NEWS
(con't)
SAIICHI
AND
PETE PLAY TOKYO, MAY 2003
RECORDING SESSIONS FOR SAIICHI'S SECOND SOLO ALBUM
SUNSHINE
OF YOUR LOVE
NEW VIDEO JUKEBOX!
BROADBAND COMES TO SAIICHI.COM
RECORDING SESSIONS FOR SAIICHI'S SECOND SOLO ALBUM
see
below....
28
August 2003 - The
Three Pigeons, Thame
Saiichi played this pleasant country pub off A40 as a
trio with David Hadley (bass) and Sam Kelly (drums). The crowd anticipating
a straight ahead power blues rock trio were pleasantly surprised by the width
of the repertoire of the night, which spanned from the tender "Sweet Dreams"
and moody "I Never Turn" to the rousing "Cellar Full of Noise"
and blues-guitar-drenched "Politician". The set consisted of: Little
Wing; Somewhere Down the Road; Magic Wand; Hoochie Coochie; Sweet Dreams; White
Room; Enough; Seagull (acoustic); Crossroads (acoustic); I Never Turn; Student
Susan; Politician; There For Me; Cellar Full of Noise; Shimmy (instrumental);
Sunshine of Your Love (encore) David Hadley had a solo spot singing "Summertime"
accompanied by his 6 string bass which segued into "There For Me".
The five times winner of Blueprint "the best blues drummer in the UK"
award, Sam Kelly's prowess at the kit was showcased in the swinging instrumental
“Shimmy". It was one of those magical evenings with moments when the
entire pub was focusing on the music that you can hear a pin drop. The audience
also had the bonus of being treated to the hilarious comedy routine by "Sam
and Dave", whilst Saiichi was re-stringing his Gibson Firebird guitar.
A great time was had by all.
27 August 2003 - What
the Japanese Press Say
Pete's involvement in Saiichi's album project and in particular,
their sojourn to the Far East last May ensured a press flurry of Pete Brown
articles in the Japanese music press, starting with Shinko Music's "Legend"
last December and the interview in London by "Strange Days" printed
in May. Now the influential "DIG" and "Record Collectors Japan"
have both printed their (separate) interviews that took place during Saiichi's
Tokyo recording session with Mark Horiuchi in May.
“Record Collectors’ Magazine (Japan) September 2003 issue (page 122)”
There will be a further article in the magazine "VANDA",
featuring an interview with the all three of Pete, Saiichi and the ex-GARO Mark
Horiuchi by the Japanese journalist and producer, Ryuta Takagi. We hope to reproduce
the article (possibly with a translation) on this site when it is published
in Japan.
25 August 2003 - Stormy
Monday Club, Barnes
After a long absence, Saiichi returned to play a feature
slot at Stormy Monday Club hosted by Gary Boner of Roadhouse. He opted for a
20 minutes acoustic set on this occasion. After the spirited performance by
Roadhouse who had just returned from playing summer festivals, the Sugiyama
set began with the atmospheric Brown/Sugiyama composition, "Seagull".
Despite Saiichi's daring invitation before the start; "This is the quiet
bit of the evening. You can go get your drinks or talk or whatever", the
audience were attentive and appreciative. The Cream tribute CD version of "Crossroads"
followed. Saiichi was then joined by David Hadley on the bass as he sang the
brooding "I Never Turn" and Beatle-esque "Enough" from his
recent recoding sessions. A member of the audience commented that the style
of performance brought Saiichi's songwriting and Pete's lyrics much more to
the fore. It also allowed Saiichi to use more intimate techniques with his vocals.
It is expected that there will be further performances in an acoustic format,
possibly with a keyboard or second guitar player signing in harmonies. Watch
this space.
May, 2003 – Saiichi / Pete Tokyo gig
Saiichi
and Pete played a Tokyo club on a balmy Wednesday evening. The in-the-know crowd
packed the intimate gig in a back street of Daikanyama, a part of Tokyo of which
villagy atmosphere Pete said reminded him of old Paris.
