Magnolia Pictures
The slow roll-out of YOSHIKI Under The Sky from special screenings to streaming is coming soon, and what’s presented makes me regret not checking the online concert from 2020. What’s presented in documentary form is a terrific showcase on what’s missed. Although some of these performances feel short, I’m hoping an album will get released to keep the message ongoing and alive.
When the pandemic was declared, very few musicians thought about what they could do. When Yoshiki decided to put this online concert together, he was smart to also have cameras to capture what went on behind the scenes. Just who he brought collectively from around the world for this telecast includes Sarah Brightman (England), Scorpions (Germany), HYDE (Japan), Jane Zhang (China) and Nicole Scherzinger (USA). There are many more talents, and whom I’ve listed are my personal favourites and I forgot just how amazing the latter’s voice is, especially pre and post Pussycat Dolls.
And in between each performance are short segments showing the work required to get that rooftop show made. What’s presented looks magical so that we see Yoshiki perform with the cityscape of Los Angeles behind him, and Tokyo elsewhere. Other enclosed spaces are used so that these talents get the best out of the sound recording. I’m sure for the outdoor spaces, careful planning is required, so the weather works in favour for that song.
Although his message to say never give up on your dreams is light in the talking segments, the attempts to encourage others to shine brightly rather than be glum could use more oomph.
After everything YOSHIKI has been through, this work will leave viewers smiling. This artist saw many people die. Some by suicide and others through self-destruction. To watch others through that is hard. When the details behind the loss of Hideto “HIDE” Matsumoto and Taiji Sawada’s are not dwelled upon, it’s easy to see what Yoshiki wants to do to help others after he dealt with his own grief.
As for other reveals, it rather surprised me, he said he helped produce the soundtrack of Repo! The Genetic Opera. I need to know more. Hopefully some more information can be provided in the future by either him or the creators Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich.
Listening to music is therapeutic, and this documentary which follows up on the concert’s intent is worth looking at. Some lyricists are on the nose when composing hits that do more than be just another song. They help listeners escape to another reality and the selection of tunes is pretty much perfect. Although my goto song is “Heroes” by David Bowie and listening to Rocky Horror, to each their own. When the winter blues can get many down, sometimes all one needs is the right song. There’s almost always a “Rainbow Connection” to be made, which can make the day feel spectacular.
4 Stars out of 5
YOSHIKI Under the Sky Promotional Reel
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