10cc Alive In Japan (2 Cd) (1993, Remaster 2002)

Alive (Live In Japan) is a live album by 10cc released in 1993. It was recorded in Japan during the opening nights of the band's comeback tour following the release of the album …Meanwhile. The line-up of 10cc for the tour consisted of core members Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman, longtime 10cc members Rick Fenn and Stuart Tosh and newcomers Stephen Pigott on keyboards and Gary Wallis on drums. The album is notable to feature several cover versions, which is not typical for 10cc shows. The album was reissued several times with titles Alive: The Classic Hits Tour, Alive in Japan and Live in Japan. Separate releases of two discs were also available.

This CD contains selections from a triumphant Japanese tour which saw three-fourths of the original lineup augmented by such guest stars as guitarists Barry Finnerty and Roland Bautista, percussionist Rafael Cruz, and bassist Alphonso Johnson. But the interaction and contributions of Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, and Stix Hooper make this memorable, plus the fact that this is the first time the complete concert has ever been available on a domestic release. It's really a "greatest-hits live" CD, with such familiar numbers as "Spiral," "Rainbow Seeker," "So Far Away" and "Put It Where You Want It" part of the menu. While not in the class of such classic releases as 1, Scratch, or Second Crusade, this is still a welcome addition to the legacy of a sorely underrated group.

This is a tremendous live performance by one of the most criminally underrated bands in rock history! If you are already a fan of Pretty Maids, you know how they are dedicated to deliver top shelf songs and performances on every release…..after all, their motto is "Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing," right?…

Displaying a command of pop styles and satire, 10cc showed that they are a force to be reckoned with on their first album. Hooks abound, harmonies shine, and instrumentation is dazzling without being overdone. Though charges of "self-consciously clever" could be leveled at the group, their command of witty, Anglo-styled pop is so impressive that even those criticisms must be weighed against the mastery of styles. All four members sing lead and are talented songwriters, and this leads to a wide variety of styles that add to their vision…

Shelly Manne, along with many other jazz veterans, had to make accomodations in the '70s to changing musical values. While he didn't totally switch gears, there was a different flow and tone to his sessions, something that's clearly audible on Alive in London, a 1970 date cut at Ronnie Scott's and reissued on CD. Guitarist John Morell and electric pianist Mike Wofford reveal as much rock and pop influence as jazz technique, and Manne's backing holds things together without tipping the scales one way or the other. Trumpeter Gary Barone and tenor saxophonist John Gross were equally skillful at adapting, while bassist Roland Haynes held the rhythmic center along with Manne.

Väsen - Live In Japan (2005) {CD+DVD5 PAL NorthSide NSD6087}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 455 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 151 Mb
DVD5 -> 2.17 Gb | All Regions | PAL 4:3 | LPCM, 2 ch | ~ 60 min | ISO Image
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 104 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2005 NorthSide / Väsen and East Side | NSD6087
Folk / Nordic Folk / Sweden / Acoustic Trio

Väsen have been around for well over a decade, refining their sound and producing a series of delightful albums, first for their Swedish home market and then finding a global audience. Just how far they reach now is evident from the fact they recorded this live disc in Japan. The humor in their sound is more evident live, but the delightful interplay between nyckelharpa, fiddle, and guitar is apparent throughout, right from the opener, "Björkbergspolskan." The material largely draws from their last two discs, which is fine – those albums were two of the best of their lengthy career.