Day One 7/16/08
My host/road manager/tour organizer and great friend Shuichi Iwami in his hometown of Kure.
Day One 7/16/08
When we returned to his home, Shuichi's mother had prepared a feast...including sushi....mmmmm!!!
Day One 7/16/08
What a great meal. There's nothing like home cookin'.
Day One 7/16/08
Pre-tour rehearsal in Hiroshima @ Pico a bar/rehearsal studio run by local percussion legend Tsuneo Mizuki
photo by Shuichi Iwami
Day One 7/16/08
Tsuneo and I running through a tune on my first day in Japan
photo by Shuichi Iwami
Day Two 7/17/08 Kure
Shuichi's mom made a terrific breakfast
Day Two 7/17//08
Shuichi's Mother and I
![Day Two 7/17/08 Kure
Beautiful statue called "The Future"
I saw this on the way to catch the ferry to Matsuyama](http://content.bandzoogle.com/users/kevincarroll/images/photos/gallery/1984978-thumb.jpg?0 "Day Two 7/17/08 Kure
Beautiful statue called "The Future"
I saw this on the way to catch the ferry to Matsuyama")
Day Two 7/17/08 Kure
Beautiful statue called "The Future"
I saw this on the way to catch the ferry to Matsuyama
Day Two 7/17/08
On the ferry to Matsuyama
Day Two 7/17/08
Checking out the lovely sea-nery
Day Two 7/17/08 Matsuyama
Being driven from the ferry to the hotel in Matsuyama by promoter and great guy Yasuhito. Listening to this great music.
Day Two 7/17/08 Matsuyama
The dragon.
Day Two 7/17/08 Matsuyama
Lunch with Yas and Tsun-san before the soundcheck.
Day Two 7/17/08 Matsuyama
And people often tell me I'm too serious.
Day Two 7/17/08 Matsuyama
Standing in front of the oldest bath house in Japan.
Day Two 7/17/08 Matsuyama
Mini-polaroids taken during soundcheck.
Day Two 7/17/08 Matsuyama
Taxi's sign.
Day Two 7/17/08 Matsuyama
Ticket for first show.
Day Two 7/17/08
Post-gig dinner party at the Ethnic Cafe in Matsuyama.
Day Three 7/18/08
Don't let the name fool ya (it's not made of sweat)
this stuff is great....wish I could find it here
photo by Shuichi Iwami
Day Three 7/18/08 Matsuyama early morning
12 foot high wooden Buddha.....I don't see many of these in Texas.
Day Three 7/18/08 Kure afternoon
Sure I came for the music, but, the sushi was a close second.
![Day Three 7/18/08 Hiroshima early evening
"Lucy" the owner of Jugem, the oldest bar playing rock music in Hiroshima. She took her nickname from her heroine Lucinda Williams. "Lucy" rocks!](http://content.bandzoogle.com/users/kevincarroll/images/photos/gallery/1986391-thumb.jpg?0 "Day Three 7/18/08 Hiroshima early evening
"Lucy" the owner of Jugem, the oldest bar playing rock music in Hiroshima. She took her nickname from her heroine Lucinda Williams. "Lucy" rocks!")
Day Three 7/18/08 Hiroshima early evening
"Lucy" the owner of Jugem, the oldest bar playing rock music in Hiroshima. She took her nickname from her heroine Lucinda Williams. "Lucy" rocks!
Day Three 7/18/08 Hiroshima evening
Just before the show on Saturday night. That's the wonderful Maggie behind the bar. She sang and played percussion during my set while serving drinks. True multitasking abilities.
Day Three 7/18/08 Hiroshima post gig
Very unusual but delicious food.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima morning
Kanpai means cheers in Japanese. These macchiatos were most excellent.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima lunch
Yes, it was great.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima afternoon
Bamboo trees at the Shukkeien Gardens in Hiroshima. Construction on these gardens began in 1620.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima afternoon
More beauty at Shukkeien Gardens.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima afternoon
More beauty at Shukkeien Gardens.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima afternoon
More beauty at Shukkeien Gardens. Seemingly a geisha fashion shoot we stumbled upon.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima afternoon
More beauty at Shukkeien Gardens.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima evening
Katsu, the owner of Kapone in Hiroshima. A very cool guy with a very cool club.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima evening
My real mission: One of the Escovedo's has escaped and I must bring him back. Hopefully Gary Busey will play me in the movie version.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima
Maggie, who played percussion and sang harmony vocals both nights in Hiroshima.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima evening
Miyuki, who sang on several songs along with Maggie.
