What I got last week

I didn't buy any CDs/DVDs last week. I just borrowed some CDs from one of my friends. He is collecting a lot of CDs/DVDs of Linda Ronstadt and Nicolette Larson, whatever Linda or Nicolette are lead vocal or backing vocal, which are available all over the world, including official albums, bootlegs or other private recordings. He told me he would almost complete his collection soon. What I borrowed from him last week are;

Shadows Of Love/Nicolette Larson
LOST ALBUM 1988 Recorded and mixed at Watermelon - Studios ( Milano ) and Obi Wan Studios ( Recco ) - Italy, Nicolette's voice recording : Steam Studios LA H-1310
Mimmo Bianchi: drums, keyboards, bass / Andrea Braido: guitar / Riccardo Luppi: saxophone / Gwen Aanti: vocals / Daniela Rando: vocals / Betty Vittori: vocals / Massimo Crestini: vocals
Love's Light (Nicolette Larson / V. Bianchi / G. Bianchi) / Stay With Me Tonight (B. Heatlie) / Work On It (Lauren Wood) / Let Me Be The One (Nicolette Larson / M. Paoluzzi) / Love Hurts (Boudleaux Bryant) / Rebel In The Rain (M. Paoluzzi / T. Touchton) / Where Did I Get These Tears (Lauren Wood) / Shadows Of Love (Andrew Gold / Graham Gouldman)
There are other version of this CD. It includes extra tracks not in original album : 9. Lotte Love ( Disco Version ) 10. Fool Me Again 11. Nothing But A Child 12. On This Christmas Night.

1000 Airplanes On The Roof/Music Composed by Philip Glass
Linda Ronstadt sings in this CD but humming only. There is credit of Linda's name in the booklet. Actually I don't know about Philip Grass very well.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas/Various Artists
Members are Dr.John,The Roches,Nicolette Larson,Eastern Bloc,Rob Mathes,George Post,Eugene Ruffolo,Acme Brass Ensamble. Nicolette leads "Nothing But A Child", "One Bright Star". One of my favorite musicians, Dr.John leads "Silent Night" and "Toyland".

Followings are what I ordered to Amazon Japan this weekend.

The Complete Recordings [BEST OF] [BOX SET] [DOUBLE CD]（Robert Johnson）
Pay the Devil（Van Morrison）

Horai & Nishinasuno Country Club

The other day I reported in my Japanese blog that I had to give up Hawaii golf tour during Golden Week (national holidays from the end of April and the beginning of May) in Japan. I could not get the air ticket to Hawaii. So I changed my mind to domestic tour. I called a friend of mine and he could arrange Horai & Nishinasuno Country Club in Nasushiobara City in Tochigi with play fee at deep discount. They are one of the best golf courses in Japan. I have played in Nishinasuno CC once before but I haven't in Horai. Golf nuts like me leave thier family at home and go to golf courses even during Golden Week.(Above picture is Horai CC No.10)

Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course

I got tee time at Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course on March 20, which is a spot between Sunday and national holiday. I like weekday golf, maybe you too. This course is very famouse in Japan for its prestigiousness and was chosen for 2nd position of all golf courses in Japan by 1999 Golf Digest. I have played here twice before and I am always looking forward to playing here. However my recent actions might damned me, I don't know, anyway my salary paying company (A Co.) (I'm on loan to the company (B Co.) which I'm now working for) asked me to come to the meeting on March 20. I asked the A Co. to change the meeting schedule because I would be very busy on that day, but they could not. I had to ask an arranger of this booking to cancell. But as I will have two private golf tournament in March, I can save some money. Of course the arranger could give me a deep discount, but still expensive even on weekday.

Met Mr.M after one year absence

Last night I met Mr.M after one year absence. Five people gathered at a bar in Shinbashi, Tokyo. Mr.M was one of members of private and unofficial golf club "Silcon Valley Singles" which are not single handicap players, but just temporary bachelor. I used to play golf with him around northern California from Sea Ranch to Pebble Beach. He came back from Silicon Valley to Tokyo last last year but returned to New York again last May with his golf bag. Others include Mr.H, all-Japan senior swimmer, Mr.N, CEO of venture company, Mr.K who went to Pebble Beach with me last year.

