Enthusiastic applause, shortly followed by a familiar ethereal voice, and the music of the Velvet Room -- this is the way Persona Music Live opens, and I tell you now, if you're even a remotely solid fan of the Persona series, the hairs on the back of your neck will already be standing on end. Of course, mine were the moment I heard this concert would be taking place.
Featuring live performances from a nice roll call of musicians including Yumi Kawamura, Nana Kitade, Lotus Juice, Shuuhei Kita, Shihoku Hirata and even Shoji Meguro himself, it sounded like a musical heaven on earth to a Persona fan like me. I'm sorry I couldn't be at the actual event (the fan reports make me burn with envy), but picking up the live DVD performance was the next best thing.
If you're anything like me, you likely wanted this DVD before you even saw the track listing, but just in case you're not so easily convinced, follow me past the break and allow me to persuade you.
Persona Music Live: Velvetroom in Asakasa Blitz
Publisher: Aniplex
Release Date: September 19th, 2009
MSRP: $42.75 regular edition, $48.99 Limited ver.
In case you're curious, the concert itself took place on August 22nd in WelCity, Tokyo, and I admit I was surprised to see the DVD released so quickly. There are two editions: a regular one, which you see reviewed here, and a special edition which comes packed with a bonus disc with performances of "Pursuing My True Self", "Burn My Dread", "Mass Destruction" and "全ての人の魂の戦い". I purchased the regular edition in haste when I was in Akihabara a few weeks ago, and later regretted not buying the limited version (the cover is a bit different, as you can see here). Still, I got it!
As you can see, the cover art is the definition of dead sexy. The Protagonists from Persona 3 and 4 are represented, as well as Trinity Soul's Kanzato Shin. Long time Persona fans will be disappointed to hear that the concert features no music from the series before Persona 3. Ah well, there's still lots of good to be had here.
Here's your track list -- I wanted you to get a close look at what you get here. My personal picks are Mass Destruction (simply incredible live), Want To Be Close and Burn My Dread (beautiful intro on that last one), but truthfully, these tracks are pretty standout as a whole. You get a whole lot of that live jam feel, and if you've listened to your Persona 3 and 4 soundtracks a billion times like I have, you'll really appreciate these versions.
Here's a look at the inset sleeve, which shows really great pics of all the performers. At 110 minutes chock-full of Persona deliciousness, I definitely recommend that any series fan check this out. as its well worth the import. It is region 2, so you will need either a region free DVD player or the help of your computer to watch and listen. Here's to hoping the next time I tell you about a Persona concert, I can bring you photos and video from the event that I took myself instead of just a review of the DVD!
live comments!
Knowing my luck as soon as I have the money it will be sold out everywhere.