Konban wa! What a  beautiful day this one was, learning three part harmonies to 'Deep Night' while we strolled to the patter of the rain on our umbrellas and the rushing of the water in Kyoto's river beside us.

Actually each day of the Live A Lives Alive Tour has been equally lovely in it's own individual way. I have been traveling about Japan by train with Kate, Jesse and baby Mo, and collecting up so many good memories that it feels high time that I preserved them and shared them!



First train stop was Millibar, Osaka, where we played an afternoon and then an evening gig to two attentive friendly audiences who were happy to join in with the sing-a-longs. It's so good how Jesse always manages to spread the enthusiasm for a good sing-a-long, even even people start out shy.



A pattern has emerged where by Mo usually joins in with us on stage one way or another at the end of the night!



After a good sleep above cafe Martha (arigatoo Yukiko), we came downstairs to eat a healthy and filling Japanese style breakfast of rice and miso soup to set us up for our journey to Kyoto.



More Japanese quisine before the next gig at Urban Guild meant taking off our shoes and enjoying seeing ours next to all the black ones!





It was really nice to re-visit Urban Guild as I had such good memories from the last time I played there on tour with Naoto Kawate. It seems dingy in the day while the sound checking is going on, but the atmosphere becomes quite magical somehow by the evening. The soft lighting comes on making shadows on the bare concrete walls, people arrive, food is served...well I don't know what it is but I just really like it. The sound man, Moon Song (he is Korean I think is what he told me), made everything sound s natural even through a big PA. This was surely one of the important factors that made us all feel so at home there.

Mo felt at home in the tiny backstage cupboard where she had a sleep in the guitar case!



Another thing I've enjoyed both times I've played at Urban Guild are the Japanese bands that havd played. This time it was a band called Heron's Forest. At times they reminded me of Tom Waits, with their clattering old dusy sound.



After the gig we set off to one of my homes from home, Cafe Yugue. It's funny how these experiences can change your concept of time: how re-visiting a place that gives you a sense of belonging makes you feel like you've always been there and so cancels out the months inbetween. Kate, Jesse and Mo seemed to immediately feel at home too, as we ate our veg and beans supper while chatting with words and hand gestures to Dai Chan. So nice how you can feel good friends with someone, even though you can't really speak much of the others language. Makes you see how words aren't the be-all-and-end-all.

After a comfy night side by side upstairs at Yugue, Mo made friends with Su, Dai and Satiko's son. The two of them preceded to have so much fun jumping, and sharing books and toys, while Kate and I sat about doing our sewing, interjected with the odd Wheels on the Bus, and Heads Shoulders, nees and Toes!



An afternoon walk took us by that river in that pattering rain. Under a bridge we passed this dwelling. So impressive. So neat. So organised.



Before the gig at Yugue we walked to the public bath. We tried out everythig. The hot bubbly ones, the cold one, I braved the sauner, and then the old fashioned hair drying machine that looks like a space helmet, while Kate put a coin in the slot of the ancient massage chair. Mo was thoroughly entertained by the different sized tubs which are just right for filling with water and pouring from one to another.

Here's Jesse and me post wash, sparkling clean, but somehow more ready for sleep that a gig!



The evening gig was lovely and familiar in the cosy upstairs of Yugue. Jun from Pinon Pinon came which was a brilliant suprise. She's been translating my words for my new album, so we've had phone chatting, but so good to see her in person again.

The following day we took the train to Nagoya and were met by Naga, (the boy with the theramin inside a russian doll who organised a day of art and music in a big old house called Nagacuta ( sorry if I've got the name wrong!)) First stop was the shoe shop since the rain had disolved the glue of my yellow boots, bought from a second hand shop only weeks ago. But Kate suggested stitching on some soft soles and making them into slippers, and I think I'll do just that. Plus I'm now feeling pretty cool with my first pair of converse!

The venue in Nagoya was beautiful. It was an old Japanese house with a huge high roof space and wooden beams. The lady that owned it was lovely and made us curry and rice.



I had some nice suprises as familiar faces came through the door: Aki and Ippei who I met last spring who are brilliant musicians, and Ichi who I will be playing with again in cafe Martha in November. At the end of the night Naga joined in with his theramin, while the crowd clapped along to me and Kate playing Sweetest in the Land. There was even a piano. What with all that and my new shoes, well I fell to sleep feeling celebratory!



After a day touring the parks of Nagoya (gigs by night, parks for Mo by day!), and dancing in a shopping centre with a ceiling made of water and discovering a mango drink with tapioca jelly balls in it, we got on our merry way to Hamamatsu.



There was such a lovely group of people who looked after us so well in Hamamatsu. We were taken out for a meal of soba noodles which were completely delicious. The venue, Enn, was above a hairdressers and felt very makeshift and homemade. There was a retro oven and sofa outside, high up amongst the tall buildings. The sun was warm and low, and we all felt pretty happy to be there! Jesse got a free hair cut before the gig, while we and the hairdressers dog watched!



Here we all are with the team of helpers. At this stage of the night I was merry on much music and ume shu! Miho in the white dress was the main organiser and she did such a wonderful job. I feel so touched and grateful. Arigatoo gozaimas!



After a short break back in Tokyo we got on a train to Utsanomia where we spent a lovely day with Naoki, Miwako and Leon. After a lunch of dumplings and much jumping about of the padded big stool (Mo and Leon's favourive activity of the day) we went to the venue Kcucha Rismo, which like all the places was full of individual character. I had such a nice time with Kate learning her new songs on the fire escape, and I think it was our best performance. Anyway, we really enjoyed ourselves. We had a ball!

The last gig, (which brings us up to date, but doesn't mean the Live Alives... Tour is over, oh no), is that which took place in Shingoster Living in Tsukuba, organised by Yoko and Shingo. I was revisiting another home from home and really enjoyed every single minute. I marvel at their team work. The strawberry farmer, the fireman and footballer were all there to help again. To help with the complete dismantleing of the shop, shelves and all, and the reassemblage at the end of the night. They even hung up a chandelier for our stage.



Arigatoo gozaimas everyone! Arigatoo Miyuki for the beds in your lovely old house. Gambate to your husband with converting the old post office into a cafe. Arigatoo Shingo and Yoko. You were great again! Tanoshi katta!! Tanoshi mi coming back again!

And a huge arigatoo to all the organisers and all the audiences. Without exception you have all been so great!!! TANOSHI KATTA!!!!!