ROCK'N ROLL DIARY

interviews in English

2009/12/03, 13:20 | 固定リンク

12月3日　木曜日　雨　

　教訓その1。雨の日は走ってはいけない。自然に逆らわず休養日にするべし。

　いつまでたっても英語は鬼門。マラソンみたいに燃えないのはどうしてなんだろう。でも、アイルランドに居るときは、ギネスがあれば問題なし。これはホント。ある時、オレは北京でムービーを回されてた。中国人を相手に、とても楽しそうに会話がはずんでいる映像を観たことがあるのだが、今となって思うに、あれは何語で話してたんだろう？謎だ。ロシアでは「スパシーバ」を連発して切り抜けた。ああ、何だかアイルランド行きの飛行機に飛び乗りたくなってきた。もう5年も行ってない。その前にパスポートが切れてるっちゅーに。

I am Yamaguchi (family name) Hiroshi (first name). Born in 1963, 45yrs old. I am living in Tokyo, the capitol of Japan, but was born and grown up in Kyushu. Kyushu is an island in the southern part of Japan, and is about the size of Ireland.

In 1979, during my high school days, I formed the band "heatwave". I did all of the songwriting as well as vocal and guitar. In 1990, "heatwave" made its debut from SONY RECORDS, and.... I'm still in the scene. It's our 30th anniversary this year. We've just finished the anniversary tour in November.

While working with "heatwave", I've travelled around all over the world and met many musicians. Irish musicians I'v played with are Altan, Donal Lunny, Sharon Shannon, Doroles Kean, Liam O Maonlai, Kila, and more.

I think the first time I visited Donegal was probably 1993. At that time, I was freeloading at Toshi Kazama the photographer's house in New York. One day, we decided to take a trip and flyed from NY to Shannon Airport. I was always a fan of Irish music, and also, all the Irish I met in NY said "Hey, you're like an Irish guy. You must hurry up and go to Ireland. And make sure to take the route from Shannon Airport". So, there we were, rented a car and drove all over Ireland, and fell in love with the wild....a rather dismal scenery of Donegal. Finally, when we stepped into the mainstreet of Dungloe, we smiled at each other and said " this is it " .
It was truely a coincidence that we "found" Donegal. It was a view that captured us more than any other place. It fit us perfectly.

Our inspiration was right. We made a lot of friends shortly. Mrs. Beedy, who runs beedy's on the mainstreet of Dungloe is a very special person, as much as my mom , to me. Actually, when my mother passed away, I release her ashes in Dungloe Bay, and Beedy gave me a big hug. I'm always hoping for her to stay well, cuz....
she IS my mother.

I think I've visited Donegal at least 15 times. Each time everybody welcomes me with an unchanging attitude. I have buddies just like my classmates, children like my own, and I have my mother there. My English isn't very well, but I find no difficulties as long as I've got GUINESS! Good music, nature, drinks, warm hearted people... there's nothing in Donegal, but there's everything in Donegal.　　

Why I like Donegal? There are too many reasons to list up, so Iet me share one of them with you.
In the pub I always go to, there's a room for the elders sitting in front of the fireplace, and another room for the younger people. The young ones always come to greet the elderly first and then go to their space to enjoy the night. I reminds me of the good old days in our country, too. Everyone respected the elderly. However, nowadays, people treat the elderly like rubbish. Many old people living by themselves pass away, due to illness, starvation, or whatever something hard to believe, without anyone not noticing. There's definitely something wrong with the nation's policy, too.
There are so many things that we lost behind the significant economic growth. People have forgotten to care about each other. So, it makes me cry when I see what's happening in your pub. It's wonderful. The elderly being respected and the tradition is passed on to the next generation. It's great. And me? When I am not playing music, I spend my time in the "senior room" with my friends.

When I first visited Ireland, there was an old lady who mainly spoke IRISH. I was delighted. My friends taught me a lot of funny IRISH, too, such as "POGUE MAHONE". Language is a very important factor of one's identity. Thus, I think it's fabulous that little kids are learning Irish in school.

Ian Smith, the great musician living in Donegal, first taught me "The Homes Of Donegal". It struck me. All the things I like of Donegal is sung in this song. So I decided to sing in Japanese to tell the Japanese audience of its wonderfulness. With Donal Lunny as the producer, I recorded the song with Sharon Shannon and Narig Casey all at once in the studio. The scenery of Donegal came floating out of the headphones in the studio in Tokyo. It was so touching. After some while, I met Paul Brady in Tokyo. He liked my version and made me happy. Also, Mairead from Altan brought back my CD to Ireland and handed to the radio DJ. I truly appreciate such relationship among us.

I put together my diary and made it into a book "The homes of Donegal", to introduce Donegal to my fans. I heard that quite a number of people actually went to Donegal with the book in their hands.

I cannot recall when I first met Mairead from Altan. When my friends took me to do a session in the pub in Gweedore, I met Francie, Mairead's father. He was a man. And her brother was a great guitarist. I stood on stage at an yearend event held in memory of Franky Kennedy in Dunlewy, too. I can never forget that moment when I sang without using the microphone at the foot of Mt. Elligalle. Ah, now I remember! Mairead was teaching many young people how to play the fiddle in the hotel's lounge in Gweedore. That's my first encounter. It was such a nice view. And when Altan came to Japan, we did "the Homes Of Donegal" together quite a few times. Of course, I will go to see them when they are here.

I wanted to observe my country closely... observe its craziness. So I went on the tour all around Japan choosing small towns as much as possible. It's certainly disasterous, but at the same time, it's not hopeless. Just like your people, people in Japan, as well, cannot live without music. That's why I didn't have time to go to Donegal after 2005 when I went to produce a Japanese singer with Kila. While doing this interview, I really started to feel like going to Ireland. The smell of the peat. People's smile. I'll definitely be there in 2010. I will go to Donegal.

I've always thought Donegal as my hometown and played music. Thank you very much. I really appreciate from the bottom of my heart. The scenery, nature, music, people...they are all in my heart always. Everyone, please stay well. I'm doing my best here, too!