Lana Lane - Live in Japan Reviews

LANA LANE - LIVE IN JAPAN

REVIEWS

"The band were Rocket Scientists plus Neil Citron, and the opening instrumental "Garden of the Moon" did not really let me know what to expect. This starts with very atmospheric guitar from Neil, until it becomes more of a drum driven rock number. You can hear the crowd cheer as Lana makes her way on stage during the gentle introduction to "Coloured Life", and even in this very first song (the album was recorded at the first gig of the tour) her vocals have that edge of vitality that is not always captured in the studio. Mar McCrite's vocals appear higher in the mix as well, as more emphasis is placed on his ability to harmonize with Lana (as of course in this environment she cannot sing backing vocals as well). Mark is lead vocalist with Rocket Scientists and this give the performance more bite.

Rocket Scientists are on of those bands who really shine on stage and with an extra guitarist in Neil they really put together a great show. "Coloured Live" is followed by a rampaging "Destination Roswell", where Lana hits and holds high notes while the guys provide low harmonies. Wonderful. There are eleven songs on this album and really, every single one of them is a winner. But if I had to take one version of tone song with me of Lana's to that desert island, then it would have to be "Symphony of Angels". Starting with pneumatic drill-style riffing of Mark, with a lead line placed over the top by Neil, the first verse becomes a fairly laid back affair being led mostly by the bass, but it all changes going into the chorus, when it becomes a rock song in full flight, majestic, soaring, wonderful, beautiful.
I haven't been this excited about a new (to me anyway) act since I first came across Spock's Beard. I urge you, nay beg you, to try and sample some of this wonderful box of delights that has been put on offer for you. For more details visit the website http://www.thetank.com."
[Kev Rowland, Feedback Magazine, UK, Janaury 1999]

"'Live in Japan' disarms all those who would have been caustic, bitter, hard, on their critique concerning the smooth, glossy production of the albums that reduced the intensity of distorted guitars. An exemplary recording that functions also as a collection of the best moments by this very gentle, airy singer. The pomp overture of the show with the galloping song "Garden of the Moon" will touch the audience that searches for the epic and the resurrection within the music that our need brought to being thirty years ago..."
[Chris Kissadjekian, Metal Hammer magazine, Greece, December 1998]

"Live is the best after all."
This is the live CD from Lana Lane, who just finished touring Japan for the first time in support of the success of the album and huge hit, "Garden of the Moon". Her singing ability has put her at the top of female vocalists in recent history. All of "Singing Princess"* Lana's vocal talent is in this album, and might be considered as it were to encompass the best of Lana. The songs were recorded at Club Chitta on April 18th and Banana Hall on the 19th and the best were selected from them. The excitement from those shows will be revived once again. The quality of the album and the band is extremely high and reminds me of "Yessongs"."
[Murakami, Euro Rock Press Volume One -- translated from Japanese by Toni Rampley]

Lana Lane completed her first tour of Japan successfully. Her singing ability and dignitary presence on the stage had reminded me of Ann Wilson of Heart. Heart has written a few fantasy-oriented songs also, for instance if there was a member like Erik Norlander, who is more Progressive / British Rock in style, in Heart, it is very likely that their music style would have been very similar to Lana's. This makes me day dream about Heart's "very possible" situation (I would have dreamt even more strongly if Dannel Kern was playing as backup guitarist). I guess what I want to say is, Lana Lane has been categorized in a narrow territory between Hard Rock / Heavy Metal and Progressive Rock, but rather than forcing her into these narrow spaces, she should be recognized as a majestic "rock" female singer just like Ann Wilson.

The album "Love is An Illusion" was released in '95 and won popularity among hard rock / heavy metal fans, followed by the album that emphasized more of the band's color, "Curious Goods", was released in '96, then the third album "Garden of the Moon", which was harder and more dynamic, was released in '98. After each release, the popularity among Japanese fans rises naturally since melodious rock in general is very popular in Japan. In compliance with that demand, they have been consecutively releasing a lot of new material these days.

