Japan - Still Life in Mobile Homes

[@alfieconn2692]

There aren't many bands where each member makes a truly unique contribution: Karn's mesmeric fretless bass (how did he do it?), Jansen's idiosyncratic drumming (the polar opposite of four on the floor), Barbieri's synth programming (creating unique, organic sounds from early 80s synths) all wrapped inside Sylvian's songwriting (that manages to be incredibly catchy-with a killer chorus - while sounding like no other pop song you've ever heard). Japan. What a band.

[@alfredrutz7830]

Alfie, You nailed 🎯 it !!! And that's why they are, still, my most revered Band

[@avi_s0ncin0]

It’s also incredible how smooth their switch was from the more raunchy and glam-rock-y sound of their early stuff to the mature and well-polished music of their 80’s records….both respective eras of which I greatly appreciate

[@jjanderson8235]

Amen. Incredible.

[@LoganSusnick]

In this particular scenario, "Oil on Canvas", we cannot NOT mention Masami Tsuchiya. I don't have any words that are worthy enough to describe his contribution to this already incredible band and its very pinnacle. If I had a time machine, these concerts would be one of my top choices!

[@gregoirecafe5942]

Masami Tschuiya el-guitar solos !!!

[@MrTkeddo]

Mick playing fret less bass while looking forward is unreal , he’s up there as the best fretless bass player with Jaco and Pino.

[@carlbuchan5699]

Easily as good. He played a load of other instruments too, such a talent. Rip.

[@davidjonesdrummer]

Totally unique. And what about the technique with the “flat hand...” And the amazing image and floating across the stage. Amazing performer and artist.😌✨🙏🎶☮️

[@Scotty-P]

@@davidjonesdrummer Totally.

[@Scotty-P]

@@davidjonesdrummer It's so good to see all of the love here for Mick. I mean; the whole group are brilliant, but it's Mick Karn and his whole - thing; style, sound, aesthetics - which make me really love Japan!

[@user-jz8qn8qw4l]

@@Scotty-P This is why, sadly, Japan will never reform or play again, even as a one-off. Mick is irreplacable.

[@Domingojazz]

It's incredible how this music sounds modern still today, but maybe I should say timeless...

[@Stick3x]

One of the greatest underrated groups of all time.

[@paul-michael6443]

Big fan.

[@hhaannnnaahh222]

truly one of a kind

[@martinfrancis3733]

One of the greatest bands, ever. Full stop. Don't agree that they're underrated, underplayed but not underrated. Unique musicians and Masters of their craft.

[@thelabtechnicians5657]

Mick Karn Once Heard Never Forgotten. Rest In Peace Mick

[@teresaribeiro9886]

One day we all be gone but the recordings will stay ❤ I still Love to hear Japan. They made part of my youth.

[@hhaannnnaahh222]

💖💖💖

[@thelabtechnicians5657]

@@hhaannnnaahh222 Thank You Hannah Sweetie 🇯🇵👄💄💋 I Have Subscribe To Your Channel 😎💋🤘

[@Ledgeview]

RIP Mick

[@motoaki0219]

俺がジャパンにはまってたのは中2、もうあの時には戻れない物悲しさをいつもこの曲は感じさせる。 ミックカーンカッコいいな、生きていればなぁ。。。

[@bernardoMG1]

What a piece of art was Japan's album Tin Drum and still today tracks sounds innovative and fresh. Mick Karn's bass shine thru all the record (L.P. on those days)

[@alfredrutz7830]

An absolute jewel!!! Artistic innovation & aesthetic brilliance!

[@cosmicdancer930]

David sylvian most beautifull voice in the world!

[@garymacmillan6401]

Apparently Paul Mcartney was recording Pipes of Peace in the next studio to Japan when they made Tin Drum. He was amazed at the sounds they were creating.

[@AngelaGossowRulez]

Of course Paul McCartney would be amazed.

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

Maybe he’s amazed 🙄😂

[@markkeogh7235]

According to Richard Barbieri, Macca offered to play guitar or bass on Tin Drum. Linda was a big fan of the band.

[@miskelproducts41]

That is an AMAZING story! As a kid in the eighties and a musician, Tin Drum is one of the most important albums in my life.

[@Stick3x]

@@miskelproducts41 I heard it when I was 13 same thing. This music changed my life.

