Customer Reviews

George Duke Band: Live at Shibuya Public Hall - Tokyo, Japan 1983

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Put your hands together for George Duke,Louis Johnson,Steve
Farrone and Paul Jackson and the GD Band for a seriously slammin'
set live in Tokyo in 1983.The amiable Duke dances,sings and plays
OUT his keyboards on "Shine On","Light", and "Silly Fightin'"-all
torrid funkers!He also has time for a little sweetness on his
classic "Sweet Baby" and with Lynn Davis singing lead on the 70's
dance classic "I Want you For Myself".And Duke REALLY gets into
it with a audiance;giving an excited young Japanese fan the opportunity to sing the chorus of "Shine On" on stage while he
wandered into the audiance to allow everyone to touch his
'Dukey Stick'.A fantastic journey back to a time when REAL musicians played REAL funk before studio created groups and overly choreographed boy bands took center stage.Oh and if your already a George Duke fan I can say no more-you probabbly already know what your getting.

There are so very few vintage concerts that this one is just a sight for sore eyes... Yes it is in the light 80's funk vein, and if you want "Pluck" or "Dukey Stick" you could be disappointed... but Louis Johnson makes sure you get your heavy dose of bass solo... He tears up two strings on 'Silly Fightin' just to let you see that there is just no other player like him. He told me once that he broke his thumb twice while slapping and you can understand why with this DVD. All other players and George Duke (of course!) are absolutely fantastic.
Let it be known that WE WANT MORE VINTAGE CONCERTS like this one...! (and this one doesn't have interview interruptions...if you see what I mean)
Wonder B

Having recently heard some amazing live material from the late 70's while Duke was playing with Billy Cobham, I was really excited to check out this DVD. Seeing that such monster players like Louis Johnson were on it made me all the more excited, but I must admit that this performance was not what I expected. I was hoping for more of the 70's style material: heavier jazz, fusion and straight-up funk, but this performance was mainly an excercise in 80's pop and disco. Don't get me wrong, the musicianship is killer. Duke performs an amazing, unaccompanied key-tar solo and Louis Johnson's bass higlights are no-joke, but overall the performance was just too 80's mainstream and lacking the serious funk that I was expecting. It was just too 80's cheese....

If you have not yet seen or bought this DVD and you are a fan of either George Duke or good old fashion funk/disco than this release is an absolute must !!
One thing must be said upfront; The year is 1983 and disco/funk was hot ! So if you expect an advanced lesson in Jazz Fusion you might not like it, but if you are in to good funky music and ready for a deja-vu back in the days then you will like it just as much as I do.
Basically it's a 'snapshot' / As George explains : a unique concert with a one time all star line up, fortunate enough to have been taped.
It is amazing to see the enthusiasm and the fun the musicians have on stage.
I would say buy it and rejoy the funky era !!

Line up a.o.: Steve Ferrone Drums / Robert Brookins Synths / Paul Jackson Jr Guitars / Louis Johnson Bass / Lyn Davis Vocals a.o.

Reach out and Shine are absolutely da bomb !!!

As a long time fan of the Duke I finally got to see one of his Disco Era Concerts from this Japanese Concert in 1983. The songs are somewhat biased to his albums 79-83 but who cares! This one is really funkin! I had a big smile on my face the whole concert and Duke is really a master of improvisation - he's the real thing and just like a big cuddly teddy bear he carries the concert to a wonderful climax with a 10 minute rockin' version of Shine On. I just wish I had been there and now you can finally have a glimpse of that moment.
Highly Recommendable even for not die hard fans.
The 5.1 sound is actually really good remastered. Well balanced and very clear.
A+

Awesome players, just a great concert, good mix of funk, jazz, and dance music from the 80's. Louis Johnson, gets down, even breaks a bass string, thrownin down the funk bass...

Discontinued but can be ordered here [..]

for about 20 [..]

As a owner of various concert dvd's such as EW&F, Hendrix & Rush I must say this is one for the ages. George Duke puts a electric performance dressed in his "Duke Ellington" tails. The man he says was his inspiration to play piano. The band featuring Louis Johnson, from the Brothers Johnson, on bass putting on a virtuoso performance. At one point his pops a bass string during a pluckin' solo. Mr Duke is very comfortable letting his co-stars share the spotlight, but he is central figure. Guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. display his infinity for rhythm and Keybroadist Robert Brookins gets into the act as well. Singers Lynn Davis and Marci Levy also provide some vocal freelancing that makes this performance smokin'. Drummer Steve Ferrone, formerly of AWB, keeps the beats coming as he did for years with his former band. The Japanese crowd added a unique touch as Mr. Duke interacts with them in a seqeunce that would be unheard of in the US. This is a must for anyone who appreciates good music played by talented musicians. The funk will leave you wanting more!!!

Props to the band first&foremost.George Duke is One of the Baddest&Most versatile Musicians in the Industry.talk about a Cat that can beat you with styles&still come out Fresh.this set is Heavy on the Funk&It's thick from start to finish.a Can't Miss Performance from George&Crew.