GiGinJapan Artwork of Japanese CDs (mostly) Queen / Budokan 1975 1st Night / 2CD + Flyer Replica / Wardour
Live at Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 19th April 1975 .
Play sample :
amazing. This is amazing, too amazing. QUEEN … No, the treasure of Japanese Western music history has been excavated. QUEEN’s first visit to Japan in 1975, which was a major event that shook the archipelago. The original recording that permanently preserves the first day is a shocking worldwide premiere!
Of course, what is engraved in this work is the performance of “April 19, 1975: Nippon Budokan”. It is an audience recording that spells out the whole story. The first visit to Japan for QUEEN is special. Along with the debut and the breakthrough of the single “Killer Queen”, it was an absolutely inevitable event that would never be missed in any documentary. It’s just that important, so we archive it with many famous records. First, let’s look back on the schedule at that time while organizing the collection.
・ April 19: Nippon Budokan ← ★ This work ★
・ April 22 “NAGOYA 1975”
・ April 23, “COMPLETE KOBE 1975”
・ April 25: Fukuoka City Kyuden Memorial Gymnasium
・ April 28, “FATAL ATTRACTION (Okayama)”
・ April 29, “TSUMAGOI 1975”
・ April 30: Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium
・ May 1st “BUDOKAN 1975 FINAL NIGHT: MASTER-STROKE”
* Only representative works for each performance.
Above, all 8 performances. Even though it is called Budokan, I have introduced many works on the last day, but this is the first permanent preservation on the first day. Of course, the recording of the first day has existed so far, but this work is different from them. It is an original recording that first appeared in the world, which was handed over from the recorder himself.
Moreover, it is not just the first appearance. Quality is also a threatening brand that sets a new record high. In fact, the sound is so vivid that it will awaken your eyes. Of course, it is in the category of vintage recording, but the core that approaches the front is extremely strong, and the details are clear to the finest parts. It doesn’t feel like a soundboard at zero distance, but it doesn’t feel “far”. Freddie’s singing voice conveys not only the nuances of each syllable, but also the nuances of each syllable, even if the choruses overlap, and you can clearly understand not only the drums and guitar but also the bass line.
Moreover, this work also breaks the longest record of the historic first night. As a matter of fact, the new excavation master this time may have been concerned about the remaining amount of tape, and it is frequently paused between songs. There were quite a few missing recording parts (the point here is “between songs”. You can enjoy it almost through the performance group). Therefore, in this work, all such recording omission parts have already been patched. Not only all the songs of the day, but all the existing scenes are permanently preserved.
The first day of the once-in-a-lifetime meeting that flows out of this work …… How should I put this impression into words? Although the performance itself has already been experienced, the vividness and resolution are completely different. That iconic Freddie’s first MC “Konbanha! Konbanha! And good evening to everybody. It’s very nice to be here and your beautiful Japan !!” sounds totally different.
And the delight of Japan who witnessed “raw QUEEN” for the first time is also recorded ultra-realistically. Especially amazing is after “Ogre Battle”. Freddie, who thought it was too dangerous, calms the audience. Let’s write it out for a moment.
“Arigatou! Arigatou! Thank you. Now Listen !! Just Listen! Listen to me a minute … Shuush! Quiet! You’re going to have to be careful. Calm down a bit Take it easy. We’re gonna be Here for a long time, so don’t rush so much. Don’t rush the front of the stage. Just take it easy, OK? Calm down and We’re all gonna have a good time. This is gonna be a nice evening (for) you and us! ”
Listen! Listen a little !! Quiet !! It’s dangerous, calm down a little. Calm down. We are not going home soon. Don’t hurry so much. Don’t push it in front of the stage. Let’s calm down and have fun together. Let’s have the best night!
Then, we entered “Father To Son”, but the situation hasn’t changed even after one song is over.
“We get a slow number now! You’re gonna have to quiet down a bit, so people don’t get hurt. Please, take care of yourselves. Just behave and listen!”
Next is a slow song. Be a little quiet so that everyone doesn’t get hurt. Please be careful. Listen well!
It was clear to every word of such a vivid MC. The sound of this work is not “what Freddie is saying”, but the unspoken nuance of “what you feel and say” is clearly understood. The first day of my first visit to Japan, which was a historic night, but there was no record of satisfactory sound and it was never preserved forever. Such common sense will end this week. A miracle live album where you can fully experience the first night of the once-in-a-lifetime meeting with the best-in-class sound. Press 2CD is nothing but a cultural heritage. Please experience it to your heart’s content.