The mini-album "Echoes from the Garden", released as a commemoration of their first Japan tour containing a total of six songs that are remixed songs from their previous albums as well as newly released songs, and the delivery of the first Japan tour in a album, "Live In Japan", are representative of songs from all of their albums thus far and have been recreated passionately, especially the latter, featuring Lana's singing ability and the members' precise performances. The structure opens with the instrumental song, "Garden of the Moon", connecting to a Beatles plus Led Zeppelin-like song, "Colored Life", and at the climax playing the dramatic "Escher's Staircase" inpired by Holland's fantastic artist Escher, and for the encore "Symphony of Angels". At the actual shows, Rocket Scientists member and Lana Lane guitarist who contributes the hard rock color to Lana Lane's music, Neil Citron played some instrumental songs as well as numbers from Rocket Scientists. I wish those songs had been recorded on the album, but I guess they decided against it since those were not Lana's originals.
[Takayama, Euro Rock Press Volume One -- translated from Japanese by Toni Rampley]

"Singer Lana Lane who sang two songs with Rockets Scientists on Earth Below and Sky Below also presents her new disc "Live In Japan". The album contains a selected repertoire of her four albums. Eleven songs altogether where one accompanies by the Scientists to complete the more Neil Citron the guitars, that give rise to an album of symphonic rock contemporary plenty of power and pleasant commerciality that in spite of this still leaves a pleasant flavor in our mouths."
[Rafa Dorado, Margen Magazine, January 1999 -- translated from Spanish]

"This name one should note very carefully: Lana Lane from California is one of those singers whose voice gives you goose bumps to one the first time you hear her, and then you never forget her. It is absolutely spellbinding, to a large extent because of members recruited from the prog rock band Rocket Scientists by the highly gifted keyboardist Erik Norlander. And then, as the studio album promise, there is the ingenious live CD "Live in Japan" which is to be listened to again and again.

Lana Lane, who also contributed some beautiful guest vocals for the German prog band Ziff on two songs, made an impact with her first album "Love is an Illusion", where the sound contains progressive rock, metal elements and a symphonic sound all wound together, with the occasional appearance of harmony guitars. She sings naturally like a goddess, that much is certain, and the ingeniously constructed refrains, delivered with choir-like harmony, do not leave your ears.

Lana Lane and her crew rank among the most interesting acts the new prog scene has to offer at the moment. And if it continues in this same direction as before, then there is no doubt that Lana Lane will continue to be strong also in the future. "Curious Goods" is the name of the second album, and the third masterpiece, "Garden of the Moon" finally was also released in Europe. The high point [of Lana's catalog] inbound from Los Angeles is the marvelous live album "Live in Japan". Because of the songwriting and sound, this can emerge from prog - rock and sow seeds to a larger public because of the accessible melodies.

Lana Lane and her band (Neil Citron on guitar, Danelle Kern on guitar, Mark McCrite on guitar, Don Schiff on Chapman Stick, Erik Norlander on keyboards and Tommy Amato on drums) are guarantors of the fact that in the next millenium, masterpieces of progressive rock can be firmly counted on. And if everything unfolds as planned, then soon even concerts in Europe will commence, which cannot only be recommended, but should almost be legally ordered! The album covers are really incredible -- first of all in their total concept, and secondly it is worth seeing the incredible talent of artist Jacek Yerka. Lana Lane is "the next big thing", at least to all that know her current four albums. Lana Lane -- this is definitely a name one should remember!"
[Tom Proll, X-Act magazine (Austria) January, 1999]

"Lana Lane is always closely involved with Rocket Scientists. Moreover, they all played in her group assisted by a [second] guitarist when they accompanied the singer during her tour of Japan. She already has three albums to her credit, all in the same vein. It is a statement of melodic rock n' roll with a progressive tendency, especially when it is Erik Norlander who composes and plays the keyboards during some beautiful instrumental parts ... this tendency creates American Rock with more progressive regions ... This "Live In Japan" album makes it possible to discover Lana Lane in full form, balancing its pieces effectively..."
[Dr. Prog, Prog-résiste magazine (Belgium) No. 15, 1st Trimester 1999 -- translated from French]

"The rising female singer, Lana Lane is supported by two aggressive guitarists: Neil Citron and Mark McCrite.

Since their debut with the album "Love Is An Illusion", released in 1995, Lana Lane has consistently been producing albums, including "Curious Goods" in 1996 and then "Garden of the Moon" in 1998. When the name of Lana Lane got bigger, they finally visited Japan for the gigs in April of 1998. Lana has the qualities both of the power singer and of the artistic singer who delivers with sensitive emotion. In Japan, it seems that the latter image was more emphasized. However, it is natural to say she showed the balance of both aspects onstage. We talked with Neil and Mark ... the ability of the two players displayed well their respective musical styles and the show was good.

