Michael Schenker Fest / Osaka 2016 / 2CD

Michael Schenker Fest / Osaka 2016 / 2CD / Zodiac

Translated Text:
Live at Zepp Namba, Osaka, Japan 23rd August 2016

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Best live albums of the dream of the feast “MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST” is appeared in the press 2CD! Last year also came to Japan with the GRAHAM BONNET BAND, Michael Schenker for his wowed by the miracle of the guest co-star. Also even depression two steps one step further this time, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, three singer Robin McAuley, further of the golden age MSG rhythm Chris Glen and Ted McKenna, even to Steve Mann of McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP confluence. The I me to re-visit to Japan in the luxury lineup, such as to sum up the “M.S.G. first 10 years”. Impact if additional performances of the 2016 problems due to the venue shortage did not precisely realized, but now all three great success to see performances both in recent years rare. First, let’s review the 3 performances.

– August 23: Zepp Namba [this work] – August 24, 2011: Tokyo International Forum “TOKYO 2016”
“One day off & move”
– August 26: Zepp Sapporo

More than 3 performances. This work is the audience album that contains the first day, “August 23, Zepp Namba concert 2016” among them. This live, also we report in the gift album “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016” the other day, this work is quite another recording. Kano virtuoso is “the strongest taper West” Mr. of a single that was recorded. Is a virtuoso in the virtuoso that centered on HR / HM system has been a string of violent, high-quality recording, but it was Please also doing this time! And from Gift album “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016,” but “this is that? Not the press,” We received a large reputation and, this work is wonderful over the wheel. Just So You Know for the honor of “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016”, but the Kano gift album was also a really great record. In fact, hesitation which of the two master to hesitation or press, as voted by the staff full force. If honestly say, recording itself of arsenide is more of “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016” one step …… No, was as good as the fingertips of the foot. However, this work is compatible with digital mastering was outstanding. “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016” also have been made mastering but, whereas the growth margin was small, this work is about add If you add the hand, went growing rapidly. In addition, Michael of guitar sounds, Graham of vocals vivid, natural leave!
To everyone not to touch the recording of iodine, such sense to the back stage to talk about is, but you might not, this work is of a recording that winners of the fierce “top recording competition” so. It became the the decisive factor is “the thickness of the musical tone.” Gift album “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016,” but was also clear, is still the musical tone of the large-boned to burst. There are reasons for this. In fact, became the site “Zepp Namba”, the bass is a strong venue, had sound making also to boost the base of this band. In fact, the original sound has Kirai bass is too strong, there was also a weak point. However, such a bass that you are carefully appointed with the musical tone boned is, clear of is intact, it was also able to achieve both until a clear sense of preeminent.
In addition, another point of the recordings position. Gift album “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016”, which was recorded on the first floor arena, this work is of a second floor recording. Therefore, a minimum audience noise is in this work. This time, it was only in the audience also ferocious enthusiasm feast of the miracle. “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016”, which had been caught in high-quality sound, while the middle of such enthusiasm, this work while laying under eyes a frenzy, it is essentially the balance of what de straight musical tone dominates all. Of course, when it comes to the second floor is what will come out the distance from the stage, but there are big appeal of the “strongest Mr.”. Making full use of sophisticated equipment and settings, it had distorted yank the space-time to just the side of the stage.
Although I have become long in the story of the sound, it is the is drawn in its quality, dazzling with three singer “miracle of the feast”. We previously mentioned in the discussion of “LIVE IN OSAKA 2016”, singing voice of Baden that was stuck in soul, singing voice of Graham approaching in a strong force voice more than last year, and enjoy singing voice of Macquarie do not know the decline is plenty. Again, the largest to hear what the “Dancer”. Although me also sang the “Assault Attack”, “Desert Song” in last year’s visit to Japan, M.S.G. Catchy ultra-classic has finally Japan premiere of the stamp. Moreover, rhythm is because you of Chris & Ted genuine “Apocalypse”, rhythm one beat, guitar 1 sound, down to one word 1 of the lyrics, is a moment to be swept away in the ferocious deep emotion ….
Also, (although choosing a person) Macquarie also intense to no less. But we have finally the realization was of this production, “Save Yourself” to “This Is My Heart” ……… McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP era is calling still pros and cons are aware -ply, I would by all means to those who love also that era Thailand. That beautiful voice is I listen without an inch of decline! No, it might have become rather cleverly. But is McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP that was not loved by the era, the catchy classics Macquarie sang for the growth in SCORPIONS beams, Michael is severely also cry painful. But we also will report the Japan tour in 1988 “BUDOKAN 1988 1ST NIGHT (ZODIAC 190)” The other day, the sound of magnitude of this work of extensive technological innovation! Electric Robin & Michael listen …… in this sound. This joy, this excitement. McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP also while I love, I think we’ll sympathize if the person who has been loved the underground sound source.

