SCORPIONS – TOKYO 1979 PRE-FM MASTER (CD-R + DVD-R)

Description

Live at Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan 5th June 1979 STEREO SBD

　The long-awaited release of the official, ultra-high-quality soundboard recording of the June 5, 1979, Nakano Sun Plaza performance by the newly reborn SCORPIONS, featuring Matthias Jabs, from their world tour following the release of “LOVEDRIVE” has been decided! While various FM aircheck recordings of this day have been released in the past, the quality of this work, which sweeps them all together, is undoubtedly the best ever!

　After their first tour of Japan in 1978, the SCORPIONS faced an unprecedented crisis when their virtuoso Uli Jon Roth, who had defined the band’s history, left. The band auditioned numerous guitarists, but none could match Uli’s talent. Instead, they hired Hanover native Matthias Jabs on a temporary basis and began work on a follow-up album to “TAKEN BY FORCE.” It was during this work that Michael Schenker, having left UFO, returned to his old band, SCORPIONS, where he recorded guitar solos on the album’s title track, “Lovedrive,” as well as “Another Piece of Meat” and “Coast to Coast” (although some say he also played on “Holyday” and “Loving You Sunday Morning”). With the return of Michael, a former band member and close friend of Klaus Meine, and a highly skilled player, Matthias’s temporary hire was revoked. The band announced Michael’s return in February 1979 with a new album, “LOVEDRIVE.” They embarked on a tour of Europe, including his native Germany. However, Michael, already exhausted from touring with UFO, was unable to adapt to touring with the SCORPIONS, and once again left the band about a month into the tour, much to the dismay of Rudolf, Klaus, and others.

　Still, the band needed to continue touring, so they quickly called back Matthias, who they had initially rejected, this time as their official guitarist, and they made it through their UK tour in May. Thanks to Matthias’s performance, who fit in better than expected, the band regained momentum and embarked on their second Japan tour, consisting of five shows from June 3rd to 8th. The recordings on this album are from their third show in Japan, the first of a three-day live show in Tokyo.

　The recording from this day was also broadcast on FM radio on Far East Broadcasting, and air-check recordings have long been a staple. The recording featured here is based on the pre-broadcast master, and the sound quality, with almost no noticeable deterioration over time, is undeniably excellent. However, the original master sounded a little over-the-top, so the remastering softened this and applied sound correction to enhance the ease of listening and the quality of the stereo-separated material. This official mix, designed for listening, captures each player’s performance with exceptional clarity, and the live sound makes it easy to describe this album as the 1979 version of “TOKYO TAPES”!

　The opening section, featuring a trio of classics from the Uli era—”Pictured Life,” “Backstage Queen,” and “We’ll Burn the Sky”—is a real highlight. While Matthias’ guitar playing at the time is a step behind Uli’s, the teamwork of the entire band, centered around Rudolf’s guitar, creates a highly cohesive band sound. The following four new tracks, from “LOVEDRIVE,” from “Loving You Sunday Morning” to “Always Somewhere,” offer a glimpse into the new SCORPIONS image that would emerge in the ’80s, and Matthias’ playing fits in perfectly here. Klaus’s vocals, from before his vocals and delivery became more mellow, are hard-hitting, and his singing on “We’ll Burn the Sky,” “Lovedrive,” and “Another Piece of Meat” is captivating.

　The highlight of this recording is the medley of “Life’s Like a River” and “Fly to the Rainbow” in the second half. The former, with its aptly titled Japanese title “Life is Like a River,” is one of the most popular tracks from their third album, “In Trance.” However, while it’s a melodic number representative of early SCORPIONS, this tour is the only one where a decent live take remains. The dynamic, heavy sound and the flow leading up to “Fly to the Rainbow” are superb, and this will pique the interest of even fans of their Uri era.

　The recording time of the main part is about 53 minutes, which is just over half of the actual live performance, and unfortunately it is not a complete recording, but it contains a solid range of must-listen numbers, including classics from the Uri era, focusing on new songs, so there is almost no sense of lack. Right up to the final song, “Can’t Get Enough,” the listener can enjoy SCORPIONS’ performance with sufficient density and intensity.

　As a bonus, this album also includes a separate recording of “Lovedrive,” originally recorded on the same day as the single’s B-side, as well as three additional tracks recorded at the first “Monsters Of Rock” event on August 16, 1980: “Loving You Sunday Morning,” “The Zoo,” and “Another Piece Of Meat.” While “Lovedrive” was performed on the same day, its texture and mix are significantly different from the recordings on the album, making it a fascinating and rare listen. Fans who haven’t heard the three tracks from “Monsters Of Rock” have also become seldom heard recently, so this release will be a delight. Of course, all tracks have been remastered, offering significantly improved listening experience and listening comfort compared to previously released similar takes. The
　
　1979 tour, following Matthias’s arrival, saw the band expand beyond Europe to the US, resulting in excellent soundboard recordings, including those from the Reading Festival in August and the Chicago performance in November. However, line sources of the same quality as this work are limited in the history of SCORPIONS collector’s items, and these days they can be summed up in one word: “Rare!”