The night opened with a set from the local host, Club
Hendrixx, the classic rock trio consisting of Jeff Sato, Goldman Sasaki, and
ReubenTsujino. Then Pete, who had only got off the plane from London a few hours
previously, took the stage with Saiichi on acoustic guitar, opening the set
with the pre-war blues number, "Security Blues." An acoustic version
of the haunting Sugiyama-Brown composition, "I Never Turn" followed
with Saiichi on vocal.
Pete's introduction of an unplugged version of "Thousands
on a Raft" had Saiichi trying to describe what baked beans on toast was
to the bemused Tokyo audience. This '70s Pete Brown classic sounded beautifully
poignant in the acoustic setting, giving the words more room to resonate. The
acoustic set was concluded with the Sugiyama-Brown arrangement of "Crossroads"
from the Japanese release "Sunshine of Your Love."
Photo:
Moon Kiyoshige
Saiichi then donned his Firebird and started a solitary
version of "Enough," half-way through which the power house Club Hendrixx
kicked in to a great effect, opening up the song at the middle eight. "Politician"
grooved deliciously oozing with the poisonous energy of Pete's ironic delivery,
mesmerizing the audience. It was evident from the enthusiastic response that
the Tokyo crowd, peppered with the key press figures such as the chief editors
of the Japanese "Player"and "DIG" magazines, several rock
critics, the head of the Tokyo Eric Clapton fan club and a doctor who flew in
specially from Hiroshima for the occasion were appreciative of the great performance
by the Living Legend of Rock in such proximity.
Photo:
Moon Kiyoshige
The temperature rose on the Southern flavored "Middle
of the Night", another Sugiyama-Brown composition, the Tokyo performance
of which was charged with energy. The London and Tokyo musicians, who began
to sound like a band by now, came to their own on the Brown-Bruce blues number,
"Waiting For the Call". Saiichi let loose some classic Cream lines
on his Firebird through the vintage Marshall amp. The two guitars (and minus
keyboards) set up gave the song a more rocky edge. It proved to be one of the
highlights of the evening, full of blues power.
The band rocked out with "There For Me" which saw Saiichi breaking
a string on his Firebird on the outro. Not having brought a spare Gibson from
London, Saiichi borrowed Jeff Sato's beautiful black Les Paul Custom for the
rest of the set. The majestic "White Room" saw the appreciative audience
on their feet. It was played complete with the Latin section on the outro, showcasing
Pete and Reuben's prowess on the beaters and Jeff's excellent lead guitar.
Photo:
Moon Kiyoshige
Photo:
Moon Kiyoshige
The first encore, the "Theme from Imaginary Western",
was a song that has been particularly popular in Japan and the audience cheered
as Saiichi explained that Pete originally wrote it with Jack for Cream. The
inevitable "Sunshine of Your Love" ended the memorable night in Tokyo.
The lingering audience after the gig had a field day with
many autographs from and photographs with Pete and Saiichi before they set about
their way home in the Japanese metropolis. A good time was had by all.
April,
2003 –
Sessions for the new Saiichi album goes East
Saiichi
and Pate are flying out to Tokyo in May to put on his record harmony vocals
by Mark Horiuchi, the former member of the legendary early '70s Japanese group
GARO, who had a formative influence on Saiichi. GARO, who was very much ahead
of its time in Tokyo, were known for their acoustic rock approach with amazing
harmonies, reputed to be Crosby Stills Nash of Japan. Since the release of the
Sunshine of Your Love album last year, there has been much interest in the Saiichi/Pete
unit in Japan and their schedule in Japan is turning very full with a one-off
club gig (details tbc), an appearance on Nishi-Tokyo FM's Classic Rock hour
and interviews with various Japanese magazines.