A Tribute to Nicolette Larson: Lotta Love Concert

A Tribute to Nicolette Larson: Lotta Love Concert was just issued by Rhino, which I ordered to Amazon Japan. I received this CD on Feb.16. There are 4 CDs set available in the market but very rare. Finally it is officially issued. Nicolette's happy smile on the jacket is very good. Of course contents are excellent. Booklet inside includes short comments by Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Dan Forgelberg, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, Paul Gurian, Carol King, Paul Barrere, Emmylou Haris, Peter Max, followed by Russ Kunkel's( Nicolette's husband) essay and Puaul Gurian's liner notes.

In this liner notes I found new facts;

"Neil Young, urged by Emmylou and her producer-husband, Brian Ahern, ambled down malibu's Broad Beach to play some tunes for Linda and found her harmonizing with Nicolette. So were born the Bullets on American Stars'n Biars. The next year Nicolette backed up Young on Comes A Time"

However according to John Rogan's "NEIL YOUNG:The Definitive Story of his Musical Carrer", Neil asked Linda to find female singer for his new album, "American Stars'n Bars". Linda introduced Nicolette at Neil's ranch (I believe his ranch is in Woodside in northern California). And female vocal group, Linda & Nicolette was called "the Saddle Bags", not "Bullets".

So now I'm confused at following issues.

Issue 1:
Where did Neil meet Nicolette? Malibu or Woodside?

Issue 2:
Which is correct, "Saddle Bags" or "Bullets"?

I think biggest issue is "Why without Neil Young?"

I believe Neil introduced Nicolette to the music scene at that time by his "American Stars'n Bars". Further more he invited Nicolette for backing voclas for some of his following albums. Nicolette's biggest hit "Lotta Love" in her 1st album is by Neil Young. Neil should have been the most important guest in this concert. Liner notes say "Neil Young sent a bouquet of rose as big as the audience. He could only attend in spirit on the group encore of 'Lotta Love'", but there is no Neil's name in "Spacial Thnaks" on this booklet. Of course Neil had some relationship with Nicolette before her marrige. I don't want to suspect Russ Kunkel was jealous on Neil.

At the center of the booklet, there is a pic of the group member. I can recognize some of them, Russ Kunkel and daughter, Elsie May, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Carol King, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt. I also want to know who is who.

Proceeds from this CD go to The Nicolette larson Pediatric Endowment, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Chimay, The Art of Beer

On Saturday I had Chimay Beer (Blue). I had this beer long time ago, in Foster City, California, where I lived from 1999 to 2002. I found this beer in Joyful Honda, biggest Japanese home center last weekend. In Foster City, at that time, I usually went to buy beer to Safeway, supermarket chain, which sells alomost every country's beer in the world. I didn't buy Japanese beer and national brand in US, Budweiser or Coors, etc of course. I liked Anchor Steam in San Francisco and Gordon Biersch in San Jose best. When I returned to Japan in 2002, I started to buy imported beer at internet shop, but it costed too much and my salary was decreasing, so I finally stopped. However recently Jusco, Joyful Honda or other supermarket chain, home center or discount shop are selling some of imported beer. Now, I can buy Bass Pale Ale in Jusco, Newcastle Brown Ale and Chimay in Joyful Honda. I hope Japanese retail stores sell more imported beer, otherwise Japanese people won't know wonderful taste of world's beer.

What I got on Saturday

I got some CDs on Saturday. Actually this would not happen on this weekend but I had a lunch with my daughter on Saturday, because my wife went out for her business and my son went to highschool. We went to "kaitenzushi", which is a sushi bar where customers select their food from a revolving conveyor belt. After lunch my daughter asked me to bring her to Tsutaya, a rental AV shop. So I eventually rented some CDs. She, junior high school 1, grade rented some Jpanese Pop CDs and I, 40 something, rented followings.

