Brian Littrel

Mar 1

Namba hatch, Osaka

Backstreet Boys lead vocalist goes solo

Thirty year-old lead vocalist of the backstreet boys, Brian Littrel first began singing as a child in his local church. But it was Brian's cousin Kevin Richardson who put him on the road to a professional career in music. Kevin, already a backstreet boy, convinced Brian to audition for the group and in no time he was brought in as the fifth member.

By 1998 the vocal band had achieved international fame and Brian had firmly laid claim to the role as lead vocalist. It hasn't all been so rosy for Littrel. As a child he had to undergo open-heart surgery. This has lead him to becoming quite heavily involved in charity fundraising events such as playing baseball and basketball as well as setting up the Brian Littrel healthy heart club for children.

After a short hiatus, the Backstreet Boys reunited in 2004 and in 2005 released the album Never Gone, which sold over three million copies. The year was a busy one for Littrel as he also released a solo single ‘In Christ Alone', which went to number one in the Christian music charts and last year the track was voted inspirational recorded song of the year at the Christian and gospel music awards. Keeping strong connections to his musical beginnings, Littrel will co-host the 2007 C&GM awards.

Outside the band, Littrel is married to actress Leighanne Wallace who he met on a Backstreet Boys video shoot.

Time: 7pm • Entry: ¥7,500
Tel: 06-6233-8888 • Genre: Solo Vocalist

Wig Wam

Mar 1

Big cat, Osaka

Aging Norwegian good-time glam rockers

Norway's entrant in to the 2005 Eurovision song contest, Wig Wam have quite a following in Japan. Formed in 2001, the band members, Glam (vocals), Teeny (guitar), Flash (bass) and Sporty (drums), didn't actually do too badly in the contest, they came ninth (though it seems that the event has in recent years become a stage for a freak show rather than a showcase of genuine music songwriting talent). The bands second album Wig Wamania was released in Japan through King Records, renamed Hard to be a Rock and Roller…in Tokyo and was an instant hit. Incidentally, Wig Wam's loyal fans call themselves Wig Wamaniacs.

You only have to take one look at the band to realize that they don't take themselves too seriously. Their 2004 album was named 667, the Neighbour of the Beast and included a cover of ex-spice girl Mel C's ‘I turn to you' - and if you're looking for more comical facts and stories about the band then go straight to their website and you can discover, among other things, that bassist Flash's favourite food is his girlfriend's pork chops.

Time: 7pm • Entry: ¥6,500-¥7,000
Tel: 06-6233-8888 • Genre: Glam rock

Sasha Dobson, Jesse Harris & Richard Julian

Mar 8

Taku Taku, Kyoto

Singer-songwriting trio of maestros

Singer-songwriters Dobson, Harris and Julian come together for a performance named New York songbook.

Californian Sasha Dobson grew up singing jazz standards before turning professional aged just 16 years old. Her debut album, released last year on Jesse Harris's Secret Sun recordings is a wonderful fusion of Brazilian, jazz, pop and groove. The album was produced by Jesse Harris and both he and Richard Julian contributed with guitars and songs.

Grammy award winning Jesse Harris, most notably known for his songwriting credits with Norah Jones, has recently released a new album on his own label. Harris has also recently written the film score for Ethan Hawke's new movie The Hottest State and also played a small role in the movie.

New Yorker Richard Julian's latest album Slow New York is a marvelous follow up to his 2002 release Good Life, which won best album at the independent music awards. And if Julian needed any build-up, Norah Jones says of his work "my favorite collection of songs by one of my favorite songwriters". To add to that, the New York Daily News applauded his vocals as "a voice as distinctive as a thumbprint".

Time: 7pm • Entry: ¥6,000~¥6,500
Tel: 075-351-1321 Genre: New York songbook

The Blues Brothers Band

Mar 29

Blue note, Osaka

The original rhythm and blues show band

If there is one act on the face of this earth that needs no introduction then it is certainly the Blues Brothers. Unfortunately, since John Belushi departed after an accidental heroin overdose in 1982 the brothers are no more, but marching on in style is the backing band. And they aren't just any old backing band; these are musicians of the highest caliber who can hold their own without having to use a moniker to promote their wares. But when you've got name-recognition like the Blues Brothers, why not go right ahead and flaunt it.

