Bon Jovi / Yokohama Stadium 1996 3rd Night / 3CDR

Bon Jovi / Yokohama Stadium 1996 3rd Night / 3CDR / Shades

Live at Yokohama Stadium, Yokohama, Japan 20th May 1996

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BON JOVI from the “THESE DAYS” era showed off their tremendous popularity in Japan by holding stadium tours for two consecutive years even in the 1990s when heavyness was raging. Two titles of the best live set will be released at the same time.
Both of these two series are masterpieces that convey the story of three consecutive performances at Yokohama Stadium. This work is a 3-disc set of super superb audience recordings of “May 20, 1996 (3rd day) performance” which is the second part. Speaking of the Japan performance of “THESE DAYS Tour”, the masterpiece “FOREVER AND A DAY (Power Gate-204)” is also a standard at our store, and this week we are playing the sister work “YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS (Shades 1874)” Also released at the same time. First of all, let’s unravel the schedule at that time and check the positional relationship of each.

●1995
・May 13th “FOREVER AND A DAY (Fukuoka)”
・May 16th: Hankyu Nishinomiya Stadium
・May 19th: Tokyo Dome
《“THESE DAYS” released on June 12th》
●1996
・May 14th: Fukuoka Dome
・May 16th: Hankyu Nishinomiya Stadium
・May 18th “YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS”
・May 19th “YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS”
・May 20th: Yokohama Stadium ←★This work★

This is the second performance in Japan during the “THESE DAYS” era. Three consecutive performances were held at Yokohama Stadium in 1996, and this work is on the final day. This work, which is a vacuum-packed version of such a show, is a sister work to “YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS” not only in terms of schedule but also in terms of content. The four-disc set released at the same time includes the best audience recording of the first day, but this work is also a third day recording by the same recording artist, and was also made into a CD from the original DAT master that was given directly by the person himself. It is a famous item.
Their quality also makes them worthy of being called sisters. Anyway, it’s extremely clear and sharp. As you know, Yokohama Stadium is an open space with no walls or ceilings to reflect sound. Therefore, no echo components are generated, and the core emitted by the PA can be recorded in its entirety. Of course, it is not always easy to get high quality sound at an open venue, and the sound becomes sparse as soon as you are far from the PA, but there is no need to worry about that with this work. The core is strong and clear enough that you won’t feel the presence of air. The bass, which tends to be spoiled by the audience, is well-described down to every single attack sound, and the groove created by the combination of these is also rich.
In fact, the excitement and chanting that erupts between songs is enough to make you remember, “Ah, it was an audience recording,” and the performance sound and vocals themselves are soundboard quality… no, official quality. The vividness of the outline surpasses even the first day recording of the sister work. The best part is that John and Richie’s singing voices intertwine with a sense of separation that never blends together no matter how many layers of ensemble there are.
The final day’s full show, which was vastly different from the first and second days, was depicted with that crystal clear, transcendental sound. I guess it was changed because it was the third day at the same venue. It’s not about one or two songs. Let’s organize it by comparing it with the sister work “YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS”.

●These Days (6 songs + α)
・All I Want Is Everything/Something For The Pain/This Ain’t A Love Song (★)/These Days/Something To Believe In/Hey God
●Classics (19 songs + α)
・Wild in the Streets: You Give Love A Bad Name/Wanted Dead Or Alive/I’d Die For You/Livin’ On A Prayer/Never Say Goodbye (★)
・New Jersey: Lay Your Hands On Me/Bad Medicine/Wild Is The Wind (★)/Blood On Blood
・Keep The Faith: Bed Of Roses (★) / In These Arms / I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (incl. Brown Sugar) / Keep The Faith / Dry County (★)
・Others: Runaway / Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night / Blaze Of Glory / The Boys Are Back In Town (★) / Because The Night (incl. Damned) (★)
*Note: Songs marked with “★” cannot be heard in the sister work “YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS”.

