David Bowie/Tokyo,Japan 4.20.1973

The legendary first performance in Japan that delivered “Bowie of the ZIGGY STARDUST era”. A live album from the final day is now available. Speaking of Bowie’s first performance in Japan, the pinnacle recording “TOKYO 1973 2ND NIGHT” and the first CD “HIROSHIMA 1973” appeared and were in the middle of receiving great acclaim. This work, which will be released this week, is an audience album that includes the performance at “April 20, 1973, Shibuya Public Hall”, the final day of the first tour to Japan. In the commentary for “TOKYO 1973 2ND NIGHT” the other day, I wrote, “It’s a sound that competes for the top not only in Japan but also in the entire ZIGGY STARDUST TOUR 1982-1973,” and this work is exactly that “competitor.” It is one that competes with that masterpiece recording for the top spot. The sound is as wonderful as “TOKYO 1973 2ND NIGHT”. The clarity and beauty of the musical tone are almost on par, and the direct feeling that can be said to be “like a sound board” even exceeds “TOKYO 1973 2ND NIGHT”. Of course, this is also a very advanced level, and you can only decide which one is best based on your personal preference, but this work, which has nuances closer to line recording, may be more widely preferred. I don’t know. In fact, this recording is loved even among core enthusiasts overseas, and has been highly praised as “the best recording of the Ziggy era” and “this ‘ziggy playyeeeeeeeed!!’ is irresistible!” However, even with such a masterpiece recording, it was not a perfect master, and there was very slight deterioration. There was noise and skipping in “Five Years” and “Let’s Spend The Night Together”, and the pitch was about 30% higher than a semitone. Of course, it is a special superb recording not only in the history of Bowie’s performance in Japan, but also in the entire “Ziggy era”, so I want to preserve it in as perfect a form as possible. In this work, we carefully check for such defects and repair them as much as possible using the latest know-how. Finished in the best version possible in modern times. The final performance of the first visit to Japan will be revived with that sound… and before that. Recently, the live albums from the first tour to Japan have also been increasing, so let’s check the position of each album here. ・April 8: Tokyo Employees’ Pension Center CD “TOKYO 1973 1ST NIGHT” ・April 10: Tokyo Employees’ Pension Center CD “TOKYO 1973 2ND NIGHT” ・April 11: Tokyo Employees’ Pension Center ・April 12: Nagoya City Public Hall CD “NAGOYA 1973” April 14th: Hiroshima Postal Savings Hall CD “HIROSHIMA 1973” April 16th: Kobe International Hall April 17th: Osaka Welfare Pension Hall April 18th: Shibuya Public Hall・April 20th: Shibuya Public Hall [This work] In this way, the first Japan tour will have a total of 9 performances. What we have delivered so far is the first half, but this work is a live performance that traveled around the country in about two weeks and returned to Tokyo. For that reason, the singing voices that flow from this work are accustomed to the unique Japanese groove of the audience and are not at a loss, full of the confidence that has earned them acclaim in Asian countries. That sense of fulfillment oozes out from the performers as well. The set list has changed from the beginning of the tour, and instead of “Width Of A Circle” and “Space Oddity”, “Time” and “Starman” have been introduced. The amount of improvisation has also increased, making it a show that pulls you in with great momentum. And, most importantly, the last encore song is Chuck Berry’s cover “Around And Around”! A rock’n’roll masterpiece that was only played in limited live performances in Japan and could not be heard on “TOKYO 1973 2ND NIGHT” or “HIROSHIMA 1973.” Moreover, you can enjoy the grand finale of this rare performance, which has no record since 1973, with ultra-clear sound. They toured around the country on their first Japan tour, and returned to the Tokyo performance surrounded by applause and success. Unlike the tension of the first time in Japan that swayed at the beginning of the tour, this is a record packed full of “Live in Japan” with super high sound quality, full of relief and fulfillment after completing the tour. The companion album of the two masterpieces, along with “TOKYO 1973 2ND NIGHT”, is here. Shibuya Kokaido, Tokyo, Japan 20th April 1973 PERFECT SOUND(UPGRADE) (64:42) 1. Ode To Joy Intro 2. Hang On To Yourself 3. Ziggy Stardust 4. Changes 5. Moonage Daydream 6. John I’m Only Dancing 7. Watch That Man 8. The Jean Genie 9. Time 10. Five Years 11. Let’s Spend The Night Together 12. Starman 13. Suffragette City 14. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide 15. Around And Around