GiGinJapan Artwork of Japanese CDs (mostly) KISS / Detroit 1984: The Complete FM Broadcast Master / 2CD / ZODIAC
Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI, USA 8th December 1984 STEREO SBD(UPGRADE & LONGER)
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A complete soundboard album of the official work “ANIMALIZE LIVE UNCENSORED” is born! The longest reel master of the official route, which is 13 minutes longer than the official version, will be urgently released on press 2CD!!
What is engraved in this work is the same show as the official work “LIVE UNCENSORED”. This is a stereo soundboard recording of “December 8, 1984 Detroit Performance”. Speaking of 1984, the three guitarists Vinnie Vincent → Mark St. John → Bruce Kulick were rapidly replaced. The impact of the official soundboard “LIVE IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 1984” from Mark’s era is also fresh in my memory. This is also a good opportunity, so let’s first take a look at his activity history at that time and review the position of this work.
●1984
・January 1st – March 17th: North America #1 (53 performances) ← *TORONTO 1984
《Vinnie Vincent leaves in March → Mark St. John joins in April》
《“ANIMALIZE” released on September 13th》
《Mark St. John is unwell → Bruce Kulick participates》
・September 30th – November 5th: Europe (29 performances)
・November 15th-30th: North America #2a (27 performances) ←★Here★
●1985
・January 3rd – March 29th: North America #2b (63 performances) ← *CALGARY 1985 and others
[“ASYLUM” released on September 16th]
・November 29th – December 31st: North America #3 (23 performances)
This is KISS in 1984/1985. The Detroit performance of this work was the 16th performance of “North America #2a” at the end of 1984. Speaking of “ANIMALIZE Tour”, it was Bruce’s first tour as Mark left before the start, but Mark also returned for some shows. That is this “North America #2a”, and the official work “LIVE IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 1984” was also born from here. Let’s focus on the dates further and check the situation.
●Details of “North America #2a”
・November 15th + 16th (2 performances)
*November 17th: Rochester performance ←★Bonus for this work★
・November 18th-26th (6 performances)
*November 27th: Baltimore performance (last 8 songs marked)
*November 28th: Poughkeepsie performance (all songs marked) ← *Official SBD
*November 29th: Binghamton performance (all songs marked)
・December 2nd-7th (5 performances)
[Bruce Kulick officially joins on December 8th]
*December 8th: Detroit performance ←★Main part of this work★
・December 11th-30th (11 performances)
…and it looks like this. Mark only appeared on stage for three performances, and a week later it was decided that Bruce would officially join the band. The Detroit performance of this work was also the show on the day of its official announcement. This show is most famous for its official video “LIVE UNCENSORED”, but “UNCENSORED” is just a name, it was an edited work with modifications such as cutting out the MC between songs and changing the order of the songs. On the other hand, this work is an uncut version before editing. Each part is detailed and long, but the one that is easiest to understand is “Black Diamond”. You can also listen to the intro and the scene where the audience is lectured on how to sing, which was not in the official version, and the play “Oh Susanna” that is performed after the performance is also uncut. It is truly a “true complete album”.
Where did this work come from? This is probably the live broadcast master that was broadcast on FM at the time. In the first place, this day was broadcast on FM radio, and because it was a live broadcast, it was uncensored/unedited, and the mix was vivid. Of course, this work is not just a broadcast air check. As I mentioned at the beginning, it is the longest and highest quality version that was directly digitized from the five original reel masters that were unearthed through the related party route.
“Complete version LIVE UNCENSORED” alone is enough to fill you with emotion, but this work also includes additional delicious bonus tracks. It is a stereo soundboard recording of “November 17th Rochester Performance” which is about one month before the Detroit performance. Although it is a short sound board with 6 songs + drum solo, the highlight is “I’ve Had Enough (Into The Fire)”. Of course, it is a limited song only for the “ANIMALIZE Tour”, but it is an extremely rare song that is not found on either the press masterpieces “CALGARY 1985 SOUNDBOARD (Zodiac 551)” and “NEW JERSEY 1985 SOUNDBOARD (Zodiac 552)”, let alone the main Detroit performance. It is a treasure sound source that you can enjoy with a stereo sound board directly connected to your brain.
