Customer Reviews

Live in Japan

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

 

 

LIVE IN JAPAN is a great live album from the 80s, and a refreshing change of pace for those who think that Night Ranger could only cut it in the studio. The album basically sounds like a copy of their studio records with an audience dubbed in, but there are intros and stuff that distinguish these versions from the better-known studio versions. Overall, this is a worthy addition to your Night Ranger library.

I am a fan of live albums and this is one of the best. This recording packages an energetic sound when the band was at its peak. The way the music flows and the way the boys work the crowd make you feel you're in the audience (especially if you are listening on headphones). The only drawback is that some key Night Ranger songs are missing (sing me away especially) and that only the first half of Let Him Run is performed. There are several songs on the album that I can't place from any NR album but these are pleasant surprises, Dont Stop Thinking, especially rocks.

This is, quite simply, a live album from a great group who were at the pinnacle of their career. Other than the later release of Neverland, their best material is found in their first five albums (Dawn Patrol, Midnight Madness, 7 Wishes, Big Life, Man In Motion). There are some great songs that aren't on here, such as Sing Me Away, Eddie's Comin' Out Tonight, and Sentimental Street, but this is still a great live album full of great songs, so I recommend it. If you like any of their songs from the 80's, you should get Live In Japan.

If you are looking for a live Night Ranger album, this one would be it. I liked the selection of songs that they played (half of them are on Greatest Hits) and the production makes them sound like they are right in front of you and also sound like the album versions. I went for this one over the extended versions because some reviews mentioned that the production wasn't that great and I previewed the album and I liked the production on this album better than the production on Extended Versions. This album is a great starter for newer Night Ranger fans and I sure that the long time fans can appreciate this one as well.

I have pretty much the same thing to say about this one as the Rock in Japan Greatest Hits download though I would say you get more new songs on the Greatest Hits than this one (mainly because this one is older and the new songs didn't exist dah!). I still like the download! This is what I said about the other one minus the gushing about the newer cuts: "I have never lived live recordings when studio choices were available. The Uprising Damn Yankees CD made me think that maybe they weren't all badly mixed noise irritants so I downloaded this and the Live in Japan MP3 album (because I couldn't decide after listening to the promos). I really like them. They are much better than the YouTube alternative (though it would be nice to have a DVD of them playing the concerts still available and affordable). The sound is great and the vocals are great. While studio cuts are still more polished, these guys are really wonderful live and you can tell they still have fun playing. When I look over my other reviews, I am rather appalled that so many of their CDs are out of print." The fact that not all the CDs have MP3 downloads is a shame (I'd say tragedy but no one will die from it). I think you'll like this download as much as I do.

Anyone who has every seen Night Ranger in concert can testify that they are a great live band, and this CD shows it! Recorded in 1988, "Live in Japan" has highlights from Night Ranger's first 5 albums. There are some great hard rockers on this CD like "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and "Rock in America", but my favorite songs are the acoustic set in the middle of the album -- "Let Him Run", "Goodbye", and "Reason to Be". These songs show the band members at their best, both vocally and instrumentally. Overall, this CD is a great sample of a Night Ranger concert, with great musicianship from beginning to end!