★ First public audience recording of the performance of “April 19, 1975: Nippon Budokan” on the first day of the first visit to Japan. With the new excavation of a threat that sets the highest quality ever, the core approaching the front is extremely strong, and the details are clear to the finest parts. Freddie’s singing voice conveys not only the nuances of each syllable, but also the nuances of each syllable, even if the choruses overlap, and you can clearly understand not only the drums and guitar but also the bass line. Moreover, the recording omission between songs is compensated for by the existing recording, and the longest record of the historic first night is also updated. The treasure of Japanese Western music history, which is nothing but a cultural heritage, is born.
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★ Comes with a replica of the flyer for the Tokyo performance.
★★ The new sound source for the first visit to Japan and the Budokan premiere (Queen’s first performance in Japan) has arrived after 47 years! !! For Queen fans, it’s sure to be the best title of the year! I’m glad I lived until 2022 …
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Disc 1 (43:03)
1. Procession
2. Now I’m Here
“Konbanha! Konbanha! And good evening to everybody. It’s very nice to be here and your beautiful Japan !!” (This part is triumphant)
3. Ogre Battle
Freddie, who thought this was bad for the frenzy of the venue (arena), made the audience calm down MC
“We’ve been here for quite some time, so don’t push each other so much !!” “Calm down anyway!” “Let’s have a great night for you and us!”
“Arigatou, Arigatou Thank you … Now Listen! Just Listen! Listen to me a minute … Shuush! Quiet! You’re going to have to be careful. Calm down a bit .. Take it easy. We’re gonna be here for a long time, so don’t rush so much. Don’t rush the front of the stage. Just take it easy, OK? (Everyone applauds) Calm down and We’re all gonna have a good time . This gonna be a nice evening (for) you and us! ”
4. Father To Son
“The next song is a slow song, so just calm down. The people in front will get hurt. Anyway, be careful not to get hurt …”
“Cheers!” With a glass of champagne here (let’s calm down anyway!)
凄い。これは凄い、凄すぎる。QUEENの……いえ、日本洋楽史の秘宝が発掘されてしまいました。列島を揺るがす一大事件であった1975年QUEENの初来日。その初日を永久保存するオリジナル録音が衝撃の全世界初公開です！
そんな本作に刻まれているのは、もちろん「1975年４月19日：日本武道館」公演。その一部始終を綴るオーディエンス録音です。QUEENにとって初来日は特別中の特別。デビューやシングル『Killer Queen』のブレイクスルーと並び、あらゆるドキュメンタリーでも決して外されることのない絶対不可避の出来事でした。それだけの重大事ですので、当店では数々の名記録でアーカイヴ。まずはそのコレクションを整理しつつ、当時のスケジュールを振り返ってみましょう。
・４月19日：日本武道館 ←★本作★
・４月22日『NAGOYA 1975』
・４月23日『COMPLETE KOBE 1975』
・４月25日：福岡市九電記念体育館
・４月28日『FATAL ATTRACTION（岡山）』
・４月29日『TSUMAGOI 1975』
・４月30日：横浜文化体育館
・５月１日『BUDOKAN 1975 FINAL NIGHT: MASTER-STROKE』
※各公演とも代表作のみ。
以上、全８公演。武道館と言っても最終日は何作もご紹介してきましたが、初日は今回が初めての永久保存です。もちろん、これまでも初日の録音は存在していたのですが、本作はそれらとは異なる。録音家本人から譲られた、全世界初登場のオリジナル録音なのです。
しかも、単なる初登場ではない。クオリティも過去最高を更新する脅威の銘品なのです。実際、そのサウンドは目も醒める鮮やかさ。もちろん、ヴィンテージ録音の範疇ではありますが、グイグイと前に迫ってくる芯は極めて逞しく、ディテールは微細部まで鮮明。サウンドボード的なゼロ距離感覚ではありませんが、かと言って「遠い」とは感じない。フレディの歌声はコーラスが重なりあっても歌詞の一語一語どころか１音節のニュアンスまでは伝わり、ドラムやギターだけでなくベースのラインもハッキリ分かるのです。
