Culture Club/Tokyo,Japan 6.21.2018

CULTURE CLUB came to Japan solo for the first time in 16 years in 2016. An original recording packed with the best sound from the scene is now available. This work includes the “June 21, 2016: Zepp Tokyo” performance. This is the full audience recording. They had visited Japan in the golden 1980s, but after restarting, they only visited Japan twice. It was in 2000, which was the first time in 15 years, and in 2016. First of all, let’s check the show’s position from the schedule of coming to Japan after a long blank. ・June 21st: Zepp Tokyo [This work] ・June 22nd: Zepp Tokyo ・June 24th: Osaka Festival Hall A total of 3 performances. The Zepp Tokyo performance of this work was the first concert in 16 years. This work, which records such a night, is a truly beautiful audience recording. This is the original master of this work that was handed down directly from the recording artist himself, but this recording artist is not an ordinary person. In recent years, he has been making a series of superb recordings, mainly in the pop genre, and our store has received great reviews for Celine Dion’s “TOKYO DOME 2018” and Mariah Carey’s “BUDOKAN 2018 2ND NIGHT.” In particular, Huey Lewis’s “TOKYO 2017 1ST NIGHT” received rave reviews as “No. 1 in Japan” and “Best recording!” for its superb sound that stands out even in the fiercely competitive field of famous recordings. This work is a masterpiece from such a master collection. In fact, the sound of this work is exquisite. Anyway, neat and clear. It’s not close enough to be called “just like a sound board,” but that’s not a drawback, but a beauty. The core that flies straight into your hands is as clear as a laser beam, and the slightly permeable venue acoustics add luster to the exposed core while not clouding the details. It was a large band of 13 people including horns, chorus, and percussion, but it was nothing like a dumpling. It sounds beautifully organized, yet very raw. Rather than being used as a substitute for a soundboard, the beautiful sound comes from the audience. It is a vivid and glossy sound that seems to be the ultimate in this. And, another flavor unique to guest records is the breathing of the audience. The feeling of waiting for the first time in 16 years is amazing. Of course, during the performance, the impressive sound of the performance and Boy George’s singing voice dominate, but cheers of joy fly in between. In particular, in “Church of the Poison Mind,” in which Boy appears, the slightly calm tone (which would have been yellow in the past) becomes a roar (?). That’s an indescribably good atmosphere. Although the performance was by no means ridiculous, the venue was filled with an uncontrollable sense of excitement, and in response, a group of famous songs filled with dynamism filled the venue. The well-spoken MC was entertaining, and the audience responded well, perhaps because their English skills had improved over the years. The Japanese MC’s occasional phrases such as “Don’t go that way,” “I don’t speak Japanese…” and “Thank you,” really create a warm mood. Yes, this is “adult rock.” In rock music, when we think of “age-appropriate music,” we often imagine songs that have a worn-out sound or plain songs, but that’s not the case. They will perform fulfilling performances of old-fashioned masterpieces and empathize with the times they have lived with the artists. They no longer need to be influenced by trends, they simply perform the music that they are good at and the songs that are needed, and the audience just enjoys it. This work is a live album that allows you to fully immerse yourself in such a space. The show depicted in such a delicious mood is also indescribably good. Speaking of 2016, there was also an official live album “LIVE AT WEMBLEY WORLD TOUR 2016”, but this work is the real version and the Japanese version. Centered around the “COLOR BY NUMBERS” number, the compilation is studded with famous songs that overlook history, including hit songs from yesteryears and the new song “Like I Used To.” However, it is not completely the same as “LIVE AT WEMBLEY WORLD TOUR 2016”, and includes “More Than Silence” and “Runaway Train”, which were also included in the new “LIFE”, Dave Berry’s “The Crying Game”, David Berry’s It also includes covers such as Bowie’s “Starman.” It’s not just a greatest hits, but it’s not that strange either. You can enjoy a full show with an exquisite array of universal pop songs that are both nostalgic and fresh. CULTURE CLUB has been on a long hiatus for the first time in 15 and 16 years. The long-awaited “LIFE” was finally released in 2018, and I hope it will come soon this time… This is a wonderful live album that will fill you with such anticipation. A masterpiece that captures the long-awaited warm show that can only be found in Japan with the finest sound. Live at Zepp Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan 21st June 2016 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1(77:01) 1. Church of the Poison Mind 2. It’s a Miracle 3. I’ll Tumble 4 Ya 4. Move Away 5. Everything I Own 6. Black Money 7. Victims 8. Time (Clock of the Heart) 9. Like I Used To 10. Different Man 11. Miss Me Blind 12. The Crying Game 13. Do You Really Want to Hurt Me ? 14. More Than Silence Disc 2(35:22) 1. Audience 2. MC 3. Runaway Train 4. Karma Chameleon 5. Starman 6. The War Song 7. Get It On Boy George – lead vocals Roy Hay – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Mikey Craig – bass guitar, backing vocals Jon Moss – drums, percussion, backing vocals