I worked with Mick one day in a studio, I'm just a jobbing sound engineer, and I must say that in my whole career he was the musician that impressed me the most with his style and imagination and superb dedicated musicianship. I just watched as a completely extraordinary track came to life from nothing. And I can't even remember the name of it! Weird I know.
I know the feeling of not remebering, i wish i was you. Did a band from Seattle back in the 80's........In Rotterdam, Well at least we robbed the backstage and dressing room of beer and grapes,, and then Curt wanted weed..... Ok? Do i need to say more.....
Saw Japans ever last concert. That was in Stockholm. Masami Tsuchiya (the guitarist seen here) jumped off the stage and down to the audience playing his guitar, standing in front of my friend so close that he reached out and toched it. That was magic.
I still can't get over how unique, creative, and smooth the Karn/Jansen rhythm section was. Plus, could Sylvian be any more cool? Jesus, they out-swaggered Bowie and Roxy Music.
I was a young teen and a musician in the mid-eighties. I know just about ALL the musical imports from England at that time. Japan was better than the majority of all of them. Their songs had a good pop sound and sensibility. And when you consider Steve Jansen's drum beats and Mick Karn's bass style, no one in the pop arena could match them. I could only imagine that it was politics in the industry that kept them from getting the industry attention that they deserved... For old times sake, the elephant in the room is that for a minute Nick Rhodes and David Sylvian looked just alike.
Just beautiful playing by Mick. It's the subtle finger plucks, the notes he chooses, the notes he leaves out, the slides. What a magnificent musician. RIP Mick.
Incredible. I got to see Steve perform a classical piece on a gong... a GONG! It was breathtaking. In Brighton with Harold Budd, John Foxx, Bill Nelson, Jah Wobble... wow.
Mick Karn was the king of fretless bass. A lot of people do not know what a difficult instrument it is, not just from a playing standpoint, but to replicate the work each time is nearly impossible. He pulled it off though, in spades. Love you Mick.
@@hexyko4850 I know that and I do own a fretless bass and have done so for many many years. It IS hard to play live. I simply said you can hear many mistakes or off notes on the numerous live tapes out there.
@@bovinedowie2803 das what makes the fretless sick tho is even tho it's slightly off it gives a different vibe every time and it just feels like there is more freesom
So punk tho right? Just goin on stage and winging it, takes so much courage. Even as a “skilled” musician. Especially when you write such hard parts for yourself. Most artists these days would use a backing track/never write such progressive musick…….
I sat next to David Sylvian in a cafe in Mpls in 1995 (he was with Ingrid) and got his autograph for a friend who was singing in a German band, at the time, that was "strongly influenced" by Japan. Sylvian was super nice. However, I still think Mick Karn was the most talented musician in Japan! Absurdly over-looked bass prodigy.
I lived in Sonoma for a time when Sylvian did as well. Happy you found him nice, because he was a total prick (aka "don't you know who I am" style) in that don't notice me, why aren't you noticing me sort of way.
dvz2333 Yes, behaviour like that is usually indicative of a certain insecurity... they're afraid you know that they know that they aren't as good as they're hoping you think they might be! laugh
Best rhythm section ever. This is so hard to pull off live and they make it seem effortless. Amazing. Only Tony Levin and Manu Katché come close. Mick Karn playing AND singing. Come on...
30+ years on and they still sound as fresh and original today as they did then. I have more reasons than most to appreciate them - my wife of 25 years and I first got talking through our shared love of Japan. As for Mick Karn, a genius and a genuinely humble guy. A musician's musician as he was once described to me.
It's worth it to read Karn's auto-bio - I actually came away liking him as a person a lot more, while discovering a few things about myself at the same time. But I must admit, it's only for serious, serious fans who are very reflective people themselves, as it's definitely not all "rainbows and sunshine" if you know what I mean. That aside, god-dammit, they're pretty much still kids here, yet they're still making music this fantastic and sophisticated: they really where just so incredibly talented, that it was a little freaky.
CusterFlux I only know too well. I always thought the Japan guys were way ahead of me but in the end, I'm from 1962 and not that much younger than they were at the time. It's just the God-like status I attached to them, which made an enormous difference.
