BAND / Tokyo 1983 / 1DVDR

BAND / Tokyo 1983 / 1DVDR/ Non label
Live at Koseinenkin Kaikan, Tokyo, Japan 2nd September 1983 PRO-SHOT

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Finally, “JAPAN TOUR 1983”, which has been out of print for a long time, has been made into a DVD. It was released on VHS / LD in the 80’s, but unfortunately it was out of print and is now difficult to obtain. Of course, the pattern at Shinjuku Welfare Pension Hall on September 2, 1983 of this memorable first visit to Japan, which was realized as part of the Reunion Tour, can be embodied with perfect official quality pro shot images and sound quality. It’s a privilege only for Japanese fans. Robbie Robertson is absent, but Richard Manuel, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Rick Danko are still alive. The appearance of Richard and Rick, who have already become deceased, is still precious. Performances such as “Rag Mama Rag”, “Stage Flight”, “I Shall Be Release”, “The Weight” are still highlights.
A large family with twin drums, triple keyboards, and sometimes twin basses. And the members themselves seem to be enjoying this performance in Japan very much. The cover performance is a scene that cannot be overlooked. I wonder if Garth Hudson was aware of the recording in an unexpected place. (If it were other artists, it would have been cut.) You can also see the scene. A typical reunion The Band stage is 110 minutes, it is a picture that can be seen plenty, and it is a recommended piece.
遂に長い間廃盤状態の憂き目にあっていた「JAPAN TOUR 1983」をDVD化。80年代にVHS / LDでリリースされましたが、あえなく廃盤となってしまい、現在では入手困難。リユニオン・ツアーの一環で実現したこの記念すべき初来日公演の1983年9月2日新宿厚生年金ホールでの模様が当然の事ながら完璧なオフィシャルクオリティ・プロショット画像と音質で体現出来るのは日本のファンのみに許された特権です。ロビー・ロバートソンは不在ながらリチャード・マニュエル、レボン・ヘルム、ガース・ハドソン、リック・ダンコは健在。既に故人となってしまっているリチャードとリックの姿はやはり貴重。「Rag Mama Rag」「Stage Flight」「I Shall Be Release」「The Weight」等の演奏がやはりハイライトでしょう。
ツイン・ドラム、トリプル・キーボード、そして時にはツイン・ベースという大所帯。そして、メンバー自身はこの来日公演を非常に楽しんでいるようで、まだ健在だったリチャードが見せる笑顔、さらにこの時期のステージにおけるハイライトだった、彼が歌う「You Don’t Know Me」のカバー演奏は見逃せない場面です。意外なところではガース・ハドソンが収録を意識していたのでしょうか、Long Black Veilの間奏で彼らしくもなく派手なアクションでアコーディオンを弾いたはいいものの、勢い余って鍵盤をマイクにぶつけてしまう（他のアーティストならカットされたことでしょう）というシーンも見られます。典型的な再結成ザ・バンドのステージが110分、たっぷりと見られる映像であり、お薦めの一枚です。

1. Introduction
2. Rag Mama Rag
3. Long Black Veil
4. Up On Cripple Creek
5. The Shape I’m In
6. It Makes No Difference
7. Milk Cow Boogie
8. Mystery Train
9. King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
10. Voodoo Music
11. W.S.Walcott Medicine Show
12. You Don’t Know Me
13. Stage Flight
14. Caldonia
15. Chest Fever
16. Java Blues
17. I Shall Be Release
18. Back To Memphis
19. The Weight
20. (I Don’t Want To)Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes
21. Blaze Of Glory
22. Willie And The Hand Jive
23. Ophelia

Rick Danko – Bass, Vocals, Guitar
Levon Helm – Drums, Vocals
Garth Hudson – Keyboards, Saxophone, Accordion
Richard Manuel – Piano, Vocals

The Cate Brothers Band
Terry Cagle – Drums, Vocal
Earl Cate – Guitar
Earnie Cate – Keyboards Ron Eoff – Bass

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.110min.

Uxbridge 1855