Toto/Hyogo,Japan 2016

“TOTO XIV JAPAN TOUR 2016” ran through the archipelago. Among them, the memorial album of the most moving “March 12, 2016 Amagasaki performance” is now available. From this performance in Japan, four live albums will be released this week, but why is this work the most moving? Before getting into the points of interest, let’s first check the position of this work. ・March 3: Sendai Sunplaza Hall ・March 4: Pacifico Yokohama → “YOKOHAMA 2016” ・March 7: Nippon Budokan → “BUDOKAN 2016” ・March 9: Zepp FUKUOKA・March 10: Hiroshima Ueno Gakuen Hall・March 12: Hyogo Amashin Archaic Hall → [This work]・March 14: Osaka Festival Hall → “OSAKA 2016”・March 15: Nagoya City Public Hall As you can see, there will be a total of 8 performances in Japan this time. The plan was to traverse the archipelago from Sendai in the north to Fukuoka in the south in about two weeks. Among them, the Amagasaki performance of this work was the 6th additional performance. And the person who went to Amagasaki and recorded it was the familiar “Mr. West Japan’s Strongest Taper”. He is a master artist who is said to know the sweet spots of every live space in Western Japan, and as if to confirm that rumor, he also delivered a wonderful recording from Amagasaki. In fact, the quality of this work is very impressive. It seems that it was recorded from the center of the stage near the 10th row, and the musical sound is beautiful as it falls evenly on both sides, and the feeling of a hug that wraps around your body is wonderful. It’s not directly in front of the PA, so it’s different from the intense direct feeling of “YOKOHAMA 2016” and “BUDOKAN 2016,” but that’s just because both works are abnormal, and this work is also what you would normally imagine when you hear “audience recording”. Clearness that goes beyond the dimensions of the sound. In this position, the bass tends to be thin, but this is a master craftsmanship. A microphone that is strong against bass was used to achieve a perfect balance. The PA on the day was outputting the instruments more strongly than the vocals, and while the hugging feeling reinforced TOTO Music’s pop and friendly image, the tough sound also showed the hard side of “rock band TOTO”. This is a passionate live album that conveys the message. Now, let’s get to the important points. The most moving thing about this work in Japan is not only because of the hot sound, but also because the performance itself is hot. Immediately after the show begins, an unusually powerful performance unfolds, but the reason becomes clear in the middle of the show. He was the MC before “Pamela”. Steve Porcaro, who took the microphone there, spoke for a long time, lasting for 6 minutes. The story is about friends who have left. Jeff Porcaro, Mike Porcaro…and Keith Emerson. Keith took his own life, and his body was discovered in the early hours of March 11th. This live performance was held at a time when the world was in shock due to the shocking news of his death. Steve looks back on the shock he felt when he saw Keith for the first time, saying that that moment “changed my life” and “determined the path I should take.” Some of the people who attended the venue that day were probably devastated by the news of his death, and the same was true for TOTO. Steve, who is usually cool, apparently gave a passionate performance that included some intense action on this day. There is only music in this work, but it is so hot that you can imagine its appearance. Furthermore, David Paich also speaks out his feelings for Keith during his solo time. Usually humorous, he talks seriously, plays the piano, and sings without making fun of himself. Rather than simply expressing condolences, the depth of his feelings overflows from his words and performance. The reason why this day’s live was so close to my heart is because each note was filled with gratitude and feelings for Keith. (As a side note, the EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER concert that Steve was shocked by was the “Hollywood performance on July 19, 1971”.The audience album “DEFINITIVE HOLLYWOOD BOWL” If you would like to experience it from the audience with Steve, who was 13 years old at the time, and Paich, who was 17 years old, please try it.) Although it was dedicated to Keith Emerson, it is still TOTO. . Even though it’s technical, it’s friendly, and the pop and refreshing melodies dance. A performance that transforms sudden sadness and confusion into a passionate performance, and the audience’s response is refreshing and soul-cleansing. Because he clearly expressed his feelings, he was able to connect with the audience and help each other improve. This is a live album that clearly shows that a live performance is not just a live performance, but something that is created together with the audience. A moving song that feels more like the joy of meeting Keith than the sadness of losing him. March 2016 PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (61:26) 1. Introduction 2. Running Out of Time 3. I’ll Supply The Love 4. Burn 5. Stranger In Town 6. I Won’t Hold You Back 7. Hold The Line 8. Georgy Porgy 9. Afraid Of Love 10. Bend 11. Steve Porcaro MC (Tribute to Keith Emerson) 12. Pamela Disc 2 (73:02) 1. David Paich Piano Solo 2. David Paich MC (Further memories of Keith Emerson) 3. Great Expectations 4. Without Your Love 5. Bridge of Sighs / Steve Lukather Solo 6. Holy War 7. The Road Goes On 8. Orphan 9. Rossana 10. On the Run / Goodbye Elenore 11. Africa Steve Lukather – guitars, vocals, keyboards David Paich – keyboards, vocals Steve Porcaro – keyboards, synthesizers, vocals Joseph Williams – vocals Leland Sklar – bass Shannon Forrest – drums, percussion Mabvuto Carpenter – vocals, percussion Jenny Douglas-Foote – vocals, percussion Lenny Castro – percussion, backing vocals