Delectably opening this evening of smart prog-pop and good times, the quartet Fuji Fabric of Masahiko Shimura (vocals, guitar), Souichirou Yamauchi(guitar), Shinichi Katou (bass) and Daisuke Kanazawa (keyboards) alongside touring drummer Ryota, warmly slingshot matters into shape. Daisuke's handiwork on his Hammond and Nord make Manzarek proud from afar as well as Roger. His sitting in for Fabric's finale births a truly sunshiny "bah-bah-bah" stereo chorus as he and Daisuke take turns into a Wurlitzer crescendo finish amidst a teeming sea of happy humanity.
As this sweet swell subsides, Linus Of Hollywood (a.k.a. Kevin Dotson) glides onstage with his acoustic and inviting smile as accompaniment. A collaborator and friend of Roger's, 9 tracks of cleansing, reflective beliefs unfurl effortlessly as he gives a fair shake to the dualities within as he smirks upon launching into the taut, nerve-wracking ode of begging in need "When Are We Gonna Do It?" Following with "A Perfect Mess," the truth couldn't be further as his infectious yet subtle inner peace beams brightly. Wielding humor throughout, his intro to a "brand new song," actually Skid Row, disarms all into laughter. Inspirations are not denied, as LOH unleashes a pitch perfect rendition of Gilbert O'Sullivan's 70's classic "Alone Again (Naturally)." Smiling in giving grace to Budweiser, he aptly closes with "Thank You For Making Me Feel So Much Better" as all inside warmly embrace and bid adieu.
Alas, this goodbye stranger is short as Roger takes the stage with him (bass, vocals), Aaron Kaplan (guitar, vocals) and Imperial Drag band mate Eric Skodis (drums, vocals) for a familiar foursome of feelings. Center stage on his Roland X8, the proud pop/moog piper from Pleasanton and his merry men immediately take it to 11 with a raucous, full-bodied "Fat-Bottomed Girls." In a reprise to his Fuji Rock '06 baptism and second coming since his 1996 tour, Roger's timeless sense of wonder and gratitude stretches outward. "Too Late For Us Now" jaunts about playfully with LOH seamlessly harmonizing. Drowsy, key droplets in "Land Of Pure Imagination" opens up to the steadying stance of hope from "Pray For The Many." The falling, cascading keys of "Wish It Would Rain" liberates with the comforting acknowledgement of "Loser" giving further sustenance. Stroller "Pretty Please Me" leads to Roger's pole position in finding his yellow brick road with a pumping of Thomas Dolby's "Europa And The Pirate Twins." Giving credit to his stylish wardrobe to a flea market grandmother, this sort of homecoming reigns naturally with a rare Jellyfish blessing of "The King Is Half Undressed" as Skodis proudly proclaims afterwards, "Linus and I have been waiting 15 years to sing that song!"Balanced like anything nutritious and tasty, Roger, Aaron, Kevin and Eric top it with the splendor in their spreading Elton John's 2-part crown jewel, "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" all over. Unforgettable. |
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report by michael and photos by izumikuma |
| Fujifabric | Linus of Hollywood | Roger Joseph Manning JR |
 mag files : Roger Joseph Manning JR When you're up on the stage. It's so unbelievable! Oh...unforgettable! : (06/10/30 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by michael, photos by izumikumaphoto report : (06/10/30 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photos by izumikuma |
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The official site Roger Joseph Manning JR http://www.rogerjosephmanningjr.com/ myspace.com The latest album :  "ソリッド・ステイト・ウォリアー" (国内盤／US import) |
Previous works check the albums? |
 2006CD review : the book about my idle plot on a vague : toe (27th Sept.)CD review : Yes, Virginia (Japanese edition) : The Dresden Dolls (23rd Sept.)CD review : Yell Fire! : Michael Franti & Spearhead (18th Sept.)interview : Discoursing aplenty on futures for themselves and you : Dirk Tourette of Towers Of London (14th Sept.)interview : All Aboard Their Museum-Making Music Express For Sunshine : The Dresden Dolls (8th Sept.)CD review : Broadcast to the World : Zebrahead (29th Aug.)interview : High Tech Soul Warrior Au Natural : Kenny Larkin (25th Aug.)CD review : Eight Rare Cases : henrytennis (25th Aug.)CD review : You've got cousins : Meryll (25th Aug.)Seville's Deep Nocturnal Vibrancy Illuminated in Global Premiere : Maria Pages Company (15th May @ Shibuya Orchard Hall)Brokenspace Wholly Undo All In A Crisp, Crystallizing Coalescence : Brokenspace (13th May @ Shin-Koenji Club Liner)CD review : Static Trampoline (Japan deluxe) : Chris Pierce (6th May.)Happy When It Rains As Havana Comes To Tokyo : Ska Cubano (2nd May @ Roppongi Hills Arena)CD review : 4 : Gerling (28th Apr.)No Monkey Business In The Riding Giants Of This Tripartite : Jack Johnson with Coasta and ALO (15th Apr. @ Makuhari Messe)Making It All Worthwhile All Natural : Go Jimmy Go (6th Apr. @ Shibuya Lush)CD review : Island Sounds : Go Jimmy Go (21st Mar.)CD review : United Paper People : Kisschasy (12th Mar.)CD review : Eyes Open : Snow Patrol (12th Mar.)CD review : Clap Your Hands Say Yeah : Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (6th Mar.)Reprise Affirms An Eternal Sonic Youth Within And Without : Dinosaur Jr. (26th Feb. @ Shibuya AX)Happy And You'd Know It With Their Eyes Wide Open : Snow Patrol (21st Feb. @ Daikanyama Unit)No Denying They Help Us Have It Much Better : Franz Ferdinand (10th Feb. @ Nippon Budokan)Continuing To Give Their Nordic Good Frequencies : Royksopp (1st Feb. @ Shibuya AX)Making Heads Turn, Ears Perk And Feet Happy With Ease : Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (24th Jan. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)2005Cross-Generational Yuletide Confections For Birthday Cheer : Shonen Knife & Beat Crusaders (18th Dec. @ Harajuku Astro Hall)A Sort Of Homecoming For These Pilgrims : Feeder (8th Nov. @ Shibuya AX)CD review : Abuzeek : Farida's Cafe (16th Oct.)Bright Northern Lights In This Big City : The Marble Index (13th Oct. @ Harajuku Astro Hall)Leaders Of Men...The Park's Urban Flight Gives An Inoculation To Fear : Maximo Park (6th Oct. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)Tales Of Codependence Score A T.K.O. In Tokyo : Aimee Mann (3rd Oct. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)All The Way Mad, All The Way Hyped And Rightfully So : Armand Van Helden / Santos (30th Sept. @ Shin-Kiba aGeha)CD review : The Warrior's Code : Dropkick Murphys (22nd Sept.)Carefree Curiosity Fuels This Feline Far From Home : Anna Nalick (22nd Sept. @ Shibuya Quattro)Mellow Post-Juno Transmissions In The East From The Great White North : Feist (21st Sept. @ Shibuya Quattro)-->and more |