Day Four 7/19/08 Hiroshima post-gig at Kapone
From left, Kit (he played harmonica on a couple of tunes), Maggie, me, Miyuki and Tsun-san.
Day Five Kure early am
Leaving our home base Kure to go to Kanazawa and Osaka.
Day Five Hiroshima early am
Breakfast at the rail station. Soba noodles.
Day Five late morning
View from the train heading from Osaka to Kanazawa.
Day Five late morning
View from the train heading from Osaka to Kanazawa.
Day Five early afternoon
View from the train heading from Osaka to Kanazawa.
Day Five early afternoon
View from the train heading from Osaka to Kanazawa.
Day Five early afternoon
View from the train heading from Osaka to Kanazawa.
Day Five early afternoon
View from the train heading from Osaka to Kanazawa.
Day Five afternoon
View from the train heading from Osaka to Kanazawa. Things started to get blurry and surreal.
Day Five afternoon
View from the train heading from Osaka to Kanazawa. Things started to get blurry and surreal.
Day Five afternoon
More of the same.
Day Five late afternoon
The cool venue in Kanazawa.
Day Five afternoon
Another sign for the club.
Day Five late afternoon
Kyoko Inoue played percussion with me.
Day Five early evening
Cottage Industry at it's finest.
Day Five evening
Just before the show in Kanazawa.
Day Five evening
The crowd right before the show. My battery in the camera went out after this photo. Sadly, I wasn't able to take some shots of the incredible meal afterwards.
Day Six Kanazawa early am
Day Six Kanazawa
Bacon and eggs.
Day Six Kanazawa
Japanese Rail Pass
Day Six Kanazawa
Group shot at rail station before departing to Osaka.
Hiromi, Shiji, me and Shuichi. (from left)
Day Six Kanazawa
Great Eel at the rail station.
Day Six afternoon
On the train from Kanazawa to Osaka. More greenery.
Day Six Afternoon
More from the train.
Day Six Afternoon
And more.
Day Six Afternoon
What can I say that this photo doesn't?
Day Six Afternoon
On the train to Osaka. I'm thankful I was not drooling in this shot.
Day Six Osaka
My favorite keyboardist in Japan.
Shin Tsujimoto, age 10.
Day Six Osaka
My name on the calendar at the Howlin' Bar.
Day Six Osaka
Kasa Tsujimoto sporting an Amos Garrett look.
Day Six Osaka
The awesome TeleKasater built by Kasa Tsujimoto at Scoop Creation Works. Click the link and check out his works of art.
Day Six Osaka
Group shot after the show in Osaka. A fun group of folks.
Day Six Late night
One more shot of the guitar I didn't know I was going to buy yet.......yeah, right.
Day Six Osaka
Last shot of the club's sign.
Howlin' Wolf is one of my favs.
Day Six Osaka midnight
Post tour blur.
Day Seven early am (the wee hours)
The master and his work.
At Kasa's studio/factory where specializes in beautiful recreations of those famous American guitars from the '50's and '60's.
Day Seven early am
Kasa's notes and work disc for my tunes.
Humbling to say the least.
Day Seven breakfast
In the Airport food court I had an ugly American moment and I pigged out one last time on sushi and Japanese cuisine. It was good for me.
Day Seven noonish
Big ol' Jetairliner.........
I hope to take another photo of a jet going back to Japan right before I board it. What an incredible experience.
![Day Two 7/17/08 Kure
Beautiful statue called "The Future"
I saw this on the way to catch the ferry to Matsuyama](http://content.bandzoogle.com/users/kevincarroll/images/photos/gallery/1984978.jpg?0 "Day Two 7/17/08 Kure
Beautiful statue called "The Future"
I saw this on the way to catch the ferry to Matsuyama")
![Day Three 7/18/08 Hiroshima early evening
"Lucy" the owner of Jugem, the oldest bar playing rock music in Hiroshima. She took her nickname from her heroine Lucinda Williams. "Lucy" rocks!](http://content.bandzoogle.com/users/kevincarroll/images/photos/gallery/1986391.jpg?0 "Day Three 7/18/08 Hiroshima early evening
"Lucy" the owner of Jugem, the oldest bar playing rock music in Hiroshima. She took her nickname from her heroine Lucinda Williams. "Lucy" rocks!")
