Michael Jackson / Osaka 1987 Final Night / 2CD / ZION
Live at Osaka Stadium, Osaka, Japan 12th October 1987
Michael Jackson’s first solo performance in Japan, which was not only a major social phenomenon, but also a Western music event representing Japan in the 1980s. While the excitement was so high, the Yokohama Stadium was the only choice for live footage and sound sources for many years. It will be the masterpiece “NISHINOMIYA 1987 FINAL NIGHT” released in 2008. The impact that conveyed the stage pattern before Yokohama Stadium with the best sound quality has not faded even now.
However, Taper, who provided the audience recording of the masterpiece that made maniacs around the world surprised, recorded another day! In 1987, the final stage of the performance in Japan was the now-deceased Osaka Stadium. He recorded on October 12th, the final day. A historic day that it was not only the last day of three consecutive performances, but also the last day of Michael’s first solo performance in Japan.
In the first place, there was a big difference in the coverage of the first visit to Japan in the Kanto area and the Kansai area, and the latter one was reported in the rear tie very little, stayed in Japan for more than a month, and at first glance Michael’s every move was reported. Although it was the first performance in Japan that gave an illusion as if it had been done, there was still no Internet at that time, and it was overwhelmingly the Kanto performance that was being reported or broadcast. Rather, it is no exaggeration to say that the stage performances held in the Kansai area were wrapped in a veil.
That’s why “NISHINOMIYA 1987 FINAL NIGHT” was literally a historical excavation, but above all, it was a very high quality audience recording that made maniacs go crazy. In 2020, the day will come when we can listen to performances other than Yokohama Stadium with the finest audience.
“Taper of such a masterpiece has done it again this time!” Sound image and clearness that is surprisingly on so that it can not be thought of as an audience recording at an outdoor stadium in 1987. The moment the opening sound effects resounded in the venue, a woman nearby muttered, “I was surprised,” but the sound was so vivid and loud that I was surprised as well. If you raise the volume from the speaker and sound it, you will finally be able to travel back in time to 1987 Osaka Stadium. Even for Taper, he showed a splendid work at “NISHINOMIYA 1987 FINAL NIGHT”, so maybe it will surpass it? Incredibly amazing quality.
At the same time, it is surprising that the final day of the 1987 performance in Japan, which was captured with such outstanding quality, has not been circulated among traders and has been sleeping for 35 years. Yes, there was also the timing of the 35th anniversary from that performance in Japan to be provided as a new sound source from the taper this time.
“Even so, the sound is really good.” With such a quality, even general music fans can fully enjoy the power and charm of audience recordings that have fully absorbed the atmosphere of the place.
And since it was the final day of the historic tour to Japan, the group on stage, starting with Michael, literally gave their all. Compared to Nishinomiya at the beginning of the tour, as well as Yokohama, where TV broadcasting was filmed, there is a clear sense of relaxation. In “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)”, which is played for a long time at the end of the live, Michael laughs everywhere, and the satisfaction of the solo first visit to Japan, which ended in great success, is overflowing. However, the service that shouts out the name of the place must have learned from that scene in Nishinomiya, where I was about to say Tokyo by mistake (laughs), and the MC doesn’t even come up with the word Osaka.
And even though it was a performance in Japan that caused a big fever, it was a Showa Western music live. It’s heartwarming to see the venue stunned as soon as the band members ask for a call-and-response. Ironically, the negative atmosphere of such a place has now played a role in making it easier to listen to, so it can’t be said to be unconditionally bad.
Finally, as a bonus track, there is a greeting from Michael’s manager before the opening of the first day of the Osaka performance. What an explanation there, “I’m sorry for worrying him, he’s recovered, I think we can deliver a wonderful three-day show,” but it was almost reported that Michael was unwell at the time. Also, the fact that there were five days off from Yokohama to Osaka was successful, and the tour was carried out without any schedule changes.
As I said at the beginning, compared to Tokyo and Yokohama, the performances in Osaka were hardly reported, and it can be said that this is a shocking fact that has been forgotten in the passage of time. Even though it was enough to surprise maniacs all over the world just by capturing the pattern of the last day of the tour with perfect sound quality, even more surprising scenes were recorded as bonuses, historical excavation and superb audience ・documentary!
・September 11-14: Korakuen Stadium
*11th dress rehearsal, 13th “GREATEST MOMENTS IN THE EAST”
・September 19-21: Hankyu Nishinomiya Stadium 21st “NISHINOMIYA 1987 FINAL NIGHT”
・September 25-27, October 3 & 4: Yokohama Stadium
*26th “GREATEST MOMENTS IN THE EAST”, 27th “JAPAN TOUR 1987 YOKOHAMA STADIUM”
・October 10th-12th: Osaka Stadium ← Coco
Interpreter (male)
“Well, I’m sorry to have caused you concern and trouble this time, but um, everyone at this venue, and from Japan… from all over Japan, I received a very warm sympathy and welcome. And Michael is finally feeling better.”
“So, I think we can deliver a wonderful show to everyone today for three days. This is Michael’s message, let’s all rock him today!” There is an impact in the age style)
ZION-225