　This album captures the passionate performances of a young band and a transitional setlist that includes rare tracks in the highest quality sound, and it could almost have been officially released as is! The “LOVEDRIVE” and “ANIMAL MAGNETISM” tours, which followed Matthias’s joining, are honestly rather low-key periods in the band’s history, but this release will be an important one that will add a new dimension to that image. Including bonus tracks, this album is approximately 75 minutes long and features the entire album with rare soundboard recordings, making it a must-have for fans!

1. Intro.
2. Pictured Life
3. Backstage Queen
4. We’ll Burn The Sky
5. Loving You Sunday Morning
6. Lovedrive
7. Is There Anybody There
8. Always Somewhere
9. Life’s Like A River
10. Fly To The Rainbow
11. Another Piece Of Meat
12. Can’t Get Enough
13. Lovedrive (Single Live Version)

Monsters Of Rock Festival, Castle Donington, UK 16th August 1980
14. Loving You Sunday Morning
15. The Zoo
16. Another Piece Of Meat

STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING

Klaus Meine – Vocals
Rudolf Schenker – Rhythm Guitars
Matthias Jabs – Lead Guitars
Francis Buchholz – Bass
Herman Rarebell – Drums

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★The “TOKYO 1979 Pre-FM Master” will come with a special bonus disc, “TOKYO 1979,” which contains professional-shot footage of the same performance at Nakano Sun Plaza on June 5, 1979, as the main feature.

SCORPIONS – TOKYO 1979(Bonus DVDR)
Live at Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan 5th June 1979 PRO-SHOT

　As mentioned in the commentary for “TOKYO 1979 Pre-FM Master,” the SCORPIONS’ 1979 Nakano Sun Plaza performance was broadcast on radio by Far East Broadcasting. Video footage was also shot on the day, and professional-shot footage for TV broadcasts also exists. This DVD, “TOKYO 1979,” features the footage from the show, made from the finest currently available master material, and was well-received by fans upon its previous gift release. Now, with the release of “TOKYO 1979 Pre-FM Master,” this long-awaited definitive version of the footage from that day is finally making its appearance! While
　
　”TOKYO 1979 Pre-FM Master” recorded just over half the show (53 minutes), this video version is even more limited, with only about 30 minutes of live footage. Although it is less extensive than the main feature, it boldly features four new songs from “LOVEDRIVE” – “Lovedrive,” “Is There Anybody There,” “Another Piece Of Meat,” and “Can’t Get Enough” – and begins with the classic “We’ll Burn The Sky.” It skillfully compiles the highlights of the day, making it a show worth seeing beyond the recording time.

　While the footage may not be as vivid and detailed as today’s digital footage, the image quality, with its distinctive analog texture, evokes a sense of the era and makes for an engaging and captivating recording. From “We’ll Burn The Sky,” in which the band members stand firm on stage, engaging in a performance that draws the audience in, to the energetic performances of “Lovedrive” and “Another Piece Of Meat,” the performances are captivating.

　Klaus and Matthias, who attract attention on stage, are neatly close-up at key points, allowing you to clearly grasp their expressions and movements. While the edited and added screen effects for the broadcast may be distracting, “Is There Anybody There” helps create a unique world for the song, as the Japanese title “Reggae of Meditation” suggests. Another key point is being able to hear “Kojo no Tsuki,” which wasn’t even available on “TOKYO 1979 Pre-FM Master,” with line sound and pro-shot footage! While some audience recordings feature only the audience’s voices, pro-shots like this one offer excellent entertainment with a well-integrated venue and stage. Don’t miss the melodic play Matthias spins from the middle of the show onward.

　The show-ending performance of “Can’t Get Enough” sees Klaus and Rudolph deliver a wild and dynamic performance, similar to that seen at “Super Rock ’84.” The still-youthful SCORPIONS show is even more captivating when viewed on video!

　Also included at the end are bonus video clips of “Make It Real” and “Don’t Make No Promises” from 1980’s “Animal Magnetism.” Both are simply composed of live studio footage, creating a feel reminiscent of the early video era. It’s a shame that the original masters aren’t in top condition and the videos aren’t as easy to view as the live recordings, but there’s no denying that these are extremely rare materials.

　The total recording time, including the live performance and bonus footage, is 36 minutes, but the precious footage from 47 years ago, revived with the original menu, is a must-see for fans as an important subtext to the main feature, “TOKYO 1979 Pre-FM Master.”　

1. We’ll Burn The Sky
2. Lovedrive
3. Is There Anybody There?
4. Another Piece of Meat
5. Kojo No Tsuki
6. Can’t Get Enough

Video Clips
7. Make It Real
8. Don’t Make No Promises

Klaus Meine – Vocals
Rudolf Schenker – Rhythm Guitars
Matthias Jabs – Lead Guitars
Francis Buchholz – Bass
Herman Rarebell – Drums

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx. 36min.

Special bonus DVDR for “TOKYO 1979 Pre-FM Master”(Shades 292)