Thoughts on CDL 09-10?

[AyUmIXx]

Even though she has the same format for the concert theme.. But at least, there are different arrangements in some songs...
That's why I enjoy the concert *except for Boys and girls and evolution*

[se7entheaven]

towards the end she sounded like her performance of independent at CTV countdown special 02-03 still kudos to her for struggling so hard...*hugs ayu*

[truehappiness]

What's with all the PECO that I hear? Whoever was mixing this for the TV version seems like they got Ayu's mic mixed up with PECO's at first because you can barely even hear Ayu over PECO's 'harmonizing'...

Overall, this concert's pretty nice, though it appears that Ayu's been using the same stage since 07-08 for CDL with similar themes in the same positions [transition from guy focus -> girl focus or vice versa on sidestage, etc.. she must really like riding that chair around Yoyogi...] but that's not really a problem imo.

So it looks like Future Classics implied that she was going to mix present material with past performances? That's how it appears anyway. The use of the intro screen in the I am... segment in AT02, awkward "cute" performances from CDL07-08/CDL08-09 with STEP you/EnergizE replacing vogue/HONEY/ANGEL'S SONG/(Ladies Night), the reinterpretation of the "final scene" in AT06 where she and Naoto were on the rings after Pride/rainy day, the music/ambiance of INSPIRE from AT05... and so on. It was all done on purpose it seems, since she did hint that the title would make sense if you saw the concert after all. Only thing I don't really get is why now? Why do this only 2-3 years after the BoCDL?

[Tony G]

I think she needs to re-invent her concerts for her 2010 tour. Like she did with AT05/06. How I don't know.. but since 07 all her concerts have kinda followed the same formula, except for the PCDL because of its length. And she's recycling too much, a lot of stuff just feels the same as performances past.

I also thought there was something wrong with the broadcast in terms of the volume of Ayu's voice - just drowned out too many times by the music, and I've never seen that happened before with her. Ayu has a loud voice, so I doubt, unless the instrumentals were turned way up, that this is how it was at the actual concert.

Best performances - You were... and teddy bear.
Worst - Pride, Because of You (really wanted this to be good!), 1 LOVE.

[emi♡]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

What's with all the PECO that I hear? Whoever was mixing this for the TV version seems like they got Ayu's mic mixed up with PECO's at first because you can barely even hear Ayu over PECO's 'harmonizing'...

I know! it's so distracting!

There was even a time during the CDL where I was like "omg PECO shut up." I can't remember when it was though...honestly...I'm getting a little tired of her parts...to me...it doesn't really do anything for the song anymore when they write parts for her that are higher than ayu's parts...but I don't know, I guess they like the harmony...

I think it was About you or Because of You...one of the rock songs' harmony I hate...

[taskinillusion]

I really loved it. Like really! I was really surprised by some of the songs she chose to sing! She had her not-so-stellar-sounding moments ("Because of you" kinda... hurt, but it was still cool that she tried!), but the girl is half-deaf, so props to her for trying so hard! She really puts her heart into all she does and that's something that I really love about her. I loved this CDL and last year's the best so far. Yes, I have my suspicions that "Until that day..." (which I LOVE btw) and "STARTIN'" were lip synched, but I seriously don't care. So what? She took a break for a little bit. Big deal. I still really enjoyed the concert.

[Aisha_Angel]

I didn't really like it all that much. The costumes were much better in the live video than they were in the photo captures. I liked the setlist this year but for some reason I just didn't feel it. It felt...very rushed. Not nearly as badly as PCDL (I don't think you can get any worse than that)...But it just didn't hold my interest simply because everything was pretty much the same. I don't have a problem with Ayu recycling choreography but when it's the performance's storyline, the usage of the stage (STEP you/Energize=PCDL performance), AND the costume styles (Pride...-_-)

Vocally she was very good, but as far as innovation is concerned---she didn't bring it for me. Of course 2009 has been the worst Ayu-season for me.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by taskinillusion

I really loved it. Like really! I was really surprised by some of the songs she chose to sing! She had her not-so-stellar-sounding moments ("Because of you" kinda... hurt, but it was still cool that she tried!), but the girl is half-deaf, so props to her for trying so hard! She really puts her heart into all she does and that's something that I really love about her. I loved this CDL and last year's the best so far. Yes, I have my suspicions that "Until that day..." (which I LOVE btw) and "STARTIN'" were lip synched, but I seriously don't care. So what? She took a break for a little bit. Big deal. I still really enjoyed the concert.

