JAPAN - SWING ----- OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST

[JapStrangler]

Marvellous. Utterly, utterly marvellous

[beboploo]

they were good not like whatsout now

[Bergysot]

things you say are not so clear im someone youl neither know nor hear  does it get any better?i think not chris b stoke on trent

[lambentflame1]

WOW, I loved these guys in the 80's when I was 15. Got the albumns still. Sexy then & even sexier now !! 

[TheJoethebo]

Grossly underrated band......

[LinuxManUK]

RIP Mick Karn. great loss. so much talent,

Mick Karn was in fine 'voice' on Gary Numan's 1981 LP 'Dance'

if you need more of Mick's incredible bass playing.

Bless You Mick.

[dermotoblong]

pretty shitty how rob dean was treated. god bless mick.

[ronaldvanderkleij]

Karn, Oh no they will never come back. Japan wil be nothing without him R.I.P.

[zane1961]

Karn !!!

[oogie11]

 R.I.P Mick Karn, such a loss :(

[sexxdwarf]

beautiful. RIP Mick karn.

[newfuckingwave]

fuck we just lost mick karn today - the music world has just been dealt a great blow yet it is mostly aloof

[Clinchyesk]

I have to disagree with the last comment.They are all brilliant in their own right.You have to remember that sylvian wrote the lyrcics and the band played their part in bringing them to life. If they had continued after 1982 the music would have become tired.They went onto different paths that made me listen to a varied and brilliant music collaberations which at lot of bands are not able to do.

On a last note my thoughts are with Mick and his family at this difficult time

[imagine11ful]

imho David Sylvian was the weakest link in this very talented band. His ego knows no bounds. The rest of the band were in a different league and yet it was all about him.

[deancook07]

@imagine11ful Have you read Micks book YOU WILL SEE how much of a shit Sylvian was,correction IS.R.I.P MICK

[imagine11ful]

@deancook07 Hi deancook. I've just finished reading Mick's book. Glad to find a like minded soul on this matter. Everyone bangs on about how fckn great Sylvian is. He never saw Japan as a BAND. Look at the album sleeves. It's all about him. I'm suprised they weren't called David Sylvian and Japan aka Rod Stewart and The Faces. RIP Mick.

[dermotoblong]

@imagine11ful ive nearly finished the book. he doesnt come over too well in it does he? shame.

[feline1973]

look how many synthesizers Richard has! :) I bet that b*stard David Sylvian made him carry them all himself too...

[shinysynthcity]

Pure ooft ! ;)

[kur0201]

やっぱり天才

[chickitakoowan]

Superb music from a very talented band.

[darrencrowhurst]

I was a big Japan fan as a teenager and still love Sylvian's solo material, but I have to disagree with some of the comments here.To deny a Roxy Music influence is foolhardy. I've heard Sylvian himself say he was influenced by Roxy, but more importantly, they used John Punter to produce both albums Quiet Life and Gentlemen Take Polaroids. John Punter had previously produced Roxy Music.

[ayshazen]

@rogermelly44 oops! My bad! Of course he is. Senior moment! Blushing now. PT is my fave band!

[AzimuthTao]

One of the coolest bands EVER!!

[TheSandsie13]

be well soon mick. love the blonde hair in this video. happy birthday in advance mick (july 24 for those that don't know) mick.

[opiumeyes30]

PLEASE GO TO MICK KARN .NET and donate to his cancer appeal

[ayshazen]

Keyboard player David Barbieri is now the guitarist in Porcumpine Tree :-)

[rogermelly44]

@ayshazen Are you kidding? Its Richard Barbieri and he's the keyboard player for Porcupine Tree.

[pawnsacrifice1]

Mick Karn was so fucking cool, it's tragic he has cancer

[chrismaxpayne]

@paintedship

The album "Tin Drum"shows Sylvian on

the front Cover.

He is thin like Bowie on"Diamond Dogs".

I talked with a reporter from the magazine

"Rolling Stone" and he wouldnt agree

with you.He was right there those times.

And you?Where do you get your

information from.

