GiGinJapan Artwork of Japanese CDs (mostly) Deep Purple / Blue Oyster Cult / Birmingham 2022 / 3CDR / Shades
Live at Utilita Arena Birmingham, Birmingham, UK 25th October 2022
Play sample :
BLUE OYSTER CULT, whose new album “THE SYMBOL REMAINS” for the first time in 19 years, and DEEP PURPLE, who also announced a visit to Japan with Simon McBride, are a hot topic. The latest live album in which both males share the stage has arrived.
“Birmingham performance on October 25, 2022” is imbued in this work. This is a 3-disc set of superb audience recordings with the main act DEEP PURPLE on Discs 1-2 and the opening BLUE OYSTER CULT on Disc 3. Some people may touch McBride Purple for the first time after a long time coming to Japan, so let’s check the position of the show from the latest situation of DEEP PURPLE here.
● 2022
・ February 10-14: North America # 1 (3 performances)
《March 31: Announcement of Morse’s temporary withdrawal → Simon McBride participation》
・ May 22-29: West Asia / Southeast Europe (5 performances)
・June 18th-October 17th: Europe #1a (36 performances) ← * 3 previous works
・ October 20th-26th: UK (5 performances) ← Coco
・ October 28-November 6: Europe #1b (6 performances)
● 2023
・ February 10-21: North America #2 (5 performances)
・ March 13-21: Japan (4 performances)
・ June 24-July 18: Europe #2 (3 performances)
This is the 2022/2023 DEEP PURPLE schedule that has been announced so far. Steve Morse was still playing guitar on “North America #1”, but after that he stopped his activities to concentrate on taking care of his beloved wife. He first left the band, handing over the guitarist position to his understudy, Simon McBride. At our shop, we have reported on the stage after joining McBride with three masterpieces “GRASPOP METAL MEETING 2022 (Shades 1566)”, “MILANO 2022 (Shades 1628)” and “AMSTERDAM 2022 (Shades 1635)”, but they are all “Continental Europe”. Chapter “Europe #1”. After that, they performed their home country tour with BLUE OYSTER CULT. The Birmingham performance of this work was the concert corresponding to the “British” leg 4 performance.
This work, which vacuum-packed the whole show, is truly a masterpiece. Anyway, the on-core roars thickly, the details are fine and the separate feeling is great. If you listen to it with headphones, you can feel the evidence of audience recording in the sound of the sound, but it also stops at “feel” and “nuance”. Because BLUE OYSTER CULT is the undercard, the volume of the scene feels a little low, but when it becomes DEEP PURPLE, the direct feeling is further enhanced. It is a listening response that is no different from a sound board or FM broadcast.
Moreover, this work is also the highest peak of such latest recordings. The original sound that appeared on the net had a slightly bass-oriented balance, but this work has its own meticulous mastering based on band analysis. The degree of perfection as a music work has been greatly enhanced. Furthermore, one point is BLUE OYSTER CULT’s opening number “Transmaniacon MC”. In the original sound, the contact sound of the microphone was generated here (pretty loud), but in this work it is reduced as much as possible. It is finished so that you can enjoy the full show by suppressing it to a level that is almost unnoticeable.
The highest peak updated “just like a sound board” quality is depicted, DEEP PURPLE that predicts the upcoming performance in Japan, and BLUE OYSTER CULT’s full show with new songs for the first time in a while. Let’s get things sorted out here.
●DEEP PURPLE (Disc 1-2)
・Machine Head: Highway Star/Pictures Of Home/Lazy/Space Truckin’/Smoke On The Water
・Other (70s): Hush/Black Night/When A Blind Man Cries
・ Others (after reunion): Perfect Strangers / Anya / Uncommon Man / No Need To Shout / Nothing At All
– BLUE OYSTER CULT (Disc 3)
・Invitation to Madness: Transmaniacon MC/Then Came The Last Days Of May
・ Tarot Curse: E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) / (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
・The Symbol Remains: That Was Me/Train True (Lennie’s Song)
・Other: Hot Rails To Hell/Harvester Of Eyes/Godzilla/Burnin’ For You
… and it looks like this. The set of DEEP PURPLE is the same as the previous reports, and you can enjoy delicious revival songs such as “When A Blind Man Cries” and “Anya”. On the other hand, BLUE OYSTER CULT is a short set only for the opening, but still about an hour of listening is like a normal official live album. After starting with the first track “Transmaniacon MC” of the debut work, the group of famous songs that change every day is very colorful. Two valuable new songs, “That Was Me” and “Train True (Lennie’s Song)” are being shown.
