Reissued: Chicago, Live in Japan

If you’re one of those Chicago fans who’s been grousing about the fact that the band’s 1975 live album, Live In Japan, has only been available in digital form for the past several years, prepare to be excited: as of today, it’s finally back in print on CD.

Recorded during a three-night stint at the Osaka Festival Hall in 1972 while the band was touring behind Chicago V, Live in Japan has often been described by fans and even the occasional band member (stand up, please, Walter Paradzeider) as sounding significantly better than Chicago’s previous live album, Live at Carnegie Hall, a.k.a. Chicago IV. Unfortunately, the Osaka shows haven’t been heard by nearly as many ears, as Live in Japan initially only saw release in Japan, and while that does make at least a little bit of sense, it’s still surprising that it took until 1996 for the album to earn a Stateside release, and even then only via the band’s own label, Chicago Records.

Live in Japan has been out of print on CD since Rhino took over the reins of the band’s reissue campaign (although, as referenced above, it’s been available digitally since 2005), but due to popular demand, it’s finally available on disc again. So if you’ve been chomping at the bit for the chance to cruise along with Chicago’s Japanese versions of “Lowdown” and “Questions 67 & 68” cranking on your car’s CD player, fill up your tank and prepare to punch the gas, because it’s drive time, baby!