The Very Best of Japan

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The Very Best of Japan
The Very Best of Japan cover
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
  4. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" - 7:08
  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
  7. "Taking Islands in Africa" (Steve Nye Remix) (Sakamoto, Sylvian) - 4:57
  8. "European Son" (1982 Single Mix) - 3:39
    • First U.K. album release compilation Assemblage, 1981
  9. "Cantonese Boy" - 3:49
  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
  12. "Methods of Dance" - 6:56
  13. "All Tomorrow's Parties" (1983 7" Version) (Reed) - 3:35
  14. "Canton" (Live) (Jansen, Sylvian) - 5:30
  15. "Ghosts" (Album Version) - 4:38

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:

  1. Overture ("Burning Bridges")
  2. "Sons Of Pioneers"
  3. "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
  4. "Swing"
  5. "Cantonese Boy"
  6. "Visions Of China"
  7. "Canton"
  8. "Ghosts"
  9. "Methods Of Dance"
  10. "Still Life In Mobile Homes"
  11. "The Art Of Parties"
  12. "Voices Raised In Welcome, Hands Held In Prayer"