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Steve Jansen update 29/6/08
From www.stevejansen.com: "Steve has recently been in Japan to oversee editing of his live DVD scheduled
for release in November. Featuring films and stills by Shoko Ise the
content will also include some exclusive extras. Apart from mixing the
live recording, Steve has also recently mixed Richard Barbieri's
upcoming solo release." Steve has also recently worked on new material
by Yukihiro Takahashi.
Jansen and Barbieri sighting at YMO concert 15/06/08
Steve and Rich attended
the recent Yellow Magic Orchestra performance at London's Royal
Festival Hall with their families. Richard has a new album out
later this year - more news to follow once I get it! Other people
spotted at the gig were Paul Weller (who also ate at the same
restaurant as some fans the day before, coincidentally), Kelly
Osbourne, Paul Morley, Mark Moore and Tim Elsenburg. It was great to
meet up with several site contributors over the weekend - watch this
space there are plans afoot for another gathering later in the year.
Site Updates June 2008
More information has
been added to the Discographies, more photos to the Polaroids gallery,
plus the pages on collectable memarobilia ("Carrier Bag") and Japan
advertising. Thankyou to ozboyz, Stefan, Michael, Chris, Simon and Toby
for their contributions.
Japan, Rain Tree Crow and David Sylvian mini LP card sleeve re-issues coming soon!
On July 2nd the following albums are being re-released in Japan, in mini replicas of the original album covers:
Gentlemen Take Polaroids VJCP68872
Tin Drum VJCP68873
Oil On Canvas VJCP68874
Rain Tree Crow VJCP68875
David Sylvian - Brilliant Trees VJCP68876
David Sylvian - Gone To Earth (2 CD) VJCP68877-78
David Sylvian - Secrets of the Beehive VJCP68879
These are followed on July 23rd by the Hansa era albums:
Adolescent Sex: BVCM-35413
Obscure Alternatives: BVCM-35414
Quiet Life: BVCM-35415
Assemblage: BVCM-35416
The contents of
all releases are the same as the remastered versions that came out in
the UK in 2003/2004. There is a boxed version of the Virgin releases
available for pre-order from Disk Union. However, to secure one you will need to ask a Japanese friend to get one for you, or use a buying service such as Japonica or Rinkya. This is because Disk Union will not sell to customers outside Japan.
Richard Barbieri answers fan questions - reveals new album coming soon - mixed by Steve Jansen.
Lots of interesting info from Mr Barbieri at the japansylvian forum.
Site update - new various artists compilations page
This page
includes information on over 180 various artists compilations featuring
Japan. Some include material that you can not find anywhere else,
so collectors should check it out. Currently I am cross-referencing
this with the rest of the discography to make it easier to track down
certain tracks that you can not buy on a Japan CD.
Mick Karn and Steve Jansen answer fan questions
Visit this thread at the japansylvian forum for Mick's Q&A - including an update on his autobiography - and this thread for Steve's.
David Sylvian update
David makes a
contribution to the track "Honor Wishes" on the new Joan As Police
Woman album "To Survive", due for release in June. Read more about this
project and listen to a clip of "Honor Wishes" at davidsylvian.net. David is currently working on new material. Posts to the japan-pioneers Yahoo! Group have revealed that the new recordings feature guest appearances from Evan Parker, Christian Fennesz and John Tilbury.
Japan and foootball - an unlikely combination?
Correspondent Ray Farley wrote in: "At the start of the Barnsley v
Cardiff cup semi final Sky Sports used "Nightporter" as the background
music to a few poems about the two sides". Yet another example of how
the profile of Japan's music is in the ascendent right now. Thanks to
Dave Cowen for pointing out that this was a football game, not rugby as
I had originally written!
Japan "Adolescent Sex" album 30th Anniversary - April 2008
Yes folks, it's 30 years
since "Adolescent Sex" was released to, er, not universal acclaim.
However, it is now a firm favourite, especially with the newer
Japan fans. In the past week I have been gathering your views - read them here.
Japan featured on TV commercial
A short clip from the "Quiet Life" video appears in the UK TV
commercial for the compilation CD "The Edge Of The 80s". The CD
features "Quiet Life", "Life In Tokyo" and "Red Guitar" by David
Sylvian. Other artists featured include Propaganda, Ultravox, Simple
Minds, Blancmange and ABC - all of who have links to Japan through the
work of solo members. The commercial is available to view via YouTube.
BBC1 "Ashes To Ashes" and "Waking The Dead"
"Ghosts" by
Japan was featured in episode six of the 1981 set "Life On Mars"
spinoff series starring Philip
Glenister and Keeley Hawes. More about the series here.
"Ghosts" appears during a dream sequence at the
end of the show and played over the end credits. Unfortunately an
announcer talked over some of it, spoiling the atmosphere. However, the
programme can be downloaded uncut from the UK iTunes store and is
available on DVD from May 2008. Another prime time BBC1 drama series,
"Waking The Dead" also used "Ghosts" in its promotional trailers,
frequently shown on the channel from April to May 2008.
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