[News] ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2015-2016 A ~II thread~

[Surreal17]

I love the moment when that new dance part kicks in STEP you and ayu starts running with that huge rabbit costume on her. This has to be my favourite performance of STEP you. Ayu is not overracting like in past shows or trying to be cheesy sexy like in 2014. And the fact that she choose something that funny as attire is even more appealing like me. And I see that most people hate it lol
And I almost forgot. Vocals are really nice here. I don't agree with the people that say her vocals are the worst in this show. I mean, have you heard past Tv versions of CDLs? If I remember correctly, CDL 12-13 is quite strained in many parts.

[Uknow!]

Originally Posted by Surreal17

I love the moment when that new dance part kicks in STEP you and ayu starts running with that huge rabbit costume on her. This has to be my favourite performance of STEP you. Ayu is not overracting like in past shows or trying to be cheesy sexy like in 2014. And the fact that she choose something that funny as attire is even more appealing like me. And I see that most people hate it lol
And I almost forgot. Vocals are really nice here. I don't agree with the people that say her vocals are the worst in this show. I mean, have you heard past Tv versions of CDLs? If I remember correctly, CDL 12-13 is quite strained in many parts.

MY NIGHTMARE.

[Earth_maiden]

Originally Posted by Surreal17

And I almost forgot. Vocals are really nice here. I don't agree with the people that say her vocals are the worst in this show. I mean, have you heard past Tv versions of CDLs? If I remember correctly, CDL 12-13 is quite strained in many parts.

I was there in person for CDL12-13 and it really didn't sound raspy to me? She was off maybe a few notes but seriously, her vocals were definitely more strained the past year.

[YukiUsagi]

I listened to almost all of TV version of CDLs from 2001

[Surreal17]

Hmm, it probably depends on our tastes ultimately : )
For example, I find Countdown Live 2001-2002 almost unbearable even with DVD editing : ))

By the way, thanks for the uploading. Hopefully, they won't get the videos down x.x

[andycruize]

Omg, I cant believe ayu sing live really good, I love it!!

[mi|kshake]

Thank you so much for uploading the performances YukiUsagi. This will be a great pick-me-up before the dreaded return to work tomorrow!

[Loulines]

IMO the worst CDL (post 2009) was 2010-2011. The USTREAM rip was the first full concert I've seen from Ayu and I remember I was really dissapointed. I think CDL 12-13 wasn't bad and definitely better than 10-11. I was enjoying it much more, that's for sure.

MADE IN TOKYO isn't bad either, but Ayu's voice sounds really tired. Some of the outfits are also really beautiful, as well as visuals (that shadow performance is amazing) but some outfits are so ugly I can't stand them (the one Ayu wore in Fly high~Ladies Night section )
Bunny Ayu killed me tho XD That was awesome XD

[Uknow!]

WARNING has a lot of japanese sound but can't hear anything because audio quality is so bad. All versions of the songs have a bad mix (or muted instruments some parts). The mix of the vocals are bad too and it sounds worst. Last note on Green "Yokaaaaa" Ayu started a falsetto but I only can hear Princess (It took me a while to realize it wasn't Ayu)

I think the concert will change a lot on the DVD version.

[Coelacanth]

If she's gonna do toned down CDL's, she needs to have more interesting setlists. This is a huge step down from the near-perfect Cirque de Minuit. You can tell her heart wasn't in this show, she wasn't feeling it, and she knew her voice wasn't in the best shape. I was really hoping she could ride the fantastic momentum from A ONE, sixxxxxx, and CDM— but Many Classic Moments, A7 Classical, and Made In Tokyo are duds in my book.

[kyo_arayuru]

GREEN and IVY are the only memorable performances of this show, I also think tetsuya destroy MANNY CLASSIC MOMENTS...

[pimenta]

I was finally able to watch the concert!

I only dislike the first part. GREEN was never a good opening song imo (I love the song itself, but it makes a boring opening) and she was forcing the lower vocals which made it sound really bad WARNING's choreography looks forced imo, but it was overall ok, just the dancers around her in the catwalk was bad, because she's tiny and they completely covered her (and damn those purple outfits were hideous), but I'm hoping the DVD editing chooses good angles and fixes this issue. UNITE! was nice though, I've missed that song so much.