[@garymcghee2249]

They not only look beautiful, but they were the most aesthetically beautiful band musically as well. Tin Drum is an unmitigated masterpiece. x

[@markkeogh7235]

Tin Drum is a masterpiece all right....although Sylvian's lyrics are actually the weakest thing about the record. Which is ironic because he is credited as sole writer on nearly all the tracks. I don't think anyone today listens to Japan's music to hear the lyrics but the originality of the drumming, bass playing and unique synth sounds will stand the test of time.

[@rumenok]

@@markkeogh7235 I don’t think that the lyrics are so weak, it goes well with the abstract musical component, you need a balance, because the music is very saturated and unpredictable, and if the text was too intricate it could load, that's what makes japan easy to listen, it works here

[@alfredrutz7830]

Gary, Ahhhh, finally somebody putting into words what I have been thinking/feeling for almost 40 years! 🎯

[@paulwally9007]

@@markkeogh7235 The lyrics are weak? I've never thought of that. I certainly never felt that. The lyrics to Cantonese Boy, about young men joining Mao's troops, were pretty unique. The Chinese lyrical themes and titles really add to the sound of the album. In fact, the more I think about it, the concept is a stroke of genius. I can't think of any other overriding theme that would've been better. It's conceptually brilliant...and in practice, too.

[@mgparis]

I'm only 40 years late, but I'm in awe of Japan

[@martinfrancis3733]

Don't worry! I've been in awe of Japan, since the beginning and I always will be. Nothing and no one else sounds like them, completely unique and absolutely timeless. Welcome aboard!

[@ajs41]

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what perfection looks and sounds like.

[@mexicanson]

Totally!

[@philipford6183]

This track defies time. It's sounding as fresh and interesting in 2021 as it did back in 1983. Amazing. And that drummer deserves a medal.

[@user-jz8qn8qw4l]

@Kreuhn Kohrman Yes, the drums are live. Steve is playing along to a click track through his headphones. Ironically, almost the only thing that wasn't overdubbed or tampered with on the "Oil on Canvas" "live" album were the drums. Japan did use backing tapes to recreate the sound of the recordings, e.g. Mick's sax parts on this tour, where on previous tours (in 1980) they had hired Jane Shorter to play sax.

[@user-jz8qn8qw4l]

Steve Jansen is an amazing drummer

[@Proxylfc]

Amazing bass, plus Steve Jansens unguessable drum rythms. superb stuff

[@ElectricSmurf]

Unfortunately drummers often get forgotten, the whole band was very talented in my opinion.

[@jeankilpatrick2438]

I have never heard anyone get a sound like Mick did out of a bass guitar. It's like he was playing a different instrument.

[@c.w_]

Same for all the instruments he played. Genius!

[@DarranJHankey66]

Live it made you "Go Cold".... He was a Pioneer with his imo never 100% ever Emulated properly, and more importantly, Naturally, and not making it like "Brain Surgery",,,, RIP MK,,, Great playing man

[@tomasvanecek8626]

Paul Denman

[@acircleofgentlemen1]

what a bass line amazing !!

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

The Mick karn shuffle is sadly missed now, loved Japan and the great fretless bass playing of Mick.

[@rgwebb5165]

Still one of the greatest songs about mobile home living.

[@brianboyle2681]

😂

[@Sztermel]

It's a pity the camera-man didn't show the rest of the band here, Mick Karn is making amazing moves as always and only Sylvian is visible . I know he is beautiful and sexy as hell, but there are clearly other musicians doing more at the stage.

[@Wilantonjakov]

"beautiful and sexy as hell" ahhhah love this comment

[@sandrobassi]

Not even one shot of Richard Barbieri.

[@FrankNFurter1000]

@@sandrobassi There is a tiny glimpse of Barbieri but NOT ENOUGH BARBIERI.

[@markkeogh7235]

Apparently when they were filming the concert they didn't get any shots of Barbieri at all (too dark maybe?) so had to shoot scenes with him afterwards that were inserted into the oil on canvas footage.

[@ZootC]

I saw them 4 times on this tour alone. I agree with what you are saying but this was filmed for a VHS video release ( yes, we are that old ) and cameras were fixed. I bought that VHS cassette. I think my sister permanently borrowed it ;) For me, the Manchester Apollo concert was a better experience than this one. Much smaller venue, sound was unbelievable. I miss Mick very much.

[@Parloscope]

Beautiful, sounds like nothing else on Earth thank god for Japan !!

[@jeankilpatrick2438]

I was so obsessed with Mick, I didn't notice the amazing drums!

