Paul Simon / Tokyo Dome 1991 TV Broadcast / 1DVDR

Paul Simon / Tokyo Dome 1991 TV Broadcast / 1DVDR / Uxbridge
Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan 12th October 1991 PRO-SHOT

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Japan is an S & G powerhouse. Unfortunately, the duo’s arrival in Japan was not realized, but since Paul Simon’s arrival in Japan was realized in 1974, until now, both of them and each of them can do anything alone. I have come to Japan many times (even when it comes to art, I have come to Japan in stealth).
In 1991, the second solo visit to Japan by Simon, the performance at Tokyo Dome was realized for the first time. At that time, the world music lines of “GRACELAND” and “THE RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS” were huge hits, and the solo was more successful than ever. On New Year’s Eve the previous year, the popularity reignited in Japan, such as performing while broadcasting the appearance on a Japanese national TV program. In addition, it was inevitable that Tokyo Dome was chosen as the venue for his concert, which could be called a superstar at the end of the bubble.
And this Tokyo Dome performance was also the last day of the 1991 performance in Japan. Fortunately, the filming for TV was done on this day, and it was broadcast in a frame of more than an hour, which may be a sign of Simon’s superstar at that time.

However, it is regrettable that the repertoire at the beginning of the concert, including “The Boy In The Bubble”, was cut when the 80-minute frame was broadcast. On the other hand, it is unique to Japan, an S & G powerhouse, that all the S & G songs that were unveiled on the day are included.
However, only “Bridge Over Troubled Water” has been arranged to reveal Simon’s preference at the time of switching to reggae from the middle, and there were pros and cons among fans from that time, but 30 years have passed. I can’t deny the feeling of embarrassment when I ask it now.
After all, at this time, the stage appearance of the repertoire from the two very successful albums “GRACELAND” and “THE RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS” was tremendous, and that is what symbolizes Simon at this time.
After all, the highlight of this video is that Simon really enjoys singing songs from the latest work at that time. The figure is generous, and at the break of “Proof”, Simon, who loves baseball, points to a female fan wearing a Hanshin Tigers hat in the audience (he also wore himself at Koshien at S & G in 1982). , Shows the spirit of service towards Japan.

In addition to craftsman musicians such as Steve Gadd and Michael Brecker, the combination with world music musicians unique to this period is exquisite, and the composition of a lively big band also shines on the stage at a large venue like Tokyo Dome. rice field. It is a record that showed us a live concert in Japan that was full of leeway unique to the heyday.
Since it is a TV broadcast, it is a video that can be seen on YouTube, but this time we received a VHS master that recorded the broadcast at that time, and a nostalgic performance in Japan with quality (audio as well as stereo) that is incomparable to that. To reproduce. Speaking of coming to Japan in 1991, I feel like it’s just recently, but 30 years ago!

★ Plenty of nostalgic commercials are included! You can enjoy it like a time slip.

日本はS＆G大国。残念なことに二人のデュオとしてのリアタイ来日は実現しませんでしたが、1974年にポール・サイモンの来日が実現したのを皮切りとして現在に至るまで二人としても、それぞれ単独でも何度となく来日（アートに至ってはお忍びで来日したことすら）が実現しています。
サイモンのソロでの来日としては二度目となった1991年は初めて東京ドームでの公演が実現。当時は「GRACELAND」と「THE RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS」のワールドミュージック路線が大ヒットを記録、ソロにおいてもかつてないほどの成功を収めていた時期。前年に大晦日には日本の国民的テレビ番組への出演を中継ながらも果たすなど、我が国でも人気が再燃。おまけにバブルの末期となればスーパースターと呼べる彼のコンサート会場に東京ドームが選ばれたのは必然とも言えたのです。
そしてこの東京ドーム公演は91年の来日公演の最終日でもあった。幸いにもこの日はテレビ用の撮影が行われ、一時間を超える枠で放送されたことも当時のサイモンのスーパースターぶりを物語っていたのではないでしょうか。

とはいえ80分枠の放送に際して「The Boy In The Bubble」を始めとしたコンサート序盤のレパートリーがカットされているのは惜しまれるところ。その反面、当日披露されたS&Gの曲がすべて収められているのがS＆G大国の日本ならでは。
もっとも「Bridge Over Troubled Water」だけは途中からレゲエに切り替わるという当時のサイモンの好みを判明したアレンジが施されていて、これには当時からファンの間で賛否両論がありましたが、30年経過した今になって聞いてみてもちょっと気恥ずかしい感が否めません。
やはりこの時期は「GRACELAND」と「THE RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS」という大成功を収めた二枚のアルバムからのレパートリーのステージ映えが凄まじく、それこそがこの時期のサイモンを象徴するものかと。
何と言ってもこの映像の見どころは、そうした当時の最新作からの曲をサイモンが実に楽しそうに歌ってみせるところ。その姿は余裕たっぷりであり、「Proof」のブレイクでは野球好きのサイモンが客席で阪神タイガースの帽子をかぶった女性ファンを指してみせる（1982年のS＆Gでの甲子園で自身もかぶっていた）など、日本に向けてのサービス精神まで見せてくれる。

それにスティーブ・ガッドやマイケル・ブレッカーといった職人ミュージシャンに加え、この時期ならではのワールドミュージック系ミュージシャンとの組み合わせが絶妙で、賑やかな大所帯バンドという構成がまた東京ドームのような大会場でのステージに映えた。正に絶頂期ならではの余裕に溢れたライブを日本で披露してくれた記録なのです。
テレビ放送ということからYouTube上でも見られる映像ではありますが、今回は当時の放送を録画したVHSマスターの提供をいただき、それとは比べ物にならないほどのクオリティ（音声はもちろんステレオ）で懐かしの来日公演を再現します。1991年の来日と言えば、つい最近のような気がしますが何と30年前！

★懐かしのCMもたっぷり収録！タイムスリップ感覚で楽しめます。

(81:23)
1. Live Digest
2. Kodachrome
3. Born At The Right Time
4. Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water
6. Proof
7. Graceland
8. The Obvious Child
9. CM
10. Loves Me Like A Rock
11. Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
12. You Can Call Me Al
13. Still Crazy After All These Years
14. CM
15. America
16. The Boxer
17. Mrs. Robinson
18. The Sound Of Silence
19. End Credit
20. CM

Paul Simon – Vocal, Guitar
John Selolwane – Guitar
Ray Phiri – Guitars
Vincent Nguini – Guitar
Richard Tee – Piano, Vocals
Armand Sabal-Lecco – Bass
Steve Gadd – Drums
Cyro Baptista – Percussion
Dom Chacal – Percussion
Mingo Araujo – Percussion
Sidinho Moreira – Percussion
Tony Cedras – Accordeon, Keyboard, Guitars
Chris Botti – Trumpet
Michael Brecker – Saxophone, EWI
Reginald ‘Briz’ Brisbon – Background Vocals
The Waters – Background Vocals
Barney Rachabane – Saxophone, Pennywhistle

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.81min.

Uxbridge 1483