Curved Air / Kawasaki 2020 1st Night / 2CDR

Curved Air / Kawasaki 2020 1st Night / 2CDR / Amity

Live at Club Citta, Kawasaki, Japan 8th February 2020

Play sample :

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CURVED AIR was the first performance in 11 years to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its formation in Japan. An original recording that conveys the latest show of the topic, which is a complete reproduction of the famous board “AIR CUT”, is now available.
The performance of “February 8, 2020 Club Citta Kawasaki” is included in this work. It is the best audience recording that recorded the whole story. This visit is only for Club Citta 2 performances, and this work is the first day.
It’s been very emotional just since 2009, but the same members as last time are only Sonja Kristina and Chris Harris. Usually, the number of young people is increasing when changing members of a large veteran, but this time it is different. Kirby Gregory, who returned last year, joined the group, and Mike Wedgwood, the originator of “AIR CUT”, also participated as a guest. Three out of five people who created “AIR CUT” came to Japan (however, Mike is only the album reproduction part).
Of course, “AIR CUT” is an album of about 40 minutes, so the show is not just a reproduction. It was roughly divided into two parts, and the masterpieces of each album were fully shown. First, let’s sort out the show composition.

● Part 1 (DISC 1: Classics 11 songs + 2 songs)
・ AIR CONDITIONING: Screw / It Happened Today
・ SECOND ALBUM: Young Mother
・ AIR CUT (reproduce all songs): The Purple Speed ​​Queen / Elfin Boy / Metamorphosis / World / Armin / U.H.F./Two-Three-Two/Easy
・ NORTH STAR: Spider
・ FAMILY ALBUM: Ichiban Girl

● Part 2 (DISC 2: 7 classics + 4 songs)
・ AIR CONDITIONING: Propositions / Vivaldi / Stretch / It Happened Today (2nd time)
・ SECOND ALBUM: Back Street Luv
・ PHANTASMAGORIA: Melinda (More Or Less)
・ MIDNIGHT WIRE: Midnight Wire
・ NORTH STAR: Stay Human / Time Games / Images And Signs / Interplay

… And it looks like this. This work is a 2-disc set that is completely recorded with the composition of “Part 1 = DISC 1” and “Part 2 = DISC 2”. Not to mention the complete reproduction of “AIR CUT”, 9 songs of 70’s classics are shown. Next to “AIR CUT” is the debut work “AIR CONDITIONING”, which selects 5 songs that are half of the album. The second “It Happened Today” was also performed in the unplanned encore (maybe I hadn’t prepared anything else). Other than classics, 5 out of 7 new songs from the only 21st century “NORTH STAR” were selected, and “Ichiban Girl” recorded on the compilation album “FAMILY ALBUM” released last year was also shown.
By the way, this work recorded at such a show is truly the finest brand. It is an original master that was handed over directly from the recorder himself, but that person is Mr. “West Japan’s strongest taper” who is familiar in our shop. Although he is a recorder with an image of HR / HM, he also records a lot of progressive rock. And that sound always proves its reputation as “better than what you hear in the field.” The core without a sense of distance is full of direct feeling, and the details are also vivid. I don’t know the recording position, but it feels very close, but there is no hustle and bustle around me. Speaking of the beauty of the delicate sound of the violin … Also, at the scene, I heard that Sonya’s vocals were too echoed and buried … but I can’t believe that from this work.
The show drawn with such a sound beyond the scene is a treasure trove of famous songs with wonderful singing voice of Sonya. At the age of 70, I can’t expect the pretty transparency of yesteryear, but the volume and growth of that voice hasn’t diminished. Husky and powerful vocalization is overwhelming, and a bewitching singing voice roars abundantly. Of course, it’s not just Sonya. There are some scenes where the rehearsal isn’t complete, probably because “AIR CUT” was the first attempt, but Carl and Mike are the same as they were in the past. In particular, Mike’s youthful voice in “Two Three Two” and “Easy” is enough to bring tears to old fans.
Even more amazing is the new member group. Both Robert Norton on the keyboard and Greg Gaziomski on the violin are excellent. In “Vivaldi”, the performance that is comparable to Darryl Way and Eddie Jobson exploded, and in the piano solo of “Metamorphosis”, the majestic mood is hard to think of as a rock live. However, that “Metamorphosis” is something to listen to in another sense. In fact, Sonya couldn’t grasp the timing and failed to enter the song. Suddenly, the other members were taken aback at the scene, and the mood of “Do you want to start over?” And “What should I do?” Eventually, it continued as it was, and went to Norton’s piano solo. From the second half, Sonya will join in and recover, but after the song, the MC will laugh bitterly saying, “I’ll do it perfectly tomorrow.” Reproduction of a masterpiece requires more completeness of performance than usual, and moreover, it is said that the masterpiece “Metamorphosis” will do it. Of course, from the next song “World”, the performance will be suitable for reproduction as if nothing had happened.

