Billy Joel has visited Japan many times as a highly popular Western music artist in Japan, but in fact, the sound source of his first visit to Japan in 1978 has not existed until now. Naturally, no items have been released. In the first place, the timing of Billy's first visit to Japan was before his big break, and the Japanese side turned down his offer twice, a development that would be unimaginable today. It was said that it finally became a reality when it became a hit. To make matters worse, once the deal was decided, we couldn't find a venue that we could use, and the unreasonable schedule was to hold the Tokyo show at noon on Sunday at Nakano Sunplaza, where the Scorpions had been scheduled for the night performance. Yes, the fact that the performance was held in a bright room in the afternoon, unlike usual, may have been a factor in the difficulty in finding the sound source. Billy's first performance in Japan, which is no longer even available among traders, will never be heard... In 2021, when mania had given up a long time ago, the master cassette that captured that magical afternoon is here. It was finally excavated! The cassette provided for this release is a monaural recording, a vintage audience type sound source with a sense of distance in the sound image. Despite this, the sound quality is surprisingly clear. Of course, there is hiss because it is a cassette, but you will be surprised at how fresh the tape is. I can't believe it's been asleep for almost 45 years. Therefore, even though the sound image is far away, the performance can be heard very clearly, and the sound quality is surprisingly audible. What's more, since he came to Japan right after Billy became a big hit, the audience was quiet, much like the Showa concerts in Japan, and it was easy to hear that there were no nearby audience members making noise. The secret. In fact, you can almost feel the atmosphere as they watch with bated breath, trying not to miss Billy's every move as he visits Japan for the first time. I think it's even more so since you would have been able to see him from the last row of seats at Nakano Sun Plaza. Mixed in with the cheers were the cheers of the American residents, who shouted out the song titles in typical American style. On the other hand, it is very Showa-like for us Japanese people to cheer and cheer with a cheer. After singing "Piano Man" in this peaceful space, Billy played "Sukiyaki" with a boogie-woogie style instrumental. This is also a scene typical of the Showa era, and it has a perfect grip on the Japanese audience. Of course, you can enjoy the realism of a Showa Western music concert in the late 1970s, but what is most moving is the innocent and sincere performance of Billy and the band, who finally achieved great success with "THE STRANGER". . Although it was the time when Billy's glory began due to the huge success of this album, most of the live repertoire consists of songs from previous albums. This is also unique to this time of year. "James" is the best example, and early Billy songs such as this song and "Travelin' Prayer" were only performed in Japan during his first visit to Japan. After this, he achieved superstar status with the release of ``52ND STREET'', and Budokan became commonplace in Japan, so it is truly an honor that he was able to be seen at Sunplaza on his first visit to Japan. On the other hand, the live performances of songs from "THE STRANGER" are really new, and the best example is the classic "Movin' Out." Similar to the previous Nassau Coliseum and the official "THE STRANGER" Legacy Edition's "OLD GRAY WHISTLE TEST" TV appearance, this one starts with an arrangement with a live intro, a pattern unique to that time. This arrangement ended up being short-lived, and in the end, the intro that started with Billy's count became established. Moreover, "Movin' Out" is popular among Japanese people as "Kakaka" (lol), and I can't help but be moved by the fact that an early live version of it was performed in Japan. It is precious that this is the only time that not only this song but all the songs included in “THE STRANGER”, which instantly became classics, were played in their original form. That was also heard in Japan, so I'm jealous of the people who were present at Sun Plaza. This excavation will have a huge impact not only on Japan but also on enthusiasts around the world, as it has never been seen before. And as the live came to a close, it was heartwarming to see the enthusiastic clapping and excitement of ``Only the Good Die Young,'' typical of Japan in the Showa era. When it comes to the next song, "Say Goodbye to Hollywood," the "pan-pa-pan" rhythm from the intro gets even more exciting for Japanese people (lol). Although it was an important performance that started Billy's popularity in our country, the details of the first performance in Japan in 1978, which had been kept veiled until now, will finally be revealed. Billy Joel will perform in Tokyo for the first time since his first visit to Japan in 1978! ! (On this day, we held a performance at 2pm at Nakano Sun Plaza, which was occupied by the Scorpions.) This is the best title of the year! Live at Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan 23rd April 1978 (Show started from 2:00PM) TRULY AMAZING/PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (58:31) 1. The Mexican Connection 2. The Stranger 3. Somewhere Along the Line 4. Summer, Highland Falls 5. Piano Man 6. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant 7. James 8. Travelin' Prayer 9. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) 10. Just the Way You Are 11. Prelude/Angry Young Man 12 . MC / Improvisation Disc 2 (54:59) 1. New York State of Mind 2. The Entertainer 3. She's Always a Woman 4. Root Beer Rag 5. I've Loved These Days 6. Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) 7. The Ballad of Billy the Kid 8. Band Introductions 9. Captain Jack 10. Only the Good Die Young 11. Say Goodbye to Hollywood 12. Souvenir Billy Joel - Piano, Vocals David Brown - Guitar Russell Javors - Guitar , Vocals Richie Cannata - Sax, Keyboards Doug Stegmeyer - Bass Liberty DeVitto - Drums
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