(1)The Times They Are A-changin'/Bob Dylan
(2)No Secrets/Carly Simon
(3)Karka Bonof

(1) is Bob Dylan's 3rd album in 1964, which I have an LP. I have nothing to say about this record. I have an LP in 1972 of (2) as well. At that time her husband was still James Taylor, wasn't he? I haven't listened this record for a long time, but it is still very good, espacially "You're So Vain". Musicians on the back were excellent, Andy Newmark, Lowell George, Bill Payne, Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner, Nicky Hopkins, James Taylor, Paul& Linda McCartney, etc. I found that Mick Jagger was singing in "You're So Vain", which I found in a liner notes. (3) Karla Bonoff is famous for her songs which were recorded by Linda Ronstadt. This is her 1st album in 1977 and sidemen were wonderful, Kenny Edwards, Russ Kunkel, Lee Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Andrew Gold, Dan Dugmore, Linda Ronstadt, Glen Frey, J.D. Souther, Wendy Waldman, etc.

In the afternoon, I went to City Library to return books, where I can also borrow AVs. I borrowed followings.

(4)Ramblin' Jack Eliot
(5)the Paul Butterfield Blues Band
(6)Restless Nights/Karla Bonoff

Jack Elliot recorded (4) in 1961 ,who was a 60's folk singer whom Bob Dylan had followed as well as Woody Guthrie. (5) in 1965 is 1st recording of The Paul Butterfield Bluse Band, which guitarists were Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop. (6) in 1979 is her 2nd album and sidemen were
Kenny Edwards, Andrew Gold, J.D.Souther, Russ Kunkel, Wady Wachtel, Danny Korchmar, Don Henry, David Lindley, Rick Marrota, Garth Hudson, James Taylor, etc.

I also ordered (7) Bob Dylan's "Live at The Gaslight 1962" to Amazon U.S.A, which was sold last year only in Starbucks. I did't know about this because bobdylan.com didn't annouce. Gaslight was famouse bar where Dylan appeared in his early days in New York. I wonder how many unreleased source of his singing will be releasing even in these days.

A Tribute to Nicolette Larson: Lotta Love Concert

I have Disc 3-4 of "Condolences To Urban Cowgirl - A Tribute to Nicolette Larson" issued by Vague Records, which is a rare item of Nicolette Larson who died at 45 in 1998. Rhino will issue it's shortened version on Feb 14. It will be only one disc, but checking musicians and tunes, it is exactly same source of "Condolences To Urban Cowgirl - A Tribute to Nicolette Larson", which was performed 2 months later after death of Nicolette, at Civic Auditorium at Santa Monica, CA.Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, Crosby Stills & Nash, Dan Forgelberg, Carole King, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Walsh etc. joined the concert. I wonder why Neil Young was not there although Nicolette sang on a lot of his albums and her top 10 hit in 1979, "Lotta Love" was written by Neil. Anyway I ordered this album to Amazon Japan.

1.Lotta Love -- Ensemble
2.Part of the Plan -- Dan Fogelberg
3.Rocky Mountain Way -- Joe Walsh
4.Cold, Cold, Cold -- Little Feat & Bonnie Raitt
5.Love Has No Pride -- Bonnie Raitt
6.Wonderful Life -- Michael Ruff
7.Up On the Roof -- Carole King
8.For A Dancer -- Jackson Browne
9.Running on Empty -- Jackson Browne
10.Even Cowgirls Get the Blues -- Emmylou Harris
11.Blue Bayou -- Linda Ronstadt
12.In My Life -- Crosby, Stills & Nash
13.Southern Cross -- Crosby, Stills & Nash
14.Margaritaville -- Jimmy Buffet
15.You've Got A Friend -- Ensemble

Further more, Rhino Handmade annouced they would issue Nicolette's "Live at the Roxy", which is also very rare item because it was issued for promotion only and on vinyl only. My good friends has this rare vinyl and will make handmade CD for me. Thanks! It's good enough, so I will not order this.

