Billy Joel/Kanagawa,Japan 1995

For many people, the term “vintage” refers to the 1960s and 70s. However, the 1980s has now entered the scope of vintage. In that respect, most people think that the 1990s was just recently. Billy Joel’s performance in Japan in 1995 seems to have been overlooked because of this. In the second half of last year, it is still fresh in my memory that the two great sound sources of the 1981 performance in Japan were reissued, but when it came to Japan in 1995, there were extremely few items. The masterpiece “OSAKA 1995 1ST NIGHT” opened a big hole in this situation. However, it is not just that the sound source of the performance in Japan that was overlooked was discovered. After all, it was a document of a show that was historically too weighty, and Billy decided to take the plunge even though he was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and even the continuation of the tour was at risk. Therefore, “OSAKA 1995 ~” was a masterpiece without any price tag, but naturally there was also a desire to discover the sound source of another day when he came to Japan in 1995. More than 5 years have passed since the release of that masterpiece, and finally a new sound source from the 1995 performance in Japan will appear! After overcoming the literally chaotic days in Osaka, I returned to the Kanto region and the first show was held at Yokohama Arena on January 21st. Not only is it a new sound source that has finally been discovered, but this is the second time that Billy has appeared on the stage of the main venue (January 10, 1991 was the first) and so far the last. And the value of the sound source that captures the tour that has escaped difficulties and continues is immeasurable. This alone is enough to surprise enthusiasts around the world, but what is noteworthy is the sound quality. The quality of the newly discovered and provided DAT audience recording is superb. That should be it, this sound source was one of those Kinney masters. As for the overall sound image balance, it is not in a state that can be described as “just like a sound board,” but the clearness of the entire performance is still wonderful. Among them, the bass line spun by the late T Bone Walk is surprisingly realistic. Even though the overall sound image is a little fuzzy, his bass sound image is overwhelming. Judging from this state, the position where it was recorded was front row, and it was probably close to the T-bone amplifier. However, his bass never (at all!) upsets the balance of the performance. Rather, in addition to the preciousness of joining the tour band only on the “RIVER OF DREAMS” tour, Billy’s compatibility with drummer Liberty DeVito, who was Billy’s longtime partner, is outstanding. The finishing touch is that you can enjoy the stereo feeling that the bass line can be heard from the right side. Please check this out with headphones. The only flaw is the American who talks to Billy many times near the taper (this is also a sign of the front row), but that’s only at the beginning of the show. As I mentioned earlier, this Yokohama Arena performance was the result of Billy going through an experience where he was even prepared for a life-threatening situation. Not only the band’s performance, but also his passionate singing was truly amazing. Especially when it comes to singing “No Man’s Land” and “Shades Of Grey,” it’s literally like a ghost. On the other hand, “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” is breathtakingly beautiful. On the other hand, perhaps from a sense of relief at having survived the disaster and moved to a safe area, he said immediately after the show started, “We experienced an earthquake in Osaka, but as you can see, we’re okay.” However, it is reliable that he even jokes that “except for the drummer (Liberty)”. A few days after the day after the earthquake, when he began singing “OSAKA 1995” with a somber look on his face as he confessed his feelings through an interpreter before the performance began, Billy and I have all recovered to stand on stage at the Yokohama Arena. I am simply impressed by their appearance. There is no doubt that this is also a very important document. As the live progressed, the fun atmosphere became stronger, and after the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night,” which was performed in the same way as in Osaka, the audience got excited. With this buried new excavation DAT audience recording by Kinney, one page of Billy’s performance history in Japan will be rewritten. Not only its amazing quality, but also by comparing it with “OSAKA 1995”, it is more than just one of the performances in Japan, it is the best audience album that I would like to recommend to non-maniacs as a document of a very important period. . As expected of Kinney quality! Live at Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan 21st January 1995 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (67:26) 1. Intro 2. No Man’s Land 3. Pressure 4. Honesty 5. Prelude/Angry Young Man 6. Allentown 7. Band Introductions #1 8. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant 9. My Life 10. Band Introductions #2 11. I Go to Extremes 12. Shades of Gray 13. Goodnight Saigon 14. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) Disc 2 ( 38:25) 1. The River of Dreams 2. Band Introductions #3 3. We Didn’t Start the Fire 4. A Hard Day’s Night 5. Band Introductions #4 6. It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me 7. You May Be Right 8. Only the Good Die Young 9. Piano Man Billy Joel – Vocal, Piano, Guitar Marc Rivera – Saxophone Tommy Burns – Guitar Dave Rosenthal – Keyboards T-Bone Wolk – Bass Liberty DeVitto – Drums