Iron Maiden / Caught Somewhere In Budokan / 2CDR

Iron Maiden / Caught Somewhere In Budokan / 2CDR / Non Label

Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 13th May 1987

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After 37 years, IRON MAIDEN has decided to perform “SOMEWHERE IN TIME” in Japan. The best original recording that will char the longed-for chest will be released as a gift.
This work is inspired by the “May 13, 1987: Nippon Budokan” performance. This is the legendary audience recording. First of all, let’s look back at the schedule of coming to Japan at that time and check the position of this work.

・May 11th: Nagoya City Public Hall
・May 13th “DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1987” &★This work★
・May 15th: NHK Hall
・May 16th “KYOTO 1987”
・May 18th: Hiroshima Welfare Pension Hall
・May 20th: Osaka Festival Hall
・May 21st: Osaka Festival Hall

All 7 performances above. Speaking of “Somewhere On Tour”, it is an unexplored place for recording worldwide and in the 80s, and even more so when it comes to Nippon Budokan, it is a legend among legends. At our store, the press masterpiece “DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1987 (Zodiac 606)” reigns as a symbol. This work is also a live album from the same scene, but it is a different recording by a completely different person.
Moreover, it is not a separate recording of Tata. Although it has not been pressed, this work is also a traditional work by a master who has worked on many masterpieces. In particular, there are many masterpieces of HR/HM Nippon Budokan, and our store also has JUDAS PRIEST’s press masterpiece “FAST & FURIOUS (Shades 200)”, Gary Moore’s “PRAY FOR VICTIMS (Shades 201)”, DEEP PURPLE’s “GAMBLING” HOUSE (Shades 187)” has become a huge standard. This work is the Maiden edition of such Budokan collection.
In fact, the sound is exquisite. As expected, it is not a close contact that can be mistaken for a sound board, but the core that penetrates the clear air is vivid and the edges are sharp. There are no traces of dubbing as there are no traces of dubbing, and it reaches you straight like a laser beam. The splendor of the performance sound, which absorbs Japan’s popularity at its peak, but overrides it, is something that can only be achieved by a master who knows Budokan thoroughly.
What is depicted with such clear sound is a full show of the unexplored “Somewhere On Tour” that has been overlooked even by the official site. Let’s organize a set full of valuable songs that are not officially archived.

●Somewhere in Time and others (4 songs + α)
・Caught Somewhere In Time／Stranger In The Strange Land／Wasted Years／Heaven Can Wait／Walking On Glass
●Classics (11 songs)
・Diano era: Wrathchild/Phantom Of The Opera/Iron Maiden/Running Free/Sanctuary
・Magic Mark: Children Of The Damned／Hallowed Be Thy Name／The Number Of The Beast／Run To The Hills
・Powerslave: 2 Minutes To Midnight／Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

…and it looks like this. There’s a ton of “SOMEWHERE IN TIME” including “Caught Somewhere In Time” and “Stranger In The Strange Land,” which became a hot topic when they revived this year on “The Future Past Tour.” “Walking On Glass” is a solo time featuring twin guitars, but it is also a neatly composed instrumental song. On the other hand, there is no “The Trooper”, which seems natural in modern times. This kind of place also has a real-time feeling of the 80’s.
And, the performance that spells out such a set is the key, and Bruce Dickinson’s performance is especially wonderful. In fact, on “Somewhere On Tour”, the blues was in a bad state all over the world, but in Japan it was doing well as if it were a lie. You can also enjoy “Arigato, Budokan!!” and “Screamin’ for me, Budokan!!!” with clear sound.
Even in the glorious history of IRON MAIDEN, there have only been two Budokan live performances. Especially for one night in the golden 80s. This is a traditional masterpiece recording that allows you to fully experience such a once-in-a-lifetime scene with masterful sound. The press masterpiece “DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1987” is also a must-listen and must-have, but this work is also a legendary edition that you should collect side by side.