…and it looks like this. They introduced seven repertoires that had not been performed the previous two days. The show itself is long, lasting over 2 hours and 50 minutes. It also includes covers such as Patti Smith’s “Because The Night” and THIN LIZZY’s “The Boys Are Back In Town,” which were rarely seen in sister works, and surprisingly valuable “Wild Is The Wind” and “This Ain’t A Love.” “Song” will also be performed.
Of course, the longer the music, the better, but in this work, the length doesn’t hold you back. You’ll probably be a little tired after three days in a row, but this is the last day of the show. With over 10 days off until the next European leg, there is no need to worry about how you will do the next day and save. With that boldness and the sense of accomplishment of completing the Japan tour, he is able to run through the long show with high tension.
“THESE DAYS Tour” ended the 90s and became a major career milestone. This is an original recording that allows you to experience the ultimate full show with crystal clear sound that concentrates and summarizes everything from the Golden Age. “YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS” with professional shots is also a good deal, but this work exceeds the satisfaction of enjoying one show. Please enjoy this 3-disc set with a monster-class set, performance, and sound to your heart’s content.

★Superb audience recording of “May 20, 1996 Yokohama Stadium Performance”. This is a reprint of a legendary recording called sound board quality from the original DAT master, and it is extremely clear and sharp. The sound from the PA is sucked in with zero reverberation, and the core is so strong and clear that you won’t feel the presence of the atmosphere. You can experience a full show of about 3 hours with 7 songs changed from the sister work “YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS”.

ヘヴィネス吹き荒れる90年代にあっても2年連続のスタジアム・ツアーを実現させ、絶大な日本人気を見せつけた『THESE DAYS』時代のBON JOVI。その極上ライヴ・セットが2タイトル同時リリース決定です。
今回の2連作は、どちらも横浜スタジアムの3連続公演を伝える大作。本作は後編にあたる「1996年5月20日(3日目)公演」の超極上オーディエンス録音3枚組です。“THESE DAYS Tour”の来日公演と言えば、当店では名作『FOREVER AND A DAY(Power Gate-204)』も定番ですし、今週は姉妹作『YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS(Shades 1874)』も同時リリース。まずは、当時のスケジュールを紐解いてそれぞれの位置関係を確認しておきましょう。

●1995年
・5月13日『FOREVER AND A DAY(福岡)』
・5月16日:阪急西宮スタジアム
・5月19日:東京ドーム
《6月12日『THESE DAYS』発売》
●1996年
・5月14日:福岡ドーム
・5月16日:阪急西宮スタジアム
・5月18日『YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS』
・5月19日『YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS』
・5月20日:横浜スタジアム ←★本作★

これが二度にわたる『THESE DAYS』時代の来日公演。横浜スタジアムは1996年に3連続公演が行われ、本作はその最終日にあたります。そんなショウを真空パックした本作は、日程だけでなく内容面でも『YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS』の姉妹作。同時リリースの4枚組は初日の極上オーディエンス録音が収録されていますが、本作もまた同じ録音家による3日目録音であり、同じく本人から直接譲られた大元DATマスターからCD化された銘品なのです。
そしてそのクオリティもまた、姉妹と呼ぶに相応しい。とにかく猛烈にクリアでシャープ。ご存知の通り、横浜スタジアムは音を反射する壁も天井もないオープン・スペース。そのため反響成分が発生せず、PAが吐き出す芯をそっくり記録できるのです。もちろん、オープン会場なら必ず高音質になるほど簡単なものではなく、PAから遠くなると途端にスカスカになるわけですが、本作にその心配はナシ。芯は力強く大気の存在を感じさせないほどくっきり。オーディエンスではスポイルされがちなベースもアタック音の1つひとつまでしっかりと描かれ、それらが連なることで生まれるグルーヴも芳醇です。
実際、曲間で沸く熱狂や唱和でやっと「あ、オーディエンス録音だった」と思い出すほどで、演奏音やヴォーカル自体はサウンドボード級……いや、オフィシャル級。輪郭の鮮やかさでは姉妹作の初日録音さえ凌駕している。アンサンブルが幾重に重なっても決して混じり合わないセパレート感でジョンとリッチーの歌声が絡み合う醍醐味と言ったら……。
そのクリスタル・クリアな超絶サウンドで描かれるのは、初日・2日目とは大きく変わった最終日のフルショウ。同会場の3日目という事で変更したのでしょうが。1曲2曲の話ではない。早速、姉妹作『YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS』と比較しながら整理してみましょう。

