LIVE IN MARSEILLE

Gerard was the first Japanese progrock band I ever listened to and it is still my favorite Japanese progrock band. A dream came true when they did a small European tour and visited The Netherlands, this live-CD is from that tour and recorded in France, the home of French progrock abel Musea that has re-released so many great Japanese progrock from The Eighties! Watching Gerard I was stunned because of the skills of keyboard player Toshio Egawa: with his digital Hammond Suzuki organ (connected with a real Leslie box) he evoked the best from Keith Emerson, what a dazzling runs and overwhelming sound! The high-tec Korg Trinity synthesizer enabled Toshio to sound mighty close to Eddie Jobson, at those moments Gerard seemed to be the Japanese answer to UK. But I also have to mention the very powerful and dynamic rhythm-section (the drummer is a kind of high- adrenalined Neil Peart!), they play an important role in the swirling sound of Gerard. The tracking list from this live album contains both material from their very early period (like "Orpheus Part 2", "Meridian" and "The act of apostles") as their latest CD's (songs from "Chaos", "Freedom" and "Pandora's box"). The Banco cover "La conquista della posizione eretta" showcases Gerard at their best. If you don't have a problem with super- bombastic instrumental keyboard driven progrock (with hints from ELP, Trace and UK), THIS CD IS A VERY EXCITING EXPERIENCE!!!