Iconic Moments: 1) First chorus, a camera movement that captured Mick Karn wonderfully at 1:24; 2) Masami Tsuchiya's theatrical performance at 3:38; 3) Last chorus, with Mick Karn's steps backwards and subsequently the camera angle capturing at the same time the bass (Karn), the guitar (Tsuchiya) and the voice (Sylvian) at 5:10.
I saw Japan live around this time. They were astoundingly brilliant - especially considering that they started out as, basically, a New York Dolls tribute act. I am not really into seeing old bands reform to reclaim past glories but the one exception I would have made would have been for Japan. Unfortunately, without Mick Karn it just couldn't happen.
This is a great discovery for me cause this awesome band is almost unknown in post-Soviet culture, where new wave and new romantics were and still are popular. St. Petersburg, Russia.
Tsuchiya’s guitar is super. It fits to the sounds of band very well. I’d like to listen to just one full album of this line-up. But it will not realize never forever...
My favorite band from that era... along with simple minds, souxie, and ultravox... Never got to see Japan live unfortunately.... Still follow Sylvian although it's a lot more mellow. Have always loved his voice tho'....
I first heard them in 1980 when my brother came home with a copy of Quiet Life under his arm. Later on i brought GTP which i still play to this day. This is one of favourite tracks of the album. Brilliant musicians who had their own unique style and sound.
*_What's a good video where I see Mick doing his strange tip-toe 'glide' thing? I've seen it vaguely in a Japan video somewhere, but I want to take a proper look at his way of shuffling around on a stage._*
Karn never got the credit he deserved for his bass playing. The bass line on "Swing" stopped me dead in my tracks and made me switch to playing bass. I believe he initially played a Travis Bean fretless and then moved over to Wal..
I remember seeing Japan perform live and Mick Karn was mesmerising on stage: he would sort of shuffle across the full width in perfect time with a strobe light effect and he moved without appearing to move!
This is the most pure expression of thr New Romantic style. They were amazingly gorgeous gorgeous, but Mick Karn was not only so stunning beautiful and sexy but the most talented bass player. As a daughter of the European New Romantic movement this band was a big love and Mick Karn my darling crush of the band. 🥰😍💋💋💋
Years by years I still thinking that this is the most beautiful thing ever in music (and not only), the most perfect, nobody has never reached this aesthetic alien highness in music…goosebumps, for ever
A band I have loved since first hearing Polaroids in 1980, to this day I still love to listen. I agree with many on here that Mick was amazing, his bass lines were sublime and so creative. Saw them at Leeds Queens Hall 1981 I believe and so glad i did..
Japan were and still are an exceptional band. It still stuns me that their song ghosts was played on top of the pops. Was listening to a lot of bill nelson at the time so between yellow magic and Laurie Anderson I was a lucky boy. ❤
If you guys listen carefully to this Mick bassline, you'll probably not hearing a bassist and a bassline... you'll hear a genius and one absolutely beautiful signing bassline. Mick will stay one of my top 5 bass player of all time. As a bass player myself, there are so many bassists I can't stand (like Jaco for example ! yeah I know, I'm stupid) but Mick Karn, oh god... I miss him so much even these days. No one will replace him, never.
Ahh I have the same with Jaco. Great great but did not do to much for me. MK did. I spend nights practising his uniqiq slides. I even ruined 2 bass guitars by getting the unfret.
*LOVE BOTH MICK KARN'S AND NICH THORPE'S BASS SKILLS, THEY BOTH WROTE THE BOOK ON CREATIVITY AND ORIGINALITY, NICH AND I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS SINCE THEY STARTED CKTC.*
While I am remiss to say that I missed this band back in the 80s. I listened to KROQ all day and night but somehow missed Japan. I'm extremely happy that I found them now what an amazing treasure.
Just a spectacle in the best way, so strange and beautifully captivating. I'm 27 and just got into Japan this year but I'm totally in love with all their albums!
Mick Karn. Wow! What can I say? One of the greatest ever and the main reason why I adored Japan as a school boy. I was OBSESSED by Mick's playing and am still in awe of him to this day. The guy was incredible.
Mick composed so beautiful, original and amazing bass lines I always wonder how he was able to produce this lovely japanese atmosphere ! He was a genius for sure and still a reference for me after all these years. Rest in peace, Mick.
