Translator's Note. The following translation attempts to recreate the meaning and feeling present in the very expressive and enthusiastic original. It plays loose and fast with the exact words and grammatical structure that was present in the original, and has been rewritten to make it more readable (often shuffling things between different sentences) than the first, more literal, translation.
One year after the release of their third album Woodface, it was like a dream for me to discover that Crowded House were finally returning to Japan. In the liner notes for Woodface, I wrote that I wished for them to come to Japan and play live. But I had half given up on them ever returning to Japan again. I went by myself to London in June last year. I saw their live show at a small club called "The Borderline". But, God is fair. He gave everyone another chance to experience their live show. Their first live show in Japan for four years is definitely going to be a wonderful experience. But before then, I want you to 'prepare yourself' with this mini live album. (Or, for some of you, it may be a reminder of four years ago.)
First, the
English hit single cut (in March 16th's Melody Maker's National Chart No
9), Weather With You. Their national top 20 hits Chocolate Cake,
Fall
At Your Feet, demonstrate how popular they are in the UK. Why, they're
even booked to play the Wembley Arena on the 24th of June!. Of course,
to achieve this they've worked hard, and then worked harder again. Last
year they appeared at the Borderline (where I saw them) twice, appeared
on TV shows, and had two sold out shows at London's "Town And Country"
club in November. From February this year, they went on a regional tour
of England, and most of the shows were sold out. Their efforts paid off,
and now they're popular in England as well as in America. But just before
the Town And Country Club show in November, Tim Finn (who had only joined
the band just before the recording of Woodface), left. Tim explained that
he was just too theatrical, and he didn't fit with Crowded House's image.
His leaving was nothing to do with bad blood between him and his brother
Neil. (At the moment, Tim is recording a solo album with members of Schnell
Fenster).
The new song
Walking
on the Spot was recorded in London in November. At first it seems a
typical Crowded House slow acoustic number, but if you listen to it carefully,
it's like nothing they've done before.
The track listing continues with Crowded House's showcase number, Don't Dream It's Over, which reached No. 2 in the American National Chart. This is an old recording, recorded at the Roxy in Los Angeles on the 7th April, 1987. The thing that really impresses me with this song is, comparing this take to the one I heard at the Borderline, Neil's voice hasn't faded a bit. Over time, as they've continued performing it live, they've put their heart into it anew, and it has become a much more beautiful song. It's an example of a beautiful song that grows in beauty as it ages. (Though, this take is beautiful, and it has become more breathtaking with time).
The next song, Something So Strong is also an old take, recorded at the Trocadero in Philadelphia in 1987. A light melody with dark lyrics. This is one song that always comes alive in a live setting.
The last song on the album was recorded on the 7th of July in Los Angeles, and Roger McGuinn, previously a member of The Byrds, takes the lead vocal. What has been called Byrdhouse (from the American tour with McGuinn) has moved people to tears. This applied even to people who weren't fans of both Crowded House and the Byrds like me. From the instantly recognisable opening bars, it's a song that builds excitement on excitement.
Which means that here we have only four live songs (and the single). For you people who instantly think "I want to hear more", you must go to the concerts in Japan. (I'm even going to the Wembley Arena concert in London). Their concerts not only remind you that music is there to be enjoyed, but also gives meaning to your life, and can lead you to a new existence. That's what I believe. The memories I have of the times I've seen them in New Zealand, London and then Tokyo, have become the most precious gems in my heart. Making Crowded House part of my life was a big step for me. (My first ever interview was with Neil Finn, my first foreign (research trip) was to New Zealand, and there's more)
I'm a bit of a special example, but thinking about what we will experience at the concert. Thinking about what we will experience that we will never forget. In a way, I'm the same as all of you. I'm looking forward to the concert from my heart.
16th March, 1992
Wada [???]
Translation by Ross Clement
Page
compiled by carolyn
Last
updated 17th June, 2006.