Simon & Garfunkel / Osaka Stadium 1982 Soundboard / 2CD

Simon & Garfunkel / Osaka Stadium 1982 Soundboard / 2CD / ZION

Live at Osaka Stadium, Osaka, Japan 8th May 1982

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サイモン＆ガーファンクル再結成からの来日が実現した2009年というタイミングで流出して世界中のマニアをアッと言わせた1982年の大阪球場2日目のサウンドボード録音を収録した名盤『EASTBOUND』。あまりに絶妙なタイミングで登場した来日公演のサウンドボードということから大ベストセラーを記録かつ市場から姿を消して久しい名盤中の名盤でした。
ポールはソロの来日公演を、アートはプライベートでの来日を既に1970年代に済ませていた二人でしたが、リアタイS＆Gとしての来日が叶わなかっただけに、セントラルパークで再結成からの来日実現は社会現象に近い盛り上がりを見せたのです。そこに加えて録音機材のコンパクト化＆スペック向上というタイミングが合わさって音質の秀でたオーディエンス録音に恵まれたのも82年来日公演の特徴で、それ故にZIONレーベルから多くのオーディエンス・アルバムがリリースされています。
それだけに来日公演から25年以上の歳月を経て突如として現れた大阪スタヂアムのサウンドボードは日本だけでなく世界中のマニアを驚愕させたものでした。そもそも82年のワールドツアー自体サウンドボードの存在が希少なだけになおさら。

もっともPAアウトのサウンドボード録音のカセットが元となっており、この手の録音の宿命である臨場感の低さはいかんともしがたく、またスティーブ・ガッドのような名手を中心としたバンド演奏のダイナミズムもあまり感じられない状態であったのは事実。その代わりS＆Gの歌声が実にクリアーに捉えられており、彼らの美しいハーモニーが無加工のままに脳みそへ流し込んでくれる生々しさがPAサウンドボードの面目躍如であり、それが『EASTBOUND』人気の秘密でした。
あれから15年近い歳月が経過し、現在であれば単なる品切れタイトルの再発に留まらない新たなアッパー版のリリースは可能。そこで今回の再リリースに際して音源のオーバーホールを担当してくれたのが「GRAF ZEPPELIN」。サウンドボード・パートの丁寧な調整はもちろん、未収録部分の補填に関しても『AT OSAKA STADIUM』の元音源に遡っての編集をやり直し。あの『EASTBOUND』以上になめらかな補填を実現。それは「El Condor Pasa」の終盤を一聴しただけでも違いが一目瞭然。
それに何と言ってもサウンドボード・パートの安定感がマシマシ。現在に至るまで希少な「来日公演のサウンドボード」どころか「82年ツアーのサウンドボード」として価値の揺るがない定番音源を2023年に相応しい形で生まれ変わらせたのです。いくら臨場感が希薄とはいえ、先のオーディエンス補填パートで何かと手拍子が気になるのに対し、そうした音に一切邪魔されることなく二人の歌声が聞き込めるPAサウンドボードは無敵。

そして1982年当時はS＆Gのクラシックと二人それぞれの最新曲を織り交ぜた構成といった感がありましたが、時の流れによって彼らのソロ・ナンバーもクラシックと化した今、なんと豪華な選曲なのかと思い知らされるばかり。おまけにポールの「Me And Julio Down By The School Yard」をアートも一緒に歌う光景はこのツアーでしかみられないもの（1993年の再結成時の演奏ではアートが加わらず）。こうした貴重な場面をPAサウンドボードならではの生々しさで楽しめるのも絶品。
それにガッドを中心としたミュージシャンによる1980年代前半テイスト漂う職人バンドサウンドも「My Little Town」以降になるとPAサウンドボードのバランスが向上し、彼らが本領発揮ともいえる洗練されたサウンドの冴えも伝わってくる。とはいえ音の広がりが乏しい状態ですので、リスニングの際にはヘッドフォンよりスピーカーから鳴らした方が圧倒的に楽しめるかと。
何よりこの時期のS&Gを捉えた数少ないサウンドボードとして新時代の定番と化していた大阪スタヂアム二日めが満を持しての再登場。しかも「GRAF ZEPPELIN」リマスターによってさらに聞きやすくなりました。歌声こそ命である二人のステージを生々しいまでに捉えてくれた名サウンドボード、しかも懐かしき1982年来日公演の記録を心ゆくまでお楽しみください！

