds!
Its ok.

Live in Tokyo with Special Guest Robben Ford
Larry Carlton
Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

CARLOS SANTANA & WAYNE SHORTER/LIVE @ MONTREUX JAZZ FEST/CD
Close as You Get
Live
Truth
Live! With Robben Ford

ASIN: B000NVL0AK
Release Date: 2007-03-26

Tracks:

That Road
Burnable
Cold Gold
Rio Samba
Derrick's Blues
Two Bad
Talk to Your Daughter

Album Details

Features a Performance from September Four - Seven 2006 at the Blue Note Tokyo.

Customer Reviews:

Energy abounds!.......2007-07-28

Larry Carlton with special guest Robben Ford `Live in Tokyo'
What a great concept; pairing these two guitar legends, (Carlton and Ford,) together for a live album. Not to mention that between the two of them, their writing and recording credits (solo, and as sidemen) are proverbially incredible. Was there ever a doubt that this would be a great recording? No! As both of these graying guitarists sound as fresh and as sparkling as they did when they first hit the music scene back in the seventies. It's also interesting to note that while Robben has been more of a bluesman over the last few years, it's equally interesting to note how Carlton has gravitated to the blues on recent recordings; (seek out Larry's 2004 `Sapphire Blue;' which is an extremely fine blues instrumental recording.)

The operative word for this album is `energy,' very high and creative energy. All in all there are eight tracks included, four authored by Carlton, two by Ford, a Gabriel Ford track, and the JB Lenoir & Alexis Atkins tune that Robben made famous all over again back in the nineties; `Talk to Your Daughter.' Both guitarists are on every track, and Robben sings on the two closing tunes.

Highlights include; the opening track `That Road' authored by Ford, which is a funky instrumental that simmers and boils, and allows the two gifted ones to work out perfectly trading leads to orgasmic delights, and it's immediately apparent that this is going to be one heck of a night, and recording, and they were just getting started! Carlton's `Rio Samba' opens showcasing Travis Carton's funky bass, (Travis is Carlton's son,) so the apple did not fall far from the tree, and again features Ford's and Carlton's trading leads; which is a true marvel to listen to. `Two Bad' is a slow blues that builds to high intensity, and I was amazed how well they finished each other's guitar phrases. The last two tracks on this extremely fine recording, are sung by Robben, that being `Talk to your Daughter' which is a slick romp through the blues, with tons of energy coming from Carlton and Ford's guitars plus strong vocals from Robben. The closing track `Too Much' is appropriately titled, and once again shows off Robben's vocal depth, and the two guitarist bump and grind to a dirty-filthy (but clean) climax!

`Live in Tokyo' clocks in at over sixty-nine minutes, which is pretty chunky; but given the quality of the performance, and the clean recorded sound, I could have died and gone to heaven had this been a double CD set. That being said, Robben told me that there will be DVD of this performance, plus another Carlton/Ford collaboration (recorded in Pairs) forthcoming. I can't wait!

Musicians: Larry Carlton (guitar), Robben Ford (guitar and vocals), Jeff Babko (keyboards), Toss Panos (drums), Travis Carlton (bass)

Tracks: That Road, Burnable, Cold Gold, Rio Samba, Derrick's Blues, Two Bad, Talk To Your Daughter, Too Much

Artist's Website: http://www.larrycarlton.com http://www.robbenford.com

Bob Putignano www.SoundsofBlue.com

Its ok........2007-05-12

First of all, this is really Robben Ford and Larry Carlton--not the other way around. And with all due respect to those who think Larry Carlton is some kind of mellow jazz god, Robben is the better player (singer, too).

The good news is that Steve Lukather is not on this so there's no "bull in the china shop". The bad news is, these guys pretty much coast through the whole thing. As always, Robben is gutsier, blusier and knocks off some sensational jazz licks. Larry has that nice tone and the volume swells but when he tries to play fast its just a jumble of good, bad and sloppy notes. He's like your friend who's a great guy, but wasn't born funny, trying to tell a joke. The strain is obvious.