Even those who don’t usually touch bootlegs can prepare for “DEEP PURPLE with Simon McBride” in a safe quality, and sound source enthusiasts can’t miss the latest report of BLUE OYSTER CULT. Especially since DEEP PURPLE will start moving next February, there is no more optimal board than this work to listen to the year-end and New Year holidays while looking forward to coming to Japan. A superb 3-disc set with plenty of listening to anyone. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content.
★ The best audience recording of “October 25, 2022 Birmingham performance”. Anyway, the on-core roars thickly, the details are fine and the separate feeling is great. There are nuances of audience recording in the tone, but the listening response is no different from a sound board or FM broadcast. New guitarist: DEEP PURPLE with Simon McBride, and BLUE OYSTER CULT, who will also present a new song for the first time in 19 years. It is a 3-disc set that allows you to fully experience a night where both males stand side by side. DEEP PURPLE, whose visit to Japan with Simon McBride was announced, and BLUE OYSTER CULT, whose new work “THE SYMBOL REMAINS” for the first time in 19 years, is also a hot topic. The latest live album in which both males share the stage has arrived.
“Birmingham performance on October 25, 2022” is imbued in this work. This is a 3-disc set of superb audience recordings with the main act DEEP PURPLE on Discs 1-2 and the opening BLUE OYSTER CULT on Disc 3. Some people may touch McBride Purple for the first time after a long time coming to Japan, so let’s check the position of the show from the latest situation of DEEP PURPLE here.
● 2022
・ February 10-14: North America # 1 (3 performances)
《March 31: Announcement of Morse’s temporary withdrawal → Simon McBride participation》
・ May 22-29: West Asia / Southeast Europe (5 performances)
・June 18th-October 17th: Europe #1a (36 performances) ← * 3 previous works
・ October 20th-26th: UK (5 performances) ← Coco
・ October 28-November 6: Europe #1b (6 performances)
● 2023
・ February 10-21: North America #2 (5 performances)
・ March 13-21: Japan (4 performances)
・ June 24-July 18: Europe #2 (3 performances)
This is the 2022/2023 DEEP PURPLE schedule that has been announced so far. Steve Morse was still playing guitar on “North America #1”, but after that he stopped his activities to concentrate on taking care of his beloved wife. He first left the band, handing over the guitarist position to his understudy, Simon McBride. At our shop, we have reported on the stage after joining McBride with three masterpieces “GRASPOP METAL MEETING 2022 (Shades 1566)”, “MILANO 2022 (Shades 1628)” and “AMSTERDAM 2022 (Shades 1635)”, but they are all “Continental Europe”. Chapter “Europe #1”. After that, they performed their home country tour with BLUE OYSTER CULT. The Birmingham performance of this work was the concert corresponding to the “British” leg 4 performance.
This work, which vacuum-packed the whole show, is truly a masterpiece. Anyway, the on-core roars thickly, the details are fine and the separate feeling is great. If you listen to it with headphones, you can feel the evidence of audience recording in the sound of the sound, but it also stops at “feel” and “nuance”. Because BLUE OYSTER CULT is the undercard, the volume of the scene feels a little low, but when it becomes DEEP PURPLE, the direct feeling is further enhanced. It is a listening response that is no different from a sound board or FM broadcast.
Moreover, this work is also the highest peak of such latest recordings. The original sound that appeared on the net had a slightly bass-oriented balance, but this work has its own meticulous mastering based on band analysis. The degree of perfection as a music work has been greatly enhanced. Furthermore, one point is BLUE OYSTER CULT’s opening number “Transmaniacon MC”. In the original sound, the contact sound of the microphone was generated here (pretty loud), but in this work it is reduced as much as possible. It is finished so that you can enjoy the full show by suppressing it to a level that is almost unnoticeable.
