John Wetton, Robin George, Carl Palmer, Don Airey / Marquee 1986 Second Night / 1CD

John Wetton, Robin George, Carl Palmer, Don Airey / Marquee 1986 Second Night / 1CD / Virtuoso

Translated Text:
Live at Marquee Club, London, UK 5th June 1986

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Asia activities stop to have been in 1986, performances that were made phantom in marquee club of legend to June 5 will finally revived this week in the excellent quality of the sound board level !! “GO this sound source from Ayanami label in the past CLUBBING! 2 (Ayanami-021) “and” WET DREAMZ (Ayanami-177) “I’ve been recorded music media of the title it also long ago talking about that. And because in even release “WET DREAMZ” of the latter, which was released as upper version at that time was October 11th of 2002, you have passed whopping this month by a circle in ’12. This time again diligently scrutinized to the end from the beginning the master tape using the latest 2014 equipment, with carefully that was subjected to a re-mastered from their past sound image was realized superb sound quality that does not even compare to. No sound fluctuation has been found here and there in its outstanding panel and hiss to perfect, you’ll stable sound image without blur is surprised definitely how the rise in rich sound texture. The static clef nor increased growth of reverberant sound in that was adjusted with extreme caution, width and depth of the depth of the range will play a dramatic upgrade of the more able to understand your intuition. High resolution of the decisive sound because there is no chance that was obtained by reviewing the sound with the latest equipment, making it as a final decision version of this sound source and appeared in the press on CD + Picture disc specification !!

Those who avid fan you think you know, but this performance is one of those special, even the history of long Asia. Originally “NORDOFF-ROBBINS MUSIC THERAPY CENTER LTD.” That which was done for the facility, it was AID concert for Music Therapy (an attempt to treat mental disorders children by music). Members in addition to the John Wet ‘n’, Carl Palmer, Robin George, Don Airey, has become a five organization of the participating Phil Manzanera as a special guest, strictly speaking, not Asia “and John Wetton And Friends “the thing that was done in the name of. But originally it live was going to do in Asia name, it was about producing Wet ‘n’ itself was moving to do for that. But the Downs at that time becomes impossible to participate in because it was busy with producing the GTR, no longer Mandy Mayer and tour surrounding “ASTRA” (※ sales had been planned world tour from the spring of strong if ’86) is since already and Asia in was it was moving in a different schedule not match the convenience, will be forced to reconsider the review and the band name of the member. So was the spotlight on most of the stomach was Robin. Why this is a certain sense of course speaking of what was he, before he than Mandy became a formal member in the “ASTRA”, because it was the player that had been sounded the Asia join as successor guitarist Howe. At that time of Robin seems to have turned down the offer because it was busy solo album production, this time is like it was also decided to participate in order to end the schedule was open. Manzanera is and that Wet ‘n’ there was a contest history to Roxy Music era, at just this time (March to August ※ 86 years), that it was during the recording of a release to the next ’87 “WETTON / MANZANERA” from Wet ‘n’ itself is like there was a participation request. Whether it is the unknown was called with the same kind of reason with respect to Don, but at that time Wet ‘n’ Since When I began to have a relationship to the producer of the band VOW WOW of Japan, you might have been introduced in the human network connection. Thus started to move was this lineup is the name what it is but not in Asia, also from center members two of Asia is is a translation also said that Asia as a separate project that was done only in Asia activities stop, to say that it was a very important live There is not. This work such June 5, 86, is the sound of the second day, the last day of performances that did twice in this project have been recorded in ultra superb sound quality !!

There is a first band call moderated by at the beginning, but this is the description as of about origins of the preceding band has become a “John Wetton, Robin George, Carl Palmer, Don Airey” rather than Asia. Also this band call was also a for its outstanding panel was the unreleased part, has become a time that first recording. “Sole Survivor” in Vie sound has blossomed to was not in Asia up to ’83 from ride to, you will be surprised to rich amplitude of mids that have been refurbished by re-mastering. Unlike the performance of the day before the 4th, this day is also why the Wet ‘n’ that is to crush the voice dummy voice slightly singing is very impressive. “Only Time Will Tell” in decorated the introduction part in the brushwork of heavy sound, the sound output also its outstanding panel of slapping sound and the keyboard of the hi-hat, such as sparkling and over time transfer sound output about the glossy not be compared you. In the finale part there is a scene that is played by studded original phrase in the interpretation seems to Don, would not this situation also listen miss. “Go Down Fighting” is a wild solo song of the robin, please note that the base of motility Yuku is brilliantly played stronger than its outstanding panel. Vie of yet Kyokuso also there is a sharp sense of vibrant playing magic of this lineup to have, you run through the ear with strong out sound. In playing with four people up over here, will start special guest Phil Manzanera is joined as to become a five organized “Keep On Loving Yourself” after the finale.

