Customer Reviews

At Budokan

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

So, call me a purist, but I prefer this one to the re-release "Complete Concert" edition Epic released of Budokan. Back in 1979, when this record was originally released, double-live albums were all the rage, and for good reason: Kiss, Aerosmith, Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent and Parliament all cut some unforgetable wax of their own in the double-live genre.

But then, Cheap Trick came along with their own live album on a single disc that blew all those others out of the water, for its intensity and musical chops. I'll put Robin Zander up against any of the vocalists, Rick Nielsen up against Ace Frehley, Nugent, Michael Hampton or Joe Perry and Bun E. Carlos up against Peter Criss anyday.

Like Kiss, Cheap Trick was one of those bands that sounded better live. The song lineup is a perfect distillation of their unique hard-rock-cum-bugglegum sound: The set opens with "Hello There," a rousing crowd pleaser.

"Come On Come On" and "Lookout" really let the listener know how BIG the boys from Rockford, Ill., were in Japan. These are great songs for their mostly teenage female audience, and the screaming of their fans behind the tracks sounds like it could have been recorded at the Beatles' 1965 concert at Shea Stadium.

The best on this set are in the middle: "Big Eyes," "Need Your Love" -- which have been woven together to give Rick Nielsen a nice long guitar riff, and Robin Zander some reverberating vocals to woo the Japanese girls with -- and their remake of the Fats Domino tune, "Ain't That A Shame."

"I Want You To Want Me" has a harder edge than in the studio version, thankfully played without that tinkling piano.

But, the best in the set is "Surrender," which was recorded before the studio version was released. This is the version radio stations still play, and is full of double-entendre worthy of AC/DC.

Appropriately, it closes with "Goodnight," a reworking of "Hello There" -- nice bookend effect.

"Clock Strikes Ten" is a great last cut on this album, not quite the rock anthem "Rock and Roll All Nite" is, but a signature Cheap Trick track just the same.

Live albums just don't get any better than this. Sure, I have "Cheap Trick at Budokan II," but I prefer listening to the albums separately. Why mess with something this great?

Cheap Trick were major stars in Japan when they recorded this album at the Budokan. You can tell they inspired Beatlesque hysteria as evidenced by the screaming of the fans on the album. They add an energy to the album and the band responds to it by firing out a set of pure power pop. "Hello There", "Come On, Come On", "Need Your Love", "Goodnight" & "Clock Strikes Ten" all bristle with catchy chorus and power guitar riffs, while the top ten hit "I Want You To Want Me" slinks along with lecherous glee. The true star of the album is "Surrender". The song leaps out of your speakers with Robin Zander's forceful vocals, Rik Nielsen's meaty guitar licks, Bun E. Carlos' steady drumming and Tom Petersen's harmony vocals and pumping bass. It is as close to a pure pop song as you can get and the triumph of their careers. The album went platinum and into the top ten and secured Cheap Trick a place in many fellow musicians hall of fame

When this record came out, pop music and rock and roll needed it. Gems like "Come On Come On" "Need Your Love" "Ain't That A Shame" "I Want You To Want Me" "Surrender" and "Clocks Strikes Ten" just jumped out of your speakers. The fans treated these guys like they were the Beatles. That they are not. But, Rick Nielsen can write a catchy tune and Robin Zander has a good voice. This album broke them in America and it deserves to be considered one of their classics.

One can sum up Cheap Trick by saying that they ROCK! This album is the best live album ever (even over "Wings Over America"), and there's really not a low point on it. ("Big Eyes" is close, but....) Good songs, good playing, excellent singing, hysterical teenagers -- what more do you want? All of this from a still up-and-coming band that took nothing for granted. No posing, just plain music. If you want rock 'n' roll, here you go.

[The only thing that came close was when CT played "Baby Loves to Rock" on Saturday Night Live in the very early '80s.

The first album i ever purchased was Cheap Trick Live at Budokan 20 years ago at the tender age of 7. part of the reason i liked it so much back then was the influence of older brothers who i idolized and wanted to follow as closely as possible. the other reason was that it was a cool album with great tunes like "Surrender" and "I want you to want me". I just purchased the album on cd 20 years later and listening to it again brings me back to the late 70's. the tracks sound even better to me now. It holds its place in time as a classic 70's record, not so much a classic for all generations. It will always be an awesome live album that will forever take me back to Syracuse, New York, circa 1978. Definetely worth having and enjoying all over again!

You should see Cheap Trick in concert, awesome band. This release is what we originally had prior to the whole Budokan concert being released later. I don't have the whole concert cd but I would recommend it based upon what I have heard. This release has most of the high points and more popular songs from the concert. "Ain't That Ashame" with the intro is worth the price alone as this has become an opening song during some Cheap Trick shows. Energy is high from start to finish, highly recommended for any rock fan.

No doubt most of us old enough to have purchased vinyl records when they were the primary media choice for music have more than few old albums we're a tad embarrassed to admit to owning. Given their post-"Budokan" efforts, Cheap Trick could fall into that "hey- I was only nine" excuses category. Not this one. Cheap Tricks best album effort ever, there's no embarrassment here. Catchy, bristling with energy, this album rocks! I play my music loud in the car. When Surrender plays, I always get someone yelling "Whoo!! Cheap Trick!!" or a thumbs up from someone who can hear it. This and Prince's "Purple Rain" are the only albums I've purchased in all three major formats (vinyl, cassette tape and CD).

Love your Rock?
Like it Real?
Like it Pure?
Like it Live?
Like it Loud?
Like it Energetic?
Want to feel like like you are there?
This is the album for you.

No option for 6 star. ?

This is the best live album of all time by a country mile and it showcases Rock Music for all it is and all it should be. It is about the music, the songs , the band ( and yes, these guys are a team, a band, and a real fusion of talents that total to more than the sum of the individual components). The year was 1978, a shocking year for music really (except for Blondie and others that saved the day) but Cheap Trick stands the course, not bowing to disco or quiet ballads that ruled the radiowaves.

Its an album that brings the roots of rock classics( Fats Domino Cover, Aint That a Shame) into the present and they set the course for Arena Rockers of the upcoming 80s decade.

'On the drums...Mr Ben 'E' Carlos', .. true history in the making.

This is simply live rock n' roll at its best on record. No other live recording even comes close to this. This is a must-have in your record collection even if you're not a Cheap Trick fan. This is also the best album that the band recorded. They sounded better on stage than in the studio.

The energy of the band and the crowd combine to make you feel as if you are there!
I love this album!