The masterpiece “EASTBOUND” contains the soundboard recording of the second day at Osaka Stadium in 1982, which was leaked in 2009 when Simon and Garfunkel reunited and came to Japan, shocking enthusiasts all over the world. . Because it was the sound board for the Japan performance that appeared at such an exquisite timing, it became a huge bestseller and was one of the masterpieces that disappeared from the market for a long time.
The two had already come to Japan in the 1970s, with Paul holding a solo performance and Art visiting Japan privately, but since their visit to Japan as a real-life S&G group was not possible, they held a reunion concert at Central Park. The realization of his coming to Japan was so exciting that it almost became a social phenomenon. In addition to this, the timing of recording equipment becoming more compact and improving its specs made it possible to record audience recordings with excellent sound quality, which is a characteristic of the 1982 tour to Japan.Therefore, many audience albums have been released on the ZION label. .
That’s why the soundboard at Osaka Stadium, which suddenly appeared more than 25 years after the performance in Japan, astounded not only Japan but maniacs all over the world. In the first place, the existence of the sound board for the 1982 world tour itself is rare.

However, it is based on a cassette recorded with a soundboard with PA out, and the lack of realism that is the fate of this type of recording is difficult to overcome, and the band’s performance is centered around masters such as Steve Gadd. It is true that there was little sense of dynamism. On the contrary, the singing voices of S&G are captured very clearly, and the rawness of their beautiful harmonies that is poured into your brain without any processing is the pride of the PA soundboard, and this is the secret of “EASTBOUND”‘s popularity. did.
Almost 15 years have passed since then, and now it is possible to release a new upper version that is not just a reissue of an out-of-stock title. Therefore, “GRAF ZEPPELIN” was in charge of overhauling the sound source for this re-release. In addition to carefully adjusting the soundboard part, we also went back and re-edited the original sound source of “AT OSAKA STADIUM” to compensate for the unrecorded parts. Realizes smoother compensation than that “EASTBOUND”. The difference is obvious just by listening to the final part of “El Condor Pasa”.
Besides, the stability of the sound board part is much better. We have reborn the standard sound source with unwavering value as the “sound board of the 1982 tour”, not to mention the rare “sound board of the Japan performance” to this day, in a form suitable for 2023. No matter how weak the sense of presence is, I was worried about the clapping during the audience supplementary part, but the PA sound board is unbeatable because you can hear the two singing voices without being disturbed by such sounds.

Back in 1982, the composition seemed to be a mix of S&G’s classics and their latest songs, but now that their solo numbers have become classics as time has passed, I realize what a gorgeous selection of songs they have. I can’t help it. In addition, the sight of Paul singing “Me And Julio Down By The School Yard” with Art is something that can only be seen on this tour (Art was not added in the 1993 reunion performance). It is also a great way to enjoy these precious scenes with the vividness that only a PA sound board can provide.
In addition, the sound of a craftsman band with a taste of the early 1980s by Gadd and other musicians has improved after “My Little Town,” and the balance of the PA soundboard has improved, and you can hear the sophisticated sound that they are at their best. . However, the sound spread is poor, so I think it’s much more enjoyable to listen to it through speakers rather than headphones.
Above all, the second day of Osaka Stadium, which has become a staple of the new era as one of the few soundboards that captures S&G at this time, makes its long-awaited reappearance. Moreover, the remastering of “GRAF ZEPPELIN” has made it even easier to listen to. Please enjoy to your heart’s content the famous sound board that vividly captured the stage performance of these two whose singing voice is their life, as well as the nostalgic record of their performance in Japan in 1982!

Disc 1 (53:10)
01. Introduction
02. Mrs. Robinson
03. Homeward Bound
04. America
05. Me And Julio Down By The School Yard
06. Scarborough Fair
07. My Little Town
08. Wake Up Little Susie
09. Still Crazy After All These Years
10. Bright Eyes
11. Late In The Evening
12. Slip Slidin’ Away
13. El Condor Pasa ★2:44以降 Audで補填
14. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover ★0:00-0:04 Audで補填

Disc 2 (51:40)
01. American Tune
02. The Late Great Johnny Ace
03. Kodachrome/Maybellene
04. Bridge Over Troubled Water
05. The Boxer
06. Old Friends/Bookends Theme
07. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)
08. The Sound Of Silence
09. Late In The Evening ★2:59以降 Audで補填
10. Member Introduction ★丸ごとAud
11. The Boxer ★丸ごとAud

Paul Simon – Vocal, Guitar
Art Garfunkel – Vocal
John Eckert – Trumpet
John Gatchell – Trumpet
Gerry Niewood – Saxophone
Fred Lipsius – Saxophone
George Wadenius – Guitar
Pete Carr – Guitar Richard Tee – Keyboards
Ed Walsh – Synthesizer
Wayne Pedzwater – Bass
Steve Gadd – Drums

STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING

ZION-254