Steve Winwood/London,UK 2019

Steve Winwood has completed a joint tour with Steely Dan for the first time in three years. The best live album is now available. This tour is limited to the UK and is extremely short with only 5 performances. Among them, this work includes “February 25, 2019: London Performance”. In terms of recording, let’s first check the show’s position in the tour schedule. ・February 20: Glasgow performance ・February 21: Manchester performance ・February 23: Birmingham performance ・February 25: London performance ←★This work★ ・February 28: Dublin performance Last year was 2-3 A North American tour in February and a European tour in July were held, but so far this year there have been only the five performances listed above. This is the third time we have collaborated with Steely, following Oceania in 2011 and North America in 2016, and this is the third time we have collaborated with Steely in the UK. Under such circumstances, this work is a highlight of the show at “SSE Arena Wembley”. This is a live album that records Steve’s version for about an hour. On this day, it is a bit lonely that it is only Steve version because he is co-starring “Pretzel Logic” on Steely’s stage, but the quality is what blows it away. That’s a wonderful audience recording…or should I say, it’s a surprising level that makes you wonder, “Is it really a guest recording!?” If you listen carefully with headphones, you can hear a natural hall sound, so it is definitely an audience recording, but the clarity, direct feeling, and vividness are at the level of FM broadcasting. Particularly wonderful is the direct feeling. The sound of the performance, down to the modest picking of the acoustic guitar, jumps into your ears with zero sense of distance, and Steve’s singing voice is extremely close to every word of the lyrics. However, if you savor it carefully, it will definitely appeal to the audience. It’s a gorgeous sound. The faint hall sound that does not create a sense of distance gently colors the core, creating a sweet and melting shine. What is important is that the sound does not hide details. The core hits you straight, and the sound that rises from it like an aura…the combination depicts a world of indescribable beauty. The sound balance is just like an official work, but the missing point is that it is not an echo added by the production. There is a sense of reality that is only possible because it is a one-shot audience recording, and it has been sublimated to the level of elegance. Also, the homely atmosphere is wonderful. This work is a recording with so little audience noise that it is hard to believe that it is a guest record, and the applause between songs is far away. However, even if it was a little, the laughter and cheers were absorbed by Steve’s MC, which was very warm. A relaxing and exciting atmosphere that only comes from being at home. It’s also a sound that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the space. What is depicted with such beautiful sounds is “Iki”. Although they only have about an hour to play, they are performing a concentrated collection of their best songs. Moreover, although it covers a wide range of songs such as THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP, TRAFFIC, BLIND FAITH, and solo, even the newest song is a pure classic called “Higher Love” from 1986. In fact, most of it overlaps with the official live album “GREATEST HITS LIVE” from two years ago, and it feels like a concentrated version of the official work. The only exception to this is “Keep On Running.” This is a Jackie Edwards cover that was also included in “THE SECOND ALBUM”, but this song became THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP’s first number one hit in the UK. You can enjoy her singing voice as she shares her feelings with her fans in her home country of England. A superb live album that distills the official work “GREATEST HITS LIVE” and wraps it in elegant audience sound. While adding the spice of “Keep On Running,” you can fully breathe in the warm atmosphere of the home turf and the most famous songs…this is a piece that will let you enjoy such a luxurious moment. The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, UK 25th February 2019 TRULY PERFECT/ULTIMATE SOUND (59:35) 1. I’m A Man 2. Them Changes 3. Can’t Find My Way Home 4. MC 5. Had To Cry Today 6. The Low Spark Of High / Heeled Boys 7. Keep On Running 8. Higher Love 9. Band Introductions 10. Dear Mr Fantasy 11. Gimme Some Loving 12. Outro Steve Winwood – Vocals, Organ, Guitar Jose Neto – Guitar Paul Booth – Saxophone, Keyboards, Vocals Richard Bailey – Drums Edwin Sanz – Percussion