I worked with Mick one day in a studio, I'm just a jobbing sound engineer, and I must say that in my whole career he was the musician that impressed me the most with his style and imagination and superb dedicated musicianship. I just watched as a completely extraordinary track came to life from nothing. And I can't even remember the name of it! Weird I know.
Wow you're a lucky guy! What a master Mick was.
I know the feeling of not remebering, i wish i was you. Did a band from Seattle back in the 80's........In Rotterdam, Well at least we robbed the backstage and dressing room of beer and grapes,, and then Curt wanted weed..... Ok? Do i need to say more.....
Maybe i didnt do sound but im shure i made shure the fridge backstage was empty.......
Wow!
thanks for sharing .. what a treat for you .. bless
Mick Karn will be loved until the stars turn cold and nothing less. Even when we burn out, his melody will linger. What a beautiful man. Rest well.
WOW. YES!
He's already booked to play the end of the universe party.
Makes me wish I'd had kids just to pass along my love for his artistry.
Steve Jansen and Mick Karn were a rhythm section sent from God.
Saw Japans ever last concert. That was in Stockholm. Masami Tsuchiya (the guitarist seen here) jumped off the stage and down to the audience playing his guitar, standing in front of my friend so close that he reached out and toched it. That was magic.
Masami accidentally fell because the stage was very dark. He himself said that the kind audience members were the ones who let him onto the stage.
So jealous!
I still can't get over how unique, creative, and smooth the Karn/Jansen rhythm section was. Plus, could Sylvian be any more cool?
Jesus, they out-swaggered Bowie and Roxy Music.
Agreed!
Duran Duran straight ripped Japan off!!!
took it to another level
I was a young teen and a musician in the mid-eighties. I know just about ALL the musical imports from England at that time. Japan was better than the majority of all of them. Their songs had a good pop sound and sensibility. And when you consider Steve Jansen's drum beats and Mick Karn's bass style, no one in the pop arena could match them. I could only imagine that it was politics in the industry that kept them from getting the industry attention that they deserved... For old times sake, the elephant in the room is that for a minute Nick Rhodes and David Sylvian looked just alike.
agree
Karn's bass line in this track is ridiculously good. It's literally a call and response counter melody within the song.
彼らはすばらしかった。from Japan
Just beautiful playing by Mick. It's the subtle finger plucks, the notes he chooses, the notes he leaves out, the slides. What a magnificent musician. RIP Mick.
In a decade full of brilliant bass players, Mick Karn was the best.
one of the best bass players to have graced this earth, a naturally talented musician and a great loss.
Dougie Wardlaw Agreed!
Dougie Wardlaw Yeah Mick was so multi-talented. He's also a wind-instrumentalist, a sculptor......
good bloke mick
I think most people know that Matt
@@a51stef could not agree with you more
Effortless beauty. Let's not forget Steve Jansen on drums. Guys a talent too
Incredible. I got to see Steve perform a classical piece on a gong... a GONG! It was breathtaking. In Brighton with Harold Budd, John Foxx, Bill Nelson, Jah Wobble... wow.
Johnny Red And Richard for creating the atmosphere in Japan's artwork...
The cameramen and clip director clearly hate the drums and keyboard.
Exactly what I was thinking of too!
@@DiscoFang yeah wonder if the whole thing is like that...still life was mostly Sylvian and Karn
Mick Karn is the reason why i've defretted my bass guitar.
R.I.P Mick
+AlexTheCrow The same here!
...And I thought I'm the only one. Well, there are a few other guys also (Doug Lunn, Mark Egan, Jaco...)
Same here
Exact reason here as well.
bloody hell thats me to the list :)
relax and swing brothers! x
途中の土屋昌巳氏の「ギターを弾かない姿」が、カッコ良すぎて何回、見ても涙が出そうになります。教授等の盟友が旅立って行ってしまいましたが、一度は、生の御姿を拝見（ギターを拝聴）したいです。
Stunning! This track & Swing never left my turntable - saw them at The lyceum Ballroom as well. RIP Mick
Swing… I’m with you all the way.
@@Ezzerguru 👍
Was Gary Numan at that gig?
@@darylchambers5945 I didn't see or hear him.
