OSAKA, NAMBA HATCH 11.12.03
| Sound quality: | 8 |
| Source: | Core Sound Stealthy Cardioid mics -> Sony MZ-R900 md -> cdr. My recording. |
| Complete: | Yes |
| X-ref: | Another audience recording does exist |
| Japan premiers of Bedroom Eyes and Little Ricky Massenburg. |
| World premier of Sideway Spiral IV, only performance of the tour. |
Recording comments: Recorded in sound center, in the middle of the hall, ca 10-15 meters from the stage, to the left of the soundboard. Well balanced mix, but slightly distant sound.
Performace comments: Another indoor festival show together with Quruli and others, some 1500 people in a sold out high tech hall at the 5th floor at Namba Hatch, a most amazing building looking like a flying saucer or something. Japan sure is overwhelming!
This must have been the show that ended up closest to what the Japanese audiences probably expected. Only Phanerothyme and It's A Love Cult had been released in Japan so far, with In The Fishtank widely available as a rather expensive import. This night the audience was presented to a varied setlist with no spaceouts or long jams, just a handful of good, plain songs performed to perfection, much in the spirit of the last couple of albums. The band was in a very good mood, and the crowd seemed to love every minute.
Highlights: The magic of being there somehow does not fully project on this recording, although there is nothing wrong with the recording whatsoever. The only really interesting song we are left with is the new version of Sideway Spiral. But that one is again historic, as this was its debut performance.