released 1995

MANDALA
PLANET
DANCE OF SARASVATI
SILK ROAD
CHANT FROM THE HEART
SPIRIT OF TAIKO
KOKORO
HEAVEN AND EARTH

all songs written and arranged by KITARO

musicians:
Angus Clark: guitar
Diana Dentino: keyboard
Keith Heffner: keyboard
Nawang Khechog: flute, percussion, chanting, tibetan long horn, didgeridoo
Jeff McElroy: bass
Lorenza Ponce: violin
Yoshi Shimada: drums
Derek Zimmerman: percussion

In KITARO-san's live tour history, the performance in the world tour just after the release of masterpiece album MANDALA is probably the most wildest and having challenging spirit most ever (always so, but this tour, the most). This live album was recorded in US leg of that world tour (probably San Rafael, California).

Many songs are from the latest album at that time MANDALA. But wide range of dynamism, the contrast between quiet and big sound, and rocking groove, these aspects are obviously 30% upper than their original version on MANDALA album. Performance's duration of "DANCE OF SARASVATI" and "KOKORO" are longer than the original version, which means that the improvisation parts become longer and invite listeners to thrilling and trance feelings. As same as last live album LIVE IN AMERICA, original version's string orchestra part is performed by keyboards, but the whole ensemble never lack the richness and thickness (with a little help from technologies, probably). So don't worry.

The highlight of this live album is... all songs (really). "SILK ROAD" on this album is the most dramatic version in all KITARO-san's records. The epic of "HEAVEN AND EARTH", which is KITARO-san's very favourite and has been performed live so often since this period (even recently), is just amazing. Live version of "HEAVEN AND EARTH" is based on "HEAVEN AND EARTH (LAND THEME)" and "END TITLE", and also contains the phrase of "ARVN", "VILLAGE ATTACK/THE ARREST", etc. etc. (all these songs are from HEAVEN & EARTH album). "SPIRIT OF TAIKO" maybe the highlight of the highlights. Usually the highlight of KITARO-san's live show is the earthquake-like powerful percussion ensemble in which KITARO-san always "struggle" with Japanese Taiko drums. You can hear that performance in "SPIRIT OF TAIKO". (Similar performance can be heard on "JAPANESE DRUMS" on ASIA album and "WATER OF MYSTERY" on DAYLIGHT, MOONLIGHT - LIVE IN YAKUSHIJI album. But you must remember that these are by smaller ensemble, and as a result, sounds are TOO different than usual.) But remember that real (earthquake-like) sound is much more than what you "feel" with this album. It seems that CD cannot record the wide range of dynamism of real performance of KITARO live. So if you like this live album, Young Persons' Guide to KITARO Music strongly recommends you to attend KITARO live.

You are going to LOVE this album, if you are "knocked out" by KITARO-san's live show.

Also there is a video version of AN ENCHANTED EVENING. But you better remember that there are some various version (not only one version). One of them contains "CARAVANSARY", "COSMIC LOVE", "FIRE" and "WINDS OF YOUTH" which was performed in the same tour but not included on album version (each "COSMIC LOVE", "FIRE" and "WINDS OF YOUTH" are performed more than 10 minutes, and you can enjoy the powerful and emotional performances!!). So if you can find this version, you better pick up this video version instead of album version. (But if it seems difficult to find, don't look for this video version too much instead of picking up album version!! Otherwise you cannot enjoy this recording at all for long years.) Also there is another one of various video version which contains only "WINDS OF YOUTH" adding to album version. Another one of them does not contain "SILK ROAD". Some video versions don't indicate "SPIRIT OF TAIKO" on the cover. But if the song list has "CHANT FROM THE HEART" and "KOKORO" side by side, then, don't worry. That video version contains "SPIRIT OF TAIKO" actually. About "MANDALA", probably all the video version contains longer version which is more than 5 minutes longer than album version. Because on album version, the improvisation between KITARO-san and Nawang Khechog on the opening section is completely cut, but video version contains that improvisation.

"MANDALA" on this album is a different song from the same title song on the album TUNHUANG

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