The Blues Brothers started out as a musical slot on Saturday Night Live way back in 1978 featuring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as Jake and Elwood Blues; and it was a routine that was unable to fail because, to quote Jake from the original Blues Brothers movie, "ya see, me and the lord have an understanding". The music is today as it was then, a mix of blues and soul with elements of jazz and rock.

After Belushi's death the band went in to a routine of hiatus, reunion, hiatus, reunion, hiatus, reunion. This first reunion took place in 1988 when the band got back together for a world tour, the next world tour was a further ten years down the line followed by the 2000 movie featuring the return of Dan Ackryod. Along the way the band have recorded a handful of albums and even John Belushi's brother James did a stint live.

The present line up includes four originals and is Steve Cropper (guitar), Lou Marini (sax), Alan Rubin (trumpet), John Tropea (guitar), Anthony Cloud (keyboards), Eric Udel (bass), Clint de Gannon (drums), Rob Papprozzi (harmonica) and Ned Holder (trombone).

It may not be quite the Ackroyd-Belushi Blues Brothers but with this band you are guaranteed a fantastic night of entertainment.

Time: 6.30pm/9:30pm • ¥7,500~¥9,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Genre: Blues and soul

Live Listings March

Brian Littrel

3/1 @ Namba Hatch, Osaka
7pm • ¥7,500 Tel: 06-6233-8888 • Male vocal

Wig Wam

3/1 @ Big Cat, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,500-¥7,000 Tel: 06-6233-8888 • Glam rock

Kururi and Dragon Ash

3/2 @ Zepp, Osaka
7pm • ¥5,000 Tel: 06-6354-8020 • J-rock

Junichi Inagaki

3/3 @ Namba Hatch, Osaka
6pm • ¥6,800 Tel: 06-6357-4400 • J-vocal

Fusanosuke Kondo

3/3 @ Blue Note, Osaka
6.30pm/9.30pm • ¥4,500-¥6,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Blues Guitar

Idlewild

3/6 @ Club Quattro, Osaka
7pm • ¥5,000-¥6,000
Tel: 06-6281-8181 • Brit Rock

Jesse Harris, Sasha Dobson and Richard Julian

3/8@ Taku Taku, Kyoto
7pm • ¥6,000-¥6,500 Tel: 075-351-1321 • New York songbook

Take 6 20th Anniversary Tour

3/8 @ Blue Note, Osaka
6.30pm/9.30pm • ¥10,600-¥12,600
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Chorus group

Ken Yokoyama and Good 4 Nothing

3/8 @ Club Quattro, Osaka,
7pm • ¥2,000–¥2,300 Tel: 06-6281-8181 • Punk

Ellegarden

3/10 @ Zepp, Osaka
6.30pm • ¥2,800 Tel: 06-6344-8888 • J-pop

Tower of Power

3/13-14 @ Blue Note, Osaka
6.30pm/9.30pm ¥7,400-¥9,400
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Funk

Muse

3/14-15 @ Zepp, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,800 Tel: 06-6233-8888 • Rock

Incognito

3/16-17 @ Blue Note, Osaka
6.30pm/9:30pm • ¥7,000-¥9,000
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Jazz funk

Nona Reeves

3/18 @ Quattro, Osaka
6pm • ¥4,500 Tel: 06-6882-1224 • J-pop group

Marcus Miller

3/19-21@ Blue Note, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥10,600-¥12,600
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Fusion bass

Mike Stern

3/23-24 @ Blue Note, Osaka
6.30pm/9.30pm • ¥6,500-¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Fusion guitar

Arrow Jazz Orchestra

3/26-27@ Blue Note, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,000-¥8,000
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Jazz big band

Chen Min

3/28 @ Blue Note, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥5,500-¥7,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • World music

The Blues Brothers Band

3/29 @ Blue Note, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥7,500-¥9,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Blues

Chihiro Yamanaka Trio

3/30-31@ Blue Note, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥5,000-¥7,000
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Jazz piano

Diana King

4/2-4 @ Blue Note, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥8,500-¥10,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Reggae Pop Vocal

Compiled by Phillip Jackson