LIVE IN TOKYO

The only live release from the first era of WR, the Vitous-era, the one I consider the most essential and certainly the most adventuresome. Not exactly graced with a fantastic artwork, Live In Tokyo was recorded January 13, 1972, and part of this concert was used to make I Sing The Body Electric (WR's second effort) and unfortunately we have these tracks reproduced here again. Although the latest Cd reissue counts this as a '72 release, the vinyl release was from 77, and the first era was long-gone history, so this double use was not scandalous to many as there was a whole new generation of fans that started in the Pastorius era with Black Market and Heavy Weather.

Starting on a drum solo is not the easiest thing, even for confirmed fans, but that's how it starts, this first sidelong medley (as opposed MD's sidelong improvs) that can be called Seventh Arrow, featuring excerpts of the tracks on their debut album. So while MD's cohorts are engaging a completely improvised adventure, WR is indeed taking liberties but wanted the public to recognise where they are, something Miles couldn't have cared less, especially since the crowds seemed to follow. With this in mind, Zawinul and Vitous made sure that the most recognisable elements of their studio recordings were heard by the public, which of curse is always appreciable for the audience. The second disc starts on the sidelong Orange Lady, which I must say is the least interesting track of this selection. Eurydice /Moors stays relatively close to the original, while Tears/Umbrellas don't.

However, in spite of the double usage of one vinyl side, the album is much worth RW' first hour fans' time and investment. The Seventh Arrow medley is superb, presenting a slightly different facet of the quintet, and in the two medleys on the second disc (side 4, if you wish) , WR remains close enough as well. Certainly if you don't own early WR studio album, this live album will be of some interest, but will not replace the actual oeuvre

This live album was recorded in January of 1972 in Japan before the release of their second album. We have the second incarnation of this band as the original drummer and percussionist are gone. Man this is experiemtal with little in the way of melody. A tough listen and not easy to digest either. I was surprised by this considering i'm a big fan of their early work, but I cannot enjoy this at all.

What we get are medley after medley (four in total) with one single song ("Orange Lady") on it's own. A lot of abrasive sounds from Zawinul's keyboards throughout while Vitous uses a standup bass at times. I'm very surprised by this double album and will stick with their studio albums that enjoy.

Whilst I Sing the Body Electric offered an edited extract of this live set on this second side, this is a double album-length feast of fusion form the early Weather Report. It's still very much a band in the shadow of In a Silent Way/Bitches' Brew, but when you include some of the musicians who made those albums with Miles in your lineup I'd say you have a right to dip into that particular sonic universe. Brooding and slow, this is certainly not the easily digested, smooth Weather Report we'd come to expect from their later years, but it's still an interesting release which, like both the Miles Davis albums in question and other early studio releases from the group, rewards patient listening.