The highest peak updated “just like a sound board” quality is depicted, DEEP PURPLE that predicts the upcoming performance in Japan, and BLUE OYSTER CULT’s full show with new songs for the first time in a while. Let’s get things sorted out here.
●DEEP PURPLE (Disc 1-2)
・Machine Head: Highway Star/Pictures Of Home/Lazy/Space Truckin’/Smoke On The Water
・Other (70s): Hush/Black Night/When A Blind Man Cries
・ Others (after reunion): Perfect Strangers / Anya / Uncommon Man / No Need To Shout / Nothing At All
– BLUE OYSTER CULT (Disc 3)
・Invitation to Madness: Transmaniacon MC/Then Came The Last Days Of May
・ Tarot Curse: E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) / (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
・The Symbol Remains: That Was Me/Train True (Lennie’s Song)
・Other: Hot Rails To Hell/Harvester Of Eyes/Godzilla/Burnin’ For You
… and it looks like this. The set of DEEP PURPLE is the same as the previous reports, and you can enjoy delicious revival songs such as “When A Blind Man Cries” and “Anya”. On the other hand, BLUE OYSTER CULT is a short set only for the opening, but still about an hour of listening is like a normal official live album. After starting with the first song “Transmaniacon MC” of the debut work, there is a phase change
サイモン・マクブライド入りの来日も発表されたDEEP PURPLEと、19年ぶりの新作『THE SYMBOL REMAINS』も話題のBLUE OYSTER CULT。両雄がステージを分け合う最新ライヴアルバムが到着です。
そんな本作に吹き込まれているのは「2022年10月25日バーミンガム公演」。メイン・アクトのDEEP PURPLEをDisc 1-2、オープニングのBLUE OYSTER CULTをDisc 3に配した極上オーディエンス録音セット３枚組です。久々となる来日の報に初めてマクブライド・パープルに触れる方もいらっしゃるでしょうし、ここではDEEP PURPLEの近況からショウのポジションを確かめてみましょう。
●2022年
・２月10日ー14日：北米#1（３公演）
《３月31日：モーズの一時離脱を発表→サイモン・マクブライド参加》
・５月22日ー29日：西アジア／東南欧（５公演）
・６月18日ー10月17日：欧州#1a（36公演）←※前３作
・10月20日ー26日：英国（５公演）←★ココ★
・10月28日ー11月６日：欧州#1b（６公演）
●2023年
・２月10日ー21日：北米#2（５公演）
・３月13日ー21日：日本（４公演）
・６月24日ー７月18日：欧州#2（３公演）
これが現在までに公表されている2022年／2023年のDEEP PURPLEのスケジュール。「北米#1」ではまだスティーヴ・モーズがギターを弾いていましたが、その後に愛妻の看病に専念する為に活動を休止。最初は代役だったサイモン・マクブライドに正式ギタリストの座を譲るカタチで脱退しました。当店ではマクブライド加入後のステージを３つの傑作『GRASPOP METAL MEETING 2022（Shades 1566）』『MILANO 2022（Shades 1628）』『AMSTERDAM 2022（Shades 1635）』でレポートしてきましたが、それらは」すべて大陸ヨーロッパ篇「欧州#1」。その後、BLUE OYSTER CULTとのカップリングで母国ツアーを実施しました。本作のバーミンガム公演は、その「英国」レッグ４公演目にあたるコンサートでした。
そんなショウを丸ごと真空パックした本作は、まさに極上の銘品。とにかくオンな芯が極太に轟き、ディテールは細やかでセパレート感も絶大。ヘッドフォンで聴き込めば鳴りの音色にオーディエンス録音の証しも感じ取れはしますが、それも「感触」「ニュアンス」止まり。BLUE OYSTER CULTは前座なためか現場の音量がやや小さめにも感じますが、DEEP PURPLEになるとさらにダイレクト感が増強。サウンドボードやFM放送と何ら変わらない聴き応えです。
