GiGinJapan Artwork of Japanese CDs (mostly) Jean Luc Ponty / Tokyo 1979 / 3CDR / Uxbridge
Shibuya Kokaido, Nakano Sunplaza Tokyo, Japan 4th & 5th February 1979
Play sample :
The first solo visit to Japan by the legend of Jean-Luc Ponty, which was realized in 1979. Introducing a hidden treasure live album that conveys a stage that can be called a monument to the history of Japanese and Western music.
Two performances are included in this work. Three recordings of the stereo soundboard recording of the “February 4, 1979: Shibuya Public Hall” performance on DISC 1 and the full audience recording of the following “February 5: Nakano Sunplaza” performance on DISC 2-3. It is a group. First, let’s look back on the schedule at that time and check the contents of this work.
・ February 4: Shibuya Public Hall ← ★ This work DISC 1 ★
・ February 5: Nakano Sunplaza ← ★ This work DISC 2-3 ★
・ February 6: Osaka Mido Kaikan
Above, all 3 performances. This work is a coupling title of two live albums that recorded two performances in Tokyo. Let’s introduce each one individually.
[DISC 1: Best Soundboard Album on the First Day] DISC 1 that appears first is an FM sound board album on the first day of coming to Japan. This melon has the best sound quality. After all, it is an FM broadcast that has symbolized Ponti’s first visit to Japan for many years, and has been made into a CD directly from its best master. The sound is so-called “official class”. Speaking of Ponti in 1979, there is also the traditional official version “LIVE”, but this disc is not defeated at all. Since the taste of the 1979 broadcast is utilized as it is, it has a little analog sweetness, but that is also a beauty. The density that feels heavy and important is a rich response that is different from the sharp digital feeling.Moreover, because it is a sound board, it is in close contact with the sound and has a great sense of separation. The violin that goes crazy with the twin guitars is extremely vivid, and even if Alan Zavod’s keyboard and Ralph Armstrong’s bass are involved, everything is beautifully separated. The immersive feeling of being surrounded by musical instruments around your head is unique to the sound board.
Furthermore, it is long. As mentioned above, the performance is reminiscent of the official “LIVE” (the members are the same), but while the traditional version was 40 minutes, this FM broadcast is about 62 minutes. You can’t expect a full show experience, but you can enjoy a performance that is 1.5 times longer than the official masterpiece. In particular, the complete performances of the two major songs “Aurora, Part 1-2” and “Enigmatic Ocean Part 1-4” are a masterpiece. [DISC 2-3: Full audience recording on the second day] And it is the excellent audience recording on the second day that gives you a taste of the “full show experience” that was not possible even with DISC 1. This is an original recording only for this work, which was handed over from the recorder himself, and is a brand name that was directly made into a CD by the Omoto master.
The sound is wonderfully clear. The core that penetrates the clear air is powerful and the details are clear. It seems that the subtle sound of the hall creates an uplifting feeling of the heavenly phrase. Compared to the FM sound board that is famous in history, it doesn’t feel like it’s in close contact, but it even feels better if it’s just clear.
And the biggest point is that it is a full show recording. Let’s organize the set together with the first day sound board of DISC 1.
● The secret sea
・ Enigmatic Ocean Part 1-4 (★) / Mirage (★) / The Struggle of the Turtle to the Sea Part 1-3
● Cosmic Messenger
・ Cosmic Messenger (★) ／ The Art of Happiness ／ Don’t Let the World Pass You By ／ I Only Feel Good With You ／ Ethereal Mood (★) ／ Egocentric Molecules (★)
● Others
・ Aurora: Aurora, Part 1-2 (★)
・ Departure to Taoyuan: Imaginary Voyage Part 1-4 / New Country (★)
* Note: “★” marks are songs that can be listened to even on the first day (DISC 1).
…… And it looks like this. The scale of 1 hour and 54 minutes is incomparable to “LIVE” which is only 40 minutes, and the four suites “Aurora, Part 1-2”, “Imaginary Voyage Part 1-4” and “Enigmatic Ocean Part 1-4” Full performance of “The Struggle of the Turtle to the Sea Part 1-3”. In particular, “ENIGMATIC OCEAN” and “COSMIC MESSENGER” are large-scale behaviors that show off most of the album. It is a magnificent picture scroll that is more suitable to be called “the culmination of 70’s Ponti” than one concert.
The highest peak master of FM sound board that symbolized the first visit to Japan and the original full recording that appeared for the first time. It is a set of 3 definitive editions that set 2 hidden treasure live albums. A new masterpiece from Japan that is proud of the world. Please enjoy it carefully and fully.
★ The stereo soundboard recording of the legendary first visit to Japan “February 4, 1979: Shibuya Public Hall” will be on DISC 1, and the audience recording of the next “February 5: Nakano Sunplaza” will be on DISC 2-3. A set of 3 arranged. The Shibuya Sound Board (DISC 1) can be enjoyed for about an hour, which is about 1.5 times that of the traditional version “LIVE”. Nakano Audience Recording (DISC 2-3) is the original master for the first time, and it is a long complete recording of about 115 minutes. You can experience the full show where most of “ENIGMATIC OCEAN” and “COSMIC MESSENGER” are shown, including 4 suites.