Of course, if you're not a guitar player you won't notice any of this. And when the chords are simple, as with Talk To Your Daughter, Larry does fine. In fact, its the best track on the disc. But before you spend the money on this one, why not get On Solid Ground (Larry's last great album) and any Robben Ford and the Blue Line disc.

Average customer rating:

Straight To The Brain!
scary...
The Early Weather Report, Rare and Live!!
sensational early Weather Report!
Intense, electrified free jazz!

Live in Tokyo
Weather Report
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Live and Unreleased
I Sing the Body Electric
Sweetnighter
Procession
Weather Report

ASIN: B000024XGM
Release Date: 1998-01-23

Tracks:

Medley: Vertical Invader/Seventh Arrow/T.H./Doctor Honoris Causa
Medley: Surucucu/Lost/Early Minor/Directions

Tracks:

Orange Lady
Medley: Eurydice/The Moors
Medley: Tears/Umbrellas

Album Details

Recorded live in Tokyo, 1972. Features the line-up of: Wayne Shorter (saxes), Joe Zawinul (keybooards), Miroslav Vitous (bass), Dom Um Romao (percussion) and Eric Gravitt (drums). Complete concert recording on two CD's.

Customer Reviews:

Straight To The Brain!.......2004-04-20

This album is a sample of what the Miles Davis Alumni learned with him. It's so intelligent like many of the Miles' Recordings. Also, in this album you will appreciate Miroslav Vitous as a bass player, let's recognize it: Jaco Pastorius is a really good bass player but Miroslav Vitous is so good as him (and sometimes i think that he's better) because of the really good tone that Vitous gives with is acoustic bass. Eric Gravitt and Dom Um Romao make an excellent percussion and rythm section, Wayne Shorter plays an strange, but good, form of free-fusion jazz and Joe Zawinul is here at his peak of experimentation using ring modulators, rhodes, wah-wah, and some other paraphernalia, its sound sometimes makes you think that there is a guitar player in the stage, but no, it's just Zawinul!. Amazing album with music that makes you follow every single sound, finding so much things every time you listen, that's really, music that goes straight to the brain!

scary..........2003-12-29

... straight up scary. "Lets hit them hard, right from the first note" is what Zawinul is said about this recording. And they (Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, and Miroslav Vitous) do JUST that.

The Early Weather Report, Rare and Live!!.......2003-12-20

"Live In Tokyo" captures the Jazz-rock fusion band Weather Report in a stunning performance at Shibuya Hall in January 1972. The band line-up for the concert consisted of Joe Zawinul on pianos, Wayne Shorter on saxophone, Miroslav Vitous on bass, Eric Gravatt on drums and Dom Um Romao on percussion.
Segments from this album were released as half of the band's second album "I Sing The Body Electric". On this album however, it is a complete 90-minute performance consisting of five lengthy tracks (four of which are continuous suites containing different pieces).
The band was definitely on a musical high during this particular concert displaying a sound that is raw and full of fierce improvisation. Joe Zawinul's keyboard work is at its most experimental here as he modifies his electric piano with a distortion box, wah-wah pedal and a ring modulator. This sometimes gives the impression that there's a guitarist on-stage during the performance when in fact there is no guitar to be heard. His acoustic piano work is also experimental as he sometimes plays it from the inside striking its strings by hand instead of with the keyboard.
Miroslav Vitous's bass work is also at its best here, alternating between acoustic and electric. There are several moments during this album (especially in the opening medley) where Vitous grabs the spotlight with his unique style. His work with the bowed bass on "Orange Lady" is particularly strking and haunting.
Wayne Shorter's sax playing is at its most free form here. It's not exactly like Ornette Coleman or John Coltrane but it is highly improvisational and momentous. His work on the band's studio albums tends to be more refined and subdued but here, Wayne lets it rip and tear.
Drummer Eric Gravatt is a sadly underrated drummer but nonetheless does an outstanding job here. His extended drum solo is the first thing heard on this album. Throughout this performance, he pushes the rhythm with full force.
Percussionist Dom Um Romao also has some moments in the spotlight here. Besides spicing up Gravatt's rhythms with various percussive toys, Romao also has a solo moment in the album's second suite using whistles, a thumb piano and using his own body as an instrument. There is a similar moment in the intro to "Orange Lady".
Overall, the "Live In Tokyo" performance captures the early Weather Report at its very best. This music is extremely agressive and loud. The other live albums from the band ("8:30" and the recent "Live and Unreleased") are a lot mellower compared to this one. "Live In Tokyo" is definitely an essential title if you're a Weather Report fan. If you're new to the band's music, this may not be the place to start, however it certainly is not unlistenable.
This album has yet to be released in the U.S. even after its intial release in Japan over 30 years ago. Hopefully, that will all change in the near future. This is some great music and a great live performance from a great band. Definitely worth checking out.