It is this “Keep On Loving Yourself,” but, this song was originally song leaked from the album “ALPHA” 83 years in the unreleased song of Asia (※ original title “Keep The Love Alive”). Although the following year 1987 of this live is recorded in “WETTON / MANZANERA” will also be the 1st single to become the lead track of the album (US Edition Promo-only), the state of one step before the song becomes a complete form here to interesting things things have been showing off. This In other words “ALPHA” is also mean that it can be said that listen those in rework of this song leaked from recording, and I would say that the very valuable playing also in documentary. Guitar difference of approach of in the scale and middle of development of the melody line is the same as the final version after the introduction part (near the vicinity of ~ 45 seconds 4 minutes 10 seconds), until further late 5 minutes and 39 seconds near-finale such as organized has not been unstable deployment, and completed forms were housed in album after it is where the interesting differences will be seen here and there. Also we approach the drum also quite unlike the finished version, but this is because it curls rather than the finished version of Alan White is’re banging the drum, this also let’s say a very important topics. Because it should curl of here because there is experience that you play or heard several times this song in demo track of the time “ALPHA” production, and beating remembering the rhythm approach of the Asia unreleased time it is because you think. In other words, when you read too much into, here is respect in to listen playing rhythm surface drumming it is being presumed that have left some extent the 82 year-end ~ ’83 early Asia of unreleased time vestiges.

“Do not Cry” is screaming the is still messed up lyrics Wet ‘n’, but spicy groove sense of play and hook other than the introduction section boasts the strength of one of the best in Asia in history, here and probably the origin of the flower hard sound in Asia after the approach with Hana at Vie to the. Finale of way are also unusual, style to stop all at once the groove in the way off thingy the music because I had been followed even when formed again in ’89, of the template has appeared in performances of this ’86 it is interesting place is. Robin song “Heartline” in good playing his charm was stand out, is the scene of his characteristic that high had been evaluated as a multi-player is out to fully from that time. To glittering ornament of Don everywhere come out impressive in also have given the color, will keep you moisten the feverish slapping sound also greatly ear drum which increased the more powerful in the re-mastering effect. “The Smile Has …” is a scene that singing of Don-specific expression and Wet ‘n’ plays a strange fusion. Here I would like to note it would be duo style of “accompaniment was the sound of the synth to the spindle + singing” (※ point is not a “piano” single tone + singing is the liver). It does not mean there is no sound output of electric piano, Don has to fight this to the sound of the strings system is kept to a minimum in the main, this also has become an example to others that there is no performance in the long Asia history of . Since the re-mastering effect to feel deeply the amplitude from the left and right which can not be felt in its outstanding panel is also great, here is how the sound output also by all means please attention.

“Honky Tonk Woman” In playing force of this lineup unique Stones is listening in mono, I will come out in the best sound is bluesy expression that pushed the goodness of the original song was reborn. Also you hear the rhythm sounds like a sudden synth drums in this song, but this is is because Carl is beating down guitar type of shoulder-synth drum (?) From the neck (※ in this work for this instrument accompanying bonus DVDR: since it has been described in the section “MARQUEE 1986 2ND NIGHT REHEARSALS”, please refer to fit). Finale part fueled place in beats speedy perfect score is curl in the guitar type shoulder synth drum from, Don is I can enjoy thrilling keyboard solo in a way that responds to the will to Yuku unusual contest expand it. “Dangerous Music” In hit the spot in again Robin, he seems wild rock ‘n’ roll will be fully open in the deep expression of carving. Somewhat forcibly of Carl drum solo in the middle part (※ here use a real drum) has been included. However, interestingly here solo you are showing off in it played a reunion Asia is in the summer of 1990 it is that it is very similar to it was unveiled in was carried out in East Berlin “EAST MEETS WEST FESTIVAL” “the Heat Goes On” shortening solo that was included in the song. This is probably the Reashin that it is found that the configuration of the drum solo that was doing 90 years had already been completed at this point. From “Back In The USSR” of the Beatles making it the encore, but here also hiss and slightly noticeable already issued board is played in sunny sound image of different things of sight, due you abuse a bad throat of tone very also looming in a more vivid close sound singing of Wet ‘n’ that has become a thing. “Heat Of The Moment” also presents a Inshobuka that does not listen to the other is singing and its cloudy voice, but distorted, including a unique introduction part that enters from the guitar, and of five organized specific melody not in Asia bulge you should enjoy serving in colorful sound output.