しかも、本作は歴史的な初夜の最長記録も更新している。実のところ、今回の新発掘マスターはテープ残量を気にしたのか、曲間になると頻繁に一時停止。録音漏れパートも結構ありました（ここでポイントなのは「曲間」というところ。演奏派とはほぼ通しで楽しめます）。そこで本作では、そうした録音漏れパートもことごとく既発でパッチ。当日の全曲だけでなく、現存するすべてのシーンを永久保存しているのです。
そんな本作から流れ出る一期一会の初日……この感動をどう言葉にすれば良いのでしょう。演奏自体は体験済みなハズなのに、鮮やかさも解像度がまるで違う。あの象徴的なフレディ最初のMC「コンバンハ！ コンバンハ！ And good evening to everybody. It’s very nice to be here and your beautiful Japan!!」も、まるで違って聞こえるのです。
そして、初めて「生QUEEN」を目の当たりにした日本の歓喜も超リアルに記録されている。特に凄いのは「Ogre Battle」の後。あまりにヤバいと思ったフレディが観客を鎮めるのです。ちょっと書き出してみましょう。
「アリガトウ！アリガトウ！Thank you. Now Listen!! Just Listen! Listen to me a minute… Shuush! Quiet! You’re going to have to be careful. Calm down a bit Take it easy. We’re gonna be here for a long time, so don’t rush so much. Don’t rush the front of the stage. Just take it easy, OK?（拍手が沸き起こる）Calm down and We’re all gonna have a good time. This is gonna be a nice evening (for) you and us!」
聴いてくれ！ ちょっと聞いてくれ!! シーッ！ 静かに!! 危ないぞ、ちょっと落ち着け。落ち着いてくれ。僕らはすぐに帰るわけじゃない。そんなに急ぐことない。ステージ前に押さないでくれ。落ち着いてみんなで楽しもう。最高の夜にしよう！
そうして「Father To Son」に突入するわけですが、１曲終わってもまだ状況は変わらない。
「We get a slow number now! You’re gonna have to quiet down a bit, so people don’t get hurt. Please, take care of yourselves. Just behave and listen!」
次はスローな曲だ。みんな怪我しないように、少し静かにしてくれ。どうか頼むよ、気をつけて。行儀よく聴いてくれ！
こんな生々しいMCの一言一言までクッキリ。本作のサウンドは「フレディが何を言っているか」ではなく、「何を感じて言っているか」という言外のニュアンスまでハッキリと分かるのです。あまりにも歴史的な夜でありつつ、これまで満足できるサウンドの記録がなく、永久保存されることもなかった初来日の初日。そんな常識は、今週で終わりを迎えます。一期一会の初夜を極上クラスのサウンドでフル体験できる奇跡のライヴアルバム。まさに文化遺産以外の何物でもないプレス２CD。どうぞ、心ゆくまで存分にご体験ください。
★初来日の初日「1975年４月19日：日本武道館」公演の初公開オーディエンス録音。クオリティも過去最高を更新する脅威の新発掘で、グイグイと前に迫ってくる芯は極めて逞しく、ディテールは微細部まで鮮明。フレディの歌声はコーラスが重なりあっても歌詞の一語一語どころか１音節のニュアンスまでは伝わり、ドラムやギターだけでなくベースのラインもハッキリ分かる。しかも、曲間の録音漏れも既発録音で補填し、歴史的な初夜の最長記録も更新。まさに文化遺産以外の何物でもない日本洋楽史の至宝が誕生です。
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★東京公演のフライヤーのレプリカ付き。
★★初来日・武道館初演（クイーン初の日本公演）の新音源が 47年の時を経て降臨！！クイーン・ファンにとっては、今年一番のタイトルになること間違いなし！ 2022年まで生きていて良かった・・・
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Disc 1 (43:03)
1. Procession
2. Now I’m Here
「コンバンハ！コンバンハ！ And good evening to everybody. It’s very nice to be here and your beautiful Japan!!」（このパートは意気揚々）
3. Ogre Battle
会場（アリーナ）の狂乱に、これはまずいと思ったフレディが、観客に、落ち着くようにMC
「僕らはここに結構長くいるから、そんなに押し合わないで！！」「とにかく落ち着いて！」「君たちと僕等にとって素晴らしい夜にしよう！」（ロジャーがカウベルをカンカンとする）
「アリガトウ、アリガトウ Thank you… Now Listen! Just Listen! Listen to me a minute… Shuush! Quiet! You’re going to have to be careful. Calm down a bit.. Take it easy. We’re gonna be here for a long time, so don’t rush so much. Don’t rush the front of the stage. Just take it easy, OK?（皆、拍手）Calm down and We’re all gonna have a good time. This gonna be a nice evening (for) you and us!」
4. Father To Son
「次はゆっくりな曲だから、とにかく落ち着いて。前の方の人たちが怪我しちゃうよ。とにかく皆、怪我しないように気を付けて・・・」
ここでシャンペングラスで「乾杯！」（とにかく落ち着きましょう！）
5. White Queen (観客に注意しながらのイントロ。珍しい）
6. Flick Of The Wrist
7. Doing All Right
8. In The Lap Of The Gods
9. Killer Queen
10. The March Of The Black Queen
11. Bring Back That Leroy Brown
Disc 2 (59:31)
1. Son And Daughter
2. Band Introductions
3. Keep Yourself Alive
4. Seven Seas Of Rhye
5. Stone Cold Crazy
6. Liar
7. In The Lap Of The Gods…Revisited
8. Big Spender
9. Modern Times Rock ‘n’ Roll
10. Jailhouse Rock
11. See What A Fool I’ve Been
12. God Save The Queen
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