Queen/Tokyo,Japan 2.16.1981

QUEEN achieved great success in 1981 with the blockbuster success of “THE GAME” and the movie “FLASH GORDON.” This is a reprint of the original recording of the performance in Japan, which was revisited with that momentum. This work includes “February 16, 1981: Nippon Budokan Performance”. This is a masterpiece audience recording. Speaking of the 1981 performance in Japan, we just introduced the 2CD “DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1981 2ND NIGHT” the other day. First, let’s check the positional relationship based on the schedule at that time. ・February 12th: Nippon Budokan ・February 13th: “DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1981 2ND NIGHT” – 2 days off ・February 16th: Nippon Budokan [this work] ・February 17th: Nippon Budokan ・February 18th : Nippon Budokan All 5 performances above. All of my visits to Japan this year were at Nippon Budokan. This work is in the middle of all of them. It was also a restart performance after a two-day break. This work that recorded such a show is truly an exquisite audience recording. This is a master that was previously introduced as W “PRIME JIVE (part of)”, and we have re-digitized it from its original cassette. This work is a neat and beautiful recording. Although it is not zero distance, the atmosphere is transparent and Freddie’s singing voice reaches straight. The sound is fresh because it is a master direct, and the sense of stability is also outstanding. It’s the type where you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty rather than pushing it with force. Of course, it’s not just the singing voice. The bass is surprising. Again, it’s not a powerful push, but it’s very clear. Not only can you clearly see the bass line, but you can also clearly capture the harshness of each attack. Furthermore, you can enjoy the piano to the touch level, and Brian’s Red Special soars through it… It is a famous recording that evokes a feeling of elation. Another unique feature of this work is the cheers. It absorbs the excitement of the climax, but in fact, the close conversation is also (slightly) engraved. Apparently, he was coming with a friend who was seeing QUEEN for the first time, so he added commentary between songs. Normally this would have been a goal conceded, but this turned out to be a good thing. I’d be tired of the otaku-sounding criticism, but instead, the pride in the words “Isn’t that an opening, isn’t it?” and “How do you like it?” shows the psychology of a QUEEN fan. However, it’s not like he’s a meh-ha, but the fact that he pretends to be calm and says, “It was rubbing earlier.Freddy has a weak throat,” makes me strangely empathetic (bitter smile). Above all, he keeps his words to a minimum, and shuts up as soon as he senses that the next song is about to start. Even in such a way, it is clear that he wants his friends to experience the greatness of QUEEN. Quiet talk. What is more overwhelming than such a momentary conversation is the show itself drawn with beautiful sound. This is also amazing. Freddie is also doing well and is in high spirits. The audience said it was “rubbing,” and in fact, it was rubbing in places like “Play The Game,” but rather than not being able to hear it, it felt like they were pushing themselves to the limit. The vocalization of “Mustapha” is so amazing that it makes you laugh, and the powerful singing voice in every word is exquisite. Perhaps because of the two-day break, the show is moving forward. The set is very similar to “DEFINITIVE BUDOKAN 1981 2ND NIGHT”, and the Flash medley is a long version that includes “Vultan’s Theme (the song used in Vultan’s flight scene in the movie)”. This will be the second time since “2ND NIGHT” was the world premiere. And, an even bigger surprise is “Rock It (Prime Jive)”! I now know that they performed several times during the North American leg, but not during the follow-up leg, and not even on the first or second day at Budokan. At the shocking intro, you can hear the audience say, “I never thought they’d do this song!” It’s a rare scene where you can even share the feeling of your hands turning gooey. Live at Budokan in its heyday. This is a masterpiece live album where you can experience the whole story with wonderful sound. Live at Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 16th February 1981 TRULY AMAZING/PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1(61:21) 1. Intro 2. Jailhouse Rock 3. We Will Rock You (fast) 4. Let Me Entertain You 5 Play The Game 6. Mustapha 7. Death On Two Legs 8. Killer Queen 9. I’m In Love With My Car 10. Get Down, Make Love 11. Rock It (Prime Jive) 12. Save Me 13. Now I ‘m Here 14. Dragon Attack/Now I’m Here (reprise) 15. Love Of My Life Disc 2(47:41) 1. Keep Yourself Alive 2. Drum Solo 3. Guitar Solo 4. Vultan’s Theme /Battle Theme 5 Flash 6. The Hero 7. Crazy Little Thing Called Love 8. Bohemian Rhapsody 9. Tie Your Mother Down 10. Another One Bites The Dust 11. Sheer Heart Attack 12. We Will Rock You 13. We Are The Champions 14. God Save The Queen