Great Rock Albums of 1979: Cheap Trick- At Budokan

I thought I’d begin the tour through 1979 with albums that were actually released in 1978. Cheap Trick’s “At Budokan” was officially released in Japan in 1978 and then in the US in 79. This has been called by many as one of the greatest live albums of all time and I can’t really disagree. It was one of the first albums I purchased on cassette and the intensity of the live album blew my young mind.

The first few songs come as a whirlwind, one song after another speedy procession that once you’re caught up in it, there’s no way you can escape. It slows down a little bit with “Need Your Love,” but that only acts as a nice little breather before launching into the three best tracks on the album. “Ain’t That a Shame,” the world famous “I Want You to Want Me” and completing the trio is “Surrender.” By the end of that, you’re in league with those in Tokyo who were lucky enough to see this live, you don’t want Cheap Trick to leave the stage either.

Track Listing:

1. Hello There

2. Come On Come On

3. Look Out

4. Big Eyes

5. Need Your Love

6. Ain’t That a Shame

7. I Want You to Want Me

8. Surrender

9. Goodnight Now

10. Clock Strikes Ten

Cheap Trick

Robin Zander- lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Rick Neilsen- lead guitar, backing vocals

Tom Petersen- bass, backing vocals

Bun E Carlos- drums

There is no better way to start something new than Cheap Trick, “At Budokan.” This is a classic hard rock album and the fact that it’s live, only makes it that much better.

Next post: Blues Brothers- Briefcase Full of Blues

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