[@Proxylfc]

Saw Japan twice in the early 80s at Liverpool Empire, they were great. Life in Tokyo used to get everyone up dancing, Iused to love Steve Jansens unguessable drum rythms

[@sylviajm833]

I was there, in 1982. Hammersmith Odeon, knowing they would split up pretty soon after this. Musically its all superb. But I feltthe troubles they had personally. There was hardly any personal contact on stage. ts a pity David Sylvian didnt like to do gigs more.

[@レオナルドラガヴリオ]

ドラムとベースがめちゃくちゃかっこいい

[@user-lr4nk1id3t]

Saw them at Brum Odeon early 80s - still a vivid memory - studio perfect sound but their in-band rifts were palpable - but they felt and still feel unique and they remain my all time favourite band - sustainable peerlessness !

[@toshibcn1]

Japanはミック居てこその代表曲ですよ。気持ち良いベースライン👌

[@littleblackcloud86]

Mick is such an unbelievably cool bastard! R.I.P to one of my bass heroes.

[@DianaRuiz2013]

Sometimes the comfort of a room Sometimes I'm quite alone I pack to leave a foreign town It seems I'll never know But I'll rent new accommodation We'll make plans for mobile homes Slow boats moving with the tide Drifting far from shore It's the nature of this country life I've never known before Still we'll make plans for buildings and houses From mobile homes Plant life My life Still life in mobile homes Plant life My life Still life in mobile homes The sound of wildlife fills the air So warm and dry The bushland burns in this southern heat Like an open fire Still we'll make plans for buildings and houses From mobile homes... mobile homes Plant life My life Still life in mobile homes Blood life My life Still life in mobile homes A voice screams from heaven As we start to sail It's the calling of the fatherland I used to know so well 'Til I'll find new accommodation We'll make plans for mobile homes Plant life My life Still life in mobile homes Plant life My life Still life in mobile homes

[@mexicanson]

Thanks for the lyrics! Now, I can sing along to this amazing song. 👍

[@mediamogul6643]

Most sources say plant life but how much sense does that make? It's PLANNED life

[@DianaRuiz2013]

@@mediamogul6643 😮ohhh

[@kornilioswayout]

there was never a band like Japan nor will there ever be

[@mikemccready1127]

This band had many great songs, this one is their masterpiece. Drum,bass and intriquite lyrics combined with erratic melodies- epic! I have been playing this song for 37 years !!!

[@drumsoclock3312]

Jansen drums amazing!

[@thomassharoniard4629]

Masterpiece so mysterious and special

[@graemefarquharson465]

Sounds very good for a live performance. Their last and also their best album.

[@poddel]

Still love this after 40 years, one of the tracks to be played on my funeral.

[@anniechristien]

Amazing band, wonderful Mick and gorgeous Sylvian.

[@rodrigolima6901]

I can't stop rewatching it! Greetings from Brazil.

[@cyberbazar3802]

Mick Karn era un excelente bajista. Un estilo único. Líneas de bajo que brillaban por sí mismas. Se fué demasiado pronto.

[@lindatulloch2975]

Brings back good memories of a happier time.. still sounds brilliant.. amazing music and vocals.. cool personified 🥰

[@rhythmdroid]

Mick Karn is my spirit animal!

[@schmoegler]

Ha! Yes...

[@jk1395]

自分にとっては永遠のアイドル。god bless mick karn mickのbassは本当に格好良かった。Tin Drumsは最高です。

[@krisscanlon4051]

You gotta love Japan,the name the look and their whole outlook. who the heck quits at the height of a movement breaks up and then go full force into a non rock biz outlook? truly one of the few artists who put their art first with no need for the trappings of rock stars. off the treadmill and into immortal cult status. their peers and idols were stuck not they. then perversely reunite as Rain Tree Crow! Fripp David Byrne Eno Zappa Pete Gabriel and Patti Smith dabbled into this artist driven bent but not to the extent of Sylvian Karn and co.

[@neilstamp9444]

Mick Karn shuffled back like a little geisha. Quality

[@vinto34]

I think he was on a moving platform how he glides.

The way he moves is a show in itself.

[@MinorCrime]

Thank you for uploading this concert, yours is the best quality I've found of these videos. Their live recordings are phenomenal, I'm blown away both by the band and their sound engineer for this concert. So good.

[@MinorCrime]

Also Masami probably should have been their guitarist always and forever, they gel so damn well.

[@roodivalentino2416]

This entire recording was studio based with only the drums recorded live. Not sure why it was re-recorded as I've heard live tapes and they play and sound excellent.

[@garyjohnson7628]

I saw them on their final tour where they were support by Suzi and the sunsets. Amazing night. I have seen David several times since and he is still wonderful to listen to.

