6 posts tagged “concert”
Yeah...I'm on the friggin' box!!!
Ever since I walked out of Yokohama Arena, I knew the first thing I would do was order this DVD the moment I had the chance. I pre-ordered it about a month ago...I wasn't going to take any chances of having a hard time finding the box-set later. I knew it came out on Wednesday. And since that day I have become increasingly anxious every day the package hasn't arrived. Saturday it finally showed up. Seeing Hello! Project in person was such a profound moment in my life. Whatever anyone says about this DVD Box Set, positive or negative, I will always hold this particular performance dear to my heart.
I opened my package at work. And I am not lying when I say I am on the box (the inner box that is) When you fold out the inner box there is a good shot of the lower bowl of the arena. Everyone I work with says it is easy to pick me out because they recognize my posture (lol!) I remember being next to a security guard for most of the show, and I can see him perfectly! I am just to his left, looking toward the rear stage.
I will be reviewing this entire box-set this weekend, disc by disc. I felt it was appropriate to start with Disc 3, since this was the show I went to...three times no less!
LOVE Machine ~ I really like the Eggs' outfits in this show. Not too frilly with the cute blue neckerchiefs. Kitahara Sayaka gets some nice close-ups (pre Milky-way), very cute! But the cameras seem to focus on Manoeri and Nocchi. I don't have a problem with this. I love that Aika gets a good solo line here, and Nacchi gets her famous "Dancing All of the Night!" part. I was mesmerized by the Elders' maid outfits the first time I saw them! Wonderful Hearts' are wearing the outfits featured in Paul's Hello! Blog poll.
Auzora ga Itsumademo Tsuzuku You na Marai de Are! ~ I always enjoy the live versions of this song, and they usually do it as a chorus. Not much else to say, it is a standard "good" performance of this song. There was a quick pan near where I was sitting. Arigatou Ohta-san for assisting me in getting those GREAT seats! Fourteenth row, near the middle red aisle...AWESOME!
LALALA Shiawase no Uta ~ I've always liked this song, even the Kouhaku performance. Even with the lame outfits (I agree with Paul at Hello! Blog), Maimi looks adorable. There is a lot of "lip-synching" throughout this show. It is very noticeable on DVD, but not so much in the Arena. I was still "in the ether" at the show, so I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Tsukiattero no ni Kataomoi ~ Another song I enjoy alot more than the flak it gets on the blogs. Yeah yeah, I know, the outfits don't match the song, but I think they all look sexy. And it's a fun song nonetheless. This doesn't sound lip-synched, and Risako hits all of her lines...good for her! At the show they had their backs to me for most of this.
Jaja Uma Paradise ~ I swear v-u-den is Hello! Project's version of a Russ Meyer film! Nothing but T&A for 3+ minutes! This is not my favorite v-u-den song (The one I love is coming later) But the "sexy" camerawork is nonstop in this sequence. Hey, the three of them can pull it off! After this song the girls announce their impending breakup. It was anti-climactic, as everyone already knew the news by this time. I was looking for the moment where Makoto "double-taked" at me, but they were focused on Rika at that time. The strangest part about it was in all three shows the reaction to their break-up announcement sounded like a "Bronx Cheer"!
CK's resolve to attend next year's show just rose one level...
Ai Ai Daiko ~ Maeda Yuki seems so out of place in this concert. I am not being critical of her talent either. She is an amazing singer. And of all of the performances I have seen her do, this might be the best one. There is a certain "edginess" to this song that is very cool. I remember thinking how "cool" this was at the time. Excellent song!
16 sai no Koi Nante ~ I really like this performance, even if I don't really like the song all that much. It had just been released when I was in Japan, but I never felt the desire to buy the single. Maimi and Nacchi on stage together??? I adore both of them, and they both look irresistably cute. I could watch this performance all day.
Onegai Miwaku no Target ~ It's been a year since last Winter's concert, and Melon Kinen-bi are still promoting the same single? It's a good song and a good performance. It's just too bad that they don't get more love and respect, which they totally deserve! They really revved up the crowd in a major way! Masae is my favorite in the group, but Megumi has never looked cuter!
Yattarouze! ~ I am trying to recognize the "soloist" potential in Manoeri. The Egg that stands to me here is Sawada Yuri. I think she is just as cute as Mano, and almost as cute as Nocchi, but nobody can be as "cute" as Noto Arisa, she has that market cornered! Of the two Gatas singles at the time, I prefer this one. BTW, Charmy seems "hidden" in Gatas. I really hope H!P has something bigger for her in the near future.
Chance! ~ This is the exact same performance Koharu did during the Bon Kyu! Bomb concert. I had not seen that performance when I saw this, so I enjoyed this at the arena, and the costume change "bit" was amazing to me. But with the benefit of hindsight, I feel slightly ripped-off. I really like Koharu and all of her goofiness. But she should have had a new song to perform by this time. So I guess I blame Tsunku.
Seishun! LOVE Lunch ~ I love both of Athena and Robikerottsu's singles, especially this one. I was so excited to hear this song. But it seems "sped-up". I noticed it in the arena, and it is obvoius here. Slightly disappointing, but I still hope we hear more from this unit. They are extremely cute.