しかも、本作はそんな最新録音の最高峰盤でもある。ネットに登場した原音はやや低音に寄ったバランスでしたが、本作は帯域分析の上で独自の細心マスタリング。音楽作品としての完成度をグッと高めました。さらにワンポイントなのがBLUE OYSTER CULTのオープニング・ナンバー「Transmaniacon MC」。原音ではここでマイクの接触音が（結構大きめに）発生していましたが、本作では可能な限り軽減。ほとんど気にならないレベルに抑えてフルショウを楽しめるように仕上げられています。
そんな最高峰更新の「まるでサウンドボード」クオリティで画かれるのは、来る日本公演を予言するようなDEEP PURPLEと、久々の新曲も飛び出すBLUE OYSTER CULTのフルショウ。ここでその内容も整理しておきましょう。
●DEEP PURPLE（Disc 1-2）
・マシンヘッド：Highway Star／Pictures Of Home／Lazy／Space Truckin’／Smoke On The Water
・その他（70年代）：Hush／Black Night／When A Blind Man Cries
・その他（再結成後）：Perfect Strangers／Anya／Uncommon Man／No Need To Shout／Nothing At All
●BLUE OYSTER CULT（Disc 3）
・狂気への誘い：Transmaniacon MC／Then Came The Last Days Of May
・タロットの呪い：E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)／(Don’t Fear) The Reaper
・ザ・シンボル・リメインズ：That Was Me／Train True (Lennie’s Song)
・その他：Hot Rails To Hell／Harvester Of Eyes／Godzilla／Burnin’ For You
……と、このようになっています。DEEP PURPLE篇のセットはこれまでのレポートと変わらず、「When A Blind Man Cries」「Anya」といった美味しい復活曲もしっかりと楽しめる。一方のBLUE OYSTER CULTはオープニングだけにショート・セットではありますが、それでも約１時間の聴き応えは普通の公式ライヴアルバムばり。デビュー作の１曲目「Transmaniacon MC」でスタートした後は相変わらず日替わりでコロコロ入れ替えていく名曲群は非常にカラフル。貴重な新曲も２つ「That Was Me」「Train True (Lennie’s Song)」披露されています。
普段ブートレッグに触れていない方にも安心のクオリティで「サイモン・マクブライド入りDEEP PURPLE」が予習でき、音源マニアの諸兄には貴重なBLUE OYSTER CULTの最新レポートが聴き逃せない。特にDEEP PURPLEが次に動き出すのは来年２月になってからですので、来日を心待ちにしながら年末年始を聴き込むのに本作以上の最適盤はありません。どんな方にも聴き応えたっぷりの極上３枚組。どうぞ、お腹いっぱいお楽しみください。
★「2022年10月25日バーミンガム公演」の極上オーディエンス録音。とにかくオンな芯が極太に轟き、ディテールは細やかでセパレート感も絶大。音色にオーディエンス録音のニュアンスもありますが、聴き応えはサウンドボードやFM放送と何ら変わりません。新ギタリスト：サイモン・マクブライド入りDEEP PURPLEと、19年ぶりの新曲も披露するBLUE OYSTER CULT。両雄が並び立つ一夜を完全体験できる３枚組セットです。
DEEP PURPLE
Disc 1 (48:25)
1. Mars, the Bringer of War
2. Highway Star
3. Pictures of Home
4. No Need to Shout
5. Nothing at All
6. Uncommon Man
7. Lazy
8. When a Blind Man Cries
Disc 2 (49:25)
1. Anya
2. Keyboard Solo
3. Perfect Strangers
4. Space Truckin’
5. Smoke on the Water
6. Hush
7. Bass Solo
8. Black Night
Ian Gillan – Vocals
Simon McBride – Guitar
Roger Glover – Bass
Don Airey – Keyboards
Ian Paice – Drums
BLUE OYSTER CULT
Disc 3(57:13)
1. Intro
2. Transmaniacon MC
3. That Was Me
4. Burnin’ for You
5. Harvester of Eyes
6. Train True (Lennie’s Song)
7. E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)
8. Band Introductions
9. Hot Rails to Hell
10. Then Came the Last Days of May
11. Godzilla
12. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
Eric Bloom – lead vocals, stun guitar
Buck Dharma – lead guitar, vocals
Richie Castellano – rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals
Danny Miranda – bass, backing vocals
Jules Radino – drums, percussion
Shades 1647
