| Old friends G. Love and Jack Johnson played to a rapturous Zepp Osaka crowd on May 29. G., from the streets of Philadelphia, and Jack, Hawaii born and bred, purveyed their respective funky blues rap and mellow beach grooves like true home boys should. The evening fairly reeked of Philly 'tude and cocktail umbrellas, uniting these strange bedfellows in the common pursuit of love. |
Indeed, G., tall and skinny in a tight brown suit over white t-shirt, began his set with the gentle "Love," playing solo acoustic guitar and harmonica and whistling tunefully, shouting out to "all the fellas and the ladies." Before sitting down to perform, he got on the audience's good side by announcing that he had been looking forward to takoyaki since his previous trip to O-town. The next few numbers elaborated on the moderately paced bluesy theme, as backup band Special Sauce joined G. on the stage to work the upright bass and drums for "Sunshine" and "Blues Music." Three tunes into the proceedings and the band had already quoted from three different albums, 1999's Philadelphonic, 2004's The Hustle, and 1994's eponymous debut.
|
| The pace picked up noticeably by the middle of the set, with a thumping rendition of "Small Fish" (from yet another album: 1995's Coast to Coast Motel). "Astronaut," the single from the most recent disc, was another highlight, a bangin' sonic experiment rooted in the 60s that also managed to hint at possible future directions for the band. By the time G. got to the clever and biting "Parasite" (2001's The Electric Mile), the crowd was clapping to the beat on every number. The hour-long performance culminated with the headman's inspiring harmonica jam and some funky, loose-limbed dance steps that would have done Elwood Blues proud. |
 A handsome dude-next-door type formerly starring on the professional surfing circuit, Jack's friendly demeanor, sweet voice, and accessible songs make him the James Taylor of Gen X. Though I didn't see any children or grandmas at the show, it was easy to imagine such creatures bopping their heads along approvingly. To his credit, Jack had made a genuine effort to pick up some local lingo for the Nippon leg of his tour. Not only did he make his introductions in proper Japanese, but he even broke out some Osaka-ben, replying "Honma ni?" when female fans erupted at one point with, "I love you, Jack!" |
Following the Love's lead, Jack Johnson devoted himself largely to matters of the heart, but with more earnestness. Where his precursor had pleaded playfully with a lover, "Let's stay together like an Al Green song," Jack flatly acknowledged, "Love is the answer, at least to most of the questions in my heart." Comfortable in green t-shirt and blue jeans, he led his quartet (bass, drums, piano, plus his own guitar) through a 20-tune set before asking G. to join him for some shared encores.
|
| Song highlights included On and On's "Gone," "The Horizon Has Been Defeated" and "Holes to Heaven," along with In Between Dreams' "Better Together," "Good People," and "Breakdown," the last of which imbued some welcome variety into the musical mix by incorporating both ukulele and mouth organ. When G. Love reappeared for some duet treats at the end, the funky Philadelphian and the mellow beach boy proved themselves even Better Together, flowing mellifluously through the excellent "Rodeo Clowns" and a crowd-pleasing throwback to Kool & The Gang's "Holiday." |
|
report by jab and photos by yegg photos : Jack Johnson | G.Love & Special Sauce
|
 mag files : Jack Johnson 自分の席で観やがれ (05/06/02 @ Tokyo Kokusai Forum) : review by joe, photos by ikesanStapling it Together (05/06/02 @ Tokyo Kokusai Forum) : review by sean, photos by ikesanphoto report (05/06/02 @ Tokyo International Forum) : photos by ikesanphoto report (05/06/01 @ Yokohama Blitz) : photos by naoakiBringing It All Back Home (05/05/29 @ Osaka Zepp) : review by jab, photos by yeggphoto report (05/05/29 @ Osaka Zepp) : photos by yeggプライベートビーチへ行ってきました (05/05/25 @ Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball) : review by taiki, photos by yusukeShared Sauce...Jack 'N' G. Love's 7-Date Shared Kitchen Opens Briskly (05/05/25 @ Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball) : review by michael, photos by yusukephoto report (05/05/25 @ Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball) : photos by yusukephoto report (04/08/06 @ Shibuya AX) : photos by keco波の音が聞こえない (04/08/04 @ Namba Hatch) : review by ken, photos by ikesanphoto report (04/09/30 @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro) : photos by ikesanphoto report (04/09/29 @ Shinjyuku Liquid Romm) : photos by maikokko夏はまだこれから... (04/09/29 @ Shinjyuku Liquid Romm) : review by chihiro, photos by maikokko |
|
The official site
Jack Johnson http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/ The latest album  "In Between Dreams" (US import / UK import with bonus trax / 国内盤初回限定DVD付き / 国内期間限定盤 previous works  "On and On" (US import / 国内盤)
"In Between Dreams"( US import / 初回限定生産DVD付き) "Brushfire Fairytales"(US impot / 国内限定盤 / 国内盤) "On and On"(US import / 国内盤) "The September Sessions"(US import / 国内盤) "Thicker Than Water: Original Soundtrack "( US import / 国内盤 ) "トロピカライズ"( オムニバス ) "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing"( UK import ) DVD  "The September Sessions" (US import / 国内盤) |
The official site
G.Love & Special Sauce http://www.philadelphonic.com/main.asp The latest album  "The Hustle" ( US import / 国内盤 / UK import ) previous works previous works : "Best Of" (US import / 国内盤) "Electric Mile" (US import / 国内盤) "Philadelphonic" (US import / 国内盤 / UK import) "Yeah, It'S That Easy" (US import / 国内盤 / UK import) "Coast To Coast Motel" (US import / 国内盤 / UK import) "G. Love And Special Sauce" (US import / 国内盤 / UK import) "The September Sessions" (US import / 国内盤) "SUNDAY"( 国内盤 - compilation) "トロピカライズ"( 国内盤 - compilation) check the albums? |
|
jab's works  2005A Kick in The Shins : The Shins (30th Jan. @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro)2004Riding with Los Lobos : Los Lobos (4th Oct. @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro)Ron Sexsmith is Canadian : (29th Sept. @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro)Soul Flower Power : Soul Flower Union (12th Jun @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro) |