Tommy Shaw/Tokyo,Japan 3.2.1986

Tommy Shaw’s solo visit to Japan was realized in 1986 after the release of “WHAT IF”. An original recording of the scene vacuum-packed is now available. What is infused into this work is “March 2, 1986: Nakano Sunplaza performance”. This is an exquisite audience recording. Speaking of Tommy’s solo visit to Japan, it is also famous for the official EP “LIVE IN JAPAN”, but of course this work is a separate performance. In order to understand the circumstances around that, let’s first look back at the schedule at that time.・February 28th: ​​TOKYO FM Hall ← *Official LIVE IN JAPAN ・March 1st: Nakano Sunplaza ・March 2nd: Nakano Sunplaza ←★Here★ ・March 3rd: Osaka Sankei Hall ・March 6th Sun: Aichi Kosei Pension Hall This is Tommy Shaw’s first solo visit to Japan. Immediately after arriving, they held a special performance limited to 400 people, which also served as a radio recording, and it was also included in the 5-song EP “LIVE IN JAPAN.” The Nakano Sunplaza performance of this work was a regular performance that took place two days later. This work recorded at such a show is a powerful direct sound that is both intimate and beautiful. This is an original recording of this work that was given to me by the recording artist himself, but it is so wonderful that I forget how precious it is. Anyway, there is no sense of distance to the core, and the details are detailed. Although it is so powerful that there is a slight distortion at the peak of the snare hitting sound, the guitar/bass and the essential vocals are neat and beautiful, each with a clear outline and a sufficient sense of separation. Of course, since it is a direct transfer from the original cassette, the generation is ultimate and there is no deterioration. You can tell it’s an audience because you can hear clapping along with the beat, but at first glance, the sound is so great that you might think it’s an FM broadcast. What is drawn with that direct close sound is a full show of a solo that is valuable in the world. As mentioned above, it is right after the official EP, so let’s organize the set while comparing (just in case). STYX numbers (5 songs)・Crystal Ball (★)・Reminiscence of ancient times: Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) (★)/Renegade (★)・Cornerstone: Boat On The River・Paradise Theater: Too Much Time On My Hands (★) Solo numbers (10 songs + α) Girls With Guns: Come In And Explain (★) / Girls With Guns (★) What If: Jealousy (★) / See Me Now / Reach For The Bottle (★) / Remo’s Theme (What If) / Nature Of The Beast / This Is Not A Test (★) / Bad Times (★)・Others: Instrumental Tune (★) / Slow Down *Note: ★” marks are songs that cannot be heard on the official EP “LIVE IN JAPAN”. …and it looks like this. Compared to the official EP with 5 songs, this work is a full show lasting about 80 minutes. I made a comparison, but there is no need to compare, the volume of songs in this work is overwhelmingly higher. STYX’s carefully selected best selections are delicious, but what really stands out are the famous songs from their solo albums. The latest work “WHAT IF” has all songs except “True Confessions”, “Count on You”, and “Friendly Advice” sold in large quantities, and in addition to the essential hit single “Girls With Guns” from the first album, “Come In And “Explain” takes a surprising pole position. “Instrumental Tune”, which doesn’t have an official song name, is not just a play, it’s an unreleased song of about 4 minutes that shines with Tony’s tearful guitar, and the excellent arrangement that uses it as a prelude and collapses into “Renegade” is also a solo song. – Unique to live performances. That’s why I wanted an official full live album instead of an EP…It’s a wonderful show that even the grudges of 35 years ago come to mind. Normally, it would be a Tommy Shaw solo performance that I would be happy to hear. This is a masterpiece live album that you can fully experience with a wonderful master sound that will blow away your preciousness. A treasured album from Japan that will be appreciated by fans all over the world. Exquisite audience recording of the precious solo visit to Japan “March 2, 1986: Nakano Sunplaza performance”. This is an original recording only for this work, and there is no sense of distance at all to the core, and the details are detailed. The outline of each instrument is clear and there is a good sense of separation. Live at Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan 2nd March 1986 PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters)(78:51) 1. Come In And Explain 2. Jealousy 3. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) 4. See Me Now 5. Reach For The Bottle 6. Remo’s Theme (What If) 7. Too Much Time On My Hands 8. Boat On The River 9. Crystal Ball 10. Nature Of The Beast 11. This Is Not A Test 12. Instrumental Tune 13. Renegade 14. Introduction of Mark Marshall 15. Bad Times 16. Slow Down 17. Girls With Guns Tommy Shaw – Vocals, Guitar Bret Tuggle – Keyboards Brian Stanley – Bass Guitar Steve Holley – Drums, Percussion Mark Marshall – Drums (on Bad Times) Richie Cannata – Saxophone, Keyboards