Fulfill all the dreams of the Schenker fan, MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST went running across Japan in all three performances. The first day, one of the best in Japan, is the best product name recording artist of HM / HR world stamp is fully recorded. Just sorry the “summer of Memories”, live album coming rocked the hard rock life itself. This weekend, we will deliver to you your hand.

夢の饗宴“MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST”の極上ライヴアルバムがプレス2CDで登場です! 昨年もGRAHAM BONNET BANDと共に来日し、奇跡のゲスト共演で沸かせてくれたマイケル・シェンカー。今回はさらに一歩も二歩も踏み込み、ゲイリー・バーデン、グラハム・ボネット、ロビン・マッコーリーのシンガー3人、さらに黄金期M.S.G.のリズム隊クリス・グレン&テッド・マッケンナ、McAULEY SCHENKER GROUPのスティーヴ・マンまでもが合流。“M.S.G.最初の10年”を総括するような豪華な布陣で再来日してくれたのです。会場不足による2016年問題の影響か追加公演こそ実現しませんでしたが、全3公演とも近年希に見る大盛況となりました。まずは、その3公演を確認してみましょう。

・8月23日:Zepp Namba 【本作】
・8月24日:東京国際フォーラム 『TOKYO 2016』
《1日オフ&移動》
・8月26日:Zepp Sapporo

