Rakuza Bar Gig - Christmas Eve 2005

Mark Harrison`s Birthday Party Gig
Rakuza Bar - Hiroshima Japan
Christmas Eve 2005

Mark opened the night with a one hour set of his own. He`s from Vermont I call him a folkie - which he would say was fair.

Hearing Mark play makes me homesick. His songs remind me of what I miss most about home. You imagine that you`re in the kitchen with your friends, opening his beers and shouting requests.

He played some Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Petty, etc. and some of his own songs.

The photos were taken by Shuichi Inami.

The player on the right is Sato san. I`ve seen him play quite a few times in Hiroshima now. He sounds alot like James Taylor - very smooth. He`s a craftsman for sure.

Maggie played next. She has a beautiful voice - and can really belt them out. She`s a crowd favorite.

Mac, local legend, played a few songs. He often performs with Sato san. His style is a bit rough. So in that way they compliment one another. He played "I shall be released" by Bob Dylan and sang the lyrics in both English and Japanese, which I`d never heard before. I thought it was pretty cool.

Mac, Maggie and Ramsey jammin.

Ramsey also played a solo set on the Chapman Stick (which you have to see and hear to believe) . He`s from Indiana.










Mac and Sato san backing up Maggie.

My set was a bit rough, but had a blast.

played:

after midnight (J.J. Cale) / blame it on me (skydiggers) / so beautiful (mine) / portena (mine) / it takes a lot to laugh it takes a train to cry (dylan)

Mark and I had a jam at the end.

yer so bad (t. petty) / cortez the killer (neil young) / last dance with mary jane (t. petty) and probably more.

Mark finished the night with a killer cover of "Jack A Roe" - my favorite Grateful Dead song.

The after party was at Windfall, for country music requests and a Merry Christmas toast.