March,
2003 – Sessions
for Saiichi Sugiyama second solo album is in progress
The
work continues on the recording for Saiichi's second solo album, of which working
title is "So Am I." The sessions at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire
and also Fortress and Livingston Studios in London have been co-produced by
Pete Brown and Saiichi. The band for the session consisted of Zoot Money (keys
and vocals), Clem Clemson (rhythm guitar), David Hadley (bass) and Simon Edgoose
(drums) with Pete on percussion and backing vocals. There 12 or so songs (and
one fiery blues instrumental featuring Saiichi, Clem and Zoot exchanging licks)
recorded so far. Some of the songs that Saiichi has been playing live in recent
years, such "Band Played On", "Enough (is Enough)", "There
For Me", "Sweet Dreams" have been recorded with some of Saiichi's
lyrics fine-tuned by Pete. Other songs by Saiichi such as "Middle of the
Night", "Shining Siren", "Seagull", "I Never Turn"
and "Student Susan" feature lyrics written by Pete. The album is as
much about Saiichi the composer and sound creator as Saiichi the guitarist and
singer. More news on this project later… (also see the reports on Pete's
website at petebrown.org.uk).
March
16, 2003 -
Saiichi plays the Grey Horse Kingston with Pete premiering the songs he was
in the process of recording for his new album.
Saiichi returned to the Grey Horse Kingston again with Pete Brown breaking off
from his recording sessions. His band featured David Hadley (bass), Simon Edgoose
(drums) and the erstwhile Andy Smith (keys) who worked with Saiichi on his first
album and gigs in the mid '90s. The set started with an unplugged set, reflecting
the mood of the some of the new materials from his new album. Saiichi on his
acoustic guitar was joined by Pete for the rendition of "Crossroads"
from the Sunshine album and having played a new Sugiyama/Brown composition "Seagull"
with a David Crosby-esque open tuning, Saiichi with Andy played a rarely heard
unplugged version of "China Doll" from the 1993 album. The acoustic
set ended with a gritty blues number with Pete on vocals. The electric set,
which was unfortunately delayed due to Simon being stack with the Ideal Home
Exhibition traffic in Earl's Court, featured new songs by Saiichi and Pete which
were played in the public for the first time. Among them were the haunting "I
Never Turn", a Professor Longhair groove with a chorus that rocks out called
"Middle of the Night", the Beatlesqe "Student Susan", a
song about Pete's time in Liverpool in the early '60s. The night also featured
Pete's Greatest Hits and the encore saw the band rocking out to the anthem "White
Room."
December 18, 2002 - "Sunshine of Your Love" CD featuring Saiichi with Pete Brown has been released by Universal Japan. Read all about it here.
photo: Shu
Tomioka
...with Pete Brown in the studio
Sunday, September 22, The Grey Horse, Kingston
Saiichi and his band, featuring Malcolm Bruce and Pete Brown...a gig not to be missed!
photo: John
Peck
But...Pete Brown and Malcolm Bruce ALMOST missed the gig because they got caught
up in traffic
generated by the Countryside demonstration in central London. Whilst they were
fighting their way
to the Grey Horse, Saiichi played a blues-based first set without them, featuring
John O'Leary (ex-Savoy Brown) on vocals and harmonica, who just happened to
be in the audience (whew!).
When the lads arrived, the second set took off with:
1. Somewhere Down
the Road
2. Politician
3. Magic Wand
4. Enough is Enough
5. Waiting for the Call (written
by Jack and Pete and recorded by Jack in the 70's)
6. There for Me
7.Sweet Dreams
8. A Cellar full of Noise
9. The Band Played On
10. Sunshine of Your Love
11. Thousands on a Raft
12. What's Shakin'
(encore) White Room
The great blues guitarist Robin Bibi and also the brilliant young guitarist Andy Cortes were in the audience.
2
June 2002
Saiichi and his band played The Grey Horse
at 46 Richmond Road, Kingston, Surrey on Sunday June 2nd, the Jubilee
Bank Holiday weekend.
photo:
John Peck
Pete Brown and Saiichi onstage at the Grey Horse...