I Know ~ I was so happy to hear this song! It is one my H!P favorites. I still wish they had filmed the Saturday version where the microphone "disintegrated" in Aya's hands! I adore Ayaya so much! She is such a wonderful singer...a consummate professional...at 21 years old!!! And I "had a ball" doing the "Oh Yeah" parts in the audience! By the way, Ayaya looks incredibly sexy...is she wearing a Wonderbra??? And we get more of Ayaya's sexiness during the next MC segment.
CK's desire to attend next year's performance just rose another ten levels!
Danna Sama ~ This is who I should be drooling over, as I am close to Yuko in age. Actually, Yuko looks like she could be related to me (she looks alot like my mother when she was younger) She looks beautiful, and it's a nice song.
Iki wo Kasanemashou ~ As much as I love Abe Natsumi (she makes my top three in Ray's ranker), this song doesn't do too much for me. Even at the concert, I was waiting for this song to end! But her eyes are unbelievably pretty!!! Another song I'll watch with the sound turned down.
Mikan ~ It's been over an hour, and finally we get Morning Musume! The best thing about this song is the sexy outfits from the PV (which we will get to see again later). Since the song is upbeat, it seems much shorter live than on the PV/Single. BTW, it became obvious to me who I am most "in love with" in H!P. I couldn't take my eyes off of Reina whenever she was on stage. Aika and Eri stood out alot more than I noticed when I was there. I am starting to gain alot more respect for Aika's talent.
In every MC segment, I am wondering if Mari is putting on weight...
Renai Rider ~ You only need to read my Cafe Buono! review to know how much I love this! Nobody fills a pair of "short-shorts" quite like Airi! And I love Momo's tartan skirt and badass jacket as well. The only disappointing thing is that they skip the second verse, which is my favorite part of the song.
Inshouha Renoir no You ni ~ I really like this Elegies single. Take a good look, bacause this is the only good look we will get of Ayaka and Atsuko. They do a great job with this song too. I look forward to the Elder's Club disc where hopefully they will get more attention. This is part one of the elder's segment, followed by...
Otome no Shinrigaku ~ Shaking the cobwebs off of "2nd Morning" Kei-chan and Marippe are very sexy here. What a great "forgotten" song! The last two song are concrete evidence the elders are still a great part of Hello! Project. Give these girls more work for cryin' out loud!!!
Yuujou ~Kokoro no Busu niwa Naranee! ~ This is my favorite song of the night, and might be my all time favorite song period! I can't describe the energy in the arena for this performance, it rivals Berryz' Yuujou Junjou oh Seishun! from last year. And it come complete with a Takahashi crotch-shot closeup. AWESOME!...
CK's desire to be at next years' performance just hit fever pitch!
MC ~ I don't know what the whole "ukii" bit was all about, but it was much funnier watching them screw up the same bit on Saturday night. The "what the hell are you doing?" look Risa gave Ai that night was priceless!
Tokaikko Junjou ~ Jeez, is Hagitty becoming the pre-teen Diva! They all seem to be enjoying themselves, especially Maimi. Is this song supposed to be this cheerful? C-ute really seems to be feeding off the crowd here, and "we" were really energetic for this! I really like this song, so I enjoyed it alot. The only thing that would've been cooler was if they did this in the outfits from the PV.
Special Generation ~ This is not one my favorite Berryz' songs, but I do get that it is a big fan favorite. Like on "Kataomoi", Risako sounds much better than I have heard her in the past. But I still don't believe that she should be one of the lead singers. Yurina sounds much improved too. Poor Maasa, I almost never saw her! I'm glad she danced near me a couple of times at the show.
Narihajimeta Koi no BELL ~ It's interesting who the cameras focus on during this song. We start with Yossie (the most important member), then to Konno (fan favorite), then Nocchi and Manoeri (the most important Eggs), then Charmy. Thay Nocchi "fist-pump" was adorable, my heart is melting! The rest of the members of Gatas seem like "extras" here. In fact I don't think I have seen a closeup of Mika Mutou all night! I still think Yuri is the underrated Gatas girl. Watching Yossie here proves she could be a soloist.
Yeah! Meccha Holiday ~ "I @ yume dotto dotto surassho!...SURASSHO!!!" That is all I need to say to tell you how awesome this is to see live! Till the day I die I will sing the praises of how great Ayaya is. I am relieved that she didn't sing Ne~e, only because if she had, I'm sure I would have dropped dead from RAPTURE in the middle of the arena! MY GOD DO I ADORE HER!!!
Love & Peace! HERO ga Yattekita ~ This is the best Momusu performance of the night. And do I love these costumes! I've never seen Morning Musume wear outfits that showed off their posteriors as well as these! I enjoyed the little kiss Sayu threw at Ai-chan. In fact, Sayu performed very well in this entire show! I forgot to mention how well Risa works the crowd during Mikan, she is up to her same antics here. She wasn't one of my favorite Musumes at all until I went to Japan. seeing her live totally changed my opinion of her!