以上の3公演。本作は、その中でも初日「2016年8月23日Zeppなんば公演」を収めたオーディエンス・アルバムです。このライヴは、先日もギフト・アルバム『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』でレポートいたしましたが、本作はまったくの別録音。かの名手“西日本最強テーパー”氏が記録した1本なのです。HR/HM系を中心に猛烈な高音質録音を連発している名手中の名手ですが、今回もやってくださいました! ギフト盤『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』からして「これがプレスじゃないの?」と大評判をいただきましたが、本作は輪をかけて素晴らしい。『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』の名誉のために申し上げておきますが、かのギフト・アルバムも本当に素晴らしい録音だったのです。実際、2つのマスターのどちらをプレスするか迷いに迷い、スタッフ総出で投票したほど。正直に申し上げると、素の録音自体は『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』の方が一歩……いえ、足の指先ほど優れていました。しかし、本作はデジタル・マスタリングとの相性が抜群だった。『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』もマスタリングを施していますが、その伸びしろが小さかったのに対し、本作は手を加えれば加えるほど、どんどん伸びていった。しかも、マイケルのギターサウンドも、グラハムのヴォーカルも生々しく、ナチュラルなままに!
素の録音に触れない皆さまに、こんな裏舞台をお話ししても意味がないかも知れませんが、本作はそれほど熾烈な“トップ録音競争”を勝ち抜いた録音なのです。その決め手となったのは「楽音の太さ」。ギフト盤『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』もクリアでしたが、さらに骨太の楽音が炸裂するのです。これには理由がある。実は、現場となった“Zeppなんば”は、低音が強い会場で、今回のバンドの音作りもベースをブーストさせていた。実際のところ、原音は低音が強すぎるきらいがあり、そこはウィークポイントでもありました。しかし、そんな低音をていねいに整えてることで楽音の骨太さ、クリアさはそのままに、バツグンの透明感までも両立できたのです。
さらに、もう1ポイントなのが録音ポジション。ギフト盤『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』は、1階アリーナで録音されましたが、本作は2階席録音なのです。そのため、本作にはオーディエンス・ノイズが最小限。今回は奇跡の饗宴だけに観客も猛烈な熱狂でした。『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』は、そんな熱狂の最中ながら高音質に捉えていましたが、本作は熱狂を眼下に敷きながら、あくまでもド・ストレートな楽音こそが総てを支配するバランスなのです。もちろん、2階席となるとステージから距離が出てしまうものですが、そこは“最強氏”の腕の見せどころ。精緻な機材とセッティングを駆使し、ステージのすぐ側にまで時空間をグイッと歪めてしまったのです。
サウンドの話で長くなってしまいましたが、そのクオリティで描かれるのは、シンガー3人とのめくるめく“奇跡の饗宴”。すでに『LIVE IN OSAKA 2016』の解説でも触れましたが、魂にこびりついたバーデンの歌声、昨年を超えるド迫力ヴォイスで迫るグラハムの歌声、そして衰えを知らないマッコーリーの歌声がたっぷりと味わえる。やはり、最大の聞きものは「Dancer」。昨年の来日でも「Assault Attack」「Desert Song」を歌ってくれましたが、M.S.G.きってのキャッチーな超名曲がついに日本初公開。しかも、リズム隊は正真正銘『黙示録』のクリス&テッドなのですから、リズム1拍、ギター1音、歌詞の単語1つに至るまで、猛烈な感慨に押し流されるひとときです……。
また、(人を選ぶものの)マッコーリーも負けず劣らずに強烈。ついに実現した本生の「Save Yourself」に「This Is My Heart」………McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP時代が未だに賛否を呼んでいるのは重々承知しておりますが、あの時代も愛する方に是非とも申し上げたい。あの美声が寸分の衰えなく聴けるのです! いや、むしろ巧くなっているかも知れない。時代に愛されなかったMcAULEY SCHENKER GROUPですが、SCORPIONSばりにキャッチーな名曲をマッコーリーが伸びやかに歌い、マイケルが激しくも切なく泣く。先日も1988年の来日公演『BUDOKAN 1988 1ST NIGHT(ZODIAC 190)』をレポートいたしましたが、技術革新を重ねた本作のサウンドはケタ違い! このサウンドでエレクトリックなロビン&マイケルが聴ける……。この嬉しさ、この感動。McAULEY SCHENKER GROUPも愛しつつ、アンダーグラウンド音源を愛されてきた方なら共感していただけるのではないでしょうか。

すべてのシェンカー・ファンの夢を叶え、全3公演で日本を駆け抜けていったMICHAEL SCHENKER FEST。その初日を、日本でも屈指の、HM/HR界きっての名録音家が記録しきった極上品です。単に“ひと夏の想い出”では済まない、ハードロック人生そのものを揺さぶってくるライヴアルバム。今週末、あなたのお手元へお届けいたします。

Disc 1 (48:14)
1. Intro 2. Opening S.E. 3. Into the Arena 4. Attack of the Mad Axeman (with Gary Barden)
5. Victim of Illusion (with Gary Barden) 6. Armed and Ready (with Gary Barden)
7. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (with Gary Barden) 8. Coast to Coast
9. Assault Attack (with Graham Bonnet) 10. Desert Song (with Graham Bonnet)
11. Dancer (with Graham Bonnet, Gary Barden & Robin McAuley)

Disc 2 (46:16)
1. Captain Nemo 2. This Is My Heart (with Robin McAuley) 3. Save Yourself (with Robin McAuley)
4. Love Is Not a Game (with Robin McAuley) 5. Shoot Shoot (with Robin McAuley)
6. Rock Bottom (with Robin McAuley)
7. Doctor Doctor(with Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet & Robin McAuley)

Michael Schenker – Guitar Gary Barden – Vocal Graham Bonnet – Vocal Robin McAuley – Vocal
Chris Glen – Bass Ted McKenna – Drums Steve Mann – Guitar, Keyboards

ZODIAC 195

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