[koalacatcher]

@chrismaxpayne Sylvian said on this "I did have a problem with drugs during the period of the break-up of Japan, with cocaine. But that was more to do with my psychological problems than with any rock star excesses. I had a sleeping disorder whereby I couldn’t stay conscious for more than four hours at a time, and I was looking for some medication to help with that. This went on for months, and that’s when I became cocaine-dependent."

[koalacatcher]

@chrismaxpayne now the time frame he means by the breakup of Japan I'd assume to be 1982- that was the end. Tin Drum was recorded in 1981. That should give you a little insight into it I guess.

[chrismaxpayne]

@paintedship

Theres no doubt that taking drugs is

very dangerous.

If you listen to the Japan lyrics written

by Sylvian theres no doubt that he

had Drug experience.

After Japan splitted the songs got more

depressive.I am sure that you are wrong

with your opinion that Sylvian didnt

take cocaine in the JAPAN time.

[chrismaxpayne]

@easternhammer

Your comment on a clip showing Sylvian was,

that hes looking sleepy.

In order to that I answered:

He doesnt want to go sleep,hes in a

good mood.

So he is excellent being stoned.

Like it .

[VoodooUprising]

fretless bass is on point........

[videocanone]

I esp like the synth and bass sound on this one. Excellent counterpoint. The guitar is tasteful tune. Its fun to see this band transform from glam rock to techno pop in a few short albums.

[simsa21]

They are so unbearable sexy. Omg.

[chrismaxpayne]

@easternhammer

You dont Know anything about Sylvian at all

it seems. The great musician had some

drug problems making him Relaxed in Swing.Ha!!!!

[easternhammer]

@chrismaxpayne . Didn't most musicians have drug problems in that period!

[paintedship]

@chrismaxpayne he had a drug problem (cocaine) but that was AFTER Japan had split up

[easternhammer]

i actually remember japan's music being described as somnambulistic in mojo hence sylvian looking sleepy

[easternhammer]

japan were very heavily influenced by roxy music. sylvian actaully wanted ferry to produce their music. you can see the similarities, but japan do actually have very much their own style as well. It is one band i would really like to reform primarily to see karn's bass playing in that context. superb stuff

[hub1971]

@easternhammer sorry i'm going to have to take issue with you on several counts. firstly, can you please produce the evidence that japan ever wanted brian ferry to produce them; secondly, i would love you to decsribe the ways in which there are are any similarities at all between roxy music and japan (surely the laziest and most complacent comparison in music history); thirdly, i think you'll find they did 're-form', in 1991, as 'rain tree crow'. finally, what do you mean by 'that context'?

[easternhammer]

@hub1971 , It was in Mojo. I don't have the copy any more and can't trace it through the website.

[koalacatcher]

@paintedship agreed 100 percent, why the fuck is this marked as spam

[marshmallomadness]

Sylvian looks...sleepy in this one.

Love this song.

[gormarx]

As much as I like their music, I am thankful I'll never have to see such hairstyles again nor listen to David's affectations like in the Japan days.

[missabs09]

one of the best records they ever made.stayed in to watch them sing this on togwt.fantastic.

[saintrobski]

Japan are gods! Anyone that disagrees will be struck down by lightning, trust me. Odd that although they were classed as 'pretty boys' at the time, they were actually one of the best ensembles of musicians around and didn't rely on their look to get famous. In fact, Sylvian hated the 'most beautiful man' tag for obvious reasons.

Japan - cool then; very cool now. Great post!

[diskochimp]

Sylvian was on the front cover of Smash Hits (!) when this LP came out - can you imagine something like that happening nowadays?

[ricchardo]

@diskochimp Not since Neil Tennant left Smash Hits to become a pop star, no.

[ismsys]

デビー！

[Edward80s]

So great!

[DionSebastian]

Thanks for uploading! One of my favourite Japan/Sylvian tracks - but never before saw this superb live recording!

[sylvianblue]

Those perfect teeth....in a perfect face.

[ariesscorpiorising]

UBERCOOL!!!!