Bon Kyu! Bon Kyu! BOMB Girl ~ I've already seen two versions of this on the fall tour DVD, so I'll just spend this song staring at the girls bottoms...Sorry, but these outfits are Uber-Sexy!
Koisuru Angel Heart ~ I love their chorus songs. And Momusu, Berryz, C-ute, and v-u-den all sound great here. This is a very sweet, almost tribute-style version of this song. One of my favorites of v-u-den..."HAPPY!"...
Renai Revolution 21 ~ Another excessively played hit for the big Winter show. As this was my first H!P concert ever, I was glad to hear some of Morning Musume's classics live, so I didn't mind at all. Anyway, this is always a fun song to hear. In my opinion it is sung alot for good reason. It was obvious at this point the show was winding to a close.
**Now in the beginning of the final MC segment, Mari and Yuko say something that makes Nacchi cry, but I don't know what it was. When I was there I thought Yuko was saying something about leaving H!P as well. But on the DVD it sounds like it was something complimentary for Nacchi...I don't know. Anyone???
ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL! ~ I was hoping they would end with this! I figured I had a 50/50 shot, as they seem to end with this quite often. The most painful thing to me is watching Yossie and Rika do the 4th gen. line without Kago and Tsuji. Any why did 7th and 8th generation get skipped? I know they didn't sing on the original. But they have made many alterations to this song for the departed members. Koharu, Aika, Jun Jun and Lin Lin deserve their moment too!
Quick summary: I may be biased because I was there, but I love this show! The cameras panned over where I was standing many times, and I'll depend on Rad to isolate the scenes where he can see us. Now I have another three discs to watch. Up next...Wonderful Hearts.
CK is shopping for his flight and hotel as we speak!
CK in California
Berryz Koubou Concert Tour 2006 Haru ~Nyoki Nyoki Champion!~
This is the first Hello! Project Concert DVD I ever purchased. I'm not exactly sure why. Berryz Koubou weren't my favorite H!P act at the time. It was literally "Maybe I'll buy a concert DVD today...uuuhhhhhh, Berryz Koubou, that sounds good! (Click!)" The two most coveted Berryz DVD's are probably "~Switch On~ 2005" (Maiha's graduation) and "Sakura Mankai 2007" (at Saitama Super Arena). I've actually seen both concerts, but I have an unwritten rule about having to own a copy before I'll review it.
Nyoki Nyoki Champion! was the first concert tour after the graduation of Ishimura Maiha. Although it isn't one of their most famous tours, it is a fun show with a couple of unique moments. What's also interesting is that the girls were (and still are) at the age where they are growing up so quickly that they seem like virtually different people from one concert tour to the next. This concert was less than two years ago, and compare how they looked from then to now.
Completely different, with the exception of Momo. Is she related to Dorian Gray? I wonder what Maiha looks like now.
Opening/Berryz Koubou Koushinkyoku ~ Standard "Acorn into the Oak", "Jack and the Beanstalk" opening symbolism Berryz DVD's seem to be famous for. Sorry for belaboring the point, but with the benefit of hindsight, it is amazing how much this group has grown professionally in a mere two years. There is a certain "amateurishness" to this performance. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it. This song sounds like it could be the intro to Sesame Street.
Gag 100 Kaibun Aishitekudasai ~ I love Momoko's vocals on this song. A lot of fun, manic energy here. And I love Chinami's famous "No Nyuu" line. I love it! But this is Momo's song, and she jams on it!
Koi no Jubaku ~ I'm watching this song wondering whether or not this is live or lip-synched. I've seen the YouTube video of Risako sounding awful, but she sounds good enough here. But none of them sound perfect...I'm confused. This is followed by the opening intros. "Yay!", I finally get to hear my two favs, Maasa and Captain Saki, say something! I'm not sure if either one had used there microphone yet at this point.
Jiriri Kiteru ~ Berryz being sexy? I don't know, it just feels wrong to me. (LOL) This is a good opportunity to hear all of them deliver solo lines. Miyabi is obviously their best natural singer, and Momo has the most interesting voice. Chinami sounds good, and I love Saki's breathy and sexy voice. But this is the second time in this show that I have cringed when Yurina's sings.
Himitsu no U.TA.HI.ME ~ Another song that seems to have a more even distribution of lines. I'm always routing for Maasa. First of all, she is my favorite Berry by far. She's a great looking girl and doesn't have the traditional idol physique. Her voice-over in the MiniMoni Movie, where she sounded like "Froggy" from the Little Rascals, was fabulous. She has sounded good so far. But the same can't be said about Risako...UGH, did she destory her solo line. This is kind of a weird song.
21ji Made no Cinderella ~ One of my Berryz favs! Even two years ago, Chinami's vocal talent is begging for her to be a lead singer in this group. Risako is "croaking" her lines again. Now I don't hate Risako at all, but it seems obvious that the only reason she is at the forefront of this group is because the Wotas have a "thing" for her. If this is truly about the music, there are far more talented girls in the back!
