LogViewer (Yoshiaki Masuo Message Board)

Hi,
Thank you for your post.
I do not know what amp/effectors were used.
If I can get any info about it later, I will let you know.

For related info, click to see photos of the effectors
Mr. Masuo used to use several years ago, when playing
tunes like "Dealing with Life" with his band Power Spot.
http://www.ymasuo.com/reports/2012/2012effects.htm (2012)
http://www.ymasuo.com/reports/2013/201309_P1030660_effct.jpg (2013)
(the photo is on this page http://www.ymasuo.com/reports/2013/index2.htm)

In more recent days he uses less effector pedals --
one or two at most throughout one show.
His Boss Over Drive OD-1 he had in Japan went out of order in May, 2019
and he now uses XOTIC BB Preamp instead.
( I guess OD-1 may be one of those he used in "Masuo Live", but the guess could be incorrect. )

Hi Masuo-San or whoever reads this? I love your late 70’s tone, particularly the distorted stuff on your “Masuo Live” album. I was wondering what amp/pedal you use to get that sound? I would assume the domestic Japanese stuff that was around at the time, like the old Yamaha Amps and boss/Ibanez distortion and chorus, but knowing what specifically would be awesome. Thank you!

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masuo! I'm in Tokyo vacationing w/ my wife and I thought of you and the tracks we did circa 1980. looked you up online (so I could show my wife) and found a video of you playing CORVALLIS w/ a bass player. it was one of our tracks (so long ago, but I remembered it clearly!). just wanted to say hey- hope you are well after all these years. I've been in Los Angeles since 1990. life's good. if you want to reply, email to todcooper@earthlink.net. nice memories.... :) tod

Thank you Mr. Berkman for visiting here and leaving a message for Masuo san.
Masuo san will read your post.

Hey Masuo san,
I was playing in Machida with a group called NYSQ (we play in Japan every year) and we heard your recording with Chin Suzuki, duo. I really enjoyed it a lot and was glad to find that it was you, sounding great. Hope all is well.

Hi Yoshiaki!

I am Ronnie Lynn Patterson, pianist and friend of Marc Copland and Drew Gress.
I would like to speak with you or write to you again.
If you would like, please drop by at my website at www.ronnielynnpatterson.com
Kind Regards,

Ronnie Lynn Patterson

Thank you for posting, Mr. Copland !

I will let Mr. Masuo know of your message.

Hi Masuo

Long time..........playing Tokyo Oct 18-20 at the Cotton Club with John Abercrombie's band. Had a question for you. Hope you are well!!

Hello Mr. Steve Hall,
Thank you for leaving a message to Mr. Masuo.

What's up, my man? Been so long, we old guys now,lol , i am 60 today, still fighting the same fight. Still(again) trying to release that music we recorded, Anywaze just wanted say hello, hope you are very well. All my best, Steve btw , where are you living now?

Thank you for your post!

Mr. Masuo tried to send you a reply message by email
but it returned to him undelivered.
So I then tried contacting you by email,
which I hope reached you all right.
But if you have not received email from me yet,
would you please kindly email me at kaco@ymasuo.com ?
Thank you.

Hello Mr. Christian Callanta,

I wish I could let you listen to Mr. Masuo's recent
performances of his original tunes with his band.

Thank you for your message to Mr. Yoshiaki Masuo!

Hello Masuo,

Hope everything with you is excellent. I was going through my CDs and came across two that I played percussion on... "Just like Old Times" & "A Subtle One". It brought back good memories. I just came back from Japan with Kenny Garrett.

Would love to hear from you. Will give you my phone number when you reply.

So long for now,

Rudy Bird (Percussionist)

Dear Sir Yoshiaki, I am listening to your first ever Album - Good Morning released in 1979. It has many great tunes and my favorites are "Because Of You", (I'm Still) Believing In Dreams, "A Little Bit More". Thank you so much for the wonderful music...I hope you can come up again with an album similar to your Good Morning 1979. Sayonara!

Hello,
I have not heard anything about it from Mr. Masuo yet, but
I went to the website www.jasrac.or.jp of JASRAC (the Japanese
Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers)
and found that both the music and words to this song
have entered the public domain, as you guessed.

There is a song database on JASRAC's website.
The database front page (search form) is this:
www2.jasrac.or.jp/eJwid/main.jsp?trxID=F00100

Once your browser has displayed the database front page,
then the browser should be able to display the following page,
which shows the "GONDORANO UTA" record in the database
(but mostly in Japanese text, sorry):

www2.jasrac.or.jp/eJwid/main.jsp?trxID=F20101&WORKS_CD=03105121&subSessionID=001&subSession=start

It says the copyrights on this song, both for music and words,
have expired.

According to other web pages, the song was released in 1915.

Hello. I am releasing an album with an instrumental version of Gondola No Uta (The Gondola Song), and have been unable to find a publisher for this song. I am curious as to whether Mr. Masuo had to obain a license to release this song. If so, would you mind letting me know how to get in touch with the publisher? It may be in the public domain. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I love this version of the song, by the way! Thanks very much,

Hello Mr. George Cole,

Thank you for the information and your comment.

I checked out the BBC page and YouTube videos.

BBC's page:
BBC Four -- Arena
Sonny Rollins: Beyond the Notes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01c30jy

YouTube:
Arena - Sonny Rollins '74: Rescued!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8SCquHKhzs
(I also see on YouTube some shorter clips
that seemingly share the same source.)

Yes, I like it!
Really happy that the old tape was rescued and broadcast to the UK,
and now anyone (including me in Japan) can see it.