It is actually a “true complete soundboard” that is 13 minutes longer than the official version “ANIMALIZE LIVE UNCENSORED” which was “CENSORED”. The shocking longest live album that could only be discovered through the route of those involved. Please enjoy it to the fullest with the permanent preservation press 2CD!
Stereo soundboard recording of “December 8, 1984 Detroit Performance”. This is a complete version digitized from 5 original reel masters that were discovered through a unique source route. It is 13 minutes longer than the official work “ANIMALIZE LIVE UNCENSORED”. Particularly easy to understand is “Black Diamond,” where you can listen to the intro and the scene where the audience is lectured on chanting, which was not in the official version, and “Oh Susanna,” which is performed after the performance, is also uncut. This is a complete live album worthy of being called “True LIVE UNCENSORED.”
KISS / ANIMALIZE LIVE UNCENSORED / 1DVDR / Non label
Live at Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, USA 8th December 1984 PRO-SHOT
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The main press 2CD is a complete soundboard excavated through a unique route of related parties. “True LIVE UNCENSORED” is 13 minutes longer than the official version. However, even if the soundboard audio is perfect, a live album is still a live album. The “sight” you see with your eyes has no persuasive power. Therefore, as a bonus to celebrate the birth of a new masterpiece, it has been decided that a special bonus will be included with the video version of the highest peak master.
Therefore, this work contains the same “Detroit performance on December 8, 1984” as the main press 2CD. This is the multi-camera pro shot. KISS has released many video works, but this is the first time they have released a live work on home video. This is a fantastic video work that has not yet been released on DVD.
Although it was released on VHS video at the time, this work has been reprinted from a laser disc, which was only available in Japan, in order to reach the “highest peak”. Of course, just like with previous laser disc reprints, we have entrusted the mint quality disc, which was treasured by core collectors in Japan, to an overseas manufacturer specializing in analog video. Digitalization is done in a high-end environment with utmost care.
In fact, the vivid visual beauty is on an extraordinary level. It’s beautiful even to the modern eye of the digital era…or should I say, it’s so amazing that you might wonder, “Isn’t this a digital master?” Everything is extremely vivid, from each strand of flowing black hair, to the sparkling metallic drum kit, to the costumes where you can even see the lint, to each and every droplet flying from the fire wiper. The coloring is so vivid that you can only think that it is “as it was on site” rather than “as it was back then”. The title logo and the rock star MC also have Japanese subtitles, and the font has sharp edges! Even if the original master remained on the official side, it would be impossible to have this much freshness…It is such a beautiful image.
It’s a video of super high quality, but the content is also high class. Although they have removed their make-up from the previous “LICK IT UP Tour”, their glittering and luxurious mood has only increased. Paul Stanley, who has become the embodiment of a sex symbol, is particularly sexy in his costumes and mannerisms, and his brilliance is unmatched. It’s so erotic that he takes off his shirt and throws it into the audience while explaining in detail how he’s having sex with a nurse at the hospital… On the other hand, Gene Simmons, who embodies “wild”, is also terrifyingly cool. It reminds me of how dazzling they were when they were bare-faced.
Of course, it is gorgeous not only visually but also musically. This video is said to be “the most diverse show in KISS history,” and includes plenty of songs other than the classic Do. Of course, we will also play the golden 70’s repertoire, but only 5 out of 15 songs. The core is the trilogy of “CREATURES OF THE NIGHT”, “LICK IT UP”, and “ANIMALIZE”, with classics such as “I Still Love You”, “Lick It Up”, and “Heaven’s on Fire” still played today. Of course, “Fits Like A Glove”, “Young And Wasted”, “Under The Gun”, which are unique to the bare face era, and even “Thrills In The Night”, which has almost no performance record, will be performed. You can taste its breadth on the main press 2CD, but the colorful and persuasive power of the flashy images is tremendous.
It is a video version that shows the “scenery” that spreads beyond the main press 2CD, but more than that, this work itself is a masterpiece. It is a valuable official video that has just become real, and it is the highest quality version in history. The visual beauty was only possible with the Japanese laser disc and our reprint know-how. Please enjoy it to the fullest along with the longest main press 2CD in history.
本編プレス２CDは独自の関係者ルートで発掘された完全版サウンドボード。オフィシャル版より13分も長い「真なるLIVE UNCENSORED」です。ただし、サウンドボード音声が完全ではあってもライヴアルバムはライヴアルバム。目で観る「光景」の説得力はありません。そこで新名盤の誕生を祝うボーナスとして、映像版の最高峰マスターも特別ボーナス付属が決定しました。
というわけで、本作に収められているのは、本編プレス２CDと同じ「1984年12月８日デトロイト公演」。そのマルチカメラ・プロショットです。これまで数々の映像作品をリリースしてきたKISSですが、ホームビデオでライヴ作品をリリースしたのは、これが第１号。未だにDVD化されていない幻の映像作品です。
当時はVHSビデオでリリースされましたが、本作は“最高峰”を究めるべく、日本でのみ実現したレーザーディスクから復刻されたもの。もちろん、これまでのレーザーディスク復刻と同様に国内コア・コレクターが秘蔵していたミントクオリティ盤をお預かりし、海外のアナログ映像専門メーカーに委託。ハイエンド環境にて万全を期してのデジタル化です。
実際、そのビビッドな映像美は異常な次元。デジタル全盛の現代の眼で見ても美しい……と言いますか「これがデジタル・マスターじゃない!?」と驚くほど。たなびく黒髪の１本１本から金属光沢キラめくドラムキット、糸くずさえ見えそうな衣装、火拭きで飛ぶ飛沫の１粒１粒まで、ありとあらゆるものが超絶に鮮明。その発色も「当時そのまま」と言うより、「現場そのまま」としか思えないほどに鮮やか。タイトルロゴや、いかにもロックスターなMCに日本語字幕も付いているのですが、そのフォントのエッジのシャープなこと！ もし、オフィシャルサイドに大元マスターが残っていたとしても、これほどの鮮度はムリだろう……それほどの映像美なのです。
まさに超ド級クオリティの映像なのですが、その中身もド級。１つ前の“LICK IT UP Tour”からメイクを落とした彼らですが、煌びやかで豪奢なムードは一層高まるばかり。特に衣装も仕草もえらくセクシーで、セックスシンボルの権化となったポール・スタンレーの輝きはハンパじゃない。病院で看護婦とよろしくヤるくだりを細かに説明しながらシャツを脱ぎ、客席に投げ入れる姿のエロいこと……。それに対して“ワイルド”を体現するジーン・シモンズも恐ろしくカッコイイ。素顔時代の彼らがいかに眩しかったかを今さらのように思い出させてくれます。
もちろん、見た目だけでなく音楽的にも豪華。この映像は「KISS史上、もっともバラエティ豊かなショウ」とも言われており、ド定番以外の曲もたっぷりと見られる。もちろん、黄金の70年代レパートリーも演奏しますが、15曲中わずか５曲のみ。軸となるのは『CREATURES OF THE NIGHT』『LICK IT UP』『ANIMALIZE』の３部作でして、現在でも演奏される「I Still Love You」「Lick It Up」「Heaven’s on Fire」といった定番はもちろんのこと、素顔時代ならではの「Fits Like A Glove」「Young And Wasted」「Under The Gun」、さらには演奏記録自体がほとんどない「Thrills In The Night」まで披露される。その幅広さは本編プレス２CDでも味わえるわけですが、やはりド派手な映像によるカラフルな説得力は絶大です。
本編プレス２CDの向こう側に広がる「光景」を見せてくれる映像版ではありますが、それ以上に本作自体が大傑作。素顔になって間もない貴重なオフィシャル映像であり、その史上最高峰クオリティ版なのです。日本盤レーザーディスクと当店の復刻ノウハウがあってこそ実現した映像美。どうぞ、史上最長の本編プレス２CDと併せて存分にお楽しみください。
(88:44)
1. Intro
2. Detroit Rock City
3. Cold Gin
4. Creatures of the Night
5. Fits Like a Glove
6. Heaven’s on Fire
7. Thrills in the Night
8. Paul Guitar Solo
9. Under the Gun
10. War Machine
11. Drum Solo
12. Young and Wasted
13. Bass Solo
14. I Love It Loud
15. I Still Love You
16. Love Gun
17. Lick It Up
18. Black Diamond
19. Rock and Roll All Nite
PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.89min.