CURVED AIR showed off the complete reproduction of the famous board “AIR CUT” after returning for the first time in 11 years. It is a masterpiece of a live album where you can fully experience the precious scene with the best sound, including the once-in-a-lifetime blunder. The bliss of 2 hours and 35 minutes, which enriches the 50-year history of pioneering the possibilities of violin rock. Please fully enjoy this work.

11年ぶりにして結成50周年となる来日公演が行われたCURVED AIR。名盤『AIR CUT』の完全再現も話題の最新ショウを伝えるオリジナル録音が登場です。
そんな本作に収められているのは「2020年２月８日クラブチッタ川崎」公演。その一部始終を記録した極上オーディエンス録音です。今回の来日はクラブチッタ２公演のみで、本作は初日にあたります。
2009年以来というだけでも感慨が沸き立つところですが、前回と同じメンバーはソーニャ・クリスティーナとクリス・ハリスだけ。通常、大ベテランのメンバーチェンジは若手が増えていくものですが、今回は違う。昨年再復帰したカービー・グレゴリーが加わり、『AIR CUT』のオリジネイターであるマイク・ウェッジウッドもゲスト参加。『AIR CUT』を創り上げた５人中３人が揃っての来日が実現しました（ただし、マイクはアルバム再現パートのみ）。
もちろん、『AIR CUT』は約40分のアルバムですからショウは再現だけではない。大きく２部構成に分かれ、各アルバムの名曲もたっぷりと披露されました。まずは、そのショウ構成から整理してみましょう。

●第一部（DISC 1：クラシックス11曲＋２曲）
・AIR CONDITIONING：Screw／It Happened Today
・SECOND ALBUM：Young Mother
・AIR CUT（全曲再現）：The Purple Speed Queen／Elfin Boy／Metamorphosis／World／Armin／U.H.F.／Two-Three-Two／Easy
・NORTH STAR：Spider
・FAMILY ALBUM：Ichiban Girl

●第二部（DISC 2：クラシックス７曲＋４曲）
・AIR CONDITIONING：Propositions／Vivaldi／Stretch／It Happened Today（２回目）
・SECOND ALBUM：Back Street Luv
・PHANTASMAGORIA：Melinda (More Or Less)
・MIDNIGHT WIRE：Midnight Wire
・NORTH STAR：Stay Human／Time Games／Images And Signs／Interplay