[bassatnight]

I love the old Travis Bean bass!

[nouveauxdecadence]

There are very few bands with such complete creativity, beauty, innocence, style, couragous ideas and beyond temendous artistic talent.

Truly stunning +

Swing is one of m favourite tracks from japan without a doubt *****

[bigmopettin]

Very nicely put!

[realtwinlord]

yup.underrated really.sylvian's embarrassed by the first two albums but they're fantastic really.still think he peaked with gone to earth though.

[deesailorbird]

David Sylvian made me a crossdresser! I loved him so much I wanted to be him, those were crazy days.

[anthonynewsome]

david has new cd out soon, here is hoping a tour will follow

[strangeparty]

faaaaaaabulous

[loiraso]

they too had to blow and it was old and gray

[bobtherelevator]

richard barbieri has the same synth rig set up today with porcupine tree , im such a geek for noticing that i guess.

[VonGothenhall]

the album that this is from should be listened to late at night, under dim lighting. fits the mood perfectly.

[psychodamned]

I fully agree used to play "Burning Bridges" Before I went to bed !! Used to cuddle up withme first wifelette ha ha ha !!

[newfuckingwave]

@VonGothenhall with it raining outside. and it should be played on vinyl, of course.

[Andicowell]

@VonGothenhall On a walkman on the last metropolitan train out of London.... oh the memories.....

[lemsta007]

Memories

Japan

OGWT

Those days were ace.....

[grovegreener]

vintage Mick Karn!

[birdycannyfly]

nick !!!

[AndrewAnthonyHyde]

Could people please stop this nonsense?

Duran's debut album borrowed heavily from Japan's Quiet Life and Gentlemen albums (and Roxy Music's "Same Old Scene") but with Rio and Seven and Notorious Duran moved on and borrowed elsewhere.

Duran have never been as ambitious or accomplished as Japan, but they did create lots of fine pop songs. Rio is one of my favourite albums, but so is Japan's Tin Drum - and these two albums are so different from another.

Popular music is all about "borrowing".

[diamonddust22]

You are so right about what you said about Japan and Duran Duran. Loved that Era so much. Nothing comes close to it.

[BAYCITYROLLERBOY]

Check the Guinness Book of records,Duran Duran have sold far more records than Japan.

[ChewiePoopants]

So what ? Big macs are the biggest selling food in the world and they are garbage.... you dont have to be any good to be popular

[JohnnySwitchblade]

Only 1980 and they'd already established a very unique, sophisticated 80s pop sound, when alot of other bands at this time still reeked with the 70s leftovers. Japan was ahead of their time, and in their short career acomplished more than alot of their contemporaries could have hoped for.

And yes, I feel Japan had Duran Duran beat by a few years and are far superior.

[mashamorgan]

such a long time ago !!

[kefka40]

My Fav off this album would have to be "my new career" but I love the album as a whole, so beautiful.

[vetec4]

NO David Sylvain was influenced by T-Rex Bolen), there is a video interveiw about it i did talk inperson with Richard B about that as well. Richard is know playing Keboards with Porcupine Tree who I saw live and did talk to Richard after the show no lie !!!!!

[Snowdream76]

great 80s tune, love it so much x

[Snowdream76]

This band were so good, love the songs.

[ajs41]

I can never decide whether Swing or Methods of Dance is the best track on the Gentlemen Take Polaroids album. But then again Burning Bridges, Nightporter, and Taking Islands In Africa are pretty damn good.

The music on GTP is more "smooth" to listen to than Tin Drum, but I think Tin Drum has to be the better album because of its originality. Oil On Canvas is great of course because it has the best stuff from both albums.

[Doriana58]

Apart from the singing, the music doesn't sound anything like Roxy Music.

Japan are the most original band I can imagine.

Great musicians all of them and Sylvian the disturbed genius. I just love them.

[strangeromance1]

If you can stretch it far enough, appearantly everything can sound like anything

[JohnnySwitchblade]

I don't hear the Roxy Music comparison...if anything, I think Roxy Music's albums post-1980 sound like Japan, not the other way around.