The band of the Japanese edition LP of the album, which was released in next ’87 “WETTON / MANZANERA” as the lead character name catch that “the British Empire trance” dance, new as Asia will be released in 1988 in the liner notes will also be home more of your memory that the effect had been written. Consequently it was not fulfilled in the schedule and circumstances of each member, but playing and, Wet ‘n’ of the profile to the variety of song selection that has been released from the pressure and tension of as Asia, including the cover songs you listen here and to but will not come out well, what name “John Wetton And Friends” in Aredo, the sound that was solidified with famous mu Jean of all British people would just say that “the British Empire half asleep”. Please try this name sound of the fan must listen to existence and Potsun blank period of Asia this weekend. Playing content, of course, brilliant sound of the 2014 edition carefully was remastered using the latest equipment is dismissed in the past already issued board, a confidence that you are able to deeply happy with the finish of the different-level best sound have. Definitive edition of trust of Virtuoso label is ’86 Asia ≒ John Wetton shoot And Friends, please please expect !!


エイジアが活動停止していた1986年、6月5日に伝説のマーキークラブで行われた幻の公演がサウンドボードレベルの優良音質で今週いよいよ蘇ります!!この音源は過去にAyanamiレーベルから『GO CLUBBING ! 2 (Ayanami-021) 』や『WET DREAMZ (Ayanami-177)』というタイトルで音盤化されていましたがそれも遠い昔の話。当時アッパー版としてリリースされた後者の『WET DREAMZ』でさえリリースは2002年の10月11日でしたから、なんと今月で丸12年も経っています。今回は2014年最新機材を使用してマスターテープを頭から終わりまでつぶさに精査し直し、丁寧にリマスタリングを施した事でそれら過去の音像とは比べ物にすらならない極上音質が実現しました。既発盤で散見された音揺れとヒスノイズがパーフェクトに無くなり、ブレの無い安定した音像が質感豊かなサウンドで立ち上がる様子に間違いなく驚かれるでしょう。また静音部も細心の注意を払って調整した事で残響音の伸びも増し、音域の幅と奥行きの深さが直感でお分り戴けるほどの劇的なアップグレードを果たしています。最新機材で音を精査して得られた隙の無い高解像度の決定的サウンドゆえ、この音源の最終決定版としてプレスCD化+ピクチャーディスク仕様での登場となっています!!

熱心なファンの方は御承知とは思いますが、この公演は長いエイジアの歴史上でも特別なもののひとつです。元々は” NORDOFF-ROBBINS MUSIC THERAPY CENTER LTD. “という施設の為に行われたもので、ミュージック・セラピー(音楽によって精神障害児を治療する試み)の為のAIDコンサートでした。メンバーはジョン・ウエットン、カール・パーマー、ロビン・ジョージ、ドン・エイリーに加え、特別ゲストとしてフィル・マンザネラが参加しての5人編成となっており、厳密にはエイジアでなく” John Wetton And Friends “という名義で行われたものです。しかし本来はエイジア名義でやるつもりだったライブで、その為にプロデュースもウエットン自身がやって動いていたほどでした。でも当時のダウンズがGTRのプロデュースで多忙だった為に参加が不可能となり、マンディ・メイヤーも『ASTRA』にまつわるツアー(※セールスが好調なら86年の春からワールドツアーが予定されていた)が無くなった事で既にエイジアとは別のスケジュールで動いていたので都合が合わず、メンバーの見直しとバンド名義の再考を余儀なくされます。そこでイの一番にスポットを当てたのがロビンでした。何故彼だったかと言えばこれは或る意味当然で、彼は『ASTRA』で正式メンバーになったマンディよりも前に、ハウの後任ギタリストとしてエイジア加入を打診されていたプレイヤーだったからです。当時のロビンはソロアルバム製作に忙しかったのでそのオファーを断ったそうですが、この時はそれも終わりスケジュールが開いていた為に参加が決まった様です。マンザネラはウエットンがロキシー・ミュージック時代に競演歴があった事と、ちょうどこの時期(※86年3月~8月)、翌87年にリリースとなる『WETTON / MANZANERA』のレコーディング中だった事でウエットン自身から参加要請があった様です。ドンに関してはどういった理由で呼ばれたのかは不明ですが、当時ウエットンは日本のバンドVOW WOWのプロデュースに関わりを持ち始めた頃なので、その人脈繋がりで紹介されたのかもしれません。こうして動き出したこの布陣は名義こそエイジアではないものの、エイジアの中心メンバー2人がエイジア活動停止中に唯一やった別プロジェクトとしてのエイジアとも言える訳ですから、大変重要なライブであったことは言うまでもありません。本作はそんな86年6月5日、このプロジェクトで2回やった公演の2日目・最終日の音源が超極上音質で収録されているのです!!

