Monday, March 16, 2015

8. Music can change (concert-3)

After the rock sound, a quiet tempo from Masafumi's piano solo cools down the venue.

Masafumi
Akiko takes a breath and a sip of her cold soft drink.

Well, now it's Kazuki's time in the spotlight.

♪ Smells Like teen Spirit (Nirvana) is Toshiaki's favorite. It is a heavy rock song, called grunge.

Toshiaki
Kazuki starts, followed by the base and the drums, then the music gets heavy. Kazuki is not yet familiar with the new equipment and is struggling to adjust the sound.

Toshiaki is singing, and adeptly switches the tempo with his toes to help Kazuki.
As the music progresses, Yasunori's drumming intensifies.

Despite their difficulties, the rythm increases as the rock music reaches its apex. The moment they finish, they hear applause. What a thrilling surprise! The entire venue was uplifted. A complete standing ovation for the band.

 Pictures at an Exhibition / Promenade (Emerson Lake & Palmer)
The Pictures at an Exhibition album performed by one of Akiko's favorite progressive rock music groups, ELP, utilizes high performance technology to create this work of art.

Toshiaki carefully and politely sings the lyrics, and the sad tone of the guitar solo dances in the air as Kazuki plays the lower harmony. What a beautiful unity! Akiko was impressed.

Black bird (The Beatles)

Enjoy the expressive vocals of Toshiaki, quietly supported by Yasunori's cajon. Progress has been made steadily with the guitar work of Kazuki. Ah, Akiko was deeply moved.

Kazuki's mother attended the concert and was overjoyed for her son's performance.
Akiko asked her,
"Kazuki has progressed greatly in a short time, hasn't he?"

Kazuki's mother answered with delight,
"I always thought Kazuki wouldn't amount to much. But I have noticed he is changing and becoming more reliable"

The SANKICHI BAND was formed over a year ago. Kazuki started playing guitar at about the same time.

Toshiaki who had been playing base for six years, said.
"Kazuki had to increase the repertoire of music he took on while learning the classical guitar. It is amazing that Kazuki is able to play Emerson, Lake & Palmer in one year's time"
Kazuki has a tremendous talent despite being the one in the band with the most severe problems.

Alas, it is audience participation time for the second half.
They are able to make requests and sing while the band plays. Even without rehearsal, the band members liven up more and more while playing.

The last one of the night,
Lupin The Third '80. Masashi on piano, Takeo on drums, Akiko plays the flute and sings with Toshiaki and Kazuki plays guitar. The whole band had a high quality performance.

Akiko successfully performed in and managed a concert lasting over 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Comments from the delighted audience included:

  • "This is my first concert in this venue. It was a lot of fun"
  • "I wish my withdrawn son was here"
  • "It is very fun to sing along with the band"
  • "It was much better than singing at Karaoke"

Dr. Miyoshi and the Caseworker Mr. Hirose seem to have enjoyed it the most.

Akiko politely said goodbye to each guest. So everything was finally over for the night. She laughed and said,
"Ah, finally I can drink a beer. I'm so hungry!"

"What!? Akiko, you haven't drank yet!?" Everybody was surprised.

After Akiko was given her second cup of beer, Takeo said,
"After you finish that cup, let's go home"

... That's right. It is Akiko's responsibility to help Takeo get home.

"Oh!?" Everybody asks, "Are you leaving already?"

Akiko thought.
Well...all is good. After they finished playing, each of the members said they felt "energetic" and "well."

Exhausted Akiko didn't feel eat and drink enough, and went home with Takeo. (T_T)

7. Akiko's Hardship (concert-2)

Toshiaki played his favorite music "Lupin The Third 80". His rehearsal went very well.

Rehearsal without Kazuki

At the last minute, Kzuki finally showed up.

"Hurry!" Akiko grabbed off Kazuki's coat and bag, helping him get focused and prepared to play his guitar.

He still needed to connect the equipment he recently purchased. With Toshiaki's help, Kazuki completed the sound check.

Now, the time had come for the band members to stand in their positions ready to start. But Kazuki still wasn't ready yet.

After 10 minutes passed, the music therapist Rie said, "We need to start."
But, the cool opening "Senbonzakura" wasn't ready!

Akiko had to buy time, she took a microphone and talked for awhile.

At last, it was ready!
Toshiaki

~♬♬♬

Then, Akiko found that something was not right with Kazuki.

"Stop!" Akiko shouted.

It seems Kazuki's guitar sound wasn't coming out. So, they had to check all the connections, re-adjust and start again.

~♬♬♬

On her way up to the stage, Akiko had been warming up, and didn't know her singing could be heard. Naturally, her singing measure shifted. Thanks to the drummer Yasunori, who provided a strong beat, Akiko continued singing to the end.

"...Oh, dear, sorry to shift" Akiko thought. However, the audience enjoyed it. Perhaps, they were not familiar with "Hatsune Miku" music "Senbonzakura". Their tempo is fast. If the audience was not used to it, they may not understand what they were singing about. (such as "The Beast")

Anyway...Akiko thought the troubles were over. The director, Dr. Miyoshi, made the opening remarks. Followed by the caseworker from Miyoshi Clinic, Mr. Hirose, introduced the band.

By the way, the MC's were both Mr. Hirose and Akiko. Shockingly, he was already "red-faced" (drunk?)

...Ah...Akiko realized tonight she had to MC by herself for the entire 2 hours.


"Well, Akiko," she thought to herself, "Let's do this!"