I really enjoyed the rest of the concert though. The cute session was awesome, specially the huge bunny outfit I loved it! Marionette was brilliant also, I really like the prelude and the whole performance, it's my favorite part of the concert. And I'm really happy she included many classic moments.

But her vocals where definitely far from her best, her voice sounded strained and by the end of the concert she was hoarse. After two tours and CDL, I hope she takes some time now to rest for a bit...


Edit: made bunny gifs because I couldn't resist haha

Spoiler:

[Next_Level29]

^ omg these are amazing. great job haha soon funnyyy to see her in this costume

[Chris85]

Those who say it's her worst vocals should probably watch tv version of COUNTDOWN LIVE 2007-2008. THAT was a disaster.
The one with dream on was terrible too, don't remember the year, 2010-2011? Never watched it again...
Also it's not that important how long you sing. Much more important is HOW you sing, and Ayu strains her voice too much, she shouts a lot, etc. Do you know term "free time" in karaoke in Japan? People can sing for 7-9 hours there and their voices are fine as long as they don't push themselves too hard.
Was it necessary for Ayu to try to reach those high notes in MCM? She could just improvise to avoid highest notes, but no, she chose to strain her voice even further.

[Deep snow]

Originally Posted by Chris85

Those who say it's her worst vocals should probably watch tv version of COUNTDOWN LIVE 2007-2008. THAT was a disaster.

Yes. This was when she officially lost all hearing in her left ear right? That must be even more painful for her to do than it was for us to see

I just finished watching the 480p rip of the CDL and I gotta say, while her vocal is not in the best condition, it certainly wasn't as bad as the way people have been saying here. It was her standard live performance voice and I've learnt to be fine with that. In fact, in certain songs where I usually cringe, e.g. STEP you and Love song, her performance were actually OK.

What I agree with most everyone here, however, is how TK made Many Classic Moments sound absolutely terrible. I mean, why not make the song acoustic altogether, rather than have him play disjointed piano on top of the original mix?

[kaled kalil]

Originally Posted by Chris85

Those who say it's her worst vocals should probably watch tv version of COUNTDOWN LIVE 2007-2008. THAT was a disaster.

I still remember the TV version when she sang that SURREAL part 'lalalala' totally off key, it was a nightmare.

--

The concert isn't that bad, and I still think she needs to tone down the number of dancers. So much things going on during Green, that you can't even see her. The same thing happens during WARNING, having almost 10 dancers on the catwalk was kinda claustrophobic.

The vocals are okay, I guess. I won't use the excuse of being tired, because she prepared herself for the concert anyway, but it could be way worse.

And btw, am I the only one who thinks her hairstyle during Green was so basic? Like, just a ponytail? I was expecting something more glamorous, since the name of the concert screams that.

[ayufan89]

Could someone please upload Many Classic Moments ?

[Andrenekoi]

She was most likely sick... Her voice started going bad way before MCM.

But she's human, and that stuff happens.

[rainbow_smile]

Oh my god yes, TK was really awkward. It was like he was just playing random notes

[xLuna&1LOVE]

Ok, so she did not sang very well. Which is disapppointing, but I have much respect for her that she always is willing to please her fans, eventhough she may or may not have been entirely recovered from sickness. The Show Must Go On, is a life motto for her and that is amazing. It must have been exhausting.
Many respect for her. Hope she is able to rest a little in 2016.

Really hoping she will base the next tour on the CDL. I have said it a million times by now, but I really believe the set up is open for new ideas!

Also, if she decides to rest for a little (which will probably not happen since we talk about workaholic Ayu) she takes time to experiment again. Meaning, she leaves TK alone for a while. Sure, not all experiments turn out to be masterpieces, but it feels like a long time since she has done a song that sounds out of the blue. Whatever she is going to do this year, I am thrilled to know. First we have the video to look forward to. Goooooooo Ayu!