Customer Reviews

Concerts in China 2

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1997, the complete "The Concerts in China" was exquisitely remastered by Sony and released, at least in Europe, on a single disc. As far as I know, this remastering is only available in that form, and does not apply to this product (Dreyfus; ASIN: B000001ZS7). I strongly recommend seeking out the Sony remaster, because the sound quality difference is not subtle.

While not as good as the first volume, it is still positioned among the first on my CD shelf. The remixes of the old tracks to full-blown productions with synth and live percussions, fresh new sounds and synths, wonderful real-time improvisations make this CD and concert one of the greates in the vast JMJ collection. Highly recommended, although Volume 1 is the set to start with.

This is a pretty monumental album. Jarre was the first western artist to perform in China in 1981 and this album contains live performances of Equinoxe and Magnetic Fields mixed with new material.

This is the second disc (the european release has both discs squeezed onto one) and although not quite as strong as the first part contains some tracks unavailable on any studio albums: Laser Harp and Night in Shanghai. Like Arpegiator, Night in Shangai has sadly never been performed again or remixed.

The album ends with "Souvenir of China", an emotional, strings-based piece including samples from the streets of Shanghai. A beautiful way to end a live album.

Jarre is one of very few artist's who is talented in making stories and pictures with music and this album show the talent along with his ability to involve his audience like no other.

Having been introduced to Jarre in 1986 with the release of Zoolook, I was instantly intrigued and then began working my way back thru his catalog. Time and technology have somewhat left this souvenir of this momentus tour behind. Live Recordings Hong Kong, Docklands, and Houston/Lyon feel more alive than this very sterile yet purposeful recording. Maybe it was the Chinese audiences with there sedate yet respectful applause. I owned this recording on vinyl, which I still treasure today. I still consider this live recording a must for any serious Jarre fan. Sad that these were split into vol. 1 and 2... obvious money grubbing.

This is truly an excellent CD, JMJ at his best. It is part 2 of a two piece album. I have the two LPs album called "Souvenir of China" which consists of this CD and The Concerts in China, part I. JMJ does not perform often though most of his recent shows can be bought on CD and video. This was one of his first shows, and it must have been something special to be there!

Buy the two CDs together! And while you're at it, get his first 3 CDs as well: Oxygen, Equinox and Magnetic Fields.