Japan Tour September/ October 2003
For me,
the highlight of each year is definitely the shows in Japan. It is a time
to meet old music friends and to make new music friends. It is also a
time to share your music with others. The shows in Japan are always a
good yardstick to measure your progress in music. In Japan, there are
a lot of Blues fans, nearly all musicians can play the Blues and you feel
you are playing in front of people who really understand and appreciate
the Blues. For most of the shows in Japan, I was to play as three piece
with bass and drums. Stephane was to be the drummer for all the shows;
Koya Hisakazu will play bass in the shows in Yokohama and Tokyo. "Korean"
Joe was to play the bass in the three Osaka shows.
The tour in Japan
this year kicked off in Yokohama, stopping at Tokyo and
finishing off in Osaka. The music journey fulfilled every promised it
held out and there were a few surprised along the way as well. If you
are interested, read on. |
Stormy Monday in Yokohama
29th September, 2003
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The symbol of Stromy Monday is a crocodile, a la Crocdile Records |
Stormy Monday is one of the original Blues venues
in Japan. It is rich in history and all the famous Blues musicians have
at one time or another played here. |
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Kazuki san of Stormy Monday |
At Stormy Monday, we were to play two sets of music.
The first set I played with Stephane and Koya in a trio format. The owner
of Stormy Monday, Kazuki san, had kindly arranaged a piano player and
a harp player to join us on the second set. Vincent Lam also joined us
on the second set. |
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Tometi Ishii |
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With Tsukasa Suzuki |
Interview with Takantai san for broadcast on a local radio statuon |
Vincent Lam and Stephane |
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The Stromy Monday show as our first show, we were a little tense when we started off. But once the music started, we really enjoyed the occasion and the music of Suzuki san and Ishii san. |
Teru san came all the way from Tokyo to see us. It was so good to see this good friend again. |
Official cameraman |
"Weeping Harp" Senoh
30-10-2003 Blues legend "Weep Harp" Senoh played Stormy Monday
with Tera on guitar.
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"Weep Harp" Senoh is one of
the best Blues harp player in Japan. Since I was a teenager I was already
buying his Lps. The man has tremendous presence on stage and his singing
and Blues harp are really phenomenal. There is perhaps no bigger name
in Blues in Japan. |
On guitar is the famous Tereda Kazuhito |
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Senoh san was so kind as to invite me on stage to
play with his band. I played three songs with Senoh san and also on the
encore. I had a great time playing with Senoh san and his band and certainly
learnt a lot. |
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Fugu Dinner
In Yokoahama, we had a Fugu dinner. This
extremely poisionous fish has deterred many from savouring its taste.
You only live once and we decided we would take the risk. |
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The Fugu dinner comes as a 6 course meal,
including shashimi, shabu shabu, roast, soup and congee style |
Fugu skin
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Fugu Sake |
Fugo shashimi |
Fugu pieces for roasting |
Roast Fugu |
Fugu in congee |
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Chief Chef "King" Koya prepares the Fugu congee |
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Next stop : Tokyo
To the next show : Les Paul Bar