ALL four members were grafting on solo projects, and by late '82 Japan's demise was formally announced. "When I finished Tin Drum, I felt I'd written my ideal pop song", Sylvian told Sounds, "and I didn't want to explore it any further. It was enough." Q magazine mourned: "It all ended in tears, but for a time Japan were the knees of highly chic, beautifully made-up bees. They looked like a match for anyone. Alas, alas, alas." Their farewell tour (which climaxed, appropriately enough, in Japan) was to be the source for '83's live double album OIL ON CANVAS, again immaculately produced by John Punter with the band. Focusing almost exclusively on material from the last two albums (which gives some indication of what the band considered to be their best phase), it added three new compositions and a stroll through "Quiet Life".
(Double CD Live album)
*CD version previously only available as single disc
|
Packaging Double CD - 8 panel digipak. Original Auerbach painting / front cover changed to black and white / full bleed. Extra new images by Fin Costello plus new typeface and logo. White CD, non-standard gloss black CD tray. |
Tracklisting CD 1 1. Oil On Canvas 2. Sons Of Pioneers 3. Gentlemen Take Polaroids 4. Swing 5. Cantonese Boy 6. Visions Of China 7. Ghosts 8. Voices Raised In Welcome, Hands Held In Prayer |
CD 2 1. Nightporter 2. Still Life In Mobile Homes 3. Methods Of Dance 4. Quiet Life 5. The Art Of Parties 6. Canton 7. Temple Of Dawn |
'Oil On Canvas' what do you think the live songs have on the recorded ones?
DS: I couldn't answer that, I haven't heard it since we finished it in '81.
You haven't' heard it since then?
DS: No, I haven't heard any of the albums since then.
Why not?
DS: I have no interest in them.
It's quite good that isn't it? From what you remember
DS: (laughs) So I don't really know if they have an edge on the recorded ones.
Do you enjoy playing live?
DS: I do now. I didn't too much then.