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PostPosted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:03 pm
by John Trevethan
I watched this DVD last night - beautiful, moody, atmospheric... the incredible visuals integrated with the music perfectly to lift the event to a higher level.

I loved the instrumentation with string quartet, acoustic piano and electric guitar. I found the subtle addition of electronics from Steve (and also Masakatsu Takagi) to be extremely tasteful and the entire performance was a delicate balance of sound/visuals, acoustic/electronic, ambient/beats.

For some reason the Slope CD didn't really click with me, but this DVD was fantastic - if you are indecisive about purchasing it I would say GET IT, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

PostPosted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 1:39 pm
by Stoobie
Never purchased yet !

is there a set list or details on whats included on the dvd ?

Cheers
Stoobie

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:44 pm
by Smalldot
Stoobie wrote:Never purchased yet !

is there a set list or details on whats included on the dvd ?

Cheers
Stoobie


Here's what's on it (taken from the liner notes of the DVD packaging):
--------------------------------------------------------------
Live Feb. 29, 2008 at Meguro Persimmon Hall, Tokyo

Part 1
[Slope]
01 Prelude (opening music)
02 Grip
03 Sleepyard
04 Cancelled Pieces
05 December Train
06 Sow The Salt
07 Gap Of Cloud
08 Playground Martyrs
09 A Way Of Dissappearing
10 Ballad Of A Deadman
11 Conversation Over
12 Life Moves On
13 Playground Martyrs (reprise)

Part 2
[Swimming In Qualia]
14 Ascent

15 Played Out (closing music)

Extra Content (looped playback movies)
[Passage]
01 Lingering
02 Dance Of Separation
03 Resistentialism
04 Noema
--------------------------------------------------------------

Hope this helps you out.

Cheers!

PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:22 am
by godisinthesilences
sounds lovely...will definitely have to get

PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:14 pm
by Stoobie
Thanks Smalldot !

i wondered if he included anything from his previous ventures,

Cheers
Stoobie

PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:53 pm
by sisterlondon
Very weird, I finally bought it, got a confirmation email but it hasn't been charged yet.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:56 am
by Simonp
Am I the only person who thinks the DVD is a bit...dull? Yes it's beautifully filmed and sounds lovely but the whole thing is a bit lifeless. It just sounds like the CD. A documentary on the making of Slope, rehearsals etc would have been nice...

A wasted opportunity I think. Sorry.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:54 am
by Chet
i totally agree, simonp

PostPosted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 1:37 pm
by natsume
To be honest, I never fully warmed to the CD, so I find the addition of the live musicians on the DVD breaths some much needed life into the music, and far prefer it as a document of this music.

Steve has never been a very dynamic performer....

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:15 am
by Adrian
[his brother on the other hand is a very dynamic performer somersaulting all over the place - not! :-)]
I have to say I love this dvd...

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:04 am
by sisterlondon
i have it but still didn't have the time to watch it. Will tell you what I think of it when I do!

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:21 am
by VaporTrail
Simonp wrote:Am I the only person who thinks the DVD is a bit...dull? Yes it's beautifully filmed and sounds lovely but the whole thing is a bit lifeless. It just sounds like the CD. A documentary on the making of Slope, rehearsals etc would have been nice...

A wasted opportunity I think. Sorry.


no way. As nastume said it breathes a completely new life into the music of Slope, much better and a much more enjoyable listen than the album itself.

Not to mention the performance and visuals of Swimming In Qualia were worth the price of the DVD alone.

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:18 pm
by John Trevethan
natsume wrote: Steve has never been a very dynamic performer....


I suppose that's one way to look at - in that light you could also say that David is not a very dynamic performer. Then again, David simply opens his mouth and the voice of God comes out... so what more is needed? 8)

Personally I love Steve's performance on the Slope DVD, it's typical of his totally unpretentious, zen-like restraint. I get the feeling that he's not there to lay down some hip choreography... he's there to deliver the music with precision and care, all the while never trying to one up his band mates even though he is the "star" of the show.

Another consideration of the performance is the audience. Japanese audiences are among the most focused and respectful in the world. (I've seen this mentioned over and over by a variety of artists.) So yes, the overall dynamic is very different from an American rock concert for example.

Just my opinion anyway!

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:28 pm
by Sylvie
John Trevethan wrote:Another consideration of the performance is the audience. Japanese audiences are among the most focused and respectful in the world. (I've seen this mentioned over and over by a variety of artists.) So yes, the overall dynamic is very different from an American rock concert for example.


actually, the audience was half the fun with this concert. never been to a concert in japan before and it was a true experience. so polite and considerate, the japanese!

for me, this wasn't the best concert i've been to, it wasn't even my favourite this year, but still amazing. i need to get that dvd.....

PostPosted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:16 pm
by natsume
John Trevethan wrote:
natsume wrote: Steve has never been a very dynamic performer....


I suppose that's one way to look at - in that light you could also say that David is not a very dynamic performer. Then again, David simply opens his mouth and the voice of God comes out... so what more is needed? 8)

Personally I love Steve's performance on the Slope DVD, it's typical of his totally unpretentious, zen-like restraint. I get the feeling that he's not there to lay down some hip choreography... he's there to deliver the music with precision and care, all the while never trying to one up his band mates even though he is the "star" of the show.

Another consideration of the performance is the audience. Japanese audiences are among the most focused and respectful in the world. (I've seen this mentioned over and over by a variety of artists.) So yes, the overall dynamic is very different from an American rock concert for example.

Just my opinion anyway!


I agree 100%. I was just commenting on what seemed a strange, disconnected critique of the DVD, considering what forum we are on.