sensational early Weather Report!.......2001-08-09

On the heels of the slew of 2-disc electric Miles, Sony has released from the vaults the full live Weather Report concert from November 1971 in Tokyo! With Shorter and Zawinul fresh out of Miles' band, this is definitely in that vein -- funky avant jazz fusion, not the catchier radio-friendly "Birdland" of a few years later. I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC has always been one of my 2 favorite Weather Report records, along with MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER, and if you like I SING you're sure to like LIVE IN TOKYO as it's the source of the live portions of that record.

You can clearly hear why the sections that were lifted for I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC were chosen -- they include some of the tightest, punchiest moments of the concert. The highlights of what was left out include Zawinul imitating Miles' muted trumpet with synthesizer in a duet with Gravatt on drums, a dramatic shift from frenetic electric piano to dramatic acoustic piano on one of the first disc medleys, and Shorter cutting loose on the live version of "The Moors." Zawinul's impressionistic "Orange Lady" and Shorter's bop piece "Eurydice," which lead off the second disc, are the least compelling.

This is not "free jazz" -- no need to be quite that intimidated. While LIVE IN TOKYO lacks strong melodies, can be harmonically complex, and is definitely rhythmically complex, Weather Report sticks with Miles in NOT following Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor and the late Coltrane. This quintet can be intensely funky, but they don't stick with the groove as the group would later -- that's part of what makes the overall effect more abstract. Great to hear, after 30 years!

Intense, electrified free jazz!.......2001-04-01

In principle, this live concert from 1972 follows the same approach as Weather Report's self-titled debut: ensemble improvisation where pretty much anything goes. But whereas the debut is a dreamy, laid-back affair, Live in Tokyo is a fierce, aggressive document of a band that was more "free" than "fusion". (Compare this to Miles Davis's 1970 Fillmore concerts, which have a similar point of departure.) Zawinul's playing on the Fender Rhodes is dissonant and processed with primitive electronics, and on the acoustic piano he's all over the place -- from Bill Evans-like meditations to messing around with the piano's innards. Wayne Shorter, little more than sonic wallpaper on some later albums, blows like a madman on the tenor and soprano saxophones. And the rhythm section (Miroslav Vitous, Eric Gravatt, Dom Um Romeo) is the most spontaneous in WR's catalogue, and arguably the most exciting. The music is organized into 5 lengthy medleys, containing some material from Weather Report's debut as well as otherwise unreleased stuff. There's also a compact, blistering version of Zawinul's "Directions". This music is not for the faint of heart (fans of Black Market and Heavy Weather won't find much to like here) but showcases a band at the peak of its abilities. This essential live recording isn't available domestically so snap it up while you can!