Sabori ~ Finally a slow song, they are all sweating bullets! Ahhh, youth (or Ahhh, Seishun!) They have put alot of energy into this performance. They are even bouncing around on this relatively slow number. Another thing to love about Maasa, that adorable bucktoothed smile, KAWAII!
Joshi basket bu ~Asaren Atta Hi no Kamigata~ This is the only time this song has been performed live. Too bad, I love this song. It made me want to buy their 2nd CD. I remember doing skits like this in summer camp when I was ten! This is great! Saki on a basketball team, that's funny. Good thing they have Yurina "The Ringer" Kumai! The song itself is fun...
Nanchuu Koi wo Yatteruu YOU KNOW? ~ The more I pay attention to Miyabi, the sorrier I am that I ranked her fifth of seven on Paul's Hello!Blog ranker. But it really is a testament to how much I like most of the girls in Berryz Koubou. I like this song as well, it has a certain edge and maturity to it. It definitely sounds like something Morning Musume would do. This is one of the better performances of this show.
Aisuru hito no Namae wo Nikki ni (VTR) ~ Kumai redeems herself here. This is such a sweet moment...
BERRY FIELDS ~ This might be my all time favorite Berryz song. It has been done with great effect in every concert. It was so sad during Maiha's graduation, and so magical during Sakura Mankai. This is a looser version. It is such a pretty song...
Kacchoee! ~ This song always sounds great live! It is just so much fun! It was absolutely fabulous as a duet with C-ute during 2007 Winter Wonderful Hearts. Oh yeah, they are definitely singing live. You can hear them panting on some of the lines. None of them sound bad either, and Chinami is working the crowd! Another notable performance.
Anata Nashi de wa Ikite Yukenai ~ Well, Risako "looks" good...I think she needs to stay in her higher range. But Saki steals the show with her superior dancing skills. I knew I loved that girl for a reason!
Anshinkan ~ In keeping with the basketball theme..."Kumai-san down the lane, she can redeem herself if she just makes this shot, 20-footer from the top of the key...NOOOOOOOO!" Listen, I like her too. I like them all...really, I do! Yurina seems like she has a very sweet disposition. She'll be a fantastic model or Olympian, either one. But as far as her singing, I'm just not "feelin' it" But she looks good in her "Kirarin Revolution" dress.
Yume de Do Up ~ My "dream" trio, Maasa, Chinami and Momoko. Another very pretty song. And the three of them look so cute up there. Very good performance.
Koishiterutoki wa Itsumo ~ For some reason I find the melody of this song to be obnoxious. I have to admit, Captain doesn't sound too good on it either. And they all sound like they are screaming on the chorus. Next.
Piriri to Yukou ~ This song (and it's Momusu companion, Sukiyaki) always sound great! It has a pretty chorus, and the dance is cute. And I love the Caribbean flavor of the music. The multicolored short skirts and bellyshirts are my favorite costumes so far.
Happiness ~Kofuku Kangei!~ Am I the only one that thought they were saying "We welcome the sadness tonight?". I still think that's what they are saying. I love this song. But it's just another glaring lesson on who should be singing lead in this group. Well...two out of three ain't bad. Risako sounded okay on some of it, and her tight shorts sorta make up for it.
Special Generation ~ The eternal Berryz crowd pleaser. I know it's the favorite of a lot of people. And the Wotas definitely get into it. They get to jump around and chant. A good, high-energy song to end the main set. Lets just say I don't seek it out when I am scanning "Dai ni Seichouki"
Encore/Yuujou Junjou oh Seishun ~ One of the best songs in the H!P catalog. They bring the same energy to it here as all of Hello! Project last year. A smoking performance, and a perfect "almost" ending. Arigatou! Otomodachi sweetly ends the show. Saki getting emotional at the end, awww.
So Kids, what did we learn here today. Miyabi and Momoko are the leaders of this group for good reason. It's the same reason why Buono! is currently succeeding. The third lead singer, without a doubt, should be Chinami. She's past her tomboy period, and is a superior singer. I don't understand why Risako gets so many lines if she is going to blow them all. Here's an idea, find an anime show, call it "Whatever" Revolution starring Sugaya Risako, and have her do "cutesy" videos. Then pre-record her for every live event. I wouldn't change anything about the Captain. Saki, like Kaori Iida, is a perfect "silent" and supportive leader. And her dancing is far superior to her singing. She might be the best dancer in Hello! Project! I love Maasa, but she is not as strong a singer as the top three. Anyway, I enjoy her "underdog" persona. And would be deeply saddened if she left Berryz. Yurina plays a vital role in the image of Berryz Koubou. She has the look, but she blows as many lines as Risako.
This is a fun little concert from the less-sophisticated period of Berryz Koubou.
CK in California
I was going back and forth on which concert to review next, Berryz Koubou or Aya Matsuura. Then I got two shipments in the mail this week to add to my collection. A bunch of older stuff. But two items struck me in such a way that the next post was obvious. So this review will be a CD/DVD combo.
I'm sure most of you have seen Morning Cop. It's a gritty little movie made on a small budget made to promote Morning Musume and (seemingly) more importantly Michiyo Heike. It has some great setpieces. Some of my favorites being Michiyo being sprayed with fake blood, the "fight" scene, and our girls being chased around a spooky, desolated house by a crazed Otaku stalker. There is a great line by the "darth vader" character that many should take note of..."Idols should be supported from afar". But enough about the movie...
