Theme Week: New Wave - Japan

Japan - Quiet Life [Live]
Japan - Alien [Live]
Japan - My New Career [Live]
Live February 7, 1981 - Hammersmith Odeon, London

David Sylvian lives a charmed life. Before he embarked on a musically diverse solo career he was the charismatic leader of the British band "Japan". They've been compared to contemporaries "Roxy Music", "David Bowie" and the "New York Dolls" and influenced followers such as "The New Romantics" and "Duran, Duran" (listen to the similarities in "Quiet Life" - also note the Robert Fripp style guitar solo). All very different from David Sylvians post Japan career as collaborator with Robert Fripp, Brian Eno, Holger Czukay, Ryuichi Sakamoto and others. Japan achieved a respected and influential nod from musicians and critics while eluding popularity here in America. Why Duran Duran and not Japan? David Sylvian surely had the looks and style to pull it off. He's currently married to Ingrid Chavez - Prince fans will recognize her name as she's one of his numerous female singer / persona side projects. The tracks here come from a live performance from the Hammersmith Odeon in London in 1981. Enjoy.

posted by Jason @ 9:12 PM