Billy Joel/Tokyo & Osaka,Japan 1987 Complete

It can be said to be the definitive version of Billy Joel’s 1987 “The Bridge” Japan tour, when he came to Japan for the first time in three years as part of the world tour accompanying his 10th studio album “THE BRIDGE”. One book has been decided to be released! The performance at Tokyo’s Yoyogi Olympic Pool on June 8th, which was the first performance in Japan, and the Osaka Castle Hall performance on June 13th, which was the fourth performance, were both performed with the same taper and excellent audience source (of course, the first appearance). This is a 4-CD set that is a must-have for fans! With “AN INNOCENT MAN” released in 1983, Billy achieved great success not only in America and Japan, but also in Europe, and from the mid-1980s onwards, his public and private life became more and more fulfilling. In 1984, he participated in “USA FOR AFRICA” and co-starred with his idol Ray Charles on “We Are The World”, and in 1985, his best album “GRATEST HITS” was a huge hit. , Billy at this time was at his commercial peak. In 1986, Billy announced his first new work in three years, “THE BRIDGE”. The film attracted a lot of attention due to guest appearances by Ray Charles and Cyndi Lauper, but the overall style was subdued and it did not sell as well as the commercially successful “AN INNOCENT MAN.” Still, it has sold over 1 million copies in the United States). After this album, Billy ended his partnership with Phil Ramone, who had been the producer of his works since “STRANGER”, and appointed new members to his backing band. Furthermore, during the tour, “THE BRIDGE” became a turning point during Billy’s career, as he performed live in the Soviet Union and had a great influence on his own direction. In this work, the two performances in Japan from the important “THE BRIDGE” tour are recorded on 4 discs from the original cassette master recorded by the same taper as “INNOCENT NIGHTS” (that is, the same person who also made “GLASS HOUSES IN JAPAN”). It is included in the press CD. There are currently limited collector’s items from the ’84 “AN INNOCENT MAN” Japan tour, but there are even fewer sound sources for this ’87 “THE BRIDGE” Japan tour. This work, which has a brother-like relationship with “INNOCENT NIGHTS”, can definitely be said to be the definitive version of the sound source that came to Japan in 1987! Discs 1 and 2 include the stage performance at the Yoyogi Olympic Pool in Tokyo on June 8th, the first performance in Japan. The musical sound captured with a clear outlook from the opening, and the sound image that feels spacious and wide, reproduces the new numbers of the time such as “A Matter Of Trust” and “You’re Only Human” with a glittering image. “Paino Man”, which was not heard in “INNOCENT NIGHTS” which recorded the 1984 live performance, allows you to enjoy the joy of the fans with a sense of realism that spreads throughout the venue (“The Stranger” and “Allentown” are the same as above). It would be interesting to compare it with the ’84 recording). As exemplified by “Prelude / Angry Young Man,” which moved from the beginning to the middle of the live show, the set list is interesting because it keeps the standard songs, but the strange order of the songs makes you listen to it. Of course, “Big Man On Mulberry Street” and “Baby Grand” are plenty worth listening to from the new releases at that time. “An Innocent Man” from “AN INNOCENT MAN” and “The Longest Time” where the band’s chorus work is wonderful are famous scenes similar to ’84. In the second half of the live, you can’t miss the masterpiece of “GLASS HOUSES”, which is a series of three songs from “It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me”, and the encore “Keeping The Faith”, which is the listening point of this day. For 130 minutes, the listener will be drawn into the great performance of the first day. After completing two performances in Tokyo, Billy moved to Osaka and performed for two consecutive days at Osaka Castle Hall. On discs 3 and 4, you can enjoy the second day in Osaka, which took place on June 13th. The exceptionally clear sound outlook and overflowing sense of reality are as wonderful as discs 1 and 2. This recording gives the impression that the direct feel of the performance is better, and you will be able to relive the sound of a live venue filled with excitement (especially the dynamic “Pressure” and “The Stranger” are wonderful). The set list is almost the same as the Tokyo premiere, and you can enjoy Billy and the band’s performance with a professional cohesiveness and high sense of stability. The audience was also excited as expected from the Osaka performance, and “Don’t Ask Me Why” and “An Innocent Man” had just the right amount of cheers and clapping, creating a live performance together with Billy and the band. After closing the main part of the set with “Uptown Girl” and “Tell Her About It” and “AN INNOCENT MAN,” THE BEATLES’ “She Loves You” was featured in the encore, and the venue was once again excited. Billy’s singing is also wonderful. The last song, “Big Shot,” brings the 125-minute live to a close in a fun mood. The most noteworthy thing about this “THE BRIDGE” tour is (of course) the Soviet Union tour, which was also made official. However, the Japan tour held just before that was also a memorable and special live for Japanese fans. This work, which packages the Tokyo performance and Osaka performance into one, should definitely be called the definitive version of the ’87 Japan tour. If you enjoy it together with “GLASS HOUSES IN JAPAN” in 1981 and “INNOCENT NIGHTS” in 1984, you should be able to easily understand the changes in Billy Live in the 1980s. Yoyogi Olympic Pool, Tokyo, Japan 8th June 1987 TRULY AMAZING/PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Castle Hall, Osaka, Japan 13th June 1987 TRULY AMAZING/PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters)Live at Yoyogi Olympic Pool, Tokyo, Japan 8th June 1987 Disc 1 (59:41) 1. Opening S.E. 2. A Matter Of Trust 3. Pressure 4. You’re Only Human 5. Piano Man 6. The Stranger 7. Allentown 8. My Life 9. Prelude / Angry Young Man 10. Don’t Ask Me Why 11. Big Man On Mulberry Street Disc 2 (72:03) 1. Baby Grand 2. An Innocent Man 3. The Longest Time 4. Only The Good Die Young 5. It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me 6. Sometimes A Fantasy 7. You May Be Right 8. Uptown Girl 9. Tell Her About It 10. Keeping The Faith 11. Big Shot Live at Castle Hall, Osaka, Japan 13th June 1987 Disc 3 (74:32) 1. Opening S.E. 2. A Matter Of Trust 3. Pressure 4. You’re Only Human 5. Piano Man 6. The Stranger 7. Allentown 8. My Life 9. Prelude / Angry Young Man 10. Don’t Ask Me Why 11. Big Man On Mulberry Street 12. Baby Grand 13. An Innocent Man Disc 4 (52:29) 1. The Longest Time 2. Only The Good Die Young 3. It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me 4. Sometimes A Fantasy 5 You May Be Right 6. Uptown Girl 7. Tell Her About It 8. She Loves You 9. Big Shot Billy Joel – Vocals, Piano, Guitar David Brown – Guitar, Backing Vocals Russell Javors – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals Doug Stegmeyer – Bass, Backing Vocals David Lebolt – Keyboards Mark Rivera – Saxophones, Flute, Backing Vocals Liberty Devitto – Drums, Percussion