The Grey Horse
Saiichi's
band featured a very special guest, Pete Brown
on vocals and percussion. Pete co-wrote with Jack Bruce the Cream classics
such as White Room and Sunshine
of Your Love.
"Sunshine
of Your Love" CD featuring Saiichi with Pete Brown has been released
by Universal Japan. Read all about it on
the "Saiichi CD" page here.
The Grey Horse
5 May 2002 -- Saiichi sat in on the first outing of the new John O'Leary Band at Pete Feenstra's Back Door Club at the Torrington, North London. The amazing blues harp player, John O'Leary, was the founder member of Savoy Brown's Blues Band in 1965 and is aveteran of the '60s London blues circuit, playing such legendary venues as the Marquee, the Flamingo, Klook's Kleek, and Eel Pie Island. John was on the same bill as John Mayall's Blues Breakers featuring Eric Clapton and he also supported Cream on their first club gig at Klook's Kleek in 1966....the sort of gigs Saiichi had daydreams about in his Tokyo school days (and he still does, 'truth be told..).
John
O'Leary
SUNSHINE
OF YOUR LOVE
The Universal Japan CD featuring songs by
Cream, containing four tracks by Saiichi Sugiyama Band with Pete Brown is
doing very well in Japan, currently No. 80 on the Amazon.co.jp ranking last
Saturday. Saiichi's Japanese label, Hendrixx Records in Tokyo advises us
that they are getting 10+ mail orders per day. You can hear the streaming
audio highlights of the CD on the "Sound and Vision" link of the
home page.
NEW VIDEO JUKEBOX AT SAIICHI.COM
Saiichi.com's Webmaster, Funky Paul at olsenart.com,
the artist whose well-known work includes the modernistic LP covers for
Robin Trower's albums in the '70s (Remember "Long Misty Days"?),
has waived his Magic Wand again and produced a STREAMING VIDEO JUKEBOX for
saiichi.com, which features some archive (read "one DV camera")
footage from a recent Grey Horse gig. Although the video is un-produced,
it will give you some idea of what the band is like on stage. We hope to
replace the video files with something more refined sometime in future.
BROADBAND COMES TO SAIICHI.COM
Saiichi.com has undergone much refurbishment
recently with new images and streaming audio added to many pages. Now you
can also choose between BROADBAND and DIAL-UP option to ensure that those
visitors with faster connections can get a full benefit of the Streaming
Audio and Video while visitors with dial-up connections will be able to
hear edited goodies without getting clogged up with heavy downloads. Once
you reach the new Index page, the pages which have been updated are marked
with a "NEW!" legend. Please make sure that you visit the Guestbook
(or e-mail us) before you leave and tell us what you thought of the site.
RECORDING SESSIONS FOR SAIICHI'S SECOND SOLO ALBUM
Saiichi is scheduled to start the recording
sessions for his new album in March, which will be co-produced with Pete
Brown. Saiichi is currently busy working with Pete to finish writing material
for the new album with Pete, who has contributed lyrics to a few of Saiichi's
new songs. These tracks are expected to be premiered at Saiichi's gigs in
March (1st March in Oxford and 16th March in Kingston) while the album is
expected
to be commercially released in Japan and England in the summer. Watch this
space!
Who says the 60's are dead?
John O'Leary's new band shares with Saiichi's band David Hadley on the bass and Dave "Munch" Moore on the keyboards. Saiichi joined John on stage for an extended version of the slow blues "Five Long Years", playing his heart out on his trusted Gibson Les Paul through the (also trusted) Marshall combo to the crowd in the know at this long-standing venue. Brad who runs the great website dedicated to Blues in Britain, www.blues-uk.com was among the audience and he described Saiichi's playing as "emotional." Also among the audience was Richard Hattrell, who has been promoting jazz and blues since the days of Cyril Davies and Alexis Corner, who told Saiichi that he had seen millions of guitar players in his life time, but he really liked Saiichi's playing, a comment that Saiichi particularly appreciated coming from such an eyewitness of the '60s British Blues scene as Richard.