Really?! Watch it again, cuz Startin' has some of the worst vocals of the night xD

[indyplus]

I just want to say this to everyone who is complaining about the stage: it's ok if you don't like it but it's very very very audience friendly. Everyone can see her better because there are so many places where Ayu can sing and it allows her to be closer to fans who are sitting in the back, too. Just my two cents.

[AyUmIXx]

^
yea, that's what i think too..
because she wants to get to near to the audience to celebrate the new year, that's why she sticks to the same stage design for her recent CDLs..
she can greet the fans at the back, in the middle, at the right and left..that's cool i think~

[Andrenekoi]

^And stage is most likelly the most expensive aspect of the show... She is rich, but she is not made of money...

[GRACE]

That's true, it'd be wicked expensive to get a whole new stage everytime, since she has the one, it's probably cheaper just to give it a new set of paint and a few new props rather then designing a whole new stage

[Andrenekoi]

If she is really going to have two different concerts a year, I'm pretty sure having a totally different stage for every one would be VERY expensive... And the actual one really works (both the AT one and the A-Museum-revived-for-CDL-one)

[emi♡]

i like her stage...I don't really care for the side part that she uses at the CDLs, but I really love her catwalk.

After seeing her concerts, I can't ever imagine a tour without a catwalk lol The concerts seem so empty to me when they don't have it...I got spoiled.

I guess it just seems like rehashed to us because we're used to it already...but I mean, she utilizes all the parts of the stage every concert...maybe she should switch it up a bit?

Like maybe, for the ballads when she goes on that raised circle part...maybe she could do the ballads somewhere else and do like something awesome there for an upbeat song...you know?

lol I'm just rambling.

[zoomzoom]

After 5-6 years she could get a new stage though... I'm hoping the 2010 tour will be something completely new, but that's almost like hoping for a world tour.

[AyUmIXx]

the catwalk is so cool!
guess that in the future, she needs to use the circle catwalk.. just like once she used at AT03-04 but bigger scale one that will awesome

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by indyplus

I just want to say this to everyone who is complaining about the stage: it's ok if you don't like it but it's very very very audience friendly. Everyone can see her better because there are so many places where Ayu can sing and it allows her to be closer to fans who are sitting in the back, too. Just my two cents.

The stage design itself is fine, it would just be better if she changed it up every once in a while. Really though, its more her arena tours that need to change in that regard imo. Going out into the audience with a catwalk is great and many artists do that nowadays. But there are several other designs that can achieve the same effect.

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

^And stage is most likelly the most expensive aspect of the show... She is rich, but she is not made of money...

Avex pays for the concerts, not Ayu. Honestly, I think Avex is just a little cheap in this area. Because there are certainly other artists that change their stage or have more expensive looking shows yet they don't sell what Ayu does.

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

i thought it was kind of boring. the song list wasn't my cup of tea. i'm generally not a fan of her rock-ier songs. Granted, "Because of You" was refreshing.

i liked the costumes though.

[Mari-chan]

Well... after watching the show, I also wanna tell my opinion about it.
I l ike the show. Ok.. she recyle sometimes.. but I don't really care it so much.
And yes.. her voice wasn't good in Because of you or Pide. But well... to sing so long must be hard work.
And.. for me, the instruments were quite lound. Maybee a little bit to loud. Sounds like Ayu was searching to sing lounder, because of, she wasn't good to hear.
BUt.. all in all... I really enjoyed watching the show.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

Avex pays for the concerts, not Ayu. Honestly, I think Avex is just a little cheap in this area. Because there are certainly other artists that change their stage or have more expensive looking shows yet they don't sell what Ayu does.

I wouldn't be surprised if Avex had a fixed budget for concerts and videos, and the artist should do whatever he/she can with that...