Average customer rating:

Live from New York to Tokyo
Ray Brown
Manufacturer: Concord Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Live at Starbucks
Don't Get Sassy
Black Orpheus
Three Dimensional
Summer Wind: Live at the Loa

ASIN: B00008KIYW
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Have You Met Miss Jones?
Meditation
Street of Dreams
Oh, Lady Be Good
That's All
Love Me Tender
How Could You Do a Thing Like This to Me?
Captain Bill

Tracks:

Introductory Announcement
F.S.R. (For Sonny Rollins)
Put Your Little Foot Right Out
Rio
If I Loved You
Introductory Announcement
Summertime
Days of Wine and Roses
Introductory Announcement
Night in Tunisia
Bam Bam Bam

Average customer rating:

Third time's the charm. Gimme a P...Gimme an E...Gimme a T...
Let Alone John's Performance
Worth it for Petrucci's performance alone
Power Trio Triumphs!

Live in Tokyo
G3
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

G3: Live in Tokyo
G3 Live: Rockin' in the Free World
Super Colossal
G3: Live in Concert
An Evening with John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess

ASIN: B000CDSS3G
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

Glasgow Kiss [DVD]
Damage Control [DVD]
Audience Is Listening [DVD]
Building the Church [DVD]
K'M-Pee-Du-Wee [DVD]
Up in Flames [DVD]
Searching [DVD]
War [DVD]
Foxey Lady [DVD]
Grange [DVD]
Smoke on the Water [DVD]
Bonus Material [DVD] [*]

Customer Reviews:

Third time's the charm. Gimme a P...Gimme an E...Gimme a T..........2007-02-17

Each of the three currently available "G3" CDs has its merits, but if I were to pick the "third" player that fits most comfortably with Vai and Satriani, it's GOT to be John Petrucci. That's not a statement about the talents of Eric Johnson OR Yngwie Malmsteen...just an observation on the obvious chemistry found on "Live In Tokyo." Dream Theater...and John Petrucci by default...are part of the second wave, post-Yes / Genesis / ELP / King Crimson school of Progressive Rock. Because of that, Petrucci gets pegged by some as a "prog player" rather than simply a virtuoso guitarist. The jam on "Smoke On The Water" is red hot, as is "La Grange." The playing on "Foxey Lady" is explosive, but Satriani's monotone vocal takes a bit of the edge off. Events like this area always hit and miss, but this one hits so often that the misses are hardly worth mentioning.

Let Alone John's Performance.......2006-06-17

John Petrucci comes first and plays only 2 tracks from his new Album, Suspended Animation 1)Glasgow Kiss and 2)Damage Control. The price is worth only these two songs. I am sure Petrucci sounds a lot lot better live, the trade mark feel in his playing that simply makes you sway your head. Since I have this DVD only once I have seen the whole show and for the rest of the million times I have seen only John performing those 2 tracks.

Vai comes second and Satriani in the last, both played their usual stuff.

In the end all 3 guitar virtuosos came on stage to perform Foxy Lady, the Hendrix classic and once again Petrucci's performance was really outstanding.

Buy this DVD, you won't be disappointed, that's for sure.

Worth it for Petrucci's performance alone.......2006-04-21

This is a great G3 live performance and a superb recording. John Petrucci's performance is mind blowing, even though he only performs two tracks from his new solo CD.

Petrucci in some ways outshines Vai and Satriani on this disc. I think his performance is most impressive when you consider that he is basically backed only by drums and bass - whereas Vai and Satriani are augmented with keyboards and extra (rhythm) guitarists. Petrucci manages to sound like several guitarists ... it's amazing how much sound he gets out of his guitar!

Don't get me wrong - Vai and Satriani's performances are fantastic as well. I think the biggest difference is, Petrucci's material is all new, whereas Vai and Satriani deliver previously released material.

If I was to make any suggestion to Vai and Satriani regarding future G3 releases, it is that they should take opportunity to introduce at least some new material to their fans in a live format. This would probably go a long way to increase the sales of these G3 releases ...