[@brad42948]

Japan at their best. Astonishing musicianship.

[@larst560]

C'e' qualcosa di spirituale in questa musica ,anche il modo in cui suonano e stanno sul palco ha qualcosa di autenticamente "religioso" . I visi composti, l'eleganza dei movimenti,le pose ispirate.. Uno spettacolo da sentire e da vedere ❤️ Li ho riscoperti nel 2023 ,il mio gruppo preferito in questo momento 😍

[@tyroon81]

I wish they could of carried on for another couple of albums. I struggle with the fact that that this is over 40 years ago and Im now pushing 60!! Time really does fly, but this music will always be timeless😍

[@markgreenhow7953]

Nothing but the genius that was Mr Mick Karn.

[@hansOrf]

This is so ahead of its time, almost otherworldly, brilliant.

[@hugorezende199]

Gavim Harrison brought me here. Steve Jensen and his good odd rythms

[@markkeogh7235]

Jansen.

[@c.w_]

Both amazing drummers! Barberi on keys for both too.

[@dronespace]

Mick was the epitome of cool

[@rgwebb5165]

Such a wonderful song. Nothing else quite sounds like it.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

Mick Karn is the reason I first picked up a bass then guitar. RIP

[@TweedSuit]

Sounds almost exactly like the studio version. That's mostly down to Jansen and Karn.

[@vc-comedy8402]

i was there, spirit music from the soul

[@rhystyler7132]

Galaxies ahead of their time. Not just Sylvian, but Karn, Barbieri, Jansen et al. Consummate artistry. Will we ever see it again!?

[@morini500dave]

I've seen Japan live twice including the British leg of their Oil on canvas tour which I think all of this video is taken from and it's only in the last few seconds that I think that's when I saw David Sylvian crouching on a boat,a mobile home!

[@synthoelectro]

They were phenomenal

[@hughiedavies6069]

Mick karns bass sound was totally original and the way he moved on stage a bit like he's on a conveyor belt, extremely talented

[@janinedasilva7384]

That bass. ..pure magic! I'm in love!

[@BOARMoto-bm2mh]

Everything Japan created sounds like it was made tomorrow. They’re a “Bro, trust me…” band.

[@dazzp2]

Hands up if you were there ???✌️✌️✌️ 3 Nights ! Oh yes

[@briancox8518]

Japan the best kept progressive rock band

[@charlesstewart829]

A beautiful combination of five moving parts. It took years to reach this stage, but sadly star burnt ever so briefly.

[@ちゃんまさ-g4e]

世界最高のベーシスト

[@julieharrison7417]

Loved this song

[@robertmarles6447]

What a tune, genius. I've been enjoying the rain tree crow album recently, strongly recommend.

[@MrUnderwurlde]

Been a huge fan since the 80's but never got a chance to get familiar with RTC till very recently. I've started to binge again and am amazed how fresh their music still is. Secrets of the Beehive is one of my all time favourites from DS but it could have easily been released today. Hard to believe its 25 years old.

[@randotastic]

those synth sounds....wow.

[@nigelb5341]

Quite extraordinary 🧐

[@gerryradford4812]

Genius always comes to mind whenever I hear Japan … the whole concept ,,, amazing musicians great vocals ,,, always new things I hear in the background every time I play them ,,,, top ten greatest innovative band ever !! G

[@belladonnahexen441]

Brilliant! Thanks for uploading.

[@evanjazzista]

Karn and Jansen are *tight* as hell here!

[@92JinKazama]

Incredible drum beat by Jansen too. Not placing the snare on 2 and 4 and instead placing it on 1 and 2. Mind-boggling!

[@kazimierzgarshin3924]

That Chinese voice somewhere in the middle is beautiful. Japan fuckin knows how to make music.

[@studio390]

It's not Chinese...It's Japanese traditional song.....It's called as Nagauta .

[@timmylok]

its japanese. not chinese

[@blakethomas3342]

To be fair, it doesn't sound very Japanese. As someone who has been learning Japanese for 2 years, it definitely sounds more Chinese than Japanese at least in how it sounds.

