NEWS: Uli Jon Roth to release 'Tokyo Tapes Revisited - Live In Japan'

One of rock ‘n’ roll’s most venerated guitar Gods, Uli Jon Roth, will be releasing a very special live performance from the Nakano Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo, Japan on December 16th 2016 through UDR Music, titled 'Tokyo Tapes Revisited - Live In Japan'.

And, if you were lucky enough to see Roth's show at the Diamond Rock Club in 2015 (review here) you'll know how special he is in the live environment.

The performance is a celebration of Roth’s classic work with The Scorpions, and was recorded on February 20th 2015 at the same venue as the band’s classic 1978 live album Tokyo Tapes. Roth was a founding member of The Scorpions in 1973 before leaving to pursue a solo career in 1978 with his own Electric Sun.

As the recognized creative heartbeat of The Scorpions, Roth achieved worldwide fame for his unique guitar and song-writing talents, in turn causing him to influence a plethora of modern guitar giants such as Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins and Steve Vai.

Tokyo Tapes Revisited - Live In Japan will be released in four different formats.

Product 1 - BluRay Digipak:
Video & audio recording of Roth’s Tokyo concert in a BluRay digipak containing one BluRay video disc and two audio CDs.

Product 2 - DVD Digipak:
The same as Product 1 only in a DVD digipak.

Product 3 – Digital Download:
A digital audio copy of the Tokyo concert.

Product 4 - Super-Deluxe Boxset, limited to 800 copies:
It will be a proper, lid-off shell box containing 4 heavyweight vinyl LPs of Roth’s 2015 Scorpions Revisited release which has never been released on vinyl. There will also be an 80-page, gatefold, hardcover 12” book which will house 8 discs - 1 BluRay concert main-feature, 1 bonus BluRay disc (which will contain the original footage from the first Japanese Scorpions Tour 1978, shot personally by Uli on his Super 8 Camera), 2 audio CDs of the main Tokyo concert and 4 bonus audio CDs of Roth’s Osaka and Nagoya dates on the same Japanese tour. The set will also include an Uli Jon Roth replica guitar key-ring, and a signed certificate of authenticity, numbered and signed by Uli himself.

When does protection become censorship?

The Internet Watch Foundation has caused internet service providers across the UK to censor a Wikipedia Scorpions page with the cover of the 1976 album Virgin Killer. The picture is of a naked pre-pubescent girl. The picture is already available on dozens of websites as part of the band's discography.

The IWF statement is here, and you can judge for yourself the album's cover here.

Obviously in 1976 the internet was non-existent, and the standards of the time were less rigid. While we wouldn't condone such an album cover now, there is no hint of any child having been abused at the time through this picture being taken. Ironically, the album is not one of Scropions best of the 70's era, with only two tracks making it to the live Tokyo Tapes double platter just two years later.

But the IWF's action has enraged Wikipedia editors and users, with the claim being that the IWF action has led to users being unable to edit pages.

While this is a debate relating to web censorship, one has to wonder what is the next step in the IWF's crusade? While all of us should support actions to prevent child pornography and stop the abuse of children, the ability of a self-appointed body, which has no oversight or accountability to decide on the distinction between creativity and abuse. What would they have make of W.A.S.P.'s Animal: Fuck Like a Beast, Motorhead's Jailbait or other lyrics, stageshows, album covers etc.

I fear that heavy metal is once again under the censor's spotlight.

ADDENDUM: The IWF has backed down...they have now withdrawn their objection...in slightly less than gracious terms. :) Read the BBC report here.