By the way, for tribute album, I also ordered "Rock and Roll Doctor: A Tribute to Lowell George". Actually I have a bootleg DVD of his tribute concert with Little Feat, Linda Ronstadt, Nicolette Larson and Bonnie Raitt etc. But this is different.

1. Cold Cold Cold - Bonnie Raitt
2. Feets Don't Fail Me Now - Taj Mahal
3. Roll Um Easy - J.D. Souther
4. Rocket in My Pocket - David Lindley
5. Sailin' Shoes - Randy Newman
6. I've Been the One - Jackson Browne
7. Two Trains - Allen Toussaint
8. Long Distance Love - Merry Clayton
9. Rock & Roll Doctor - Eddie Money
10. Straight from the Heart - Jennifer Warnes
11. Honest Man - Little Feat
12. Spanish Moon - Phil Perry
13. Trouble - Inara George
14. Lowell's Voice - Lowell George

Chronicles Vol.1/Bob Dylan

I have finished to read Japanese translation of "Chronicles Vol.1/Bob Dylan" last week. Actually, I read this book in English before, but I could not understand fully in English, so I borrowed this from city library. Translator, Mr.Kanno Heckel has worked for Dylan in CBS Sony, Japan before and is famous Dylan researcher. His translation is real good.

Dylan is genius. I don't know it is a fiction or not, but his detailed description of New Orleans in "Oh Mercy" is really beautiful and surprising.

Two points which I still can't understand are;
1.During a rehearsal with Grateful Dead, Dylan went to a bar and learned how to sing from a jazz singer. What kind of singing?
2.Dylan learned a new guitar playing style from Lonnie Johnson. I don't play guitar, but I can't understand what it is.
Please let me know if someone can explain them easily to understand.

Goodbye, Babylon

I'm listening to "Goodbye, Babylon" on the way to my office on the train. I also read 200 pages booklet every evening before going to my bed little by little. These CDs are great. Most of the songs were recorded in 1920s and 1930s which are mixture of gospel, country, blues and more.

I like modern american music. But there is only a few musicians which I'm always listening to. The Band is among them, and I can hear Levon-Helm-like vocal in (1)Disc 1-Track 14, Louvin Brothers "I'll Never Go Back" WMPS Radio, Memphis, 1952, (2)Disc 1-Track 16 Luther Magby "Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit" Atlanta, Nov.1927 and (3)Disc 4-Track 26 Luther Magby "Jesus Is Getting Us Ready for the Great Day" Atlanta, Nov.1927.

Louvin Brothers are mentioned in Wikipedia;
The Louvin Brothers were Charlie and Ira Louvin, an American duo best-known as the popularizers of close harmony, a kind of country music. The genre evolved in the 1930s from traditional Appalachian folk music; performers like Blue Sky Boys, Delmore Brothers and Monroe Brothers inspired the Louvins, whose career peaked in the 1950s.

The Louvin Brothers' career began in gospel music in the 1940s, with their first foray into secular music being the minor hit "The Get Acquainted Waltz" (recorded with Chet Atkins). Other hits included "Cash on the Barrel Head" and "When I Stop Dreaming". They joined the Opry in 1955, and stayed there until breaking up in 1963.

In 2001, the Louvin bothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Luther Magby is mentioned in allmusic.com;
This Southern gospel artist created recordings in the late '20s that have become favorites of the primitive gospel cult, but Luther Magby is hardly a relic with as little life as the dust settling between grooves of vinyl. In 2002, he was still maintaining a busy performing schedule, including gospel shows at a variety of state fairs. Not bad for a guy who cut an astonishing version of "Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit" for the OKeh label in 1927. This and one other track featuring Magby are part of the Document set entitled Storefront & Streetcorner Gospel: 1927 -- 1929, an important contribution to the documentation not only of the black American gospel scene, but of the use of music as part of religious services in general. He is also featured on the Revenant American Primitive, Vol. 1 set, which is where quite a few decadent listeners have discovered his vocal charms, being otherwise unwilling to sit still for gospel services. Nobody save the original '20s OKeh talent scouts have seen fit to record this artist, apparently.