Description
The release of a top-tier pro-shot recording of the massive guitar event “GUiTAR LEGENDS” has been confirmed. This music festival was organized to support the 1992 Seville World Expo (EXPO ’92). True to its name, it was a celebration of famous guitarists; over the course of four days—October 15–19, 1991—twenty-seven guitarists shared the stage. The event generated five 90-minute concert programs and a one-hour documentary, with live broadcasts reaching 45 countries and recorded broadcasts airing in 105. This release features the pro-shot footage from the Japanese broadcast. The quality is superb. Although it is technically a home recording (off-air capture) from that era, the visual beauty is incredible—almost unbelievable for such a source. There are absolutely no signs of degradation from dubbing or age; not a single line of static or tape speed fluctuation is visible. It boasts the kind of pristine quality one would expect from a transfer of an official LaserDisc release. While “shady” import versions of this pro-shot footage do exist, this specific release is distinct, featuring the Japanese broadcast with Japanese subtitles. Since neither a Japanese LaserDisc nor a VHS version was ever released, this is undoubtedly an off-air recording… yet the visual quality is extraordinary. The show itself is a spectacular, star-studded affair that is sure to delight guitar enthusiasts. As this is just one of the five concert programs, it does not feature all twenty-seven guitarists; instead, it spotlights stars who were immensely popular in Japan. Brian May serves as host, joined by Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt, and Joe Walsh. Vocalists Gary Cherone and Paul Rodgers also participate, making this an episode that highlights artists with a massive following in Japan. The backing band is equally impressive. Two musicians were assigned to each instrumental role, featuring an illustrious lineup: Rick Wakeman and Mike Moran on keyboards; Neil Murray and Nathan East on bass; and Steve Ferrone and Cozy Powell on drums. These players would rotate or perform in tandem depending on the specific song. The show was structured into roughly five segments, each centered on a specific guitarist: Joe Satriani, followed by Steve Vai, Brian May, Joe Walsh, and finally an “All-Star” finale. Interspersed between these sets were appearances by Nuno Bettencourt & Gary Cherone and Paul Rodgers. While Nuno and Gary’s rendition of “More Than Words” was nothing more than the usual affair—offering little in the way of novelty—the rest of the show was a spectacular, star-studded event. Although the finale was billed as an “All-Star” segment, the entire show was filled with collaborations. For instance, May played on Satriani’s “Big Bad Moon” and Vai’s “Liberty,” while Vai and Satriani contributed solos to May’s “Tie Your Mother Down.” May, Vai, and Satriani all joined in on Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” and Paul Rodgers’ “All Right Now”—the lineup grew increasingly lavish as the show progressed. Backing them all up were heavyweights like Neil Murray, Cozy Powell, and Rick Wakeman. While Neil and Cozy likely participated because they were members of the Brian May Band, there was something delightfully incongruous about seeing former Whitesnake guitarist Vai perform “For The Love Of God” backed by the former Whitesnake rhythm section (Neil and Cozy). That unexpected chemistry was truly captivating (though it is worth noting that Vai introduced the song as one he was “playing in public for the first time”—even though he had performed it countless times during his solo spots with Whitesnake!). “All Right Now” offered an even more intriguing spectacle. Seeing Roger and May standing shoulder-to-shoulder might make you think, “A preview of Queen + Paul Rodgers!”—yet the band backing them is the Brian May Band. Then, the mentor-and-protégé duo of Satriani and Vai trade guitar solo phrases with May… There are other highlights, too: Gary Cherone singing “Now I’m Here” with more verve than he ever did with Van Halen, and a rendition of “Hey Joe” centered on Joe Satriani that feels almost like a pun on his name. It is a succession of collaborations where the sheer star power and the slightly surreal nature of the pairings blend together—especially when you consider the backgrounds and musical leanings of the artists involved. This release captures a pivotal moment from the “guitar hero wars” that erupted in the 80s—a period that could well be described as the final battlefield of that era. It was a time when guitarists still commanded the stage like true heroes, even as the race for sheer technical virtuosity was beginning to subside. This disc preserves that monumental event in superb pro-shot quality. Live at Auditorio de la Cartuja, Sevilla, Andalusia, Spain 19th October 1991 Broadcast Date: 5th November 1993 1. Introduction 2. Satch Boogie (Joe Satriani) 3. Surfing With The Alien (Joe Satriani) 4. Always With Me, Always With You (Joe Satriani) 5. Big Bad Moon (Joe Satriani) 6. Liberty (Steve Vai) 7. Greasy Kid’s Stuff (Steve Vai) 8. For The Love Of God (Steve Vai) 9. More Than Words (Gary Cherone & Nuno Bettencourt) 10. Driven By You (Brian May) 11. Brian May Guitar Solo 12. Tie Your Mother Down (Brian May) 13. Funk #49 (Joe Walsh) 14. Rocky Mountain Way (Joe Walsh) 15. All Right Now (Paul Rodgers) 16. Now I’m Here (all stars) 17. Hey Joe(all stars) Brian May – Guitar, Vocals Joe Satriani – Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals Steve Vai – Guitar Joe Walsh – Guitar, Vocals Nuno Bettencourt – Guitar Gary Cherone – Vocals Paul Rodgers – Vocals additional back musicians Mike Moran – Keyboards Rick Wakeman – Keyboards Neil Murray – Bass Nathan East – Bass Cozy Powell – Drums Steve Ferrone – Drums Chris Thompson – Backing Vocals, Vocals, Harmonica Maggie Ryder – Backing Vocals Miriam Stockley – Backing Vocals PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.89min.
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