[impersonation44]

Japan where intelligent music for intelligent people,

where never likely to see a band like this again in are life time,

the music industry is way to manufactured and money driven now, to give anything like this a chance.

[piedrada]

Agree with you as to the description of Japan as intelligent music for intelligent people ... never to be seen again, but do you think Roxy Music could be put there as well?

[pdenman]

@impersonation44 quite ironic that a red pen is needed for your comment:

the first "where" should be "were" but even then it's a poorly structured sentance; the second "where" should be "we're"

but corrected with a smile on my face, "see me after class" ! ;^)

[buddyhackett]

@pdenman sentEnce

[Peejay1966]

@pdenman You missed a few other errors, too. What about 'to' instead of 'too'? Or 'are' instead of 'our'? Then there's a distinct lack - or misuse - of punctuation. Still, the sentiment was spot on.

[pdenman]

@Peejay1966 @buddyhackett in my defence, I was very, very drunk ;^) but yeah, only having a giggle :o)

[nanookthecrazyskulla]

@impersonation44 *were *were

[sylvianblue]

I'm not complaining but this really bugs me - Just because Sylvian's voice does the 'vibrato' thing like Ferry, everyone thinks he was influenced by him. Strange how he still sings the same way...

[monotonetuba]

how you can compare duran,ultravox and any other new romantic eighties band to japan is beyond me...these guys are class musicians we will not see the like of the unit of jansen and karn again for a long time...if ever!

[rael1999]

I think there will always be great musicians around Mono ( and I'm 49 ...I do think music has become globalised though. So many indie bands for instance sound a like. What I loved about Japan is they were themselves. Original!

[oogie11]

i agree with you, i mean, duran duran were great and all, but, let's all be honest, they ripped off japan in such a way in my opinion...methinks japan were more subtle and dignified than duran duran :)

[petrusaloisius]

Nah Duran Duran was good too. Especially in their early years great great great. Both good bands.

[sofaofmylethargy2]

Badly mixed! Way too dry!

[furyplum44]

I <3 RICHARD BARBIERI! so cool!

[davejohnslade]

sYLVIAN AND jANSEN ARE BROTHERS THATS WHY THEY STILL WORK TOGETHER

[boxtl]

When are the BBC going to release all of these Japan videos from the OGWT.Bought the first one which had ghost on it,but since then nothing.

[MahnebNala]

Gentlemen Take Polaroids, an album to go out of your body to, try it. In my opinion their best album, better than Tin Drum any day.

[DJFG85]

Japan is really original, no question about it. I recently got into British New Wave, and Japan got their start in 1974, and they started rolling out the hits 1977 - 1982. I love them because of their genius originality.

[DroffilcRenevac]

Is sylvian the only one from these musicians still making music.duran duran cant copy him now,they wouldn,t know where to start.

[peterrivendell]

Steve Jansen is working with Sylvian again and has been for a few years now. He released a solo album called Slope last year, as well as working with David. Mick Karn still makes solo albums, as well as doing session work - mostly in Japan. Richard Barbieri has made one solo album since parting company with Steve Jansen and is a member of neo-prog rock group Porcupine Tree.

[hangoverlad]

Richard Barbieri and Steve Jansen also recorded and album back in 87/88 under the name of The Dolphin Brothers entitled "catch the fall" which had SG exclusively doing the vocals, pretty interesting and similar to his brothers voice in a way..

[duranasty]

i think japan are great,there is a slight duran touch but japan were first and duran have great respect for japan.

[motellife]

"slight duran touch" i think you mean the other way around, hon. duran duran has a "huge japan touch" in their music. japan was first, and talented, duran duran was second and horrible. end of.

[alttzueta]

gran grupo

[ARUK1]

Don't you think old daves hair is a dead ringer for the late Lady Di?

[Tazz77]

Could be where Lady Di got it from.

[Galuschka]

taking islandsss in africaaaa

[cass2112]

mick karn's fretless bass sounds brilliant.

[JWL65]

Duran Duran is not worthy to be mentioned in the same breath with Japan! This band was more talented and creative than the DD's could have ever hoped to be.