Power Trio Triumphs!.......2005-12-03

Aficionados of power lead guitar will not be disappointed with yet another live offering of G3, this time featuring what could be its most powerful and complementary iteration in Joe, Steve and John Petrucci. Petrucci's playing is simply wonderful, one of the few guys I know that can sweep pick and shred with the best, yet also knows how to bend a wire and produce a melody you can actually whistle along with...to wit, his infectious "Glasgow Kiss" track. Steve, the Jimi of our time, is his usual playful self and sounds more inspired than ever on this live album. Joe simply rules, especially with his weird, trance-inducing Doors-ian tune in "D" that precedes a chugging, kick-arse Up in Flames - his most powerful adrenalin-rush since Summer Song. The boys come together at the end with a classic rock setlist replete with jaw-dropping fretboard acrobatics. Highly recommend purchasing the DVD as a companion to this instant live classic!

Average customer rating:

Can't go wrong with the tunes or the group
Outstanding!

Live in Tokyo at the Blue Note
Mingus Big Band
Manufacturer: Sunny Side
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

At UCLA 1965
Critical Mass
Dizzy's Business
Sonny Please
With Love - Charles Tolliver Big Band

ASIN: B000HIVQIA
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

Wham Bam
Opus Four
Celia
Bird Calls
Meditations
Prayer For Passive Resistance
Free Cell Block F
Ecclusiastics

Customer Reviews:

Can't go wrong with the tunes or the group.......2007-01-15

Based out of New York City and boasting some of the city's finest musicians, the Mingus Big Band is one of four ensembles (the others being the Mingus Dynasty, Mingus Orchestra, and Epitaph Orchestra) dedicated to its namesake's music.
"Live in Tokyo" features new arrangements of eight classic Mingus compositions which span three decades and are delivered with gusto and nuance by the fourteen-members of the MBB.
Half of the tunes are culled from the `50s. "Bird Calls," is Mingus' tribute to Charlie Parker and the gorgeous ballad "Celia," features Craig Handy as the lone soloist.
"Meditations" and "Ecclusiastics" were both composed in the `60s with the latter including trombonist Ku-Umba Frank Lacy fervently preaching from the pulpit of the blues.
The program is rounded out with "Opus Four" and "Free Cell Block F," two gems from the `70s, the latter of which was first performed by Mingus' last great quintet which included saxophonist George Adams and Don Pullen. Originally appearing on the album "Changes Two" with the expanded moniker of "Free Cell Block F, Tiz Nazi U.S.A.," the tunes' breezy theme belies its deadly-serious title and provides an excellent backdrop for inspired solos by Handy on flute, Conrad Herwig and Lacy on trombone, and Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax.

Outstanding!.......2006-09-30

In December of 1976, Charles Mingus and his quintet performed a series of concerts in Tokyo playing a stripped down version of big band arrangements by Mingus, and of those he admired. Thirty years later, the fourteen piece band that keeps the Mingus name as a legacy performed in Tokyo, playing fully orchestrated versions of the songs Mingus' quintet offered Japanese audiences a generation beforehand. Live In Tokyo is a document of this return engagement.

This is an amazing album. From the opening notes of "Wham Bam", to the final moments of "Ecclusiastics", The Mingus Big Band swings and sways through these songs like a typhoon of exalted joy blowing the roof off the famous Blue Note Club. The band is a Who's Who of jazz performers, featuring Eddie Henderson, Jack Walrath, and Alex Sipiagin on trumpets, Abe Burton, Craig Handy, Wayne Escoffery, Seamus Blake, and Ronnie Cuber on saxophones, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Conrad Herwig, and Earl McIntyre on trombones and tuba, Dave Kikowski on piano, Kenny Davis on bass and Jonathan Blake on drums. Big band enthusiasts will find themselves exhausted by the extremely powerful horn arrangements on "Opus Four", "Free Cell Block F", and "Bird Calls"; Escoffery's solo sax on "Prayer for Passive Resistance", Handy's solo arrangement of "Celia" and the smooth, cool jazz of "Meditations", a quartet piece which includes Davis' brilliant bass lines, Handy playing a la Eric Dolphy on Melody Flute, Kikowski's piano and Abe Burton's frenetic sax.