37年の時を超え、『SOMEWHERE IN TIME』世界での来日公演が決まったIRON MAIDEN。その待ち焦がれる胸を黒焦げにする極上オリジナル録音がギフト・リリース決定です。
そんな本作に吹き込まれているのは「1987年５月13日：日本武道館」公演。その伝説オーディエンス録音です。まずは当時の来日スケジュールを振り返り、本作のポジションを確かめてみましょう。

・５月11日：名古屋市公会堂
・５月13日『DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1987』＆★本作★
・５月15日：NHKホール
・５月16日『KYOTO 1987』
・５月18日：広島厚生年金会館
・５月20日：大阪フェスティバルホール
・５月21日：大阪フェスティバルホール

以上の全７公演。“Somewhere On Tour”と言えば全世界的にも80年代でも録音の秘境ですし、まして日本武道館となれば伝説中の伝説。当店でもプレス名盤『DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1987（Zodiac 606）』が象徴として君臨しております。本作も同じ現場のライヴアルバムではありますが、まったくの別人による別録音です。
しかも、たたの別録音ではありません。プレス化されていないとは言え、本作もまた名作を数多く手掛けてきた達人による伝統作。特にHR/HM系の日本武道館に傑作が多く、当店でもJUDAS PRIESTのプレス名盤『FAST & FURIOUS（Shades 200）』やゲイリー・ムーアの『PRAY FOR VICTIMS（Shades 201）』、DEEP PURPLEの『GAMBLING HOUSE（Shades 187）』等が大定番となってきた。本作は、そんな武道館コレクションのメイデン篇なのです。
実際、そのサウンドは絶品。さすがにサウンドボードと間違えるド密着感ではありませんが、クリアな空気感を貫く芯は鮮やかでエッジもシャープ。大元マスター起こしだけあってダビング痕もなく、レーザー光線のように真っ直ぐ手元に届く。絶頂の日本人気も吸い込みつつ、それを蹂躙する演奏音の素晴らしさは、さすがに武道館を知り尽くした名手ならではです。
そんなクリア・サウンドで描かれるのは、公式からも見逃されている秘境“Somewhere On Tour”のフルショウ。公式でもアーカイヴされていない貴重曲満載のセットを整理してみましょう。

●サムホエア・イン・タイム他（４曲＋α）
・Caught Somewhere In Time／Stranger In The Strange Land／Wasted Years／Heaven Can Wait／Walking On Glass
●クラシックス（11曲）
・ディアノ時代：Wrathchild／Phantom Of The Opera／Iron Maiden／Running Free／Sanctuary
・魔力の刻印：Children Of The Damned／Hallowed Be Thy Name／The Number Of The Beast／Run To The Hills
・パワースレイヴ：2 Minutes To Midnight／Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

……と、このようになっています。今年“The Future Past Tour”での復活で話題になった「Caught Somewhere In Time」「Stranger In The Strange Land」を始め、『SOMEWHERE IN TIME』が山盛り。「Walking On Glass」はツイン・ギターをフィーチュアしたソロタイムですが、キチンと作曲されたインスト曲でもあります。その一方で、現代では当然に思える「The Trooper」がない。こんなところも80年代のリアルタイム感だったりします。
そして、そんなセットを綴るパフォーマンスこそが肝心で、特にブルース・ディッキンソンの好調ぶりが素晴らしい。実のところ、“Somewhere On Tour”は世界各国でブルースが絶不調が目立ったりもしたのですが、日本ではそれがウソのように快調。「アリガト、ブドカン!!」「Screamin’ for me, ブドカン!!!」もクリア・サウンドで楽しめます。
栄光のIRON MAIDEN史でも武道館ライヴは２回しかありません。特に黄金の80年代では一晩だけ。そんな一期一会の現場を名手サウンドでフル体験できる伝統の名録音です。プレス名盤『DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1987』も必聴・必携ではありますが、本作も並べてコレクションして頂きたい伝説盤です。

Disc 1
1. Opening : Blade Runner
2. Caught Somewhere In Time
3. 2 Minutes To Midnight
4. Wrathchild
5. Children Of The Damned
6. Stranger In The Strange Land
7. Wasted Years
8. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner
9. Walking On Glass
10. Heaven Can Wait

Disc 2
1. Phantom Of The Opera
2. Hallowed Be Thy Name
3. Iron Maiden
4. The Number Of The Beast
5. Run To The Hills
6. Running Free
7. Sanctuary

Bruce Dickinson – Vocals
Steve Harris – Bass
Dave Murray – Guitar
Adrian Smith – Guitar
Nicko McBrain – Drums