Leon Russell

US Musical Legend of Four Decades

May 14

Billboard Live, Osaka

Leon Russell is a living musical legend, no two ways about it. Over the years he's worked with a who's-who of the music industry; Willie Nelson, Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, Bob Dylan - the list is endless.

Born in Oklahoma, America in 1942 he started his musical career as a member of the notorious Wreckin Crew session players before releasing his own solo album in 1970. The year before he had written Joe Cocker's hit ‘Delta Women' as well as being instrumental in organizing Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen band that toured the States. By 1971 and still in his twenties Russell was recording with the likes of Clapton, Dylan and BB King. A portent of things to come, the 70s was a busy and successful decade for Russell.

In contrast, the 80s was more like a sabbatical with Russell taking a break from music and it was not until 1992 that he released another studio album of new material. Still on the road and drawing in the crowds to capacity, Leon Russell is still able to deliver his message with the same level of passion and vigor as he did in the 70s.

Time: 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Blues Rock

Pe'z

Japanese Jazz Pop five piece

May 14-15

Sunsui, Osaka

Dubbed "The Samurai Jazz Band" this five piece jazz, funk, pop ensemble started out busking on the streets of Shibuya eight years ago. Many legendary bands have begun their careers in this manner but very few can claim to have drawn 600 spectators to a single performance. Since then the band have toured extensively across Japan as well as finding themselves on the bill of a number of the large festivals including Fuji Jazz Festival and Hokkaido's Rising Sun Rock Festival.

The band's debut album was released in September 2002 and for an instrumental release was received phenomenally well.

Six months later they received the award for New Artist of the Year at the Japan Golden Disc Awards.

Keyboardist Huzumii Masayuke briefly left the band to link up with fellow Japanese artist Shiina Ringo in the band Tokyo Jihen but is now back in the fold and the stable line-up would account for the rapid rise to success.

In the last three years Pe'z have toured overseas traveling to Korea, Europe and the US as well as performing with artists Cyndi Lauper and British soul singer Nate James.

The group consists instrumentally of trumpet, saxophone, percussion, bass and keyboards and uses all aspects of the jazz, funk and pop genres with amazing fluidity. Labeled jazz for the sake of convenience - and if you like jazz you'll enjoy Pe'z - but they have a lot more to offer with their vibrant live performances and musical ability and clearly show that Japan- ese music has so much more to offer than the music industry-manufactured conveyor belt of so-called talent.

Time: 7:30pm O¥4,000
Tel: 06-6882-1224 • Jazz Pop

Bullet for My Valentine

UK four piece Metallers

May 21

Namba Hatch, Osaka

Welsh metallers Bullet For My Valentine are becoming regular visitors to Japan. Formed ten years ago playing Metallica and Nirvana covers under the name of Jeff Killed John they were first offered a recording deal with Roadrunner Records in 2002. The band decided to turn down this offer in favour of a five-album deal with Sony BMG.

Releasing their first album just three years ago they quickly earned a slot at the UK major rock festival Down- load as well as being invited to open across the US for Rob Zombie.

The music of Bullet For My Valentine is fast, it's aggre- ssive whilst being technically perfect with intricate twin guitars and tempo changes comparable to Iron Maiden at their best. The vocal style of front man Matt Tuck is melodic and engaging. There is something definitely interesting about the band, something makes you want to listen for the sheer fact that although they sound like your typical Heavy Metallers at the same time they don't.

Time: 7pm • ¥6,800
Tel: 06-7732-8888 • Metal

Geoff Muldaur

US Folk Rock Journeyman

May 31

Taku Taku, Kyoto

Founding member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and member of Paul Butterfield's Better Days band in the sixties (Paul Butterfield was an influential American Harmonica player and singer who inspired many great bands such as the Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers, sadly Butterfield's continued use of drugs led to his untimely demise from a heart attack aged 45 in 1987) who went on to become a successful artist in his own right.

Performing with many great musicians of the past four decades such as Bonnie Raitt, Eric Von Schmidt (known for his associations with Bob Dylan) and Jerry Garcia Muldaur's brand of blues, folk, rock has always been in demand.