The CD/OST is a nice little collection of mostly seldom heard songs that are fun to listen to. It also has a very 70's quality to it. Now I know why many around International Wota accuse Tsunku of being "stuck in the past", composition-wise.
Dakedo Aishisugite ~ Michiyo Heike Michiyo's style was definitely more in the rock genre than anywhere else. This song has an 80's metal feel to it, highlighted in the movie by Michiyo gunning down the Musume's with an uzi under the opening credits.
Onegai Nail ~ Morning Musume Musume and Michiyo with a "Stevie Wonder" style. 70's R&B with a horn section, and harmonica solo!
Yoroshiku! ~ Morning Musume Fun song with more of an 80's surf-Devo sound to it, if that makes any sense. This song is played over a montage of Momusu's "vigorous" training to take on the stalker.
Koi no ABC ~ Morning Musume This is the only song on the OST, other than "Daite, Hold On Me" , that I know of that they have ever performed live. I'll review that performance below.
Tsuyoku naranakucha...ne ~ Michiyo Heike This is it! This is the song that hooked me for this CD. An amazing power ballad that starts soft and builds momentum as it goes. The chord pregressions sound like something Paul Williams would have written in the mid 70's. It is also reminiscent of late 80's hard rock ballads, beautifully sung by Heike, and with a legit guitar solo!!! If Takitty insists on soloing on ballads at every concert, I highly recommend this one. It suits her too.
Daite HOLD ON ME! ~Sexy Long Version~ Dance remix of the classic. Same cool song, with a few twists. Has a great "Emerson Lake and Palmer" style sequence at the end. I'd like to hear this segued into "Karn Evil 9"
If you haven't already, check out the film and OST. Now onto the DVD...
Morning Musume Memory Seishun no Hikari
(1999)
(The granddaddy of all cryfests!)
You only need to watch the first 5 minutes of this DVD to get an idea of what awaits. One by one, each member of Morning Musume, with tears flowing, walks offstage into the awaiting arms of her crying groupmates. I don't think I have ever seen Morning Musume cry this hard as a group. I mean every single one of them was practically hysterical! Finally our girl of the hour makes her way offstage. This is the graduation concert of Fukuda Asuka. Which means it is time for my next love confession. Asuka is so damn cute! She is especially adorable throughout this concert. A point I'm sure I will bring up repeatedly throughout this review! Now if I could only find that bar she works at!
Although this is a concert DVD, it is shot in documentary style, and we are starting the DVD at the end of the concert ala Quentin Tarantino. I think it is also shot on film as opposed to the usual "live video" style most of the concert DVD's are formatted in today. Was this released in theaters? This is also the concert that they employed a live band for the music, which was something I was apprehensive about.
We are treated to some pre-show rehearsal footage, including the building of the set, testing of effects etc. The girls show up in a van with the windows draped over. Now that I think of it, I saw a few of those vans in the arena lot friday before the concert at Yokohama! I had a feeling they were rehearsing the show that day. Then Sayaka and Mari arrive seperately by Taxi...TAXI??? What, did they miss the bus? I guess Mari was honing her "usually late" character. I thought it was neat to see them rehearse in their street clothes.
Summer Night Town ~ I first saw this performance on Dohhhup. Asuka is a great singer. She has the lead on this song, along with Nacchi, and they look like sisters with the same hairstyle and face shape! This is my all-time favorite performance of this song...
Koi no ABC ~ Catchy song with Bond-esque music and a slight rap style. I also like that each girl takes a solo line in the verse. So everyone gets their moment. The girls look collectively sexy in those long royal blue skirts and jackets, eh? This also the cutest I've ever seen Sayaka as well. We then cut to more backstage footage, with everyone individually talking about Asuka.
Junjou Koushinkyoku ~ Yuko doing an enka song. The song sounds very traditional, and she's a natural at it. Short and sweet!
Last Kiss ~ "Some early Tanpopo for ya!" (repeat in pukey DJ style) Tight red leather, very cool! Good song, Aya doesn't sound as good as Kaorin and Marippe. BTW, the band sounds great! I thought that would take away from the concert. But they are reproducing the original songs very well, and bringing an exciting feel to the show! There is a cute little backstage moment here, and Asuka looks amazingly cute! But we are kicked out so Yuko can change costume. (Bummer)
Memory Seishun no Hikari ~ I just found the "Mikan" costumes! And why does Kaori always have that spacey look on her face? She looks like Leslie Van Houten! Asuka sings the lead, again with Nacchi. Here is another question for the experts...did Asuka get this many solos on record, or is this just because she is graduating? I'm not complaining, I like it.
Happy Night ~ This is a fun live performance. I like the sexy outfits they were wearing under the "Mikan" jackets...
Mirai no Tobira ~ I know I said I would be cooing over Asuka all night, but Sayaka looks cute as hell as she revs up the crowd over this intro. I was combing through my DVD's to see where I had seen/heard this song before. It was in last year's Elder's Club concert. Great Song! And Asuka is adorable! (There, I said it! Again!)