[bassuan]

If your words are true then Japan stolen a lot of Roxy Music, fool.

[JWL65]

Roxy Music is totally different from Japan unless you mean the vocal style of the singers. I was pointing out that there are people who think that Duran came before Japan and that they are guilty of ripping them off. No reason to get pissed mate, I was just making a distinction in terms of chronology.

[sylvianblue]

I totally agree JWL65...Japan music sounds nothing like Roxy music. Who's the fool?! Some people get so pissy don't they?

[Tazz77]

You have to admit that there is a Roxy Music influence.

[oogie11]

oh yeah, definitely, and Bowie too...in their early days though, they were clearly influenced by the new york dolls i must say ha ha, aaah, japan are great :)

[DIDROCNOS]

I think sylvian was heavily influenced by Roxy Music but the band wasn't

[pofh]

On Quiet Life, there's definitely a Roxy sound. Listen to the rhythm for Roxy's Out of the Blue and to Japan's Halloween. By GTP though, they were in a world of their own...by '82, so were Roxy so it's a moot point anyways.

[mojoelem]

I knew this band's manager back in 1980, Danny Morgan.(nice guy R.I.P) I bought his house in Dulwich.I think the band rehearsed there quite abit in the late 70s.

[rogan71]

Wankers doom!... Lovely expression, meaning to wank yourself into depression.... and Wanic, which is the state of panic if you get caught mid wank.... Any other thoughts?

[BAYCITYROLLERBOY]

Try locking your bedroom door,then you won't get caught!

[kcufdam]

It had something to do with the make up he had on his eyes....he had dark eye shadow on, his eyes look all sunken.

[kcufdam]

Seen them in 81 or some thing like that. Showed my "boss" the concert programme and he says "Mick Karn looks like he's got wankers doom". never forgot that. even 26 years later I can now see where he was coming from...but not at the time!!

[2coin]

wankers doom...explain please.  not something you hear in so. california.

[Sylvie1984]

JAPAN: BEST BAND EVER!!!!!! More of this talented band please!!!

[javierarmando09]

no joke, who's first? Japan or duran duran? somebody tell me, please!

[bnobo]

JAPAN

[javierarmando09]

Thanx!

[texcheyenne]

Japan , by three years!

[thoutah]

Why, Japan, of course!

[mlower1968]

Japan! I hope you're joking! Duran Duran ripped these guys off big time.

[BAYCITYROLLERBOY]

I think you will find that Japan and Duran Duran stole each other's ideas!

[mlower1968]

Given Japan's last album Tin Drum was released about the same time as DD's first, that's hardly likely is it!

[motellife]

i find it Duran Duran stole from Japan, for they came before them!

[battlekat23]

How? Japan was around LONG before Duran Duran even officially recorded an album.

[BAYCITYROLLERBOY]

Duran Duran were more popular and sold more records!Enough said!!

[battlekat23]

and that means nothing

[Galuschka]

JAPAAAN!

[BAYCITYROLLERBOY]

DURAN DURAN.

[thoutah]

This is nothing short of awesome. I'm glad someone put this back up!

[heatdeb]

I have been a fan for years,agree with the others but they are a class band

[lulahbelle]

I don't know why I get it but I really do so I guess I can't explain.

Oh and I assume the word you were after was fey. Of course it was affected but then plenty of performers are, I can forgive them for it I think it's because they were all so serious about what they were doing.

The affectation is surface or something...

So glad to see this back on YouTube ta industrial82

[Islwynpaul]

Fay is my wife's name and she gets Japan. So i keep on lisnin'.

[Islwynpaul]

Fay, effete and affected and however hard I try I can't seem to get this band.

[chewypappas]

Stick with them.They are an acquired taste,but once you get it,they are a brilliant band,and songs that didnt seem in anyway melodic,suddely hook you.Pretentious bollocks maybe, but true!

[Islwynpaul]

Thanks for that. I will percy vere.

[BAYCITYROLLERBOY]

Try spelling PERSEVERE properly!