R E V I E W S
Osaka Concerti, 8th May 2002
(Reviewed by Koichi Matsuyama)

L AM just back from Osaka. PFM's live was great!!!!!
The first show begins few minutes past 7 pm. The members walk thru the tables audience are sitting and go up to the stage. Franz's drums set is on the left. Flavio's keyboards set is on the right. Franco stands Flavio side of the center. Patrick stands Franz side. Back in the center is Pietro's drums set but the set is simpler than Franz's. Lucio stands in the rear of Flavio. Lucio and P ietro completely behave as back up player. I sit at the table in the first raw of the center.
        The distance between Patrick and me is about one meter. I can hear Patrick murmur that "It's so long from first time visit. Then my son was one year old. Now he is married".

        Set list in Osaka was as follow:

           
    First stage set
  1. La carrozza di Hans
  2. River of life
  3. Photos of ghost
  4. La rivoluzione
  5. Maestro della voce
  6. Four holes in the ground
  7. Mr 9 till 5
  8. Altaloma
  9. Violin solo
  10. William Tell Overture
  11. È festa
  12. Impressioni di Settembre
    (as encore)
    First stage set
  1. La carrozza di Hans
  2. Photos of ghosts
  3. Peninsula
  4. Out of the roundabout
  5. Four holes in the ground
  6. Dove e Quando (Parte 1)
  7. Il banchetto
  8. Dolcissima Maria
  9. Promenade the puzzle
  10. Mr 9 till 5
  11. Altaloma
  12. Violin solo
  13. William Tell Overture
  14. È festa (as encore)
        They start playing La Carroza di Hans. I regret that we don't have Mauro. Originally introduction part was sung by him. Instead Franco sings. No flute
        When next tune River of life starts, tears flood over my cheeks. I am so happy to see real PFM first time. Everybody there is excited. From teenage young guys to old people like me are there.
        In Altaloma, Franco's guitar is featured. Violin solo is very short. It's just a bridge between improvisation and Wiliam Tell Overture. Many including me wish Mauro would be there. But we have other four members. We are enough happy.

        Time passed like arrow. After È festa was over, all ask encore. Franz says they are tired after long trip from Italy, but they respond to our request. After all over, everybody seem satisfied and happy.

        I reserved only first set, but I cannot resist my desire to watch the second show. It costs Yen 8,000 per stage. Almost $64 or Euro 64. But it doesn't matter.
        The second stage begins around 9:40 pm. I am proud myself is so wise when I notice that the set list is completely different from the first stage.
        Franco's guitar play was so excellent in "Peninsula". I finally can see how Franz sings "Dove Quando". "IL Banchetto" is played like a folk song. In "Dolcissima Maria", Patrick plays recorder instead of Mauro's flute.
        I don't know "Promenade the puzzle" was played live. It is a great play and better than first show. The set list is well considered Japanese fans preference. I love PFM.

       
        After second stage, I had chance to have their signature on my favorite CD's (Storia di un minuto & Per Un Amico) and shake hands with members. Patrick, Franco and Frantz were there, but unfortunately I couldn't have Flavio's.
        Anyway I thank God of Italian Prog Rock that after years and years of worship to Our God by purchasing Italian Rock CD's and continuing reissue of Italian Prog Rock, Our God has finally sent PFM to us Japanese Italian Prog fan. And I thank PFM for their powerful, sincere, and soulful play.

Koichi Matsuyama
 

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