VOL.168 concert DVD“GARNET CROW Special Live in 仁和寺”

●○○From music freak magazine Vol.168

GARNET CROW

Live DVD
“GARNET CROW Special Live in 仁和寺”
2008.12.17 On Sale !!

About one year and two months after the special live “GARNET CROW Special live 2007 in 仁和寺,” held on October 20, 2007 to commemorate GARNET CROW’s “seventh year”…… that performance will be released on DVD on December 17.

They have captivated audiences with their unique world at the lives they have performed so far, but this particular live was surely worthy of being called “special.” The venue was Kyoto’s World Heritage site, Ninna-ji. With the eyes of 3,000 spectators fixed on it, the stage set against the Nio-mon gate of Ninna-ji, the World Heritage site standing in the darkness, transformed into a fantastical space as the lights came up. The weather on the day before the show was apparently rainy, but the day itself was fine enough for a beautiful moon to be visible. The footage also lets us see the slightly chilly wind blowing through the venue.

The venue was not the only reason this day was called a “special live.” The members’ classically styled costumes, the main lights evoking lanterns set on the stage, pampas grass swaying in the night breeze, and a special band formation including strings were all combined with songs featuring many acoustic arrangements. The result was a stage where the venue and GARNET CROW’s world merged beautifully. The set list was also unique to this day. From numbers emphasizing a Japanese flavor to songs with an exotic atmosphere, as well as songs to enjoy together with the audience, the varied lineup drew the spectators in one after another and carried them all the way to the finale. This premium, one-night-only live is being released on DVD because so many fans called for it to be made available as a work. The reason is immediately obvious once you watch the footage.

In the opening number “夢・花火,” the passionate sound and stage images that seem to carry the scent of an outdoor show heighten the song’s drama. In the following “まぼろし” and “巡り来る春に,” wide shots of the stage illuminated in orange and blue let you experience the distinctive atmosphere enveloping the venue. “Sky” and “君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく,” presented in an acoustic style by the four members alone, one of the highlights of this live, suddenly turn into a friendly, intimate space when the audience joins in with handclaps. In “Sky,” Hirohito Furui plays acoustic guitar alongside Hitoshi Okamoto, while Nana AZUKI keeps the rhythm on tambourine—scenes like these cannot be seen at an ordinary live. As Yuri Nakamura says, “Please enjoy the live while feeling the 1,100-year history of Ninna-ji,” and every song that follows carries a strong sense of character. The wind blowing through the venue and the sound resonating together can be felt in “水のない晴れた海へ”; the relaxed rhythm and carefully spun sounds of “Marionette Fantasia” create a fantastical world; and after “pray,” where the smoke-filled stage looks like an apparition, the close interaction continues as “スカイ・ブルー” draws the audience into singing along.

In the second half of the live, more songs made to be savored appear, including “かくれんぼ,” whose lyrics perfectly suit the venue, and “君 連れ去る時の訪れを,” where rainbow-colored lighting glows beautifully as Nakamura’s dignified voice rings out. At the same time, “Holy ground,” where blue penlights covering the audience turn the venue into another dimension, and “風とRAINBOW,” whose passionate melody and acoustic-guitar tone stir the heart, gradually heat up the room. After the standard live numbers “Mysterious Eyes” and “二人のロケット” spark the audience, the day’s live comes to a bittersweet close with “夢みたあとで,” a song precious to both the members and their fans.

Because the stage layout for this live differs from usual, the members are also notably close to one another. It is a pleasure to see their expressions and playing from angles different from those normally available. The beautiful shot of the moon appearing after the encore, the members’ fresh expressions while the support musicians are introduced, and the audience quietly watching them are all captured with delicate camera work, so do not miss those moments either. The special live includes all 20 songs, through “涙のイエスタデー,” the final encore number. Nakamura says, “It became an unforgettable live,” and the members’ smiles, which seemed to appear more often than usual, may prove how fulfilling this day was. Fully capturing this fantastical live, truly worthy of the phrase “a dream of one night,” the release lets you once again feel both the appeal of an outdoor live and the warmth in GARNET CROW’s music.
(TEXT BY YUKI TACHIBANA)

Live DVD
“GARNET CROW Special Live in 仁和寺” 08.12.17 Release
GIZA studio GZBA-8007 ￥3,990 (tax in)

【Track List】
～Opening～
01. 夢・花火
02. まぼろし
03. 巡り来る春に
04. Sky
05. 君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく
06. 水のない晴れた海へ
07. Marionette Fantasia
08. pray
09. スカイ・ブルー
10. かくれんぼ
11. call my name
12. 君 連れ去る時の訪れを
13. Holy ground
14. 風とRAINBOW
15. Mysterious Eyes
16. 二人のロケット
17. 夢みたあとで
～Encore～
E1. Cried a little
E2. 世界はまわると言うけれど
E3. 涙のイエスタデー

★ Joint Promotion Now Underway!! ★
Please attach the application ticket enclosed with the single “百年の孤独” to the application postcard enclosed with “GARNET CROW Special Live in 仁和寺,” released on December 17. Fill in the required information, affix a 50-yen stamp, and send it in to enter. The special items below will be awarded by lottery.

●Prize A: Special panel signed by the GARNET CROW members: 1 winner
●Prize B: To commemorate the release of “百年の孤独”! GARNET CROW edition, hundred-year calendar: 100 winners

※ Application deadline: Saturday, January 31, 2009 (postmark valid that day)
※ Winners will be notified by shipment of their prizes.
※ Personal information provided with applications will not be used for any purpose other than shipping the prizes.

■OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.garnetcrow.com

“百年の孤独” Now On Sale
GZCA-4116 ￥1,260 (tax in)

1. 百年の孤独
2. Clockwork
3. Secret Path
4. 百年の孤独 (instrumental)
5. Clockwork (instrumental)
6. Secret Path (instrumental)