Hamasaki Ayumi's band members

[Enfluerage]

Here's an topic...

I have the live DVD's of the 2001 Dome Tour, 2002 Stadium Tour and the A Museum which I've just recently purchased. I was wondering what you guys think about her band members? Like how do you rate them, when compared to other music artists/bands?

Below are my thoughts on the band members from the A Museum concert..

Shingo Kobayashi
I'm actually a pianist myself, who's spent a lot of my life listening to Chopin, Listz and co.. But I have to say... I've never seen anyone like Shingo Kobayashi... His improvisation for the ending of Seasons in Dome Tour 2001 is perhaps the most impressive musical work I've ever heard.. In addition, he's really good at managing keyboards (he controls 4 at once), also seems to be very skillful in piano playing (Forgiveness is a pretty crazy song). Lastly, really knows how to arrange songs.

Yoshio Nomura
I don't know much about the guitar, so I was wondering if there were any members of this forum who could tell me how he rates up against the world's best (I heard he was featured in Guitar Zeus or something).. Coz yeah, I only know of Santana and from what I can guess, each of the world's top guitarists have a different style. But still..... I can't see many people in the world doing those solos a third of the way through Surreal (for all three concerts).... But the one in A Museum though was especially incredible.. That was like WOW!!! Most importantly though, he is a real showman who can really bring life to a concert.

Enrique
I think Enrique is usually in the background, and is usually in second stage to Yoshio. He doesn't really do many bass solos, and I don't think they are as impressive as Yoshio's. But then again, I ain't a bassist, so I can't judge. I think a lot of the bass he plays for her songs are quite difficult though - after all, a lot of Hamasaki Ayumi's arrangers program their bass.

Yoshihiro Tomonari
Before I was playing the piano, I used to play the organ. I usually used the piano and string sounds since I absolutely couldn't stand the jazz organ and hammond organ sounds... Until one day when I really heard a really good piece played using the jazz organ... I then concluded you have to be really really skillful to make jazz organ sound good.... Neways, I think Yoshihiro is pretty good overall, and he makes it look so easy. I'm guessing that he plays the string backgrounds as well when Shingo plays the stage piano (eg Who)...

Masahiro Muta
This guy is really good! I don't personally don't think there's much difference between the top drummers, but I reckon this guy is good. But yeah, I didn't really like his drum solo (the one before Never Ever). Still, I think he's extremely good who seems to be having lots of fun.

In conclusion, I would consider Shingo and Yoshio to be the two best members of her band... I would rate Shingo as the best keyboardist I've ever seen, while Yoshio certainly must rank as one of the best guitarist out there..