Daite HOLD ON ME! ~ I'm trying to figure out if this is lip synched or not. The verse isn't for sure, as I've heard a couple of "flat" lines. But the chorus sounds perfect. If this is live, they sound great! After the song, we cut to backstage and girls getting ready for their final set. Here is where things get good!
Morning Coffee ~ Starts in their usual "bowling pin" formation. Jeez Nacchi!, you're already crying? We haven't even started the graduation ceremony yet! But this is a mere preview to the waterworks that are about to begin. It is really neat to get a chance to see all five of the original girls perform this song. It has been done so many times, with so many lineups!
Never Forget ~ Asuka's graduation song. Asuka is in her own little world out there as one by one all of the other girls "lose it" on stage...
It is interesting to see all of the different ways in which thay have done "graduations". This one is kind of a two parter sandwiched around the last song. First the girls give their message to Asuka while standing in a straight line. Nacchi, Mari and Kaori get especially emotional. Then Yuko loses it...what is this world coming to? The amazing thing is with all of this emotion pouring out of everyone, Asuka is a "rock" up there. Just smiling and enjoying the moment. It is pretty clear to me that she was "ready" to graduate, and had already graduated in her mind long before this concert. This DVD is worth the buy, if only to see Kaori blubbering behind Asuka during her speech. "Samishii Hi" is not the greatest performance, but watching the emotional spectacle makes it worthwhile. The final moment on stage, as the girls give Asuka a flower one by one, is great! The piano accompaniment is beautiful.
Words cannot properly describe the following footage! Crying backstage, Crying in the dressing room, Crying at the press conference. It is an incredible sequence. This is the biggest emotional outpouring I have ever seen by Morning Musume.
This DVD is definitely worth the money. As a concert, it is pretty good. Although it doesn't have alot of the glitz and pageantry we have come to get used to at an H!P show. But as a concert/documentary it is very good. This is Morning Musume with the whole world in front of them. All of the tv shows, movies, concerts, graduations, and scandals were just a glimmer in their eyes!
CK in California
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
Morning Musume Concert Tour 2007 Aki ~Bon Kyu! Bon Kyu! BOMB~
Okay, I know I said I would be doing retro reviews. But after reading True Life Seek's lambasting of this concert, my initial reaction was "NOOOOOOOO, say it ain't so!" Luckily, YesAsia.com delivered today, so I get to have my own take on it. I'll do another retro review this weekend as well, probably Kei-chan's graduation.
This was the concert I had originally planned on flying to Japan for. But alas, it wasn't to be.
Opening/Bonkyu Bonkyu Bomb Girl: Whats up with the somber/grand version of Onna ni Sachi Are, segued into the uptempo Bonkyu Bomb Girl? I used to work as a radio dj. We had a name for that kind of transition...TRAINWRECK. I liked this song at Yokohama, it was pretty much the same here. Fun song, Ai-chan stands out with alot of the solo lines.
Mikan: I like this song alot better live than on CD/PV. It seems tighter here. Two things I noticed, 1) Sayu had the cuteness on overdrive, and 2) Koharu does the EXACT same facial expression on her first solo line as the PV. Geez, these girls have their parts down!
Hand Made City: Those video screen intros in the background looked pretty cool! First time I've heard this song. I've never seen Momusu do a song in Semaphore before! Perfect fit for the uptempo opening to get the crowd going.
Kacchoii ze! JAPAN: I really hope they have something new for Charmy after v-u-den splits up. She plays a very secondary role to Yossie in Gatas, and she deserves to be a headliner. Any chance we can bring back Country Musume ni Ishikawa Rika? Or is Asami too busy with the "dog-thing"? This is a pretty tight performance.
Please! Jiyuu no Tobira: Cute outfits. Kamei is beginning to stand out to me. Her tan complexion and long hair has her looking "beachy", and a bit more mature (or I could just be thinking of the scandal) This is a great look for her. Catchy tune, and I like the "Pete Townshend-esque" song intro...
Kanashimi Twilight: Fine, but not one of my favs. Everyone seems to be talking about the next MC segment, Sayu terrorizing Tanaka and Eririn, with JunJun and LinLin looking on in horror. Cute segment, alot better than the weird puppet show that came later.
Chance: Now I know how Koharu changed the costume! She did the same song with the same outfit at Yokohama, but I never had a good angle of it. Once again, great material. I wish she could do it live.
Suki na Senpai: Cool, a song from my favorite Momusu period. I love the 4th album. I'll admit, JunJun needs some work, especially with confidence and projection. LinLin is clean, but a little high-pitched. I'm just glad they got to lead on a song. The polish will come with experience.
Shanimuni Paradise: Ahhhh, my favorite part of the show. I thought the four of them were all great here. Ai-chan's little facial expressions, Gaki-san being Gaki-san, Eri looking beautiful, and Tanaka's winking etc...all great. I think Tanaka is the greatest in this group right now. I love every wink, blink, peace sign, pouty look. So cute!...