The two guitarists for Lana Lane are equipment maniacs -- the house is filled with countless effects and amps. Mark brought his Full Tone distortion effect for the interview. We showed him the May issue and he said "Wow, that's definitely the Full Tone. This model in the picture is the new one, however, but mine is the original version and hard to find". Neil brought the Ibanez Jem 7VWH guitar that Steve Vai gave him. Neil was wearing a T-shirt which had Japanese animation printed on it. When I asked him where he purchased it, Neil said that Steve also gave it to him. Neil further said "I use the Bad Horsie [wah wah effect pedal] from Morley which Steve developed. However, I of course use it because of its wonderful tone and not because Steve uses it"."
[Yuzi Okumura, Young Guitar magazine, Japan, June 1998]

"The star of Lana Lane is rising. For sure in the land of the Rising Sun. She is getting more and more popular there. In Japan they also recorded a live album on April 18 in Club Citta, Kawasaki. Good music, has alot of different factors. Good compositions, good singing is very necessary and good musicians is always good and handy. Lana Lane has the good fortune of having a great voice, she also has the use of her excellent backing band. Guitarist Mark McCrite, Drummer Tommy Amato, Stick player Don Schiff, and wonderful keyboard player (and also husband of Lana) Erik Norlander form the Rocket Scientists. One of the best progressive rock bands at this moment. In addition lead guitarist Neil Citron makes for a perfect musical bases. You can hear this immediately in the opening instrumental "Garden of the Moon", coming from the album title. Citron and Norlander let all the stops out. On the first track, Lana, with Dutch blood in her veins, ascends the podium with the rocking "Coloured Life" from Greg Darling. It has lots of "Strawberry Fields Forever" mellotron. Next they take a journey through Lane's three albums: Love is an Illusion, Curious Goods and Garden of the Moon. Where the outstanding mix of hard rock, ballads, symphonic rock and sounds from the 60's are the bases. Especially noticeable is the outstanding symphonic rock song "Under the Olive Tree" with again outstanding interaction between the musicians. They don't ignore the calmer works like in the unplugged version of "Through the Fire" enhanced by the perfect harmonies. The presentation of "Symphony of Angels" is different. Harder than the added live track of "Garden of the Moon". A very strong live CD with a real live feeling; something that most of the times is missing from these types of CD's".

[iO Pages, Holland, February, 1999, translated from Dutch by Tryntje Phelps]

"The American groups definitely decided to flood us with live CDs in this year 1999. Now it's the turn of Lana Lane from her Japanese round. The opening of the album shows that the keyboard post is still held by Erik Norlander (and yes, still him!). From "Coloured Life", you get the idea of sophisticated rock n'roll accompanied by a rather aggressive voice, that of Lana Lane. The music at times is ornate rock n'roll decorated with keyboards ("Destination Roswell" / "Love is an Illusion"), FM AOR ("Seasons"), softer ballads ("Under the Olive Tree"), sometimes acoustic ("Through the Fire"), symphonic hard rock ("Moongarden" / "Symphony of Angels") and more progressive music ("Escher's Staircase"). In conclusion, this group of songs definitely shows off that Erik Norlander is able to successfully adapt various musical styles. Because of the broad styles, many people will surely be able to find happiness with this of music."

[Jean-Louis Lafiteau, Harmonie Magazine, France, March 1999, translated from French]

"Recorded in April '98, just after the immaculate "Garden Of The Moon" on their tour of Japan, and released in the summer of the same year, this album is nothing short of jaw-dropping delight from start to finish. Now, if you know the previous studio albums, it would be fair to think that, despite the technological advances of the day, there's no way that this band and this vocalist are going to be able to re-create the rich tapestries of instrumentation, the solid arrangements and the pure depth of production in concert, that they had achieved on studio albums. Well, you'd be wrong - incredibly, unutterably and most definitely wrong!! Because this album has to be on of THE best recorded, produced, sounding, arranged and played live rock-prog albums of the '90's. With all the synths, guitars, bass and drums cooking and scorching, soaring and flying, this more than anything shows that this lady can really sing, as her vocals sound as fabulous in a live setting as they do in the studio. Not only that, but there's an added sense of urgency and energy that you get on this live album which is absent from the more polished studio offerings, as you'd expect with any hot live act who can turn in one corker of a live show and subsequent album to boot. Every member of the band plays their heart out, including the presence of Rocket Scientists' main man Mark McCrite on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, with lead guitarist Neil Citron and synths wizard Erik Norlander putting in ensemble work, duels and smokin' leads over the rock solid, both tight and fluid rhythm section work from Tommy Amato and Don Schiff. Overall, more than an hour of guaranteed live excitement and you can't say fairer than that".

[Andrew Garibaldi, CD Services, Scotland, 1999]