BUZZ THE MOVIE B'z 4th Video | Release date: January 1, 1996 Review by --- Dave from B'z Fanatics

1| BLOWIN'
Guitar: Music Man EVH

I love this track so much, and it is so nice to see Tak play with so much emotion on this...Kohshi's vocals are good, but not outstanding...as it takes him a few songs to warm up in most of his concerts I have noticed. The drum intro from Denny is great.

2| Pleasure '95
Guitar: Music Man EVH

Honestly, the best intro to any of the live versions is this one...Tak using the trem to give it a dark and ominous effect, but so simply. Kohshi's vocals are clearer and right on the beat...and his characteristic shreaking is added for effect.

3| OH! Girl
Guitar: Music Man EVH

Good...hands down. I like this version mainly for the keyboards...Takanobu-san is SO good on this track...and of course..."B'z no LIVE-GYM ni YOKOSOU!!!!"

4| Love Me, I Love You
Guitar: Music Man EVH

The song seems to be behind the beat...Tak has some uncharacteristic mistakes...probably has to do with the poor construction of the Music Man EVH of that era. Tone is good, and Kohshi does a remarkable job of keeping the song together.

5| TIME
Guitar: '85 Gibson Les Paul Standard Gold-Top

The best live rendition HANDS DOWN. Tak pulls out the mojo in gigantic quantities, his solos are imaculate. Kohshi has remarkable range on this track and shows it effectively. Masao-san's bass is spot on and quite appropriate.

6| Taiyou no Komachi Angel
Guitar: Yamaha AGS-320

Tak's acoustic work is not usually my favorite thing, but in this concert this track is quite nice...the interplay between Kohshi and Tak on the solo is quite nice. The jazz style bass by Masao-san is very nice...and BUSY...I love it...

7| Koi-Gokoro
Guitar: Music Man EVH

Fun and playful...lots of great interaction between bass and keyboards on this one...

8| Don't Leave Me
Guitar: '85 Gibson Les Paul Standard Gold-Top

Kohshi ("DON'T LEAVE ME AYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA!") is SO amazing on this track, from his harp stylings to his heart-wrenching emotion in his delivery, he stands out on this track. Tak's playing is tactful and still burning up on this track. The beat clapping from the audience in the beginning is almost offensive and comical to the emotional feelings of this song.

9| Love Phantom
Guitar: '95 Yamaha MGM-II Demon

Vocals are OK....Playing is AMAZING! Tak lights it up on this track with an extended solo while Kohshi climbs the scaffolding...from the visual standpoint, Tak turning on the guitar-mounted laser (the MGM-II Demon is awesome as it is without the laser...) and using it to "shoot" Kohshi off the scaffold is the best part of the show!

10| Negai
Guitar: Fender Custom Shop Strat

Mixed feelings on this track...Tak playing a Strat is never a favorite for me, as he is not a blues player in the traditional sense. He does fairly well, considering the really thick neck on the Strat, playing some decent riffs and a decent solo. Kohshi seems to rely TOO much on the recorded backing track. Takanobu-san busts out some nice Hammond Organ fills...

11| Bad Communication
Guitar: Music Man EVH

Good but not as good as the version from '99. I do like Tak's tone on this track...the EVH has a distinct sound that is hard not to like, clear and precise biting tone. He gives a great performance on the solo. Kohshi, as per usual, holds together a pretty average track.

12| Jap the Ripper
Guitar: Music Man EVH

Let's just say, B'z is EN FUEGO (=on fire) on this track. Tak busts out with by far the BEST psycho solo he can, and Kohshi is able to keep up with him, even after Tak pushes him out of the way...he jumps on Takanobu-san and harrases HIM! Takanobu seems to be able to pull out all the stops as per usual on this song.

13| ZERO
Guitar: '85 Gibson Les Paul Standard Gold Top

FUN...that's all that needs to be said...

14| ALONE
Guitar: Music Man EVH

A little behind the beat, and Tak seems to be tired on this track. Kohshi does admirably well playing the piano on this one, but the sound of the song is very laboured. Tak does have the rare ability of making even his laboured performances seem good.

Overall Rating

An excellent concert video, and overall, a great performance. The only pet-peeve I have with this video is that once again...it's a documentary, and as such many performances are cut short, such as TIME and Don't Ask Me Baby. Also, Denny Fongheiser is NOT that great of a drummer, but he does an ADMIRABLE job on this tour. It's nice to see that he has been able to help B'z in their projects after this tour.

- Dave -

Other reviews by Dave --- Big Machine, GREEN, Brotherhood, LOOSE and The 7th Blues (album)

Aug 8, 2003 | B'z Fanatics | Gathered by Keen for this website ©