Live in Japan (Chicago album)
Encyclopedia
Live in Japan is a 1975 live album by American rock band Chicago
. It was recorded over the course of 3 days at the Osaka Festival Hall on the band's tour in support of Chicago V
in 1972. The group recorded Japanese-language versions of "Lowdown" and "Questions 67 And 68
" to coincide with their Japan performances. They performed both songs in Japanese during their stay, which are documented on this album.
Originally, the album was released as a two-LP
set (CBS/Sony SOPJ 31-32XR), and only in Japan
. The album was finally released in the U.S.
in 1996 as a two-CD
set (CRD-3030) on Chicago's own label, Chicago Records.
Live in Japan is the only Chicago album not to be numbered after release, therefore is not in Chicago's canon. 1971's Chicago at Carnegie Hall
, however, is part of the canon with the numbering for the album being 'IV'.
. Chicago founding member James Pankow was always particularly critical of the Carnegie Hall album saying:
Walter Parazaider
noted about the sound quality of Live in Japan:
In 2005, it was released on the iTunes Store as a digital download.
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
. It was recorded over the course of 3 days at the Osaka Festival Hall on the band's tour in support of Chicago V
Chicago V
Chicago V is the fourth studio album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1972. It is notable for being the group's first single full-length release, after having released three consecutive double albums and a box set of live material.-History:Following the release of Chicago III in...
in 1972. The group recorded Japanese-language versions of "Lowdown" and "Questions 67 And 68
Questions 67 and 68
"Questions 67 and 68" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the rock band Chicago and recorded for their debut album The Chicago Transit Authority , with Peter Cetera and Lamm singing lead vocals...
" to coincide with their Japan performances. They performed both songs in Japanese during their stay, which are documented on this album.
Originally, the album was released as a two-LP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
set (CBS/Sony SOPJ 31-32XR), and only in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The album was finally released in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1996 as a two-CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
set (CRD-3030) on Chicago's own label, Chicago Records.
Live in Japan is the only Chicago album not to be numbered after release, therefore is not in Chicago's canon. 1971's Chicago at Carnegie Hall
Chicago at Carnegie Hall
Chicago at Carnegie Hall is the first live album by American band Chicago and was initially released in 1971 as a four LP vinyl box set on Columbia Records. It was also available for a time as two separate 2-record sets....
, however, is part of the canon with the numbering for the album being 'IV'.
Sound quality
Many fans and band members alike think the sound quality of this recording is better than 1971's Chicago at Carnegie HallChicago at Carnegie Hall
Chicago at Carnegie Hall is the first live album by American band Chicago and was initially released in 1971 as a four LP vinyl box set on Columbia Records. It was also available for a time as two separate 2-record sets....
. Chicago founding member James Pankow was always particularly critical of the Carnegie Hall album saying:
Walter Parazaider
Walter Parazaider
Walter Parazaider is best known for being a founding member and saxophone player for the rock band Chicago. He also plays the flute and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.Parazaider began playing the clarinet...
noted about the sound quality of Live in Japan:
Current status
The album is currently out of print and tends to fetch high prices (generally upwards of $80 USD) on auction Web sites and in the collector's market. There are rumors circulating on fan forums of Rhino Records (Chicago's current record label) reissuing the album.In 2005, it was released on the iTunes Store as a digital download.
Side one
- "Dialogue (Part I & II)Dialogue (Part I & II)"Dialogue" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago V . On the album the song is over 7 minutes long and is divided into two tracks. An edited version of the song was released as a single in October 1972, eventually reaching #24 on the U.S...
" – 6:55 - "A Hit by Varèse" – 4:43
- "Lowdown (Japanese Version)" – 4:14
- "State of the Union" – 8:14
- "Saturday in the ParkSaturday in the Park (song)"Saturday in the Park" is a song written by Robert Lamm and recorded by the group Chicago for their 1972 album Chicago V, with Lamm on piano and lead vocals and Peter Cetera on bass and backing vocals. The single version hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's highest-charting single...
" – 4:19
Side two
- "Ballet for a Girl in BuchannonBallet For A Girl In Buchannon"Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" , a nearly thirteen-minute song cycle/suite from Chicago's 1970 album Chicago II, was the group's first attempt at a long-format multi-part work....
" - 14:05- "Make Me SmileMake Me Smile"Make Me Smile" is a song written by James Pankow for the rock band Chicago. Part of Pankow's Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon song cycle/suite, it was recorded for their second album Chicago II...
" – 3:17 - "So Much to Say, So Much to Give" – 0:59
- "Anxiety's Moment" – 1:02
- "West Virginia Fantasies" – 1:32
- "Colour My WorldColour My World (Chicago song)"Colour My World" is a song written by American musician James Pankow, one of the founding members of the rock/jazz fusion band Chicago. Part of Pankow's Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon song cycle/suite, it was recorded for their second album Chicago II...
" – 3:22 - "To Be Free" – 2:17
- "Now More Than Ever" – 1:36
- "Make Me Smile
- "Beginnings" – 6:36
- "Mississippi Delta City Blues" – 5:50
Side three
- "A Song for Richard and His Friends" – 7:54
- "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? [Free Form Intro]" – 6:15
- "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" is a song written and sung by Robert Lamm while in the rock band Chicago and recorded for their debut album The Chicago Transit Authority ....
" – 3:53 - "Questions 67 & 68 (Japanese Version)" – 4:51
Personnel
- Robert LammRobert LammRobert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
: keyboards, vocals - Terry KathTerry KathTerry Alan Kath , born in Chicago, Illinois, was the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago...
: guitar, vocals - Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
: bass, vocals - Danny SeraphineDanny SeraphineDaniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...
: antique bells, congas, drums - Lee LoughnaneLee LoughnaneLee Loughnane , born 21 October 1946 in Elmwood Park, Illinois to Juanita Wall and Philip Louis Loughnane, is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Chicago.- Biography :...
: trumpet, background vocals, percussion - Walter ParazaiderWalter ParazaiderWalter Parazaider is best known for being a founding member and saxophone player for the rock band Chicago. He also plays the flute and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.Parazaider began playing the clarinet...
: woodwinds, percussion - James PankowJames PankowJames Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
: trombone, percussion