Hello! Project Retro Review #2

Nonstop03

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2003 Spring "NON STOP!"

One of my first priorites when I started collecting these concert DVD's was to get all of the graduation concerts.  I still have a few to get (Kago/Tsuji being my "holy grail").  I thought Nacchi's would be the one I would talk about first, as it was the one I wanted the most.  But I found Kei-chan's to be a far more exciting show overall.  And if you are a fan of #5, you'll love this show!

Opening Set:  Now the recording engineer may have had something to do with it, but this is the most excited I've seen the crowd on any DVD.  Cool opening credits, an "aquarium" theme surrounded by 6 angle shots of the stage.  The girls sound great on AS FOR ONE DAY.  I love the serious looks as well, especially from Aibon and Charmy.  TOP! has that cool computerized intro of all of them.  Same as on the CD.  Gaki-san snarls at the crowd, priceless!  So far a great opening set, the outfits are the red versions of their "Sgt. Pepper" collection.  Finish the set with "Suggoi Nakama", a song I really like.  One two three four...

The first MC segment is the intro portion, highlighted by Ishikawa and Takahashi's "Super Cutie" chants...Ai-chan was great!

Second Set:  More Momusu, the costume change fits the first song, Hyokkori Hyoutanjima.  Tartan skirts with red knee-hi's, cute!  Alot of people dislike this song...I don't.  Although I've always felt it would've been a better fit for MiniMoni.  You can tell they are feeling the crowd's energy.  The initial "Jump, Jump" line was over the top!  Renai Revolution 21, I'm looking for Okamura Takashi!  The next song is one of my all time Morning Musume favs, Tsuyoki de Yokouze!!!  Not as clean as the CD, but still great...

Hello! Project Set:  The next few songs are from other H!P groups.  After all the energy expenditure so far, the Musume's need a rest.  Coconuts Musume, okay next...Country Musume ni Ishikawa Rika.  I like Hajimete no Happy Birthday!  And I love Country Musume.  That said, I've seen them do better.  I prefer this song with Rinne.  Osavurio ~Ai wa Matte Kurenai~, Kaori Iida.  I couldn't help laughing, the crowd is waving their glowstick in slow motion.  I kept thinking of Yossie's imitation of Kaorin's singing style on Utaban, perfect!  Pucchimoni 3rd gen. brings the energy back with WOW WOW WOW.  Very good, and I'm happy I like something with Ayaka!  MiniMoni are great, even though I'm pretty sure this one was lip-synched.  The dancing was good, Rock n' Roll Kenchoushozaichi is a fun song, and we are all spared the goofy opening from the PV.

Raincoat Set:  Love Machine done in rain slickers?  This must have been done to give Kago, Tsuji, and Takahashi something easy to throw on since there wasn't much time between this song and the last.  "Sugoko Suki na no ni...ne"  Once again, if you like #5, you'll like this concert.  I'm noticing that on all of the concerts from this period Morning Musume's singing is stellar, and usually perfect.  Ahh, the good old days.  Of the two "commercials" on #5, I prefer POCKY GIRLS.  Once again, the crowd is on fire, and the girls seem to be feeding off of it.  Megami ~Mousse na Yasashisa~...more raincoats?  Green satin?  Okaaaay.  The next MC is the Charmy Game Show.  Nobody's laughing.

Last Set: Souda! We're Alive is a great "group" song, and we get the Yaguchi dance...excellent!  I WISH (abridged version)  It's just not the same without the opening.  But again, it's good to see it with most of the original performers.  I always love the graduation versions where everyone is crying through it.  We finish the main set with The Peace! and Koko ni Iruzee!  Look at Nacchi pumping up the crowd!  Man, this show leads the league in songs with exclamation points in the title!!!  I am extremely impressed with the energy they maintained throughout this performance.

Encore/Graduation Set:  The outfits are from the "Partridge Family Tour Bus Collection"  I love it!  The graduations, or cry fests as I like to call them, are my favorites.  This one does not disappoint.  Sotsugyou Ryouku, from the 5th album, was a very special moment...

We get to meet the 6th generation here...KAWAII!!!  But it's a wierd dynamic.  The sixth gen. is up there smiling, just happy to be there, and all the veterans are whimpering behind them.  It's fun watching Sayu, Eririn, and Tanaka trying to keep up with the dance on Do it Now!  Kei-chan was obviously very well liked among her peers, as this was an emotional ceremony, especially for the gokkies.  The show ends with Yasuda glowing through Never Forget.

Which brings me to my rant of the day.  It always bothers me when I hear Yasuda referred to as ugly or homely.  I think she is a beautiful woman.  Maybe she isn't as "cute" as Nacchi or Yaguchi, but she's a very classy girl, and she can blow a mean saxaphone!!!

DVD Extras:  Backstage with the rokkies, and four (FOUR!) jankenpyon tournaments!

I highly recommend this concert for the overall energy of the performances.  Morning Musume AND the Wotas were in top form during this period.

CK in California