●ジーズ・デイズ(6曲+α)
・All I Want Is Everything/Something For The Pain/This Ain’t A Love Song(★)/These Days/Something To Believe In/Hey God
●クラシックス(19曲+α)
・ワイルド・イン・ザ・ストリーツ:You Give Love A Bad Name/Wanted Dead Or Alive/I’d Die For You/Livin’ On A Prayer/Never Say Goodbye(★)
・ニュージャージー:Lay Your Hands On Me/Bad Medicine/Wild Is The Wind(★)/Blood On Blood
・キープ・ザ・フェイス:Bed Of Roses(★)/In These Arms/I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (incl. Brown Sugar)/Keep The Faith/Dry County(★)
・その他:Runaway/Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night/Blaze Of Glory/The Boys Are Back In Town(★)/Because The Night (incl. Damned)(★)
※注:「★」印は姉妹作『YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS』で聴けない曲。

……と、このようになっています。前2日間では演奏していないレパートリーを7曲も導入。ショウ自体も2時間50分を超えるという長尺ぶり。パティ・スミスの「Because The Night」やTHIN LIZZYの「The Boys Are Back In Town」など、姉妹作ではほとんどなかったカバーも盛り込まれ、意外と貴重な「Wild Is The Wind」「This Ain’t A Love Song」も披露してくれます。
もちろん、音楽は長ければ良いというものではありませんが、本作に限っては長さが足を引っぱらない。3日連続で多少の疲れもあるでしょうが、このショウは最終日。次の欧州レッグまで10日以上のオフもあり、翌日の調子を心配してセーヴする必要がない。その思い切りの良さ、ジャパン・ツアーを完遂した達成感で長尺ショウもハイテンションのまま駆け抜けているのです。
90年代を締めくくり、大きなキャリアの節目となった“THESE DAYS Tour”。黄金時代のすべてを濃縮・総括するようなフルショウをクリスタル・クリアなサウンドで極上体験できるオリジナル録音です。プロショット付きの『YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS』もお得ではありますが、ショウ1回を味わい尽くす満足感は本作が上回る。セットも演奏もサウンドも怪物級の3枚組、どうぞ胸いっぱいにご堪能ください。

★「1996年5月20日横浜スタジアム公演」の超極上オーディエンス録音。サウンドボード級と呼ばれた伝説録音を大元DATマスターから復刻した業物で、とにかく猛烈にクリアでシャープ。PAの出音を反響ゼロで吸い込んでおり、芯は力強く大気の存在を感じさせないほどくっきり。姉妹作『YOKOHAMA STADIUM 1996 1ST & 2ND NIGHTS』とは7曲も入れ替えられた約3時間のフルショウを超極上体験できます。

Disc 1(63:33)
01. Lay Your Hands On Me
02. Bad Medicine
03. All I Want Is Everything
04. You Give Love A Bad Name
05. Runaway
06. Bed Of Roses★
07. Wild Is The Wind★
08. Blood On Blood
09. Wanted Dead Or Alive
10. I’d Die For You
11. In These Arms

Disc 2(62:36)
01. Something For The Pain
02. Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night
03. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead / Jumpin’ Jack Flash / Papa Was A Rolling Stone / Brown Sugar
04. Keep The Faith

Encore 1
05. Dry County★
06. Blaze Of Glory
07. The Boys Are Back In Town★

Encore 2
08. This Ain’t A Love Song★

Disc 3(45:32)
01. Because The Night★
~ Damned
02. These Days
03. Livin’ On A Prayer

Encore 3
04. Never Say Goodbye★

Encore 4
05. Something To Believe In
06. Hey God

Shades 1875

 

 

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