Zazen Extasy or Ringo Expo 08

[Tokyo Jihad]

Originally Posted by Maou

I mean because almost straight studio versions of Hatsukoi Shoujo, Mayonaka Sid, Gibs, Yame ni Furu Ame, Koko de, Honnou, Gamble, Koufukuron, Yokushitsu, Suberidai, Tadashii Machi, and others are so out of left field. Granted Tsumi to Batsu, Blackout, and Omatsuri Sawagi aren't up to everybody's tastes, but what makes you think the rearrangements on Zazen are? Why pick on one, but not the other for bad representation? I know Akane Sasu isn't popular, but I love it. I can't stand the high-gain guitar in the Zazen version just like you can't stand the minor appearance of the orchestra in the Expo Tsumiki Asobi.

See the thing about Expo and its straight versions its that they're (hold on to yourselves) too sonically faithful. yeah yeah I know what you're thinking, but HEAR ME OUT. With Expo, it had almost all of the amenities of the studio practically so you could recreate live what you heard in your headphones. While that's cool and admirable, at the same time just having the core band recreate these songs and doing it straight is even better. When you have as many instruments as you have in Expo, its expected you recreate a song like Mayonaka. But when youre only doing it with a piano, guitar, bass, and drum it becomes pretty mega. Small band will always > big band in my book. If a songs being rearranged to fit a smaller band, I'll rarely bat an eye to it. If a songs rearranged to incorporate more instruments after the fact, I'm just going to be that much more critical (Tsumi to Batsu, and yes, Tsumiki Asobi.)

I think a core band performance is more likely to have more character, more emotion, more audience connection than a big show like Expo. Which I do think is the case here.

Not to say Expo isn't good or worth owning. Its still a good show. The first half is good stuff. But even Id still advise Zazen first.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by bucklemyshoe

I have her Dai Ikkai Ringohan Taikai no Moyo DVD

oh well shit. This isnt a question then. Buy Expo.

[Orenji]

Z A Z E N

[Nimh]

Originally Posted by Osiris12345

Ringo Expo for me. Zazen's Yokushitsu and Tsumiki Asobi are better but I preferred the Expo's versions of everything else. Expo also has the better setlist and delivers overall better performances too.

My head says "I agree" but my heart doesn't care.

[miffunevii]

I have both bought and without a doubt by quality, sound and Seth list I remain with the wonderful Ringo Expo

[hoopra]

Zazen all day everyday

for all the performance,
especially Nihon, Unconditional love, my luxury night, and stoicism

[fluffiethesock]

Z for me

[papilionidae]

of course Zazen.
Ringo was singing her soul that night.

[ChickShhh]

Zazen
cos SR can arouse my interest for the songs that I used to regard as 'meh'
e.g. Unconditional Love, Byoushou Public, Stoicism

[Lena-chan]

didn't I post here yet?
zazen
obviously

[Nebularus]

Ringo Expo here.