Masami Tsuchiya is playing guitar, it's really Japan.
No
Isn't that ryuichi sakamoto actually
@@humblegamer7876 no , its masami tsuchiya
Karn is such a bassists bassist. I love scrolling Japan vids and reading the love. RIP
Mick Karn was the king of fretless bass. A lot of people do not know what a difficult instrument it is, not just from a playing standpoint, but to replicate the work each time is nearly impossible. He pulled it off though, in spades. Love you Mick.
He plays off many times. You can hear it on the numerous live tapes of concerts
@@bovinedowie2803 He might play off sometimes but I urge you to try, don't think you could play like him.
@@hexyko4850 I know that and I do own a fretless bass and have done so for many many years. It IS hard to play live. I simply said you can hear many mistakes or off notes on the numerous live tapes out there.
@@bovinedowie2803 das what makes the fretless sick tho is even tho it's slightly off it gives a different vibe every time and it just feels like there is more freesom
So punk tho right? Just goin on stage and winging it, takes so much courage. Even as a “skilled” musician. Especially when you write such hard parts for yourself. Most artists these days would use a backing track/never write such progressive musick…….
I sat next to David Sylvian in a cafe in Mpls in 1995 (he was with Ingrid) and got his autograph for a friend who was singing in a German band, at the time, that was "strongly influenced" by Japan. Sylvian was super nice. However, I still think Mick Karn was the most talented musician in Japan! Absurdly over-looked bass prodigy.
I lived in Sonoma for a time when Sylvian did as well. Happy you found him nice, because he was a total prick (aka "don't you know who I am" style) in that don't notice me, why aren't you noticing me sort of way.
dvz2333 Yes, behaviour like that is usually indicative of a certain insecurity... they're afraid you know that they know that they aren't as good as they're hoping you think they might be! laugh
Velvet-Starship-NOW Feet of clay anyone? (Know the feeling.)
.
thecatspajamasny Sylvian is many things. Shy is not one of them.
Chills.. Choking up.. what a band, what a bass player...
R.I.P. Mr Karn.
Best rhythm section ever. This is so hard to pull off live and they make it seem effortless. Amazing. Only Tony Levin and Manu Katché come close. Mick Karn playing AND singing. Come on...
30+ years on and they still sound as fresh and original today as they did then. I have more reasons than most to appreciate them - my wife of 25 years and I first got talking through our shared love of Japan. As for Mick Karn, a genius and a genuinely humble guy. A musician's musician as he was once described to me.
It's worth it to read Karn's auto-bio - I actually came away liking him as a person a lot more, while discovering a few things about myself at the same time. But I must admit, it's only for serious, serious fans who are very reflective people themselves, as it's definitely not all "rainbows and sunshine" if you know what I mean. That aside, god-dammit, they're pretty much still kids here, yet they're still making music this fantastic and sophisticated: they really where just so incredibly talented, that it was a little freaky.
CusterFlux I only know too well. I always thought the Japan guys were way ahead of me but in the end, I'm from 1962 and not that much younger than they were at the time. It's just the God-like status I attached to them, which made an enormous difference.
Absolutely amazing, could listen this track 1.000.000 times and never would be enough.
Yep
Lo escucho todos dias en mi trabajo este tema
Iconic Moments:
1) First chorus, a camera movement that captured Mick Karn wonderfully at 1:24;
2) Masami Tsuchiya's theatrical performance at 3:38;
3) Last chorus, with Mick Karn's steps backwards and subsequently the camera angle capturing at the same time the bass (Karn), the guitar (Tsuchiya) and the voice (Sylvian) at 5:10.
One of my all time best song
So creative and stylish
And we’ll always remember mick karn best ever bassist rip
How great this is. So many positive reaction for Mick Karn. So there are a lot of bass lovers left!
Absolutely! Bass is the ❤ of a song.
That panning shot past Mick Karn at 1:27 when the music changes is just magic!
fucking amazing
mick karn is a bass god
I saw Japan live around this time. They were astoundingly brilliant - especially considering that they started out as, basically, a New York Dolls tribute act. I am not really into seeing old bands reform to reclaim past glories but the one exception I would have made would have been for Japan. Unfortunately, without Mick Karn it just couldn't happen.
the voices sounds like take a nice nap in a soft velvet
This is a great discovery for me cause this awesome band is almost unknown in post-Soviet culture, where new wave and new romantics were and still are popular. St. Petersburg, Russia.
saw Japan live on two occasions,, now many years later they still blow me out of the water,, simply superb.
