GiGinJapan Artwork of Japanese CDs (mostly) 
GRAHAM BONNET BAND’s latest performance in Japan, which is currently acclaimed in various places. Two original recordings that allow you to experience the scene at the same time are decided to be released at the same time.
This work is the second of the simultaneous releases. It is a superb audience recording of “June 30, 2023: duo MUSIC EXCHANGE performance”, which is also called the best show. As I mentioned in the commentary on “OSAKA 2023 (Shades 1799)”, which will be released at the same time, the visit to Japan with Conrad Pesinato as a partner is under the name of GRAHAM BONNET BAND, and this is the third time in six years. It is also a good opportunity, so let’s take a bird’s eye view of the three GBB visits to Japan with our collection.
●2015
・June 14 “LIVE IN JAPAN 2015: OSAKA & NAGOYA”
・June 15 “LIVE IN JAPAN 2015: OSAKA & NAGOYA”
・June 17 “LIVE IN JAPAN 2015: TOKYO 3 NIGHTS”
・June 18 “LIVE IN JAPAN 2015: TOKYO 3 NIGHTS”
・June 19 “LIVE IN JAPAN 2015: TOKYO 3 NIGHTS”
●2017
・March 13 “JAPAN TOUR 2017 (Osaka)”
・March 14 “JAPAN TOUR 2017 (Nagoya)”
・March 16 “JAPAN TOUR 2017 (Tokyo)”
● 2023
・June 28 “OSAKA 2023”
・June 29: duo MUSIC EXCHANGE
・June 30: duo MUSIC EXCHANGE ← ★This work★
This time there were 3 performances, but the total will be 11 performances. In 2015, you can complete the two soundboard albums “OSAKA & NAGOYA” and “TOKYO 3 NIGHTS”, and in 2017, you can complete the three-performance set “JAPAN TOUR 2017 (Shades 715)”. This time it is still 2 out of 3 performances, but this work is a live album that tells the final day.
This work is also a sister work of “OSAKA 2023” released at the same time. It is the latest collection of Mr. “West Japan’s Strongest Taper” who is also familiar with our store. Of course, the sound is superb. Compared to the sister work, you can feel the hall sounding component, but it also adds thickness and dynamism, and has no effect on the zero distance feeling or extra thick feeling. Like Shohei Ohtani’s home run, it’s the first time in a row that I want to say, “Is it amazing again?”
The rich sound portrays the whole picture of the final day, which is being whispered in various places as “this time’s best”. The set is common for the three days, but let’s repost it here just in case.
● Solo (5 songs)
・Day Out In Nowhere: Imposter (★) / Uncle John (★)
・Other: S.O.S./Night Games/Into The Night
● Classics
・Rainbow: Eyes Of The World/All Night Long/Love’s No Friend/Since You Been Gone/Lost In Hollywood
・Others: Desert Song/Assault Attack/Too Young To Die, Too Drunk To Live (★)/Jet To Jet (★)/Lazy (★)
*Note: “★” marks are songs that could not be heard at the official “LIVE IN TOKYO 2017”.
… and it looks like this. The song selection is the same as other days, but the performance that spells it is completely different! In Osaka, the way he was protecting his injured leg just before became a hot topic, but his vocals were unstable, probably because he didn’t stick to it. However, in this work on the final day, it is in great shape like a lie. There is depth in the voice from the beginning of the first song “Eyes Of The World”, and the tension is completely different. There are scenes where he sings with a fake line that is different from the original line, but it doesn’t make you feel like you’re suffering because you can’t speak, but it makes you feel like you’re playing along with the song.
Furthermore, even the backing team has been reborn from Osaka. Was it jet lag in Osaka, was he worried about Graham covering his leg, or was it both? Anyway, the ensemble is unstable and mistakes are frequent. In particular, the drummer who suddenly joined just before coming to Japan seemed to have just learned the song. However, in this work, the groove is beaten by the song instead of the tan altempo keep. Italian keyboardist Alessandro Bertoni is also an unexpected ambush. It seems to be a disciple of Derek Sherinian, but rather the phrase that makes use of the organ sound is wonderful, and RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE are perfect for the image. It shines brighter than Conrad and Beth Ami, which should have been the original core.
While Osaka said “I’m 75 years old, but I’m doing my best”, this work feels like “It’s still amazing”. In terms of sound, it may be a half step to the official transcendence class “OSAKA 2023”, but the content of the live performance is definitely better. A new masterpiece that allows you to fully experience the best best show that Graham will be looking forward to in the future. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content.
★ The best audience recording of “June 30, 2023: duo MUSIC EXCHANGE performance”. The latest collection of Mr. “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper”, who is familiar with our store, and the thick core approaches at zero distance. Moreover, the hall sound is a rich sound with added thickness and dynamism. Both Graham and the band are in great shape, and even when you come to Japan this time, you can experience the best full show with the best call.
