Brian May Band/London,UK 1998

Brian May in 1998, who had lost his solo ally Cozy Powell following Freddie, was still trying to stand up with “ANOTHER WORLD”. The best pro shot containing his special performance has been decided to be released. The content of this work is a TV program from that time. This is an unplugged session that was broadcast on the American cable television station “VH1”. The recording date is not clear as there are some theories that it was recorded in May and some in June, but the broadcast date is “June 16, 1998”. The timing was right after the release of “ANOTHER WORLD” and two months after the news of Koji’s death. It was a promotion for their new album and a prelude to their upcoming world tour. The program mainly consisted of a session in the station’s studio without an audience, and they performed 5 songs. In between, there is an interview with Brian (the interview also mentions Cozy, who just passed away, and the music videos of “LIVE AT THE BRIXTON ACADEMY” and BLACK SABBATH are also inserted. Brian says, “He is special.” The lonely look on his face is heartbreaking.) This work, which records such a program, is truly a superb professional shot. Due to the era, it is not digital yet, but is an air check using VHS, but its freshness is exquisite. It seems that it is digitized directly from the recording master, and there is no white line noise or tape twist at all. Above all, the clear details and coloring are amazing, as if they were created from a laser disc. It is beautiful even when viewed with modern eyes accustomed to digital image quality, and with a little mastering, it is a beautiful image that can be officially released. The session drawn with that quality is truly tasteful and wonderful. Even though it is unplugged, Brian himself also uses electric acoustic guitar and Red Special, so it is not purely acoustic, but the mood where everyone forms a circle and exchanges each other’s performances is completely different from usual. The members are Spike Edney, Neil Murray, and Jamie Morse, who were also on the previous tour. Martin Ditcham joins as Koji’s replacement. Martin is a drummer known for his work with Elton John, the Stones, Roger Daltrey, and others. Buying notes with friends you already know feels like home, and it’s really relaxing and comfortable to play. Numbers from “BACK TO THE LIGHT”, “ANOTHER WORLD”, and EP “RED SPECIAL” are scattered, but QUEEN’s “Tie Your Mother Down” is particularly interesting. What song did you start with? It starts off as a freaky jam, but it gradually becomes more and more like “Tie Your Mother Down.” Then, just as things got exciting after the guitar solo, that riff exploded!　Run through with a close-up. The arrangement is really cool, and the mood where everyone is smiling and having fun is great. Although it is a short program of less than 40 minutes including interviews, the performance depicted there is special and different from any other live show. This is a masterpiece pro shot with a singing voice that is more relaxed than Brian’s usual, yet with a rock soul that can’t help but flare up when he goes solo. VH1 Studios, London, UK 1998 (Broadcast date: 16th June 1998) PRO-SHOT 1. Talk #1 2. On My Way Up 3. Talk #2 4. Driven By You 5. Talk #3 6. Why Don’t We Try Again 7. Talk #4 8. Only Make Believe 9. Talk #5 10. Tie Your Mother Down Brian May – Guitar, Vocal Spike Edney – Keyboards Jamie Moses – Guitar Neil Murray – Bass Zoe Nicholas – Chours Susie Webb – Chours Martin Ditcham – Percussion PRO-SHOT COLOR NTSC Approx. 38min.