まず冒頭で司会によるバンドのコールがありますが、これがエイジアではなく”John Wetton, Robin George, Carl Palmer, Don Airey”となっているのは先のバンドの成り立ちについての説明通りです。またこのバンドコールは既発盤には未収録だった部分でもあり、今回が初収録となっています。「Sole Survivor」ではのっけから83年までのエイジアには無かったへヴィなサウンドが花開き、リマスタリングによって一新された中音域の豊かな振幅に驚かれるでしょう。前日4日の公演と違い、この日何故か声を潰してダミ声気味になっているウエットンの歌唱も大変印象的です。「Only Time Will Tell」では重たい音の筆致で導入部が飾られ、煌くようなハイハットの打音とキーボードの出音も既発盤とは比べ物にならないほど艶やかに出音してゆきます。終曲部ではドンらしい解釈でオリジナルのフレーズを散りばめて弾いているシーンがあり、この様子も聴き逃せないでしょう。「Go Down Fighting」はロビンのワイルドなソロ曲で、ベースの運動性が既発盤よりも強く鮮やかに再生されてゆく事に御注目下さい。へヴィな曲想でありながらも躍動するメリハリ感があるこの布陣の演奏マジックが、力強い出音で耳を駆け抜けます。以上ここまでが4人での演奏で、終曲後に特別ゲストとしてフィル・マンザネラが加わって5人編成となり「Keep On Loving Yourself」がスタートします。

この「Keep On Loving Yourself」ですが、この曲は元々エイジアの未発表曲で83年のアルバム『ALPHA』から漏れた曲(※原題は「Keep The Love Alive」)でした。このライブの翌年1987年に『WETTON / MANZANERA』に収録されてアルバムのリードトラックとなり1stシングル(US盤プロモオンリー)にもなりますが、興味深い事にここでは曲が完成形になる一歩手前の状態のものが披露されています。これは言い換えると『ALPHA』収録から漏れたこの曲の手直し中のものが聴けるとも言える訳で、資料的にも非常に貴重な演奏と言えるでしょう。メロディラインは後の完成版と同じですが導入部の尺と中盤の展開部(4分10秒付近~45秒付近)に於けるギターのアプローチの違い、更に終盤5分39秒付近~終曲までの整理されていない不安定な展開など、後のアルバムに収められた完成形とは違いが散見されるのが興味深いところです。またドラムのアプローチも完成版とは随分違っていますが、これはドラムを叩いているのが完成版のアラン・ホワイトではなくカールだからで、これも非常に重要なトピックスと言えましょう。何故ならここでのカールは『ALPHA』製作時のデモトラックで何度かこの曲を聴いたかプレイした経験がある筈だからで、そのエイジア未発表曲時期のリズム・アプローチを思い出して叩いていると思われる為です。つまり深読みすると、ここで聴ける演奏のリズム面・ドラミングに関しては82年末~83年初頭のエイジア未発表曲時期の面影を或る程度残していると推察されるのです。

「Don’t Cry」はウエットンが相変わらず滅茶苦茶な歌詞をワメいていますが、導入部以外の演奏とフックの効いたグルーヴ感はエイジア史上でも屈指の力強さを誇っており、ここでのへヴィで華のあるアプローチは後のエイジアで花開くハードなサウンドの起点と言えるでしょう。終曲の仕方も一風変わっており、楽曲をブツ切る様にしてグルーヴを一斉に止めるスタイルは89年の再結成時にも踏襲されていましたから、その雛形がこの86年の演奏で現れているのは興味深いところです。ロビンの曲「Heartline」は彼の魅力が浮き出た好演奏で、当時からマルチプレイヤーとして高く評価されていた彼の持ち味が存分に出ているシーンです。随所で印象的に出てくるドンのきらびやかな装飾音も彩りを与えていますし、リマスタリング効果でより迫力を増したドラムの熱っぽい打音も大いに耳を潤してくれるでしょう。「The Smile Has…」はドン特有の表現とウエットンの歌唱が不思議な融合を果たしているシーンです。ここで注目したいのは「シンセの音色を主軸にした伴奏+歌唱」というデュオ・スタイルでしょう(※”ピアノ”単体の音色+歌唱ではない点がキモです)。エレキピアノの出音が無い訳ではありませんが、ドンはこれを最小限に抑えてストリングス系のサウンドをメインに勝負しており、これも長いエイジアの歴史で他に例が無いパフォーマンスとなっています。既発盤では感じられなかった左右からの振幅を深く感じるリマスタリング効果も絶大ですので、ここは出音の様子も是非御注目下さい。

