Grand Funk/Tokyo,Japan 5.23.1975

Four years have passed since the legendary “Arashi Koshien”. Introducing the world’s first original recording of GRAND FUNK, who set foot on Japanese soil again in 1975. “May 23, 1975: Nippon Budokan” was recorded on the cassette given by the recorder himself. This is an audience recording that tells the whole story. He came to Japan twice in the 1970s, in 1971 and 1975. First, let’s look back at the schedule and check the show’s position. [May 16th: Grand Funk comes to Japan] ・May 18th: Nagoya City Public Hall ・May 19th: Kyoto Kaikan ・May 21st: Osaka Welfare Pension Hall ・May 22nd: Nippon Budokan ・May 23rd: Nippon Budokan ←★This work★ Total of 5 performances. The highlight was the two-day consecutive performance at Nippon Budokan, and this work was also the last live in Japan in the 1970s. As mentioned above, this work recorded at such a show will be released for the first time in the world, but the quality of its impact is also wonderful. Although it is not just a vintage audience, what is surprising is the clear atmosphere. Although there is a sense of distance, the sound of the performance resonates clearly in the clear skies and reaches straight to your fingertips. At that time, it was a four-person formation with Craig Frost on the keyboard, but you can enjoy the ensemble clearly. The first live broadcast in Japan, “KORAKUEN STADIUM 1971,” has become legendary, but this work is far more vivid and clear than that. Furthermore, audience noise is also extremely small. Of course, between the songs, you can tell how popular they are after their first visit to Japan, but during the performance, they are dominated by musical sounds and singing voices. However, this is due to the powerful sound of the performance (which was a hot topic at the time) and the unique Japanese mood. The recording itself captures the breath of the scene beautifully, and it also creates a fierce sense of the times. I feel it especially strongly before the performance begins. As BGM played in the venue, you could hear the voices of the audience talking about YES and CHICAGO, who had just arrived in Japan two years ago, and Jeff Beck, who was about to make a solo visit to Japan at the time. And the opening announcement. This is very interesting, so let’s write it down. “The stage manager would like to make a request to all of you.Today’s concert will be a very exciting one, but as I asked earlier, I would like to ask everyone, especially those in the arena, to refrain from climbing on the chairs. I have asked you many times, but please do not climb on the seats.The performance will start soon, so if you are standing on a chair, please return to your seat. At that time, it was three years before the RAINBOW fatal accident, and although I was being careful, I was in a quiet place. The sound of this work is a clear sound that allows you to clearly hear every word of the announcement. Although the digression has passed, the main point of this work is of course the main part of the live performance. Let’s organize the contents here.・ON TIME (2 songs): Heartbreaker/T.N.U.C. ・GRAND FUNK (1 song): Inside Looking Out ・CLOSER TO HOME (1 song): I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home) ・SURVIVAL (1 song): Gimme Shelter・E PLURIBUS FUNK (1 song): Footstompn’ Music ・PHOENIX (1 song): Rock & Roll Soul ・WE’RE AN AMERICAN BAND (3 songs): Black Licorice/The Railroad/We’re An American Band ・SHININ’ ON (2 songs): Shinin’ On/The Loco-Motion…and it goes like this. These are the greatest hits that were evenly selected from all albums, and can be summed up in one word as “CAUGHT IN THE ACT in Japan.” Although “Some Kind of Wonderful” is not included, it is a live album that allows you to experience the traditional version as it is. Of course, the venue is Nippon Budokan, which is different from the official version, and the improvisation and enthusiasm are completely different. Their enthusiastic performance is even more impressive than on the official version, and Mark Furner’s shouts, the cheers that react to the members’ every move, and the clapping of hands all create a mood that is unique to Japan and nowhere else. The powerfully swaying octagonal space of “Inside Looking Out”, which lasts over 12 minutes, feels ultra-realistic. The film ends with the announcement, “With this, we would like to conclude the GRAND FUNK performance (…) Please take your time home.” Amid thunderous applause, the curtain closes. The first visit to Japan became legendary due to the weather, but this work is also legendary for its passionate performance. You can experience the scene with clear sound. That is, from the opening announcement to the closing announcement. I never thought that such a recording would appear after 45 years. And to be able to meet without any warning. This is why underground records cannot be stopped. A masterpiece of a live album that brings out such emotion. First appearance original source provided by the recorder! ! Live at Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 23rd May 1975 TRULY AMAZING SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (49:12) 1. Intro 2. Footstompn’ Music 3. Rock ‘N Roll Soul 4. I’m Your Captain / Closer To Home 5. Heartbreaker 6. Shinin’ On 7. The Loco-motion 8. Black Licorice 9. The Railroad Disc 2 (38:45) 1. We’re An American Band (Promo Film) 2. We’re An American Band 3. T.N.U.C. 4. Inside Looking Out 5. Gimme Shelter Mark Farner – guitar, vocals Don Brewer – drums, vocals Mel Schacher – bass Craig Frost – keyboards