Wish I had seen them live...
Saw them at Hammersmith Odean a few times, amazing live.
Mick Karn !!! What a sound.
土屋さんが完全に溶け込んでいるのが凄い！
Masami Tsuchiya is the perfect guitarist for Japan~
the most original bass player ever - for sure - with an otherworldly technique - i saw him live at a distance of 4 metres in Florence italy
Tsuchiya’s guitar is super. It fits to the sounds of band very well. I’d like to listen to just one full album of this line-up. But it will not realize never forever...
すごく好きな曲です。当時を思い出す…
?
Fantastic band and Richard barberi is a legend in porcupine tree
multi-talented Mick Karn, monster on the bass and sax player too, just so effortless along the strings, pure class.
素晴らしい、最高のバンドだ。何回見てもイイ‼
Mick’s bass pared with Steve’s drums is a match made in heaven
Period
今見てもめっちゃかっこいいわ
My favorite band from that era... along with simple minds, souxie, and ultravox... Never got to see Japan live unfortunately.... Still follow Sylvian although it's a lot more mellow. Have always loved his voice tho'....
I first heard them in 1980 when my brother came home with a copy of Quiet Life under his arm.
Later on i brought GTP which i still play to this day.
This is one of favourite tracks of the album. Brilliant musicians who had their own unique style and sound.
Gosh i love Sylvian's melodies. They are so unique especially going for the very low notes in some phrases.
stood in front of the great mick karn at de montfort hall leicester 1982 - witnessed 'the shuffle' first hand - what a great night that was
briz1965 I was at that concert too. Not as close as you but it was a great night nonetheless
*_What's a good video where I see Mick doing his strange tip-toe 'glide' thing? I've seen it vaguely in a Japan video somewhere, but I want to take a proper look at his way of shuffling around on a stage._*
@@thepanel2935 I'm pretty sure he does this on a song on the old grey whistle test. search OGWT or see Canton from this video
Karn never got the credit he deserved for his bass playing. The bass line on "Swing" stopped me dead in my tracks and made me switch to playing bass.
I believe he initially played a Travis Bean fretless and then moved over to Wal..
He did indeed
@@Doyouhavetoask Swing is amazing and absolutely blows me away..
This album is one of my favourites. They were doing stuff nobody else was and doing it very well. Miss those days.
My favorite from the album.
0:33 Masami is blazing I've shivers along in the spine
Mick Karn's bass is amazing. RIP Mick.
Well said darling, you obviously have great taste when it comes to music.
RIP Mick you wonderful bassist.
At their peak. Stylish glam even for their times. Crazy-ass time signatures! Such great memories.
Got to love Mick Karn's bass playing . Along with Simple Minds' Derek Forbes, two of my favourite players
Lyons010101 Funny you said that. I am now in a Simple Minds Tribute band !!
Never made the link..
My two favourite bands and two favourite bass players at the time
Lyons010101 exactly!!!!
Incredible band and marvelous bass player Mick Karn will live forever in our souls
Oh boy, Mick Karn, so good, my hero when I was 17
Just utter genius bass playing...... can never be replicated.
I never use the word sophistication to describe much but I'd describe this song writing as such. I love it.
Saw Japan on this tour 1982 - and there it is all of my teenage years in one place one band one style one hair cut - phenomenal
This needs to be restored into HD…they all look like they’ve got that ReadyBrek glow.
I remember seeing Japan perform live and Mick Karn was mesmerising on stage: he would sort of shuffle across the full width in perfect time with a strobe light effect and he moved without appearing to move!
Visual and musical excellence
god i love this band so much.. i’m 16 and i wish i could have seen them live
It's quite phenomenal how unique and brilliant they were...and still are. It stands up today.
RIP, Respect, see you sometime, Mick. Mr Sylvian, we are lucky to have you with us. Tony, Thessaloniki, Greece.
