Curved Air/Kanagawa,Japan 2.8.2020

CURVED AIR held a performance in Japan for the first time in 11 years, marking their 50th anniversary. Introducing an original recording that conveys the latest show that is a hot topic, including a complete reproduction of the famous album “AIR CUT”. This work includes the “February 8, 2020 Club Citta Kawasaki” performance. This is a superb audience recording that records the whole story. This time, they will be coming to Japan for only two Club Citta performances, and this work will be on the first day. I’m excited just because it’s been since 2009, but the only members who are the same as last time are Sonya Christina and Chris Harris. Normally, when a veteran lineup changes, the number of young players increases, but this time it’s different. Kirby Gregory, who returned last year, joins the band, and “AIR CUT” originator Mike Wedgwood also makes a guest appearance. Three out of the five people who created “AIR CUT” came to Japan together (however, the microphone was only used for the album reproduction part). Of course, “AIR CUT” is an album of about 40 minutes, so the show is not just a reproduction. The event was divided into two parts, and included many famous songs from each album. First, let’s organize the show’s structure. Part 1 (DISC 1: Classics 11 songs + 2 songs)・AIR CONDITIONING: Screw/It Happened Today・SECOND ALBUM: Young Mother・AIR CUT (all songs reproduced): The Purple Speed ​​Queen/Elfin Boy/Metamorphosis/World/Armin/ U.H.F./Two-Three-Two/Easy・NORTH STAR: Spider・FAMILY ALBUM: Ichiban Girl Part 2 (DISC 2: 7 classics + 4 songs)・AIR CONDITIONING: Propositions/Vivaldi/Stretch/It Happened Today (2nd time)・SECOND ALBUM: Back Street Luv ・PHANTASMAGORIA: Melinda (More Or Less) ・MIDNIGHT WIRE: Midnight Wire ・NORTH STAR: Stay Human / Time Games / Images And Signs / Interplay … and so on. This work is a 2-disc set consisting of “Part 1 = DISC 1” and “Part 2 = DISC 2”. In addition to a complete reproduction of “AIR CUT,” they also performed 9 classics from the 70’s. After “AIR CUT”, the most popular song is their debut work “AIR CONDITIONING”, which has 5 songs, half of the album. In an unscheduled encore (perhaps they hadn’t prepared anything else), a second “It Happened Today” was also played. In addition to classics, 5 out of 7 new songs from his only 21st century work “NORTH STAR” were selected, and “Ichiban Girl” from the compilation album “FAMILY ALBUM” released last year was also performed. Now, this work recorded at such a show is truly a masterpiece. This is an original master that was directly given to us by the recording artist himself, and that person is the “strongest taper in Western Japan” who is familiar to us at our store. He is a recorder who has the image of an HR/HM type of music, but he also records a large amount of progressive rock music. The sound is always said to be “better than the sound heard on site”, proving its reputation. The core has no sense of distance and has a direct feel, and the details are vivid. I don’t know the recording position, but it feels very close, but there is no surrounding noise. Speaking of the beauty of the violin’s delicate sound… Also, at the scene, I was told that Sonya’s vocals were overshadowed by too much echo…but I can’t believe that from this work. The show, which is drawn with a sound that transcends the actual scene, is a treasure trove of masterpieces with Sonya’s wonderful singing voice. Now that she is 70 years old, she cannot hope for the lovely clarity of yesteryear, but her vocal volume and growth have not diminished in the slightest. The husky and powerful vocalization is overwhelming, and the bewitching singing voice is full of thunder. Of course, Sonya is not alone. Perhaps because “AIR CUT” was the first attempt, there are some scenes where rehearsals have not been fully completed, but Carl and Mike are the same as in the past. In particular, Mike’s youthful and beautiful voice heard on “Two Three Two” and “Easy” is enough to bring old fans to tears. Even more amazing are the new members. Keyboardist Robert Norton and violinist Greg Gadziomski are both excellent. “Vivaldi” explodes with a performance that rivals Daryl Way and Eddie Jobson, and the piano solo of “Metamorphosis” has a majestic mood that makes it hard to believe it is a rock live performance. However, “Metamorphosis” is also worth listening to in another sense. In reality, Sonya couldn’t grasp the timing and failed to enter the song. At the scene, the other members were taken aback by the sudden incident, and the performance was on the verge of falling apart as they wondered, “Do we start over?” and “What should we do?” In the end, it continued as it was, leading to Norton’s piano solo. In the second half, Sonya joins in and recovers, but in the MC after the song, she says with a wry smile, “I’ll do it perfectly tomorrow.” Recreating a masterpiece requires a higher level of perfection than usual, and what’s more, they messed it up with the famous song “Metamorphosis”… Of course, from the next song “World” onwards, they perform as if nothing had happened and are worthy of a reenactment. CURVED AIR returned for the first time in 11 years and performed a complete reproduction of their masterpiece “AIR CUT”. This is a masterpiece of a live album that allows you to fully experience the precious scenes with the best sound, including once-in-a-lifetime blunders. 2 hours and 35 minutes of bliss, condensing 50 years of sound history that pioneered the possibilities of violin rock. Live at Club Citta, Kawasaki, Japan 8th February 2020 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1: 1st Set (75:09) 1. S.E 2. Spider 3. Young Mother 4. Screw 5. Ichiban Girl 6. The Purple Speed ​​Queen 7. Elfin Boy 8. Metamorphosis 9. World 10. Armin 11. U.H.F. 12. Two-Three-Two 13. Easy 14. Band Introductions 15. It Happened Today Disc 2: 2nd Set (79:56) 1. S.E. 2. Stay Human 3. Time Games 4. Melinda (More Or Less) 5. Images And Signs 6. Interplay 7. Band Introductions 8. Propositions 9. Vivaldi 10. Back Street Luv 11. Midnight Wire 12. Stretch 13.It Happened Today (Reprise) Sonja Kristina – vocals Kirby Gregory – guitar Chris Harris – bass Robert Norton – keyboards Andy Tween – drums Grzegorz Gadziomski – violin Mike Wedgwood – Bass (guest)