Jimmy Page & Robert Plant / Fukuoka 1996:Dat Master / 2CD / Wardour
Live at Marine Messe, Fukuoka, Japan 20th February 1996
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Fukuoka became the final performance of the performance in Japan in 1996, which was literally caught in a vortex of enthusiasm. Since there was no first appearance song on this day as well, it is undeniable that it was a day that tends to be overlooked when it comes to things other than rear tie, and as the item group at that time, including “10 DAYS”, becomes difficult to obtain, the feeling will be strengthened. Under such circumstances, “FUKUOKA 1996” was a new excavation audience recording that shocked enthusiasts after more than twenty years.
The powerful sound quality is suitable for a limited press CD release, and at the same time it is still a best-seller as a masterpiece that conveys the splendor of Fukuoka performances to new generation enthusiasts, but of course, enthusiasts want to listen to Fukuoka with the audience recording of “10 DAYS”, which is a masterpiece of real Thai. Until now, it has turned into a lofty flower item, and I can’t listen to it even if I want to. Under such circumstances, this is the last epoch-making release that pleases maniacs all over the world.
The audience recording that became the basis of “FUKUOKA 1996” (hereafter referred to as the “existing board”) was an unbelievably superb sound source that had not been circulated among traders until now. As I said at the beginning, the powerful recording state of the already-launched board was a big attraction, but on the other hand, the audience recording of the “10 DAYS” master is really warm and comfortable to listen to.
Fukuoka shows an enthusiastic excitement suitable for the final day of the tour, and this time and the already released board capture such a sense of realism with a harmonious balance. I will laugh because such a ZEP mania captures the realism that symbolizes the 1996 visit to Japan that was flooded from all over Japan. It sounds warm from this sense of presence, and I am reminded of the greatness of “10 DAYS”, which realized such a warm texture in 1996 when digital recording began to emerge.
And when it comes to the vivid sound image of Paige’s guitar. The already released board also captured the performance with a really on balance, but this “10 DAYS” master captures the sound of his guitar with plenty of power. That’s why the balance with other performances is not saturated, just an exquisite balance. This vividness resonates more realistically than when it was released in 1996, only with the reproducibility of incorporating the DAT master with the latest technology.
With such an exquisite sound image, you can understand how Jimmy is in perfect condition on the final day of the tour. “Since I’ve Been Loving You” following the second day in Osaka seems to have returned to the peak of ZEP. On the other hand, the plant is also challenging the stage with a very happy appearance, and you can see how it seems to be having fun everywhere. He understands the reaction of the Japanese audience, which was sometimes bewildered at the Budokan, and also realistically captures the realism that meshed well with the fact that the audience on this day was more enthusiastic than ever before.
The opening with “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” is also fitting for the finale of the performance in Japan. They themselves would have been satisfied with the new opening that could only be introduced in Japan. He liked the environment that made it easier to play acoustic repertoire than in Europe and the United States, and on this day, “Wonderful One” appeared following the first day in Osaka. Japan is a country where you can concentrate on playing even the unfortunate number that has been dropped overseas due to the “new song” and “uneven melody”. The orchestral music played here is also wonderful.
And in “Whole Lotta Love”, an unexpected number was included on each stage, which pleased maniacs, but here the plant sang “Going Down”. Speaking of “Going Down”, LA forum in ZEP73. Yes, there were quite a few maniacs who thought of the scene heard in that “THREE DAYS AFTER”.
The master of “10 DAYS” recreated a night worthy of decorating the final day of the tour. Among the high-level audience recordings produced from the same box, the warm taste is particularly wonderful, and among the series of releases that have spanned 10 performances so far, it is a superb audience album that I would like to recommend as “starting from this”. With the best sound quality again this time!
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