ストーンズの「Honky Tonk Woman」ではこの布陣ならではの演奏力が聴きモノで、原曲の良さを押し上げたブルージーな表現が生まれ変わった極上サウンドで出てきます。またこの曲で突然シンセドラムの様なリズム音が聴こえますが、これはカールがギター型のショルダー・シンセドラム(?)を首から下げて叩いている為です(※この楽器については本作に付属するボーナスDVDR『MARQUEE 1986 2ND NIGHT: REHEARSALS』の項で記述していますので、合わせて御参照下さい)。終曲部からはそのギター型ショルダーシンセドラムでカールが疾走感満点のビートで場を煽り、ドンがそれに応える形でスリリングな鍵盤ソロが展開してゆく異例の競演が楽しめます。「Dangerous Music」では再びロビンにスポットが当たり、彼らしいワイルドなロックンロールが彫りの深い表現で全開になります。中間部にはやや強引にカールのドラムソロ(※こちらは本物のドラムを使用)をインクルードしていますが、興味深いことにここで披露しているソロは再結成を果たしたエイジアが1990年の夏に東ベルリンで行った” EAST MEETS WEST FESTIVAL “で披露した「The Heat Goes On」曲中にインクルードした短縮ソロに酷似している事です。これは90年にやっていたドラムソロの構成が既にこの時点で完成していた事が分かるレアシーンと言えるでしょう。ビートルズの「Back In The USSR」からはアンコールとなっていますが、ここもヒスノイズが若干目立った既発盤とは別物の視界の晴れた音像で再生され、調子の悪い喉を酷使したせいで大変な事になっているウエットンの歌唱もより生々しく近い音で迫ってきます。「Heat Of The Moment」もその濁った声と歌唱が他では聴けない印象深さを呈していますが、歪んだギターから入る独特の導入部を含め、エイジアには無い5人編成特有の旋律の膨らみが色鮮やかな出音でお楽しみ戴ける筈です。

翌87年にリリースされたアルバム『WETTON / MANZANERA』の日本盤LPの帯にはリード文字として「大英帝国夢うつつ」という名キャッチが躍り、ライナーノーツには1988年にエイジアとしての新作がリリースされる旨が書かれていたのを御記憶の方も居られるでしょう。結果的にそれは各メンバーのスケジュールや諸事情で成就しませんでしたが、しかしここで聴ける演奏や、カバー曲を含む選曲の多彩さにはエイジアとしての重圧や緊張感から解放されたウエットンの横顔がよく出ていますし、名称こそ” John Wetton And Friends “ではあれど、全員イギリス人の名だたるミュージャンで固めたそのサウンドはまさに「大英帝国夢うつつ」と言えるでしょう。今週末はエイジアの空白期にポツンと存在するファン必聴のこの名音源を是非お試し下さい。演奏内容は勿論、最新機材を使って丁寧にリマスタリングした2014年版の鮮やかなサウンドは過去の既発盤を一蹴し、レベルの違う極上の音の仕上がりに深く御満足して戴ける自信作となっています。信頼のVirtuosoレーベルが放つ86年エイジア≒John Wetton And Friendsの決定版、どうぞ御期待下さい!!

(71:24)
1. Intro. 2. Sole Survivor 3. Only Time Will Tell 4. Go Down Fighting 5. Keep On Loving Yourself 
6. Don’t Cry 7. Heartline 8. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes 9. Honky Tonk Women 10. Keyboard Solo 
11. Dangerous Music 12. Drum Solo 13. Dangerous Music(reprise) 14. Time Again 15. Back In The USSR
16. Heat Of The Moment

John Wetton – Bass, Vocal Robin George – Guitar, Vocal Carl Palmer – Drums
Don Airey – Keyboards Phil Manzanera – Guitar(Special Guest)

Virtuoso 199

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