J-rock icon MORRIE had his annual birthday live at Tokyo’s Shibuya O-WEST. Kiyoharu (SADS, KUROYUME) joined the show as a special guest singer.
March 4th is the birthday of charismatic icon MORRIE, who not only inspired but also set an example for today’s J-rock stars, such as Ryuichi and SUGIZO (LUNA SEA), yasu (Acid Black Cherry), hyde (L'Arc-en-Ciel, VAMPS), and this day’s guest singer, Kiyoharu (SADS, Kuroyume). Even today, MORRIE still shows no sign of slowing down. He continues to lead the Japanese music scene with his bands DEAD END and Creature Creature.
During the 90’s MORRIE released three albums but had refrained from solo activities until his birthday last year, when he performed his first solo live in 20 years. Fans absolutely loved the rare opportunity to experience his previous and new songs live, and understandably, they asked for more. This year, more than 600 fans gathered in Tokyo’s Shibuya O-WEST to celebrate with him.
Red light lit the simple stage set while fans waited for the show to begin. At first, the support musicians appeared on stage. Guitarist Yutaka Aoki, bassist FIRE, keyboardist Takeyuki Hatano, drummer Hiroshi Sasabuchi, saxophonist yukarie, and violinist Heather Paauwe took their respective positions on stage. All of them are accomplished musicians. For instance, yukarie has been supporting MORRIE’s solo work since the 90’s, and she herself is a pioneer of Japanese female saxophonists. Also, Hiroshi Sasabuchi (ex. Plastic Tree) is a supporting drummer for Creature Creature. Moments later, MORRIE finally made his entrance to the stage as fans’ ovations welcomed him.
MORRIE, dressed in a black suit and a white shirt, took his position at the center of the stage. Soon after, a soothing melody featuring the violin and the clear strumming sound of the guitar began to flow under blue stage lights. During the opening song Kankie, MORRIE projected his flame of life through his passionate voice while fans gazed quietly at him. However, the solemn atmosphere in the venue was soon about to change. Fans became excited immediately when MORRIE took a guitar. Only in his solo work does he shows his guitar techniques. With his cutting guitar riffs came the second song, Saru no Yume. His guitar play conducted the band while the undulating rhythm of the bass and meticulous beat of the drums supported him. His guitar riffs kept on thrilling fans in the third song, Paradox. The superb band ensemble produced a highly energetic and explosive rock’n roll and funk number, where the interaction of Yutaka Aoki’s shredding guitar solo and yukarie’s powerful sax solo definitely proved to be one of the show’s highlights.
MORRIE then took a break on the stage, but soon he gave a signal to the drummer. The obsessive love song, Shisen No Kairaku, started to play, during which a graceful melody from the violin waltzed with his glamorous voice. Later, the performance of a very personal love song was a pleasant surprise for the fans. A charismatic enigma is often the image people have of him, but during the 7th song, Anohito ni Au he gave a rare presentation of his honest emotions. During the song he played the acoustic guitar, which alone was highly exceptional, while his wife Heather Paauwe accompanied him with her gentle violin. Fans enjoyed the song as well as the intimate atmosphere it created in the venue. He further delighted fans by introducing his new song, Disquieting Muse.
As the show continued, MORRIE kept exhibiting different styles of music. All hell broke loose during the 11th song, Cosmos no Nakani. A pounding beat of drums unleashed everyone on the stage while MORRIE headbanged to the frenzy interplay between the support musicians. However, he further provoked his band and fans to show everything they had on SEX Setsudan. The red hot saxophone riff and bass line brought more heat on the stage, and the cutting sound of the rhythm guitar joined them as orange lights strobed on the stage. MORRIE called for the fans’ attention by pointing at yukarie during her sax solo, whereby he enjoyed swaying to her sax licks. Later, he changed the mood by performing the ballad Kokodewanai Dokoka, in which guitarist Yutaka Aoki played an extensive and hauntingly melancholic guitar solo. All of a sudden, the show started to look like as if it was a play in a theater. MORRIE did the first live performance of Unchained, and here his prominent voice modulations expressed a liberation within. A musical monologue might be the words to describe his performance. He, sometimes by his intensified tone and also by his ever refined falsetto, continued to show his depth in the following number, Hunt, while the band controlled the complex dynamics of the song.
“Thank you so much for coming today”, MORRIE said to fans. “Today is my birthday, and I think it’s good to do this kind of event once in a year. By the way, did you buy the goods? Kiyoharu actually designed them, although they are bit expensive”. Laughter rose as he spoke casually, but fans knew where he was going. “So, let’s bring him on stage. Kiyoharu!” A huge ovation rose when Kiyoharu finally joined MORRIE on the stage. Dressed in a black suit, a white shirt and red shoes, Kiyoharu celebrated MORRIE’s birthday. "I’ll do my best not to misread the lyrics”, Kiyoharu cheekily added. Thus, the two J-rock icons started to sing Kowasu Hito, wherein MORRIE’s deep voice and Kiyoharu’s signature high notes united breathtakingly. Although the song was played in an up-tempo arrangement, a “Warabeuta”- like (traditional Japanese children’s folk song), otherworldly and ominous atmosphere could definitely be felt. The fans then continued to enjoy the fabulous duet in the next number, Romantist Kuruizaki. “Thank you, Kiyoharu!” The fans gave Kiyoharu a huge applause as he bowed. “Maybe I should bring Kiyoharu every year. I wonder how many years it would take for him to cover all of my songs? Ten? Fifteen?” MORRIE laughed.
Closing the show was Memai o Aishite Yume o Miyo. FIRE’s skilful bass line sustained the band ensemble climaxed by guitar, sax and drum solos. After the song, MORRIE applauded each of the supporting members and said “Thank you!” before leaving the stage. However, the call for an encore rose immediately after. So he answered their call. He came back with the band and introduced the members to the fans. He also revealed that March 5th is actually the birthday of his wife Heather Paauwe. “Being a Pisces couple can be tough”, he joked. However, he yet again took an acoustic guitar for the song Kage. Maturity is such a rare quality to be found in the world of J-Rock, but the Pisces couple expressed it so well by performing a heartfelt acoustic number together. Finally, he closed the show with the last number, Atowa Notonare Yamatonare, the song representing his consistent lifestyle--that is to say, live and die in his way.
MORRIE and the band finished playing a total 24 songs, and they took their last bow at the center of the stage. Suddenly, the stage light dimmed, and Kiyoharu made a surprise return with a birthday cake for MORRIE. MORRIE blew out the candles, and the fans shouted happy birthday to him. “See you again next year”, MORRIE bid farewell. Fans are already looking forward to the next 4th of March and beyond.
Set List
1. Kankie
2. Saru no Yume
3. Paradox
4. Panic no Me
5. Shisen no Kairaku
6. Inu
7. Anohitoniau
8. Chinmoku no Himitsu
9. Chrysis
10. Disquieting Muse (New Song)
11. Cosmos no Nakani
12. Nagamenoii Anata
13. SEX Setsudan
14. Kokodewanai Dokoka
15. Unchained
16. Hunt
17. Kowasuhito – with Kiyoharu
18. Romantist Kuruizaki – with Kiyoharu
19. Hakai Shiyou
20. Phallus yo Eien ni
21. Memai wo Aishite Yume wo miyo
Encore
22. Ijin
23. Kage
24. Atowa Notonare Yamatonare
