TALKING HEADS / CATCH THE 80'S : LIVE IN TOKYO 1979 (1CD)

01. THE BIG COUNTRY
02. WARNING SIGN
03. LOVE-BUILDING ON FIRE
04. THE BOOK I READ
05. PAPER
06. MIND
07. STAY HUNGRY
08. HEAVEN
09. AIR
10. ARTISTS ONLY
11. NEW FEELING
12. MEMORIES CAN'T WAIT
13. PSYCHO KILLER
Encore 1
14. TAKE ME TO THE RIVER
Encore 2
15. THANK YOU FOR SENDING ME AN ANGEL

DAVID BYRNE - vocals, guitar
JERRY HARRISON - guitars, keyboards, vocals
TINA WEYMOUTH - bass, vocals
CHRIS FRANTZ – drums

1-6 Excellent Audience Recording
7-15 Excellent Stereo Soundboard Recording

Epic Lotus Records ELCD-21001

This release revives a Japan tour performance by Talking Heads—a band that arrived from New York on the cusp of the 1980s, hailed as "the world's most intellectual band" and the ones to "capture the 80s," creating a massive stir at a pivotal moment in music history.

The wave of punk and new wave that began in the mid-70s eventually reached the distant island nation of Japan, and Talking Heads arrived from New York at the perfect moment. Setting themselves apart from punk acts like the Ramones or the Sex Pistols—who relied on sheer momentum—Talking Heads were introduced by the Japanese media as "the world's most intellectual band." They enlisted Brian Eno as a co-producer for their second album, and Robert Fripp—who had disbanded King Crimson and was seeking a new direction—joined the fold for their third. Their reputation for being "intellectual" likely stemmed from their bold exploration of new musical styles—such as incorporating Afrobeat—combined with the aura of intelligence David Byrne exuded in his stage presence. This live recording features the original lineup of Talking Heads from the band's early days; it makes full use of existing soundboard footage while seamlessly filling in the gaps with an excellent audience recording. Tracks 1 through 6 utilize a powerful, high-impact monaural audience recording, while the subsequent tracks feature a stereo soundboard mix with superb instrumental separation. The editing is masterful: the applause at the end of the sixth track gradually pans across the stereo field, leading into a dynamic second half driven by the stereo source. This release captures the atmosphere of the era—a time when young people were electrified by the dawn of a new age and immersed in a fresh wave of music. The cover art pays homage to the original tour program, making this a fantastic item that encapsulates the spirit of the time. A pressed disc—an essential addition to any collection.