VOL.115 concert DVD“GARNET CROW livescope 2004 〜君という光〜”

From music freak magazine Vol. 115

GARNET CROW

Concert DVD *GARNET CROW livescope 2004 〜君という光〜*
Released June 16
B-VISION / ONBD-7034 / ¥3,990 (tax included)

Tracklist: Timeless Sleep／泣けない夜も 泣かない朝も／flying／Endless Desire／水のない晴れた海へ／未完成な音色／君という光／今日の君と明日を待つ／Marionette Fantasia／永遠を駆け抜ける一瞬の僕ら／千以上の言葉を並べても...／夢みたあとで／永遠に葬れ／君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく／夏の幻／Mysterious Eyes／僕らだけの未来／スパイラル／雨上がりのBlue／Holy ground／二人のロケット. Interviews and behind-the-scenes footage are also included.

Concert DVD on Sale June 16!

Since making their major-label debut in 2000, GARNET CROW had centered their activities on songwriting and recording. In the autumn of 2002, they held their first tour. The shows beautifully fulfilled their aim of recreating their recorded works onstage, leaving those images deeply etched in the eyes of the audience. After the first tour ended to an enthusiastic response, they released a concert DVD. From then on, live performance took an important place in GARNET CROW’s musical activities, and many people began looking forward to the new possibilities it might bring.

In 2004, they embarked on their second nationwide tour. Carrying their third album, *Crystallize 〜君という光〜*, released the previous November, and their first single of 2004, “僕らだけの未来,” *GARNET CROW livescope 2004 〜君という光〜* visited Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Tokyo beginning January 27. A DVD containing the complete performances will be released on June 16, offering plenty to enjoy as we follow GARNET CROW in their role as live musicians.

This tour continued their emphasis on recreating their recorded works, while also giving a sense that they were still exploring their own sonic world. The solemn atmosphere one feels when listening to their songs was reflected onstage as well. Columns reminiscent of a palace and large crimson banners shaped like crests, each bearing a crow silhouette, stimulated the audience’s imagination. The members standing among them also seemed more dependable than usual.

Their attention to sound could be felt in every corner of the stage. First was the presence of the supporting musicians. Performances by accomplished players such as Yoshinobu Oga 〈oom〉 (guitar), Yuichiro Iwai 〈IN db〉 (guitar), David C. Brown 〈EXPERIENCE〉 (drums), and Masato Ohashi (formerly of FEEL SO BAD) (bass) amplified the depth of GARNET CROW’s original sound and spread it to every corner of the venue. That sense of comfort is sure to come through fully even in the footage.

The members’ playing was of course impossible to look away from as well. AZUKI seemed to watch over the entire stage as she played gentle melodies; Okamoto enjoyed playing together with everyone, displaying finely detailed guitar work; and Furui, contrary to his usually composed image, played with overflowing passion. This is a precious work that lets us encounter each performer’s individual character.

Nakamura seemed to embrace everyone’s playing as she sang each song. Her voice, cutting through the music, moved the audience and filled the hall with emotion. As this process repeated and accumulated, the distance between the members and the audience gradually narrowed, and GARNET CROW’s live sound took shape.

This DVD also includes documentary footage from the tour and interviews with the members. Furui says, “Concerts keep getting better the more you do them.” AZUKI says, “Concerts show me that there is somewhere we are meant to go.” Okamoto replies, “I pay attention to narrowing the gap between the record and the live performance.” Nakamura says, “It makes me happy to see the audience’s reactions.” Their perspectives differ, but each one conveys how much the members value performing live.

The DVD also includes “雨上がりのBlue,” a new song performed live before it had been released on CD. Presenting a new song for the first time at a concert may be a new challenge born from the experience they have accumulated through touring. A work that records this moment will also become a precious document in GARNET CROW’s history.

At the same time as this concert DVD, GARNET CROW will release the new single “君を飾る花を咲かそう.” What form will the song they have brought with them after their second tour take? Perhaps this single and DVD will allow us to imagine where they are headed in the second half of 2004.

THURSDAY Live at hills パン工場 Performance Information

“OKAMOTO NIGHT”
August 5 (Thursday), doors open at 18:30, show starts at 19:30.
Featuring: Hitoshi Okamoto and others.
Inquiries: hills LIVE Ticket Center, 06-6110-7111.

Official website: http://garnetcrow.com

New Single “君を飾る花を咲かそう”

Released June 16
GIZA studio / GZCA-7054 / ¥1,000 (tax included)

1. 君を飾る花を咲かそう
2. やさしい雨
3. 夜深けの流星達
4. 君を飾る花を咲かそう 〜instrumental〜

※ “君を飾る花を咲かそう” is the ending theme for the TV Tokyo network anime *モンキーターン*.

1. “君を飾る花を咲かそう”

The harmonies in the intro create a solemn atmosphere, while over a steady rhythm the vocals depict the protagonist’s feelings toward someone who is about to leave this place. Parting from someone is certainly sad, but the feeling does not end with sadness alone. AZUKI’s positive lyrics and Nakamura’s warm voice convey that clearly. The voice running through the entire song, combining gentleness and strength, is another detail worth listening to closely. Be sure to pay attention to the nostalgic arrangement as well.

2. “やさしい雨”

The electric-piano tones and beat intertwine comfortably in this appealing pop song. The lyrics portray the protagonist walking through the streets while following memories, almost allowing us to sense the air outside as well. Nakamura sings candidly of the wish for two people’s feelings to be returned. Listen too for the various instruments that expand the song’s depth.

3. “夜深けの流星達”

The vocals make an impact from the very beginning. The expansive musical scale conveys the depth of the night sky in which the “shooting stars” of the title shine, and it is mesmerizing. The lyrics, which feel like passages from a story, leave a strong impression, while the powerful vocals further strengthen the song’s imagery. The arrangement continues to build toward the second half, making this an exciting song one would very much like to hear live.