……と、このようになっています。本作は「第一部＝DISC 1」「第二部＝DISC 2」構成で完全収録した２枚組です。『AIR CUT』完全再現はもちろんの事、さらに70年代のクラシックスを９曲披露。『AIR CUT』に次いで多いのはデビュー作『AIR CONDITIONING』で、アルバムの半分になる５曲をセレクト。予定外のアンコールでは（他に準備していなかったのか）二度目の「It Happened Today」も演奏されました。クラシックス以外では21世紀の唯一作『NORTH STAR』の新曲分７曲中５曲がチョイスされ、さらに昨年リリースされたコンピ盤『FAMILY ALBUM』に収録された「Ichiban Girl」も披露されました。
さて、そんなショウで記録された本作は、まさに極上の銘品。録音家本人から直接譲られたオリジナル・マスターなのですが、その人物こそ当店ではお馴染みの“西日本最強テーパー”氏。HR/HM系のイメージもある録音家ですが、プログレ系も大量に記録しています。そして、そのサウンドは常に「現場で聴いた音よりも良い」と言われる評判を証明するもの。距離感のない芯はダイレクト感いっぱいで、ディテールも鮮やか。録音ポジションまでは分かりませんが、えらく間近に感じるのに、周囲の喧噪がまったくない。ヴァイオリンの繊細な響きの美しさと言ったら……。また、現場ではソーニャのヴォーカルにエコーがかかりすぎて埋もれていた……という感想も聞かれましたが、本作からはそれが信じられません。
そんな現場超えサウンドで描かれるショウは、ソーニャの歌声も素晴らしい名曲の宝庫。70歳を迎えて往年の可憐な透明感は望めませんが、その声量も伸びも些かも衰えていない。ハスキーでパワフルなヴォーカリゼーションは圧倒的で、妖艶な歌声がたっぷりと轟く。もちろんソーニャだけでない。『AIR CUT』が初の試みだったせいかリハが詰め切れていないシーンもなくはないものの、カールもマイクも往年そのまま。特に「Two Three Two」「Easy」で聞かせるマイクの若々しい美声はオールド・ファンの感涙を誘うに十分です。
さらに凄いのが新加入組。キーボードのロバート・ノートンもヴァイオリンのグレッグ・ガジオムスキも絶品。「Vivaldi」ではダリル・ウェイやエディ・ジョブソンにも負けない演奏が爆発し、「Metamorphosis」のピアノ・ソロでは荘厳なムードがロックのライヴとは思えないほどです。ただし、その「Metamorphosis」は別の意味でも聴きどころ。実は、ソーニャがタイミングを掴めず、歌入りに失敗。現場では突然の事に他メンバーも面食らってしまい、「やり直す？」「どうする？」といったムードで演奏も瓦解寸前になってしまうのです。結局はそのまま続行され、ノートンのピアノ・ソロへ。後半からはソーニャも入って立ち直りますが、曲後のMCでは「明日は完璧にやるからね」と苦笑いも漏れるのです。名盤再現は普通以上に演奏の完成度が求められますし、しかも名曲「Metamorphosis」でやらかしてしまうとは……。もちろん、次曲「World」からは何事もなかったかのように再現に相応しい熱演を繰り広げてくれます。

11年ぶりの帰還で名盤『AIR CUT』の完全再現も披露してくれたCURVED AIR。一期一会な失態も含めて貴重な現場を極上サウンドでフル体験できるライヴアルバムの大傑作です。ヴァイオリン・ロックの可能性を開拓していった50年音歴史を濃縮した２時間35分の至福。どうぞ、本作でたっぷりとご堪能ください。

Disc 1: 1st Set (75:09)
1. S.E
2. Spider
3. Young Mother
4. Screw
5. Ichiban Girl
6. The Purple Speed Queen
7. Elfin Boy
8. Metamorphosis
9. World
10. Armin
11. U.H.F.
12. Two-Three-Two
13. Easy
14. Band Introductions
15. It Happened Today

Disc 2: 2nd Set (79:56)
1. S.E.
2. Stay Human
3. Time Games
4. Melinda (More Or Less)
5. Images And Signs
6. Interplay
7. Band Introductions
8. Propositions
9. Vivaldi
10. Back Street Luv
11. Midnight Wire
12. Stretch
13.It Happened Today (Reprise)

Sonja Kristina – vocals
Kirby Gregory – guitar
Chris Harris – bass
Robert Norton – keyboards
Andy Tween – drums
Grzegorz Gadziomski – violin

Mike Wedgwood – Bass (guest)

Amity 592