Twitter!

You don’t actually have to be a member of Twitter to read any Vow Wow Army updates.
Just go to this address: http://twitter.com/vowwowarmy

Twitter

As you’ve probably noticed it’s been quiet here on the blog for a while. I”m migrating to Twitter for the time being to keep you all updated on the latest news. This site will stay up but probably won’t be updated for a bit.

Follow here: @vowwowarmy

A reminder

Did anyone happen to record the Bow Wow J-Melo special on NHK?
Anyone who can supply me with an HD copy will receive a very special reward.

An appeal

As you’ve probably noticed it’s been quiet here at the Army. There is a lot of news, but finding the time to post it is proving difficult.
Normal service will be resumed shortly.
But first an appeal.
As you may or may not know, NHK in Europe broadcast the J-Melo Bow Wow special yesterday. Unfortunately my PVR refused to record it and I only managed to get 10 minutes of it (all in glorious HD).
If ANYONE out there recorded it, I would be eternally grateful if I was to receive a copy (preferably in it’s original format, no re-encoding please).
Please let me know if you have a copy.
You will be handsomely rewarded.

Vow Wow Blu-Spec CD reissues

Just announced by HMV.co.jp.
This coming April and May will see Blu-Spec CD reissues of all six Vow Wow studio albums.
April 20th will see the release of Beat Of Metal Motion, Cyclone & III and May 25th will see the release of V, VIBe & Mountain Top.
All titles will be released by Polystar Songs priced ￥2,300 each and we’ll update you when we have more information.

About Blu-Spec CD:
Blu-spec CD format boasts a new approach to the faithful reproduction of music by utilizing the leading edge blue laser diode technologies optimized for the manufacturing of Blu-ray. During the manufacturing of CD, laser beam is pinpointed to encode data on the microscopic tracks molded on the polycarbonate plastic constituting the surface of the disc.

Compared to the conventional laser beam used for the manufacturing of standard CD, the blue laser beam used for the manufacturing of Blu-spec CD has a shorter wavelength, allowing more accurate encoding of the data. The use of the laser also eliminates the need to use cooling fans that cause vibrations. Furthermore, polycarbonate plastic optimized for Blu-ray is used to ensure accurate reading of the data. Amazingly and importantly, Blu-spec CD format is fully compatible with standard CD players.

‘All About Vow’ review

Last year’s Christmas Day concert wasn’t even advertised as a Vow Wow reunion but sold out anyway by word of mouth alone. This year, we were treated to two shows – both advertised as Vow Wow reunions, both sold out,
both of different sets.

The first show opened with Premonition/Hurricane which some would suggest is their trump card and playing it first could have been risky but it proved not to be as it sent out the message that the advertising campaign had been
saying: Vow Wow Are Back! Time has not diminished this band in the slightest as the crowd pleasers were rolled out. A few numbers in and we were treated to a quite stunning A Cappella version of the Julie London classic Cry Me A
River from vocalist Genki Hitomi who despite not being a professional singer any more, proved that he can still beat the best of them who perform every night. By the time he came to sing Pains Of Love and Shock Waves, his pipes
were well warmed up and he delivered spine tingling lines in both. The latter it should be noted featured some spectacular drumming from Toshi Niimi who builds the tension over the guitar solo to devastating effect.
That performance from him is a lesson in atmospheric powerhouse less-is-more drumming on its own.

Vow Wow are one of those rare instances of a rock band where all the members of the group contribute musically equally and just as equally let the other members contribute; naturally, the music is better for it and both Kyoji
Yamamoto on guitar and Rei Atsumi on his tidal wave of keyboards being the principal songwriters are more than adept at sitting back and waiting to take the spotlight, which they do with aplomb. Rei excels on every kind of
keyboard bringing out the best of his vintage rig (Hammond, DX7, Mini-Moog, Mellotron et al) to great effect during the performance, never more so than when the dynamics of his piano playing on Cry No More brought tears to the
eyes of several members of the audience. Across the other side of the stage Kyoji’s unique sounding chugging and wailing solos on his trusted Yamaha HR guitar cut through the PA whether layered above or below Rei’s keyboard
contribution. His passion for the songs, his instrument and dedication to playing his solos correctly has never wavered and clearly evident as shown by his seemingly ever-present infectious smile throughout the night. Both
Rei’s and Kyoji’s solo spots not only showed-off their adeptness of their playing but also displayed their abilities in arranging and composition – probably more so.

Splitting the two shows into pre and post recordings of their relocation to London, one comes to realise just what an amazing catalogue of songs Vow Wow have. Indeed, one would be hard pressed to think of any other band of that
era that can cover four hours of live performance with as many classics as they have – from just six LP records – and to pick a stand out song from each night would not do the gigs justice. Instead I’ll refer you to the
audience who showed their appreciation on both nights by applauding for a full ten minutes after the houselights had gone up.

Backstage, again, as per last year, the area was noticeably absent of press at the band’s request. Genki stood tall and looked fit and healthy, almost as if ready to go back out for a couple more hours as he chatted with old
friends and fans. Rei busied himself playing the perfect host, scurrying around making sure everyone was comfortable whilst Kyoji’s smile represented not only his pleasure at playing these songs again but the band
as a whole enjoying each other’s company.

Same time next year chaps?
Please.

Shibuya Ax
Tokyo
12/25

Premonition～Hurricane
Doncha wanna cum
Rock your cradle
Love walks
Stay close tonight
～Vocal solo(Cry Me A River)～
～K.B solo～(including White Christmas)
Signs of times
～Guitar solo～(including Silent Night)
Siren song
Don’t tell me lies
Snow flakes
Pains of love
Nightless city
You’re the one for me
Shock waves
*************
Go insane
Shot in the dark
*************
Too late to turn back
Rock me now

Shibuya Ax
Tokyo
12/26

Introduction ～God Save The Queen
Somewhere in the night
Tell me
Helter skelter
Mountain top
I’ve thrown it all away
Don’t leave me now
～Vocal solo(A Song For You)～
～K.B solo～(including Arabesque)
Turn on the night
～Guitar solo～(including Ave Maria)
You got it made
Go insane
Cry no more
Don’t tell me lies
Nightless city
You’re the one for me
Premonition
Hurricane
*************
Shot in the dark
*************
Rock me now

Many thanks to Glenn Williams for his review!

MORE Bow Wow reissues

On January 12th 2011, Bow Wow’s ‘Glorious Road’ (XQJX-1001), ‘Telephone’ (XQJX-1002), ‘Kumikyoku X Bomber (XQJX-1003)’ and ‘Hard Dog’ (XQJX-1004) will all be reissued on CD in Japan. UK visitors to this site may be interested in the fact that ‘Kumikyoku X Bomber’ features music from the Japanese language version of ’80s TV show Star Fleet!
All the discs are currently available for pre-order from CD Japan, Amazon.co.jp & HMV.co.jp amongst others.

The wonderful world of eBay

Being the completist, I was recently thrilled to have purchased Bow Wow’s ‘Keep on Rockin” & ‘Forever’ on 7″ vinyl.
I’m always on the look out for the early Bow Wow singles so if you have any info, let me know.

Did you get your tickets?

Vow Wow Live 2010 details

Kyoji-sama has provided us with some further details of the two gigs Vow Wow will be performing in December.

“25/Dec : All about VOW #1 : Most of the songs played will be from our early days.

26/Dec : All about VOW #2 : We are going to play the songs recorded in 1987~90 (after we moved to London).

I don’t know about the filming yet. However we sell last year’s show’s DVD (very limited) only in the venue!”