Ikamasshoi!: Cool, another song from the 4th album. Good performance, Eri looking and sounding great again. More cute Reina facial-ticks, and Sayumi starting to show en edge...I like it.
v-u-den: It is a Morning Musume concert, so I'll keep it brief here. I like v-u-den alot, and am sorry they have become a "lame duck". I love the red mini-skirts with the tight black top and black boots. Very sexy! They are very strong singers, and good performers overall. I liked Bi ~Hit Parade~ the best because they seem to do the other 3 songs ALOT! I'll always have fond memories of seeing them perform Koisuru Angel Heart in person, a very pretty song.
Otoko Tomodachi: Yay, Mittsi gets to headline...good for her! I think it was very brave of her to solo on a song that is so identified with Nacchi.
Puppet Show/Gyutto Dakishimete: Uhhh...Well....Ummm...I guess if I understood more Japanese the puppet show would've been "hysterical". At least the girls got a chance to rest. Oh, Ai-chan...I love you so. But if these are the kinds of songs we can expect if you go solo, Nostradamus predicts around 4,000 copies per single. However, I'll still buy the photobooks.
HOW DO YOU LIKE JAPAN?: I've never been a fan of this song. It's not very melodic, and it reminds me of why I hated Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" when it came out. But I'll save my Nirvana/Kurt Cobain rant for another time. I don't buy Morning Musume as "tough and edgy"
Shabondama: A Tanaka headliner...I'm happy. Gaki-san does a great job with her expanded role. Perfect song for her. Wow, an angry Kamei taking over Charmy's solo...I'd hate to be that ex-boyfriend about now! Alot to like about this performance!
NATURE IS GOOD!: Another song with a live version far superior to the recorded version. I like the melody, and the girls sound good doing it. One of the highlight performances of the show, despite the dumb title...
Ambitious! Yashinteki de Ii Jan: Good, but the 2006 Wonderful Hearts performance on Dohhhup is a lot better.
Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~: I always enjoy this song, makes me think of the PV's, which I love!
Love & Peace! HERO ga Yattekita: This was one of my favorite moments of Haru Pro Award '08. This song is alot of fun to see, and that one part in the chorus where everyone jumps in unison was exhilarating. This version seems on par with January's performance. Cool finish to the main set.
ENCORE: First off, what's up with all of the fur? Now I understand why an American performance wouldn't work. With those outfits, some nut would douse them in fake blood for sure! I like HELLO TO YOU!, but it seems a little late in the concert for that. I always think of it as an Eggs song, as they were the first I ever heard perform it. Onna ni Sachi Are...fine, but not one of my favs. Bonkyu Bomb: First Tsunku borrows a Berryz song from Eurovision, now he is taking set list advice from James Joyce? Ya know, I am fine with them finishing with the same song they started with, but they could've changed up the singing order and choreography.
I did like this concert...a lot. We'll see how it's "shelf life" holds up. I did notice that it is very much the Ai/Risa/Reina/Eri show. To be honest, that's fine with me. For now, they are the group's four strongest performers.
CK in California
"Someone told me there are girls out there with love in their eyes and flowers in their hair.
Took my chances on a big jet plane, never let them tell you that they're all the same." ~ Led Zep
This is my second ever blog attempt. I am inspired by the many excellent writers over at International Wota. My favorites are...
1. MiniMoniMania, aka Kawaiirrhea. Everything MMM has done so far has been a masterpiece to me. I like the style for the same reason I love Dennis Miller's "The Rants". My favorite humor is material very few get, even I don't get a lot of it, but I'm still laughing.
2. True Life Seek. Broomhead's Haromoni@ reviews...comedy. For me, it's a total "buy".
3. Hello! Blog. One of the first H!P blogs I ever read. I love that Paul lets the reader into his life a lot more than many other J-pop bloggers.
This is a (not so) brief report on my trip to Japan. One caveat, composition was never my strongest subject (I'm a math guy), so I will never compare to the writing abilities of the above mentioned people. That being said, I am treating these posts as an audition of sorts. I hope they are at the very least slightly enjoyable.
As stated in my previous post, I had decided that it was my life mission to attend a Hello! Project or Morning Musume concert last summer. My first intention was to go to the Bonkyu Bomb concert in October, but my vacation schedule wasn't working out. I love the H!P 2007 Winter Box, so the 2008 version was the next logical choice. Here are some tips as a first time visitor of Japan.
Although I studied Japanese steadily for the 6 months leading up to the trip, I forgot most of it when I arrived. This made the trip alot more challenging as I was by myself for the first three days I was there. The more Japanese you know, the better off you'll be. Either that, or hire a guide. The Japanese I remembered was extremely helpful...Duh!
The JR line is very convenient, and easy to use. It didn't take me long to figure it out. The station agents are very helpful. Just tell them the stop you want and they will get you on the correct train, even with very limited English. I highly recommend downloading a JR line map. I carried my local neighborhood maps and JR line map everywhere I went (all printed from the web). Made things a lot easier.
