![eric clapton wonderful tonight youtube eric clapton wonderful tonight youtube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vlfZ-Cdkt20/maxresdefault.jpg)
I chat to Koutaro Goto, the John Lennon of the band. Each member following a style of playing that we associate with the band: McCartney’s Höfner bass, Ringo’s characteristic drum kit, Harrison’s rhythm guitar, and Lennon, leaning into the microphone, sharing with Harrison. The first few songs include “Drive My Car,” “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You,” “Here, There and Everywhere,” “No Reply” and “Boys.” The audience favorite is “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” It is clear that the early Beatles sound, with its rising harmonies and choruses, is the most appreciated. All members are in gray suits - no wigs, thankfully – and it is clear that the band is not into impersonation but rather capturing an essence of the Beatles’ sound and look. Shortly afterwards the band appears on stage. It is clear he has many other musical interests and relishes this regular gig. Sasabe is new to the band and has come to the Beatles fairly late in life. The band will play six songs in each set, two of which are requests. We do an extra performance at 12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.” “We play four times a night,” says Sasabe. I see one of the members of the band – in characteristic gray Beatle suit – and introduce myself. I am used to these anomalies in Japanese English. I don’t cringe at the name, imagining the cute story of the deer. The tribute band that will be playing tonight is called /The Bambies/. Reading a brochure - mostly in Japanese – I notice that an upcoming night will be celebrating George Harrison’s birthday. Behind the stage, crossed by those strange English Tudor style cross beams, are four late career photos of the Beatles. Toward the front of the room, where several people are sitting at tables - smoking, chatting - is a stage reminiscent of the Beatles: a set up of microphones, guitars and the unique Ludwig drum kit with its simple yet iconic black and white lettering. A cabinet contains Beatle memorabilia: albums, press clippings and an authenticated brick from the original Cavern Club in Liverpool.Ī sound mixer is preparing the mixing desk. Behind the bar a barman is waiting to serve drinks. It is a quiet weekday evening when I enter and there is no cover charge – just slightly inflated meal and drink charges.The lighting is low. I decide to visit the club a few days later – cautious that I might see a corny cover band. On it wall is a large image of the Abbey Road album cover. What attracts me is the old Tudor style – the cross hatching of wooden beams reminiscent of an English pub. It is an old style British pub nestled among office buildings, bars, cafes and love hotels. ( Listen, do you want to know a secret?) I discover this, by accident, one afternoon when walking through central Osaka.
![eric clapton wonderful tonight youtube eric clapton wonderful tonight youtube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UprwkbzUX6g/maxresdefault.jpg)
It's all too much.įinally there is the Beatles Cavern Club. Wherever I go the Beatles pop up: T-shirts, posters, in cafes. Japan has also released the greatest number of Beatle album pressings of any country. Then, of course, there is Yoko Ono and the official John Lennon Museum in Tokyo. The tour became famous because of its over-zealous security, public protests about the band playing the Budokan venue, and the great NHK recording of the Tokyo concerts – this can be seen on Youtube. Research tells me that the Beatles toured Japan in 1966- never visiting Osaka. So, what is it about the Beatles? Why am I experiencing this in Japan? “I have learnt Blackbird on the guitar,” he says one morning. Kozo knows all the albums, has seen Paul McCartney in concert, and loves the solo work of John Lennon. Kozo Mabuchi, the wonderful host, turns out to be a big Beatles fan. Conversations about musical interests even manage to swing toward the Beatles in my regular breakfast visit to the Ura Café, in Fukushima. Here, there and everywhere: shops, cafes, toilets. Yam.Yam.” It makes no sense, may be it's just hip English – yet still it’s another reference to the Beatles. Walk through the electronics district of Den Den Town, in Namba, Osaka, and you will notice chain stores called /Strawberry Fields /and /Yellow Submarine/.Įven – and I am a little bit embarrassed here – the male toilets at Fukushima Station, one stop away from the centre of Osaka, have an odd Beatles reference-designer tiles that say, “Apple pie is a great recipe for everybody who loves the Beatles. “You soon tune out.” (Apparently the manager is a huge Beatles fan.) For whatever reason the Beatles were on constant play when I visited. Picture yourself at the Yodobashi Camera store in central Osaka: a huge fashion and electronics store. I have never heard as many Beatle songs, in my life, as a recent trip to Osaka. Want to hear the Beatles? Then have you considered going to Japan.