Jeff Beck/Hokkaido, Japan 2005

A famous recording that can be said to be the masterpiece of “2005 JEFF BECK GROUP” has appeared. This work was recorded at the “July 13, 2005 Sapporo Welfare Pension Hall” performance. This is an audience album containing the first performance in Sapporo in 25 years since 1980. Since then, there have been various titles such as “ARIGATO SAPPORO”, “LIVE AT SAPPORO KOSEINENKIN KAIKAN”, “RIDE THE STORM” and “COLD FRONT” for this day’s pattern, but the master of this work is different from any of them. It is a CD version of the original DAT master that appeared for the first time, given by the recording artist himself. The sound is exactly the ideal audience seating recording. The core of the musical tone is dignified and direct, and the clear guitar vibrato makes it seem like you can even see the fluctuation of Jeff Beck’s fingertips. Even so, the venue’s reverberations, which are worn like a thin layer of clothing, convey the feeling of being on site, and the rich bass sounds are so realistic that you can hear them reverberating through the venue floor. Both the sharp cuts and the wavering vibrato of tears are beautifully depicted as they quietly spread out and get sucked into the space of the Welfare Pension Hall. It is a beautiful space that combines the warmth, reality, and clarity that are unique to DAT. The ensemble carved with that sound is truly representative of the “2005 JEFF BECK GROUP.” This is because the lineup at this time stepped on stage for the first time only 5 days before the performance in Japan. It was about the Jimi Hendrix tribute live “SONGS OF EXPERIENCE” held in London. It was probably a live show that also served as a rehearsal for the Japan tour, but they only played 5 songs here. It was Japan right after that. Furthermore, Jeff did not tour after leaving Japan, and it was not until 2006 that the members began a full-fledged tour. Vocalist Jimmy Hall was not present in “OFFICIAL BOOTLEG USA ’06,” which contained the footage. In other words, the formula “Japan’s best = 2005 JFG’s best” holds true. Now, let’s check the schedule of performances in Japan here.・July 1st: Kanagawa Prefectural Hall ・July 2nd, 3rd, and 5th: Tokyo International Forum ・July 7th: Hiroshima Postal Savings Hall ・July 8th and 9th: Osaka Welfare Pension Hall ・July 11th: Nagoya Century Hall ・July 13th: Hokkaido Welfare Pension Hall [This work] ・July 15th: Tokyo International Forum In this way, this year’s Japan tour had a total of 10 performances. Among them, it is quite difficult to decide the best, but if I had to say it, I would say it is the second half of the tour. After all, it was their first performance five days ago, so there was a clear lack of rehearsal in the early stages of the Japan tour. During this condensed schedule, the band rapidly improved their skills, and a professional magazine even wrote, “The 1st to 5th were rehearsals, the 7th to 11th were in the process of development, and the 13th and 15th were the band’s best days. It has been described as a “completed form”. Both “July 13th and July 15th” are great performances that are hard to rank, but the final day “July 15th” was an additional performance, so guest Jennifer Batten returned to Japan first. . As a result, “July 13th” was the only complete concert. And, the live performance included in this work is the “July 13th Sapporo performance” and is its highest peak recording. In fact, the stability of the live performance of this work is really wonderful. The sympathy of the phrases and the responsiveness of the beat were so good that it was hard to believe that it was the same band from two weeks ago. At the beginning of the tour, there were times when they seemed to be exploring each other’s will, but the performance of this work takes a step or two from there, and it is a masterpiece that seems to penetrate deep into each other’s consciousness. The concert ends with the ephemerally beautiful “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” The 2005 JEFF BECK GROUP had a very short life, as if to symbolize its fragility. This is a complete recording of the highest stage, from the opening announcement to the closing announcement, with unwavering, superb sound. Far beyond the mere rarity value of “Sapporo for the first time in 25 years,” this musical heritage definitely shone in Japan in 2005. Please come and experience the live album, which is one of the pinnacles of Jeff Beck’s history. Hokkaido Koseinenkin Kaikan, Sapporo, Japan 13th July 2005 ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (57:31) 1. Introduction 2. Beck’s Bolero 3. Stratus 4. You Never Know 5. Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers 6. Rollin’ And Tumblin’ 7. Morning Dew 8. Behind The Veil 9. Two Rivers 10. Star Cycle 11. Big Block 12. Scatterbrain Disc 2 (70:45) 1. Intermission 2. Nadia 3. Angel (Footsteps) 4. Led Boots 5. Diamond Dust 6. Hey Joe 7. Manic Depression 8. Member Introduction 9. Goodbye Porkpie Hat 10. Brush With The Blues 11. Blue Wind 12. Earthquake/Blast From The East (with Jennifer Batten) 13. Going Down (with Jennifer Batten) 14. People Get Ready 15. Somewhere Over The Rainbow Jeff Beck – Guitar Pino Palladino – Bass Vinnie Colaiuta – Drums Jason Rebello – Keyboards Jimmy Hall – Vocal