An enjoyable Summer outdoor concert on 2-discs featuring a tribute by his friends on the first disc and Haruomi Hosono and his band on the second disc. For fans of Hosono’s work, Yellow Magic Orchestra and just want a musical concert that features various styles of music, this is a DVD set worth picking up!
ARTIST: Haruomi Hosono and various artists
TITLE: Haruomi Hosono with Friends – Strange Music on a Summer’s Day (aka Haruomi Hosono to Chikyu no Nakama Tachi Sora Tobu Enban Hirai no 60 Shunen Natsu no Ongakusai) / 細野晴臣と地球の仲間たち ~ 空飛ぶ円盤飛来60周年・夏の音楽祭 ~
DURATION: Disc 1: 99 minutes / Disc 2: 75 minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Region 2, 16:9LB, Color, Linear PCM Stereo
Released on March 26, 2008
COMPANY: Rhythm Zone
DISC 1: Tribute to Haruomi Hosono
1 「イエロー・マジック・カーニバル」* ヴァン・ダイク・パークス Guest Vocal: サンディー with Tico(Little Tempo), といぼっくすBits and たまきあやstrings
2 「風来坊」** ジム・オルーク + カヒミ・カリィ with Tico(Little Tempo) and たまきあやstrings
3 「ミッドナイト・トレイン」*** 畠山美由紀 + Bophana
4 「終りの季節」*** 高野寛 + イシイモモコ(ハミングキッチン)
5 「ブラック・ピーナッツ」*** ヴァガボンド + 片寄明人 with ショコラ, 片岡知子
6 「北京ダック」*** □□□(クチロロ) with イシイモモコ, 山田里香・小池龍平(Bophana)
7 「日本の人」 サケロックオールスターズ + 寺尾紗穂
8 「三時の子守唄」 ワールドスタンダード + 小池光子(ビューティフルハミングバード)
9 「Turn Turn」 小山田圭吾 + 坂本龍一 + 高橋幸宏
10 「風の谷のナウシカ」**** 嶺川貴子 + 坂本龍一
DISC 2: HARRY HOSONO & THE WORLD SHYNESS
- Close Encounters (from O.S.T. of the film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”
- Flying Saucer Breakdown
- Body Snatchers
- The Wayward Wind
- Morgan Boogie
- Pistol Packin’ Mama
- Mr. Sandman
- The Four Mills Brothers with Van Dyke Parks
- Pom Pom Joki
- Sports Man
- Encore – Shiawase Happy
- Finale – Sayonara America, Sayonara Nippon with All Casts
Executive Producers: Atsuo Kurabayashi, Eiichi Azuma, Haruomi Hosono, Norika Sora and Ruichi Sakamoto
Starring:
(I originally reviewed this back in 2008)
In July 28, 2007, a tribute concert for Haruomi Hosono was held at the Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo featuring many friends who turned out for a special one night tribute and also a performance by Haruomi Hosono and his band The World Shyness.
Many are familiar with Haruomi Hosono’s work as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) and most recently, some people may have been introduced to his work through the second “Appleseed Ex Machina” animated film. But what makes Hosono’s career so special is that Yellow Magic Orchestra was among the first electronic technopop bands and having done so well in the 70’s and 80’s, he continued his work with colloboration with many artists worldwide and experimenting with various styles and genres.
And so, what we have is many artists of different genres coming together to support their friend including Yellow Magic Orchestra members Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takashi but also artists and musicians such as Van Dyke Park, Sunday, Kahimi Karie, Chocolat, Bophana and many, many more.
The concert is split up into two discs. The first half which took place during the afternoon and early evening features Hosono’s friends who participated in the tribute album and perform a track live. The second disc features Hosono with his band the World Shyness.
The first disc is filled with a variety of music from different artists of their respected genre which goes from tropical, acoustic lounge and an all out casual, comfortable and relaxing type of feel and of course, when you see Ryuichi Sakamoto on stage, you get that electronic, smooth performance that he’s known for.
The first half was really calm and enjoyable since I enjoy the calming, smooth voices of Kahimi Karie and Minekawa Takako and everyone else. Very relaxing music.
The second disc features Harry Hosono and the World Shyness. The first disc was shot in daylight, this second disc is shot during the evening. Also, the musical difference is more classic rockabilly/blues and rock with Hosono singing in English and playing the acoustic guitar with his band. In some tracks, Hosono’s joined with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi. One of the most enjoyable performances was Hosono and the band jamming to classics such as “Pistol Packin’ Mama”, Hosono and Sakamoto jamming with Van Dyke Parks on vocals for “The Four Mills Brothers” and of course, to see everyone joining together for the final two performances.
The crowd was very supportive and energetic for Hosono’s performance and all in all, a great vibe throughout the whole concert.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
What I enjoy about the Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo is the concert is outdoors and so you get to see people truly enjoying the concert and featuring really good camera work at multiple levels, enjoyment of this concert on DVD is a definite plus.
The camera work is at different levels and probably one of the most well-shot concerts I have seen from Japan. Cameras close up, sideways, behind the stage, on the audience, cameras are literally everywhere and the editing is not jarring at all. If anything, good transitions showcasing the artists performing and the audience. Granted, this was shot during the summertime in Japan, so everyone has their fans, as I can imagine how hot and humid it was at the time.
But very nice lighting and great camera work. Picture quality was very good on this DVD.
As for sound, audio is linear PCM Stereo.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
On the first disc, there special features are:
- Artist’s Profiles – Text profiles in Japanese for each of the performers involved in the concert
- Artist’s Comments – This section features interviews with Van Dyke Parks, Sunday, ToihokusuBits, Jim O’Rourke with Kahimi Karie, Bophana and many, many more (17 interviews total). The interviews are about working with Hosono and their involvement in the tribute project.
- Opening Acts: miroque – This seven minute featurette features miroque playing on her KORG Triton Pro and Mac Pro and electronic devices as the audience began to arrive to the venue.
- Opening Acts: MICA BOX & Ayako Takato – This seven minute featurette features performances as people continue to fill the venue. Featuring electronic, ambient music in the background while a guy plays on the Taiko drum and Takato performs.
- Artist Profiles – More text profiles
- Artist’s Comments – This features five interviews including an interview with Haruomi Hosono and members of his band The World Shyness.
The DVD is housed in a tri-fold case. When you open it up, the two DVD’s are on the middle and right. On the left is a booklet featuring production credits, photography from the concert, an interview and even a short, colorful manga.
Overall, this concert DVD set was just wonderful to watch. Haruomi Hosono is a talented musician and composer and his contributions to music, from YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA to what he has accomplished worldwide is incredible.
The concert to have all these different musical acts was just fun and to see the audience really into the concert was great to see.
As mentioned in the review, the concert location and having it outdoors from the afternoon to the evening, really adds to the enjoyment of the concert. But also, very well-done camera work and editing which made the concert much more enjoyable. This enchanting night was captured quite well for the DVD.
For those who are appreciative of Haruomi Hosono’s musical work, this DVD is worth picking up! Good music and an enjoyable concert!