There isn't one false note on Live In Tokyo, and like all great albums, the music stays with you. After listening to the album a third time yesterday, I found myself inadvertently pounding out the back beat by slapping my thighs while waiting for the bus. The album lingers on in my head even now, and I haven't played it since yesterday afternoon. Most importantly, the pleasure the musicians take in playing this date transcends the recording process as each piece pulls you in and makes you feel like you're sitting right there with them.

Live In Tokyo is a marvelous tribute to Mingus. It allows his work to breathe again; grow into directions Mingus would have challenged had he lived long enough. But even if you're not a huge Mingus fan, Live In Tokyo is an extremely solid work which will set your foot tapping and tempt you into turning your living room into a temporary swing club. It is a masterful work of art that allows Mingus to live again in the hearts of jazz aficionados' everywhere.

Average customer rating:

Great Find

Live in Tokyo
Stevie Ray Vaughan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Texas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

10 Days Out (Blues from the Backroads)/ (CD/DVD)
Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues
After Midnight: Live
The Real Deal: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
In Session

ASIN: B0002IVOUU
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Tracks:

Scuttle Buttin'
Say What
Voodoo Chile
Cold Shot
Couldn't Stand the Weather
Tin Pan Alley (Dirty Pool)
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Love Struck Baby
Texas Flood
Lenny

Album Description

Recorded live in Tokyo, 1985 and include's the songs 'Couldn't Stand The Weather', 'Texas Flood', 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' and much more. Masterplan.

Customer Reviews:

Great Find.......2006-07-30

I was unaware that this was available on import and I'm glad I bought it. This live recording features SRV in top form and recorded during a brief period when SRV was practicing sobriaty. This is a strong set featuring 10 crisp, clean songs.

I do have to ding one star for poor editing and a liner note error. The liner notes say that "Lenny" launches into "Testify", acutally you will find "Testify" reprise on "Voodoo Child". Speaking of "Voodoo Child", everyone will agree that the only one to play Hendrix, in the style of Hendrix, better than Hendrix is SRV; however I did find this version of "Voodoo Child" a little self indulgent.

Over all, this is what Live Alive should have been.

Average customer rating:

Musician's Music
Entertaining

Tokyo Live
John Mclaughlin
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Heart of Things
Inner Worlds
Mahavishnu
After the Rain
Live at the Royal Festival Hall

ASIN: B0000046UA
Release Date: 1994-05-17

Tracks:

1 Nite Stand
Hijacked
When Love Is Far Away
Little Miss Valley
Juju At The Crossraods
Vukovar
No Blues
Mattinale

Customer Reviews:

Musician's Music.......2002-01-25

This is a faithful recording of a great tour, wherein Dennis Chambers proclaimed McLaughlin as the "world's greatest guitar player". John sounds and plays as if his instrument were a piano. The modal/funk/bebop form of Hijacked says it all. But I would not recommend this music to someone who cannot play an instrument well, or understand what Ornette did to the school of cool, or what Davis or Coletrane did for fusion -- it will be boring.

Entertaining.......2001-03-28

Although it is tempting to think that The Free Spirits (the trio featured on this CD), due to the similarity of the instrumentation (guitarist John McLaughlin, organist Joey DeFrancesco and drummer Dennis Chambers), would be an updating of Tony Williams's groundbreaking fusion group Lifetime, the reality is somewhat different. McLaughlin may get top billing but this music sounds very much like a Joey DeFrancesco-led Jimmy Smith revival date with most of the selections being blues-based. There are some introspective moments for the guitarist (who plays strictly electric here) but DeFrancesco dominates the ensembles and takes the lion's share of the solo space. The music is enjoyable enough although none of the compositions (all but Miles Davis's "No Blues" are by McLaughlin) are all that memorable.

R&B Music:

Recommended Music:

Mozart Mass in C Major, KV 220

when you dream

Millennium 60's Rock Party

Malu

Live...We Come Rejoicing [Live]

In My Father's House

Music of Romania & Hungary [Import]

Missa Laetare Nova Sion

Magic and Loss

La Casbah Paris [Import]

Mind on the Prize [Explicit Lyrics]

Pure Praise: Lamb of God

If I Ever Fall in Love