This is the most pure expression of thr New Romantic style. They were amazingly gorgeous gorgeous, but Mick Karn was not only so stunning beautiful and sexy but the most talented bass player. As a daughter of the European New Romantic movement this band was a big love and Mick Karn my darling crush of the band. 🥰😍💋💋💋
Years by years I still thinking that this is the most beautiful thing ever in music (and not only), the most perfect, nobody has never reached this aesthetic alien highness in music…goosebumps, for ever
I can't describe my feelings while listening to this. And when they sing together.. omg it's something amazing ♥
A band I have loved since first hearing Polaroids in 1980, to this day I still love to listen. I agree with many on here that Mick was amazing, his bass lines were sublime and so creative. Saw them at Leeds Queens Hall 1981 I believe and so glad i did..
Never seen this but have been listening to it since i was a kid. Fascinating.
Mick Karn for president
because of this song i felt in love with the group and all their music, great musicians and great songs
Japan were and still are an exceptional band. It still stuns me that their song ghosts was played on top of the pops. Was listening to a lot of bill nelson at the time so between yellow magic and Laurie Anderson I was a lucky boy. ❤
When beauty and talent are combined. Much love to Japan! ❤️
If you guys listen carefully to this Mick bassline, you'll probably not hearing a bassist and a bassline... you'll hear a genius and one absolutely beautiful signing bassline. Mick will stay one of my top 5 bass player of all time. As a bass player myself, there are so many bassists I can't stand (like Jaco for example ! yeah I know, I'm stupid) but Mick Karn, oh god... I miss him so much even these days. No one will replace him, never.
Ahh I have the same with Jaco. Great great but did not do to much for me. MK did. I spend nights practising his uniqiq slides. I even ruined 2 bass guitars by getting the unfret.
such a unique voice but tasteful enough to never dominate the compositions. a true bassist, and a great band
Only the good die young. RIP Mick.
+Andres Etchenique Agree
Iron Maiden
He was 52 and smoked his entire life.
Such a groove
Brilliant band.Jansen was a seriously good drummer too.
Still is!! Never forget him, he's been performing on loads of other albums too, apart from working with his brother David.
That's good news,i enjoyed the Dolphin Brothers,plus the solo/collaboration stuff on 'Medium' records.
that middle eight breaks my heart, perfect song
rip mick,south London based school days up the road from me.may you rest in peace
Thank you for uploading. This is my favorite song from Japan. It was great live too.
Love,from Japan
Amazing song....haunting.....why should I ask for more....
Lovely crazy synth.
What a precious version of Method of Dance. Mick is a god!
Absolutely fantastic!! Such talent..
C’est magnifique !
RIP Mick....One of the Masters, Respect...So Unique..
*LOVE BOTH MICK KARN'S AND NICH THORPE'S BASS SKILLS, THEY BOTH WROTE THE BOOK ON CREATIVITY AND ORIGINALITY, NICH AND I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS SINCE THEY STARTED CKTC.*
MICK KARN SEMPLICEMENTE IMMENSO
Top shelf no doubt. Mick fought a long protracted battle against cancer. He fought until the end. Bravo My Son... One of the best ever!!!
Beat cancer at any cost in memory of mick kahn rip
David love mick
What type of cancer did Mick die from? Have heard different stories...
While I am remiss to say that I missed this band back in the 80s. I listened to KROQ all day and night but somehow missed Japan. I'm extremely happy that I found them now what an amazing treasure.
This is a performance!!!
Just a spectacle in the best way, so strange and beautifully captivating. I'm 27 and just got into Japan this year but I'm totally in love with all their albums!
Now that’s some good art.⚡️
Great band.... Wrong place.. wrong time, bless
A perfect tribute to Mick Karn. We won't forget you.
Excelente banda.
Stunning sound for a live performance
踊るように唸るミックカーンのフレットレスベースにシルビアンの声のハーモニーが素晴らしい。
Mick Karn. Wow! What can I say? One of the greatest ever and the main reason why I adored Japan as a school boy. I was OBSESSED by Mick's playing and am still in awe of him to this day. The guy was incredible.
Mick composed so beautiful, original and amazing bass lines I always wonder how he was able to produce this lovely japanese atmosphere ! He was a genius for sure and still a reference for me after all these years. Rest in peace, Mick.