Masayoshi Takanaka: The Rainbow Goblins Story Live at Budokan 1981 (CD)

RAINBOW GOBLINS STORY Live at Budokan 1981～虹伝説 ～ / 高中正義

A complete look at Masayoshi Takanaka's legendary concert "RAINBOW GOBLINS STORY"! Recorded over two days at Nippon Budokan on March 10 and 11, 1981—the day his classic album "Nijidensetsu THE RAINBOW GOBLINS" was released. This release captures the full scope of that legendary performance.

The concert was divided into two parts: the first part recreated on stage the concept album "Nijidensetsu THE RAINBOW GOBLINS," which Takanaka created after drawing inspiration from Italian artist Ul de Rico's picture book "THE RAINBOW GOBLINS" (published in Japan under the title "Nijidensetsu"), while the second part was composed of Masayoshi Takanaka's hit songs. This marks the first time the performance has been made available as a single audio release.

A huge rainbow neon installation stretched across the stage, its seven colors shining in a variety of patterns in sync with the music. Cutting-edge laser effects of the time, together with equipment stacked high across the stage like a mountain range, created a fantastical world. The seven musicians each wore costumes in different goblin-inspired image colors, while Takanaka, dressed in a yellow jumpsuit with rainbow-colored hair, played a rainbow-metallic YAMAHA SG.

At the time, Masayoshi Takanaka was already at the height of his popularity as one of Japan's foremost guitarists, bringing the world of "Nijidensetsu" vividly to life. Now, 45 years later, that moving stage—long regarded as legendary—returns in vivid, lifelike sound. This edition also comes with a photo-packed booklet documenting the fantastical stage production, created using the latest technology of the time. Mastering and lacquer cutting: Alex Wharton (Abbey Road Studios, London).

Liner notes: Masayoshi Kondo (music writer), Yoshinobu Maruyama (Kitty Artists / Masayoshi Takanaka's manager at the time). Members: Masahiro Miyazaki (Dr), Akihiro Tanaka (Ba), Izumi Kobayashi (Key), Kiyosumi Ishikawa (Key), Yuki Sugawara (Perc), Makoto Kimura (Perc), Koji Satsuma (Sax).