Queen/Tokyo,Japan 1981

On February 13th, Queen's 4th Japan tour will be held in Tokyo, at a time when they were at the height of their commercial peak, having made ``The Game'' a huge success and released the soundtrack album ``Flash Gordon'' to coincide with their visit to Japan. Complete recording of the Budokan performance on the second day with the highest level of high quality audience recording. This sound source was released on CD by GE in the past under the title "Need You Loving Rock", later the original version reappeared on Trial under the title "Battle Theme", and two years ago a completely different sound source was released on Uxbridge. "Play Flash Game" has been released, and the longest version with the highest sound quality of the day is finally here. Although it is the same sound source as "Need You Loving Rock" and "Battle Theme" (Disc 3/4), it includes the master quality version that has appeared in recent years. There is a difference in the quality of the sound to the extent that you will be surprised to hear and compare “Is this the same sound source?”, and it is easy to judge the youth of this take’s generation. It is recorded more than 10 seconds longer than the previous release from the opening SE start, and you can confirm the superiority of this version from the beginning. Furthermore, as a unique processing of this version, the drum solo of Keep Yourself Alive, which was missing due to a tape change in the version that appeared this time, and Roger's timpani solo after the guitar were naturally supplemented from the "Play Flash Game" take, Complete recording is achieved. The cheers before the MC of Brian's “I'm happy to meet my Japanese friends again” at the Love Of My Life intro at the beginning of Disc 2 are also recorded for nearly 30 seconds. After the performance of Tie Your Mother Down, the encore Another One Bites The Dust took less than 30 seconds between songs, but this take was 2 minutes and 25 seconds uncut, and it was already released and was at the beginning of Another One Bites The Dust. The intro drum is also included without cuts on this edition! The interval between the songs from Sheer Heart Attack to We Will Rock You is 27 seconds in the previous release, but this take is 2 minutes and 10 seconds and is also uncut. As a result, while the previously released version is 104 minutes in total, this version is 111 minutes long, which is 7 minutes longer. Anyway, Freddie is doing well on this day's stage, and listening to it is very pleasant and enjoyable. Unlike the first day when she was singing in a slightly save manner, on this day she was at full power. The 1981 Japan tour was 5 consecutive Budokan performances, but Freddie's condition seemed to be at its peak on this day, and although it was not bad after that, the performance gradually became tired. In that sense, this edition can be said to be the best to enjoy the 1981 tour in terms of sound quality and content. Starting with the surprising opening of Jailhouse Rock, which has continued since the 1980 tour, the band will perform energetically. Freddie's singing voice, which attacks powerfully from the beginning, is reminiscent of lively action. The song immediately goes to We Will Rock You. Freddie's vocals on this song are exquisite. It seems that Budokan was a storm of frenzy, but since the musical tone is always recorded on, it will not be interrupted by cheers. From greetings in familiar Japanese that didn't exist the day before, to Let Me Entertain You. Freddie's sharpness and masterful control over the volume of his rich voice are amazing, and combined with the intense band performance, it's very exciting to listen to. Play The Game, which requires a high key, can be played fairly well. The way the audience roars during the guitar solo of the same song is a nice touch. Just like the day before, Mustapha's intro was packed with plenty of energy and was very impressive. Killer Queen, whose improvisational skills are excellent (too much?) due to their strong performance, is also worth listening to. After the dynamic Get Down, Make Love, Need Your Loving Tonight, played with a bang, was a good surprise of the day. Something seems to have happened before the next Save Me, and Freddy shouts "Get him off!" twice. The rich singing quality of Save Me is the best, and fans will be moved to tears by the effortless and elegant expression of the high range. Now I'm Here, which is made by Freddie, is sharp and can be enjoyed a lot on this day. Freddie’s vocals and the venue’s chorus at Love Of My Life are recorded with a wonderful sound balance. You can listen to a very moving version, although Brian's interlude is a little shaky. I think there are some fans in the world who have never touched the unofficial Queen sound source, but it is a take that seems to be a waste not to listen to the take so far. This take of Keep Yourself Alive, which includes a 13-minute drum solo and guitar solo, is the highest quality master version and the first complete recording. From the nearly 6 minute guitar solo to the “Flash Gordon” medley. On this day, a very rare Vultan's Theme (the theme used effectively in Vultan's flight scene in the movie) will be played, featuring a synthesizer performance by Freddie (the guitar misses the chord at the 49th second). Flash enters The Hero with Roger's drum signal, but Brian plays the Battle Theme endlessly and Freddie can't get into the vocals, so you can hear him getting confused. Crazy Little Thing Called Love starts with a jam-like performance, and you can feel that both the band and the audience are really enjoying the performance (can you hear the harmonica at the 1:30 mark?). Bohemian Rhapsody's vocals on this day have been highly praised on overseas specialized sites, and although there is some scratchiness in the voice, perhaps due to overuse of the throat, the vocals on this day, which control the high range with ease, are exquisite and have a glossy tone. The singing voice at the ending is also great. Tie Your Mother Down, which would normally be boring, can be enjoyed with a crisp performance that gives a sense of separation. I think the recording is good, but the characteristic of this day is that it sounds amazing. (In fact, even the tape of the opera part is recorded with great sound.) In the encore We Will Rock You, Freddie starts the vocals to interrupt Brian's guitar improvisation. We Are The Champions, and the last God Save The Queen, the longest and highest quality take in history where you can enjoy perfect recording until the very end. A masterpiece live album that is sure to become a standard among fans in the future. Live at Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 13th February 1981 TRULY AMAZING/PERFECT SOUND Disc 1 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. Need Your Loving Tonight 12. Save Me 13. Now I'm Here 14. Dragon Attack 15. Now I 'm Here (reprise) Disc 2 1. Love Of My Life 2. Keep Yourself Alive 3. Drum Solo 4. Guitar Solo 5. Vultan's Theme 6. Battle Theme 7. Flash 8. The Hero 9. Crazy Little Thing Called Love 10 . Bohemian Rhapsody 11. Tie Your Mother Down 12. Another One Bites The Dust 13. Sheer Heart Attack 14. We Will Rock You 15. We Are The Champions 16. God Save The Queen