[@cmonmappleys]

Could be Cantonese ... Only jokin

[@edwilliams9914]

It IS extraordinar, isn't it. That little vocal is one of my favorite things about this song, so I've listened to that bit over and over. After all that dissection I came away thinking that it was A) *based* on a Nagauta (as Ice Man points out) -- it really is that musical structure; but B) that it was a purely synthesised 'vocal' that Barbieri had experimentally come up with by combining Nagauta phonetic and sung samples purely as MIDI samples on a keyboard - that the phonemes could come at different pitches if he simply played the solo differently, and that the phonemes may or may not actually form real Japanese words or sentences - purely music Fully admit I may be totally wrong about this, but it's just what I had come up with years ago, because I agree it doesn't really sound 'like' a real vocal. I wonder if that's the source of the mysteriousness about where it's from and why it's so tantalizingly 'like this language but not really and like that language but not really that either'. Maybe somebody out there will have some actual knowledge of the recording session and can fill us in. We all agree that it's unique and we love it, though!

[@cosmic6937]

Another bass-driven masterpiece! I need somewhere else for my brain to be just now, after the senseless killings here in Manchester.

[@JenBuilt]

Death is a Thief

[@川口健太郎-l1b]

ミック・カーンは才人

[@elpayaseteetesayap1199]

Fucking, awesome, incredible, outstanding, outraugeous BASS LINE!!!

[@MrFreud98]

Duran Duran stole from these guys wholesale.

[@ajs41]

Stole their image, not their music so much. Nick Rhodes modelled his look on David Sylvian on Gentlemen Take Polaroids.

[@morfi3395]

I love Japan but also they surfed on the big new wave where a lot of bands were surfing on these days. their influence was obviously David Bowie, Roxy Music, Lou Reed, etc.

[@wiseonwords]

@@morfi3395 - Agreed.

[@MrCubaismo]

Fair play to you for uploading all this music Ethan. Japan were one of my favourite bands. I love they way they interact with scenes from China during the live concert.

[@kimoiotoko3565]

This is a very interesting song!

[@dontlookatthispagedlatpt.v7819]

Amazing music.

[@MauroGentilini-q2s]

Se pensate - oltretutto - che questi ragazzi, all'epoca, erano ventenni.... genio. armonia. atmosfere. Che band!!!

[@j0hnnychr0me]

japan wrote some of the best songs

[@artonx4719]

Incredible band! So unique sounding. Love it! Oil on Canvas...

[@ManuelMartinez-pd9sj]

It's blasphemy how underrated Mick was/is. I'm familiar with many bass legends in many genres and am sad to have not discovered him sooner.

[@steelydan123456789]

Addictive.

[@christinad.7851]

I found out Japan thanks to Metal Gear and fell in love with them thanks to Mick Karn. This song gives me life when I feel sad or depressed❤️ Mick was a beautiful man

[@EricRegalDuarte]

Mick & Masami absolutely incredible

[@不破雷電]

ミックカーンのべ―スが素晴らしい

[@Rocket_scientist_88]

はい！ミックカーンは凄いでした。私の一番大好き。

[@mexicanson]

This might be my favorite song on the Tin Drum album. My 2nd favorite song would probably have to be Visions of China.

[@mexicanson]

I take it back, this is my favorite song off the album now. LoL. This performance is better than the album version, though. 😌As a matter fact, all the songs off the Tin Drum album, sound better on the Oil On Canvas live album.

[@ajhoncantara]

Would someone please do a complete isolated track compilation of the outstanding Mick Karn?

[@diegomoises82]

Ads: wanna play like Metallica? Me: no, I wanna play like Japan .

[@川口健太郎-l1b]

ミック・カーンが話す日本語は 日本人が聞いて、日本人だと見なす 私が今までに聞いた「白人が話す日本語」で完璧な発音 驚異的な日本語の発音 日本語学者の話す日本語は白人の発音

[@pinodemuzio452]

Super band

[@田比良宏史]

C’est magnifique 🌸😊💕

[@screenPhiles]

David Sylvian is what I imagine a combination of Bryan Ferry and David Bowie would be like.

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

Duran Duran truly pillaged these guys... life's not fair

[@ryanjackson3428]

TBF, these guys kind of pillaged Roxy Music from Quiet Life to GTP.

[@gedq]

The whole art school crowd pillaged each other. It was kind of a family thing.

[@Arctic_Falcon]

@@ryanjackson3428 Influenced, probably. Pillaged? No way. Listen to Yukihiro Takahashi's "Glass" from 1981, which apparently members of Roxy played on, now that's a pillaging (and a great song)!

[@inancsonmezocak4289]

If Duran Duran did that they saved music.

[@Tanko3691]

Mick Karn, I am speechless every time I watch him.

[@Bends95]

Mick Karn=Genius!

[@ElectricSmurf]

I just wish that Japan just released live footage of performances, instead of the mix of concert footage and the terrible boring footage of boats or whatever...I saw Japan live, they don't need montages and library film to enhance the perfect art that is Japan live!