Graham Bonnet Band/Osaka & Aichi,Japan 2015

What is this!? Is it a sound board? Moreover, it is directly connected to the table! The other day, GRAHAM BONNET BAND’s performance in Japan was exciting due to their “miraculous collaboration” with Michael Schenker. That perfect stereo sound board has popped out!! There is no part for MICHAEL SCHENKER’S TEMPLE OF ROCK (if it was, my heart would stop…), but it seems that the people involved leaked out, and the quality is correct and perfect. A direct feeling as if a plug was inserted directly into the ear, stable recording without the slightest disturbance from beginning to end…a completely different level from IEMs etc. Best of all, the tactile sensation is a sparkling line sound that is sure to be connected directly to the desk… Where on earth did something like this come from??!? Included in this work is the GRAHAM BONNET BAND from the “June 14, 2015 Osaka” and “June 15, 2015 Nagoya” performances. Since it was announced that he would be co-starring with Michael Schenker, all the venues on this tour were sold out. In both Osaka and Nagoya, there was no room in the standing areas on the first floor, and announcements such as “Please fill up to the front!”, which is rarely heard at recent HR/HM live shows, were frequently made until just before the performance. The explosion of anticipation can be seen in the vacuum-packed “SPIRIT ON A MISSION IN JAPAN: OSAKA & NAGOYA” which was released the other day. The famous title was a super recording where the performance was not disturbed by enthusiasm, but since this work is connected directly to the table, there are almost no cheers, and even more, the performance and even Graham’s breathing can be heard! In fact, when you play this work, it hits you straight from the intro synth SE. It’s like a studio version… No, it’s even more realistic. Then, “All Night Long” begins to be sung. I don’t know how big or what kind of audience GRAHAM BONNET BAND usually performs for, but they were probably in high spirits as they faced a huge enthusiasm for what was probably the first time since their formation. Graham Bonnet, now 67 years old, cannot compare his power and control with his heyday, but while there are singers whose voice quality changes with age, he sings with the same “that voice” he remembers. The backing band also provides good support. Honestly, when I looked at it, I didn’t get much of an impression of Conrado Pecinado, a very plain-looking guitarist, but when I listened to the sound on a sound board where every detail was close to my ears, I was surprised (rude!) that he was active. Basically, it’s a solid play, but the unique bluesy flavor of “Suffer Me” is quite good. Furthermore, Chase Manhattan on drums is also good. Although he doesn’t do anything flashy, it’s amazing how he can listen to the famous songs that remind me of Cozy Powell without feeling out of place, and I’m glad that he includes phrases that remind me of Cozy in his new song “Mirror Lies.” . I would have liked to hear the title track of the latest EP “MY KINGDOM COME” anyway… (There’s nothing wrong with the combination of Graham and Russ Ballard!). In “Mirror Lies,” there was a rare scene where Graham played the guitar, but in Osaka there was no guitar sound, so I wondered what was going on. When I thought about it, Graham was simply making a mistake (lol) by not stabbing the guitar’s shield. Among these new bands, the only one who caught the attention of the audience was bassist Beth Ami Heavenstone. As those who have seen it may know, he is quite close to Graham. I don’t know what their actual relationship is, but they touch each other, kiss, and make heart marks with their hands during the performance… There were some scenes that people had mixed tastes about, but perhaps because of his happy mood, Graham was more stable than ever, and even when he didn’t have a voice, he was in full-on mode, not faking it. In Osaka, he says, “I don’t drink anymore,” but perhaps it’s his girlfriend who is supporting Graham’s success. And since this work is only a sound board, only Beth Ami’s chorus and Graham’s seriousness are transmitted, and you can fully teach only the benefits. This Beth Ami is also fluent in Japanese. You can clearly listen to her Japanese MC on the soundboard, such as “Oh, it was 17 years ago. I was studying Japan…but I have forgotten so much. I’m happy to meet you.” Anyway, Graham’s first soundboard in a while. It is also one of the best quality and direct connection to the desk, which is unique to the leakage of related parties. Graham’s every voice could be heard super clearly, a subtlety of the sound that could not be heard well due to the packed crowd’s enthusiasm, and new discoveries were made continuously. Especially to be able to listen to the sound better than the official one until the Osaka performance where the PA was bad. The appearance of this work is a major event in 2015, following the historic co-starring with Michael. A super clear soundboard album that will truly shock, shock, and crush your heart. You too should have an amazing experience! Zepp Namba, Osaka, Japan 14th June 2015 STEREO SBD(from Original Masters) Diamond Hall, Nagoya, Japan 15th June 2015 STEREO SBD(from Original Masters) Live at Zepp Namba, Osaka, Japan 14th June 2015 Disc 1 (48:45) 1. Intro 2. All Night Long 3. Love’s No Friend 4. Band Introductions 5. God Blessed Video 6. Makin’ Love 7. Since You Been Gone 8. Suffer Me 9. Mirror Lies 10. Night Games 11. Lost In Hollywood Live at Diamond Hall, Nagoya, Japan 15th June 2015 Disc 2 (48:17) 1. Intro 2. All Night Long 3. Love’s No Friend 4. God Blessed Video 5. Band Introductions 6. Makin’ Love 7. Since You Been Gone 8. Suffer Me 9. Mirror Lies 10. Night Games 11. Lost in Hollywood STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING Graham Bonnet – Vocal Conrado Pesinato – Guitar Beth-Ami Heavenstone – Bass Chase Manhattan – Drums