the Cho-Kayou Concert

Makigami Koichi
the "Cho-Kayou" Concert
at Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe
on December 3, 2009
Makigami Koichi (vocal), Sato Yoshiaki (accordion), Shika Udai (cello, alto saxophone), Mita Freeman (guitar, vocal), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano, keyboard), Sato Masaharu (drums)

It was manifique, memorable night. Although the weather was bad, the atmosphere was quite intimate.

Makigami was with no gadget. No theremin, no cornet. He stood bare, before the microphone, and just used his voice. Also occasionally used Jeu's harp and ukulele.

Lots of very familiar songs were performed. Of course, most of them are from the recently reissued Cho-Kayou albums ("Minzoku no Saiten" and "Koroshi no Blues"), but some numbers were unrecorded yet, or pretty obscure ones. For example, "Heisei Jaran Bushi" and "Karyo-binga", both from the rare 1990 solo single, were chosen. Also, "Soshu Yakyoku" (蘇州夜曲）, a 1940 classic song by the great composer, Hattori Koichi were included. In the middle of a song, Makigami did some conduction à la Frank Zappa, and it was nice accent, adding the concert some dynamism. Indeed, it was quite different from ordinary, full-of-nostagia show.

The band was tight. Mita sang the first two verses of "My Blue Heaven" (as the same with the album) so well that Makigami just praised it very much after the performance. Cellist Shika also played alto saxophone. And I found the most noteworthy is Sato's accodion. His play was pretty effective. It enhanced very good, old-timey atmosphere, which was well-suited the situation.

Overall, it was success, and Makigami revealed he intended doing the concert again in near future. Can't wait.