Live in Japan (Chicago album)


Live in Japan is a 1975 live album by American rock band Chicago. It was recorded over the course of three 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, and only in Japan. The album was eventually released in the U.S. in 1996 as a two-CD set 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'.

Sound quality

Many fans and band members alike think the sound quality of this recording is better than 1971's Chicago at Carnegie Hall. 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:

Re-release

The album was reissued in March 2014 worldwide faithfully replicating the original LP design including a cardboard sleeve, booklet with photos and all the lyrics in very difficult to read small font.

Track listing

Side one

  1. "Dialogue " 6:55
  2. "A Hit by Varèse" 4:43
  3. "Lowdown " 4:14
  4. "State of the Union" 8:14
  5. "Saturday in the Park" 4:19

    Side two

  6. "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" 14:05
  7. #"Make Me Smile" – 3:17
  8. #"So Much to Say, So Much to Give" – 0:59
  9. #"Anxiety's Moment" – 1:02
  10. #"West Virginia Fantasies" – 1:32
  11. #"Colour My World" – 3:22
  12. #"To Be Free" – 2:17
  13. #"Now More Than Ever" – 1:36
  14. "Beginnings" 6:36
  15. "Mississippi Delta City Blues" 5:50

    Side three

  16. "A Song for Richard and His Friends" 7:54
  17. "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? " 6:15
  18. "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" 3:53
  19. "Questions 67 & 68 " 4:51

    Side four

  20. "25 or 6 to 4" 9:14
  21. "I'm a Man" 10:43
  22. "Free" 6:29

    Personnel