Food was not nearly as expensive as I thought it would be. Every ramen shop has a special, and most sushi was about half the price of what I pay in California. The hardest part was ordering as you can't count on the waiter to know any English, so I stuck to restaurants with pictures. BTW, the vending machines (located everywhere) were a godsend.
I highly recommend obtaining your show tickets before you get to Japan, just one less thing to worry about. I did locate the ticket reseller on Takeshita Dori I had heard good things about. It is upstairs in the LOVX building, with an H!P store nearby.
OK, now the review...
The doors opened about 45 minutes before the show, and most people jammed the entrance. The seating is reserved, so there is no reason to rush in. I went in with about 20 minutes to showtime each time. I spent those 20 minutes entranced by the stage (sort of a Barbie Dream Castle theme), and frozen with anticipation that within minutes I will be within mere feet of these young ladies whom I've built up in my mind as legendary.
Lights do down, and there are Makoto and Yaguchi...OMG! YAGUCHI! IN PERSON! I am in awe, although I am surprised by the "cold" start to the show. Don't they usually show up after the first couple of songs? This is different.
The lights slowly come up on the stage as Love Machine begins, ofcourse it's the Eggs. Now I know everyone is sick of the endless Love Machine performances, especially after Kouhaku. But this is my first H!P concert ever. Even if it was The Manpower (my least favorite Momusu single), I still would've been ecstatic. Just get me to the second verse! Second verse, here they come...Maid outfits? AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Second song: Aozora ga Itsumademo. They seem to do this song alot at the big shows as it has an "anthemy" quality to it. Pretty song, standard big-scale H!P performance.
The format of the show was Haru Pro Award 2008. Basically that meant they would introduce the next artists to come in each set, and some accomplishment they had recently achieved (i.e. C-ute best new artist award, Berryz the youngest to perform at Saitama). Here is a rundown by group (I'm saving the best for last)
Morning Musume: Best song, Bonkyu Bonkyu Bomb Girl...great live. In fact all three songs they lead on were uptempo. Love & Peace was great as well, two high energy songs in a row for them, cool!
H!P Kids: Renai Rider was great. I was slightly disappointed by Seishun Love Lunch as it seemed to be slightly lacking in energy (and was lipsynced, I think) I liked LALALA as the song is fun and energetic, and really got the crowd going early in the show. Berryz recreated the Kataomoi video, and pleased the crowd with Special Generation. But the winner here was Wonderful Hearts - Yuujou Kokoro no Busu, which I thought was even better than last year's performance of Berryz' "Oh Seishun", and I love that performance.
Elders: Yuko, Nacchi and Yuki did their "latest" songs, fine. Gives the crowd a chance to rest. Although Ai Ai Daiko is a beautiful song. I was surprised most of the Wotas knew the lyrics. Great song choice for Ayaka, Atsuko et.al. "Renoir" is very sexy and very catchy. The winner here was Kei-chan and Yaguchi's Otome no Shinrigaku. It's one of those songs I had forgotten I liked. Another sexy performance. BTW, Nacchi's fans have got to be the most rabid in the arena!
Melon Kinenbi: Onegai Miwaku no Target, a real crowd-pleaser. I thought it was great in 2007, and it was great here too. I don't know why they seem to be so ignored. They are a great group with a great catalogue, and the crowd seems to like them. So what's the problem?
v-u-den: Jaja Uma Paradise was fine. With the knowledge of their break-up coming, Koisuru Angel Heart was a fun and (for me) touching performance. Even though they shared the singing with Morning Musume. Charmy looked great, as usual! BTW, on Sunday v-u-den's break up announcement came after Jaja Uma Paradise. Only on Saturday night did they do it before the final number, All For One & One For All. I guess they (correctly) felt that ending the show on a "downer" wasn't the best idea, so they switched it.
Gatas/Kirarin/Abe-Maimi: Gatas were fine, I love Noto Arisa. Nacchi and Maimi were adorable on stage together, even if I don't love the song. I wish Koharu was a better singer, I am always let down by her lip-synching. She is cute up there on her own, and the costume change mid song was great! (the same as the Bonkyu version)
Aya Matsuura: I was so worried. I love Ayaya so much, but don't care much for her recent stuff. I figured I'd be hearing two songs from Double Rainbow. I was so happy to hear "I Know" begin, it's my favorite song of hers. I loved when the microphone fell apart in her hand on Saturday night. I wish that made it to the DVD! If that wasn't enough, Yeah! Meccha Holiday later on. Two classics! I'm in heaven. Ayaya is amazing live (uh oh, my next quest, an Aya Matsuura concert). To me, she was the highlight of the show!
This was an experience I'll treasure for the rest of my life. I sat in different spots for each show. My 14th row floor seats Sunday night were the best. The energy down there is quite different from the energy further up. Being that close, and being caucasian, I caught the eyes of alot of the girls. What a feeling to know that for 30 seconds someone like Reina Tanaka knows I exist! The show was absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for the DVD. If you are a fan, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO! SOON! Before your favorites graduate! I am making this a personal annual event. Hope to see you there!
CK in California (Chris)
P.S. My next challenge in the blogosphere is to learn how to add screencaps, wish me luck!
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