During the 80s he took a step back from touring and produced a number of scores for film and television winning an Emmy award for his efforts.

Muldaur has released nine solo albums in all, of his music Louden Wainwright III said "Geoff Muldaur was and is one of my musical heroes. When I listen to him sing and play, I can hear the coal mine, the cotton field ..." Coming to Japan after an extensive US tour the London Times newspaper recently said about his live performances "Immaculate guitar picking ... matched by rich vocals".

And to finish with a piece of useless trivia, Geoff Muldaur's sister is actress Diane Muldaur who played Dr. Katherine Pulaski in Star Trek - The Next Generation.

Time: 7pm • ¥6,000/¥7,000
Tel: 075-351-1321 • Folk, Rock, Blues

Live Listings April

Alexander O'Neal

5/1 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • R&B Soul

Dir en Grey

5/1-3 @ Namba Hatch, Osaka
7pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000
Tel: 06-6357-4400 • J-Rock

Saxon

5/2 @ Club Quattro, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,800 Tel: 06-6281-8181
Metal

Two Banks Of Four

5/8 @ Shangri-La, Osaka
7pm • ¥5,000 Tel: 06-6535-5569
Jazz Duo

Lala Hathaway

5/9-10 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • R&B

Grace Mahya

5/11 @ Mister Kellys, Osaka
7pm/9pm • ¥4,500
Tel: 06-6342-5821 • Female Jazz
Vocal

Rita Coolridge

5/12-13 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,400/¥8,400
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • AOR

Leon Russell

5/14 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Rock

Pe'z

5/14-15 @ Sunsui, Osaka
7:30pm • ¥4,000
Tel: 06-6882-1224 • Jazz

Tristan Prettyman

5/15 @ Club Quattro, Osaka
7pm • ¥5,800 Tel: 06-6535-5569
Singer/Songwriter

Arashi

5/16 & 18 @ Kyocera Dome, Osaka
6pm (5/16)/4pm (5/18) • ¥6,800
Tel: 0180-993-700 • Trance/
Hip-Hop

Yoshiaki Masuo NY Trio

5/17 @ Mister Kellys, Osaka
7:30pm/9:15pm • ¥5,000
Tel: 06-6342-5821 • Jazz

Bullet For My Valentine

5/21 @ Namba Hatch, Osaka
7pm O¥6,800 Tel: 06-7732-8888
Rock

Adachi Kumi

5/22 @ Chicken George, Osaka
7pm • ¥4,700 Tel: 0570-02-9999
Guitar

Soil Work

5/22 @ Big Cat, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,000/¥6,500
Tel: 06-6535-5569 ORock

F-Blood

5/23-25 @ Zepp, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,500 Tel: 06-7732-8888
J-Pop Band

Mudance

5/24 @ Mister Kellys, Osaka
7:30pm/9:15pm • ¥4,000
Tel: 06-6342-5821 • Brazilian

AIR

5/26 @ Club Quattro, Osaka
7pm • ¥4,500 Tel: 03-3477-8750
J-Singer-Songwriter

Simple Plan

5/26 @ Namba Hatch, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,000 Tel: 06-6535-5569
Pop-Punk

Ryota Komatsu

5/26-27 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,000/¥8,000
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • World Music

Simon Phillips

5/29 @ Big Cat, Osaka
7:30pm • ¥7,800 Tel: 06-6258-5008
Jazz Drums

Asian Dub Foundation

5/30 @ Namba Hatch, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,000 Tel: 06-6535-5569
Alternative Electronic Band

Geoff Muldaur

5/31 @ Taku Taku, Kyoto
7pm • ¥6,000/¥7,000
Tel: 075-351-1321 • Folk

Compiled by Phillip Jackson

Junkie Records Presents: Brooklyn (French)/Envelopes (Swedish)/Operator Please (Australian)

6/5 @ Sunsui, Osaka
7pm • ¥5,000/¥5,500
Tel: 0570-081-005 • Pop-Rock/Indie