Cliff Richard was on the brink of a most unexpected comeback when he arrived in Japan in October 1974. "(You Keep Me) Hangin' On" had proven a massive hit, as he finally put the last few years of MOR meanderings behind him, and looked instead towards securing a credible niche in the adult listening marketplace; and a band that boasted the likes of Kevin Peek, Alan Tarney, Trevor Spencer, and Terry Britten was offering him the most sympathetic backing he'd had in years, at the same time as positively refusing to allow him to tread water any longer. If there was ever a great time to record a new live album, this was it. Japan Tour 1974 was Richard's third album to be recorded in that country (following on from 1968's Cliff in Japan and 1972's Live in Japan) and, like those earlier sets, it was recorded in Tokyo, this time at the Shinjuku Koseinenkin hall. Two nights were taped, and the vast majority of the performance made it onto record; indeed, only four songs went unreleased ("Living in Harmony," "Nothing to Remind Me," "The Next Time," and "Wind Me Up,") as Richard and his band turned in a phenomenal performance, sparking with energy and excitement at every turn. Much of the set comprised recent material -- "Hangin' On" is an early highlight, while even such lackluster 45s as "Power to All Our Friends" and "Sing a Song of Freedom" sound strong here. Richard's eye for great covers is sharp as well, as a pair of Walker Brothers oldies meet "Get Back," "Higher Ground," and a spine-tingling "You've Lost That Loving Feeling," while three medleys -- one devoted to hits, one to gospel, and one to old rock & roll numbers -- allow him to show off every side of his career. All in all, then, Japan Tour 1974 rates among Richard's finest-ever live albums -- which could only make his European and American fans curse ever louder. The set was initially released only in the Far East.
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