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皆さんが知ってるかもしれませんが、大分前このブログが無くなって、新しいバッファローレコードのスタッフ・ブログを始めた：

http://buffalo.cocolog-nifty.com/staff_diary/

よろしく！

Fuji Rock Festival '06: DAY -1

OK, this is more than a week later. I'll try harder from now on (someone told me that they check my blog every day to see if I've updated it yet... Sorry!!)

Fuji Rock was great this year, on so many levels. First, we had three bands play, so from a personal and business viewpoint, that alone was fantastic. And there was a lot less rain than in recent years, so there was a lot less walking through deep mud puddles. Not much of that at all, actually.

We drove to Naeba, with two members of Umphrey's McGee and their manager, who had come to Japan a few days earlier than the rest of the band. Arrived at the Naeba Prince Hotel, dropped off the UM guys, and went immediately to find a good campsite. We found a good spot, fairly high up a hill, in a place that wouldn't be in the path of a river if a typhoon showed up.

Here's the view from our tent. Still not that many other tents nearby:

Went to the opening party that night, saw some Flogging Molly (who I had seen last year at Asagiri Jam), and the Go Gos-meet-the-Ramones pop/punk/rock of Shonen Knife.

Opening fireworks:

Shonen Knife:

Shonen Knife crowd @ Red Marquee Stage:

Kamakura sunset

The weather was very strange yesterday. Dark clouds, strong wind, no rain. But it started getting nice around 5pm, and ended up with the most beautiful sunset I've seen since moving to Kamakura. This photo isn't even close.

Hula, Dontokoi, and more

It has been a busy month, and I am WAY behind on updating this blog. There has been a lot going on, from Kamakura hula dancing on the beach to several great festivals at temples.

Kamakura Hawaiian Day:

Dontokoi Matsuri (Fujisawa):

Janet Klein 2006 Japan Tour: Last Show

Janet Klein and her Parlor Boys ended their 2006 Japan Tour last night at Shibuya Quattro. Thanks, Tom's Cabin, for bringing them over, and thanks to everyone who went to the shows. The band had a fun time, especially in towns they had never been to before, like Kanazawa and Matsuyama.

Janet:

Janet and Ian:

Charlie Hunter Trio @ Thumbs Up

The CHT show last night was an absolutely amazing show. If that sounds like an exaggeration, it definitely is not. The three guys (Charlie on guitar, Derrek Phillips on Drums, and John Ellis on sax/clarinet/melodica/Wurlitzer) play like they have telepathy. And you have to see and hear Charlie play his 7-string guitar/bass to believe it.

They're playing again tonight at Super-Deluxe in Roppongi. Don't miss it! (Unless you're going to see Janet Klein at Thumbs Up in Yokohama....)

TONIGHT April 18 (Tuesday):

Charlie Hunter Trio
Super Deluxe, Roppongi (Tokyo).
Open: 18:30 Start 19:30 Tickets ¥5300
Info: 03-5412-0515 http://www.super-deluxe.com

Also tonight: JANET KLEIN and her PARLOR BOYS:
Thumbs Up, Yokohama Opening band: BanBan Bazar
open 18:30/ start 19:30 Tickets ¥6,000 adv., ¥6,500 door
info/res: Thumbs Up 045-314-8705 http://stovesyokohama.com

Janet Klein & Ian Whitcomb @ HMV Shibuya

Yesterday's in-store was fun. Good crowd.

Tomorrow night: Janet and her Parlor Boys at Thumbs Up, Yokohama.

ALO @ Thumbs Up, Makuhari

What a contrast. Friday night, ALO at Thumbs Up (Yokohama) in front of 150 people. Saturday night, opening for Jack Johnson at Makuhari Messe, in front of 14,000.

THUMBS UP:

MAKUHARI MESSE: