The Very Best of Japan

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The Very Best of Japan
Compilation album by Japan
Released	March 28 2006
Recorded	1979-1983
Genre	Post-Punk, New Wave
Length	72:39
Label	EMI Music
Professional reviews
All Music Guide [1]
Japan chronology
Exorcising Ghosts (1984) The Very Best of Japan (2006)

The Very Best of Japan is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released worldwide in 2006 by EMI Music.

The Very Best of Japan is the first comprehensive 'greatest hits' album that collects recordings from the band's career on both Hansa Records and Virgin Records. This digitally remastered compilation includes all of Japan's UK chart entries between the years 1981 and 1983; "The Art of Parties" (#48, 1981), "Quiet Life"(#19, 1981), "Visions Of China" (#32, 1981), "European Son (Remix)" (#31, 1981), "Ghosts" (#5, 1982), "Cantonese Boy" (#24, 1982), "I Second That Emotion (Remix)" (#9, 1982), "Life In Tokyo (Remix)" (#28, 1982), "Nightporter (Remix)" (#29, 1982), "All Tomorrow's Parties (Remix)" (#38, 1983) and "Canton" (Live) (#42, 1983).

The Very Best of Japan includes both the single and album versions of their biggest commercial hit "Ghosts", the 12" mix of "The Art of Parties" as well as the Steve Nye remix of "Taking Islands in Africa", originally released as the B-side of the "Visions of China" 7" single in 1981.

The album was accompanied by a DVD release, which includes seven promo videos as well as the 1983 Oil on Canvas concert.

[edit] Track listings

Audio CD
All tracks written by David Sylvian unless otherwise noted

1. "Ghosts" (Single Version) - 3:59
   • Original version on 1981 album Tin Drum
2. "I Second That Emotion" (1982 Single Mix) (Cleveland, Robinson) - 3:47
   • First U.K. album release compilation Assemblage, 1981
3. "Quiet Life" (7" Version) - 3:54
   • Original version on 1979 album Quiet Life
4. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" - 7:08
   • From 1980 album Gentlemen Take Polaroids
5. "The Art of Parties" (12" Single Version) - 6:45
   • Original version on 1981 album Tin Drum
6. "Visions of China" (Jansen, Sylvian) - 3:40
   • From 1981 album Tin Drum
7. "Taking Islands in Africa" (Steve Nye Remix) (Sakamoto, Sylvian) - 4:57
   • Original version on 1980 album Gentlemen Take Polaroids
8. "European Son" (1982 Single Mix) - 3:39
   • First U.K. album release compilation Assemblage, 1981
9. "Cantonese Boy" - 3:49
   • From 1981 album Tin Drum
10. "Life in Tokyo" (Pt. 1, Special Remix, 1982) (Moroder, Sylvian) - 4:03
    • First U.K. album release compilation Assemblage, 1981
11. "Nightporter" - 7:00
    • Note: original album version from Gentlemen Take Polaroids, 1980
12. "Methods of Dance" - 6:56
    • From 1980 album Gentlemen Take Polaroids
13. "All Tomorrow's Parties" (1983 7" Version) (Reed) - 3:35
    • Original version on 1979 album Quiet Life
14. "Canton" (Live) (Jansen, Sylvian) - 5:30
    • From 1983 album Oil on Canvas, original studio version on 1981 album Tin Drum
15. "Ghosts" (Album Version) - 4:38
    • From 1981 album Tin Drum

DVD
Promo videos:

1. "Life In Tokyo"
2. "Quiet Life"
3. "I Second That Emotion"
4. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
5. "Swing"
6. "Visions Of China"
7. "Nightporter"

Oil on Canvas - live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1982:

8. Overture ("Burning Bridges")
9. "Sons Of Pioneers"
10. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
11. "Swing"
12. "Cantonese Boy"
13. "Visions Of China"
14. "Canton"
15. "Ghosts"
16. "Methods Of Dance"
17. "Still Life In Mobile Homes"
18. "The Art Of Parties"
19. "Voices Raised In Welcome, Hands Held In Prayer"

v • d • e Japan David Sylvian · Mick Karn · Steve Jansen · Richard Barbieri · Rob Dean Studio albums Adolescent Sex · Obscure Alternatives · Quiet Life · Gentlemen Take Polaroids · Tin Drum  · Japan  · Rain Tree Crow Live album Oil on Canvas Compilations Assemblage  · Exorcising Ghosts · The Very Best of Japan Related articles Simon Napier-Bell · John Punter · Steve Nye · Ray Singer · Ryuichi Sakamoto · Masami Tsuchiya · The Dolphin Brothers · Nine Horses · Porcupine Tree · Virgin Records · New Romantic · Hansa Records · Japan (country) · List of bands named after places