Greetings from the UK!

Our national broadcaster, the BBC, recently showed an old film (thought to have been lost) of Sonny Rollins playing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 1974, with a band that included Yoshiaki Masuo.

If you are a fan of Yoshiaki Masuo you should try and get to see the show - his playing is fantastic and he plays an amazing solo on one of the numbers!

Dear Liu Tak-sun,
Happy to hear such a story. :)
Regarding the email sent to you by Mr. Masuo,
I have done nothing except for making some arrangement on this
message board so that Mr. Masuo can easily know of a new post. :)

And thank you very much for purchasing One Word and
your donation.

Dear Kaco,

First off, I can't thank you enough for your help. You're the best.
Today is a very special day of my life. When I was on my way home from work this evening, I checked my email while I was listening to Mr. Masuo's "The Song Is You And Me". I discovered a personal message sent to me by Mr. Masuo. It's truly a surprise. I had to read the message three times to make sure it's not my imagination.

Thank you again for your help and the personal message from Mr. Masuo.

Cheers... Tak-sun

Hello Liu Tak-sun,

Thank you for your message to Mr. Masuo.

I am sorry to say that the "Mellow Focus" album is hard to find today.
I hope we see "Mellow Focus" get released again someday in the near future.

Dear Mr. Masuo,

I am your biggest fan in Hong Kong, I have followed your music since I was in my early '20 (and now I am in my early '50). I have bought a couple of your new and re-issue albums (including The Song Is You And Me, Good Morning, Life is Good, Are You Happy Now, Sailing Wonder and Finger Dancing) and I can't tell you how happy I am when I listen to your music; it's like chatting with an old buddy.

Do you know where I can find "Mellow Focus" - my all-time favorite which I search through Amazon and HMV Japan without result. I will be very, very happy if you let me know where I can get a copy of this CD.

Thank you for the music.

Hello Lodey,

Cover art images of albums including "Masuo" are located
in this page:

http://www.ymasuo.com/eng/covers1.htm

I hope this is what you want.

I can't find a cover for this album.

Mr. Lee, thank you.
I have heard that Mrs. Masuo has sent you an answer.

( I myself, being a non-native of English, cannot think of the way
to tell you in English how to pronounce it. )

Thank you very much for taking time to contact us to make it sure.

How do you pronounce your name?

Mr. Christian Callanta, thank you for visiting the website and posting.

You may have already visited MasuoMusic.com (Sunshine Ave. label),
but if not yet, I hope you go to the website as well.

As for photos, I am sorry but I've heard that
Mr. Masuo has no such photos to send out.

Mr. Masuo says "Thank you for all your kind words" to you.

Dear Sir Masuo, I am one of your fans in Manila, Philippines. I constantly followed you guitar playing since 1979. Your Good Morning LP is my favorite specially the tunes, Because Of You & (I Still) Believe In Dreams. I don't have that LP/CD but I will try my best to get hold of your "Good Morning" CD. I would also want to ask if you can send me an autographed photo, even a soft copy only. My name is Mr. Christian Callanta. Thank you for the music and I hope you still get to compose and release tunes similar to the Good Morning days...Take care and all the best Sir Yoshiaki!

Hello, Mr. Al Mack,
Surprised to see your name!
We fans are still listening to Sailing Wonder.
Thank you for your warm message to Mr. Masuo.

Without you and Shirley (and Tiho & Sexy Judy) my life might have taken so many bad turns, instead your patients and guidance pointed me in the right direction time and time again, THANK YOU ALL for knocking some sense into my hard-assed teenaged head!
My wife just bought Sailing Wonder Remastered 24 bit, WOW! the energy and spirit we had with that band could have competed with anything at that time, but it was your mastery of the guitar and understanding of music and talent that made it so magical. Me and Bashiri were cracking up how much we loved being a part of that project, i was just 16!!! You brought me and Bash together as great friends as you have many music spirits in the past. A standing ovation Mr.Masuo, Al Mack

Thank you very much, Mr. Sandy Taylor,
for letting us know about your jazz programming hours.
I will listen to your stream player from time to time during your
jazz programming hours at http://wriu.org/ from Japan.
Hope you have good time on Caribbean sea cruise.

Maestro Masuo:

Many thanks for the two copies you recently sent me. We can assure you your CD will receive air play during our jazz programming hours (M-F 6 to 10am & Sun 6 to 8am) here at WRIU, Kingston, RI.

While our jazz DJ staff is comprised of local community volunteers, WRIU is primarily a student operated station on The University of Rhode Island campus.

WRIU/fm is at 90.3, and on line at wriu.org.

Very much enjoy your music, and can say that Bill Mays ranks among my favorite pianists. My wife and I are booked for a jazz cruise this Jan/Feb on which I'm looking forward to hearing Bill play. He's listed as being on board.

Hello Mr. Joe Pierce,
Thank you for leaving your message to Mr. Masuo.
I'm very glad to know that you like his music,
and has come to enjoy so-called smooth jazz.
I hope that someday you will be able to see Mr. Masuo play.

Hello Mr. Masuo,

Thanks for the excellent music you create Mr. Masuo. Finding your "This song is you and me" at a record store a few months ago has made me an avid fan not only of your music, but also of the smooth jazz genre. I hope that you will come to Georgia to play a concert sometime soon, and that you keep releasing more music!

Hello Paul,
Yes, it is Gibson Les Paul Standard 1959.
Mr. Masuo still owns and plays it.

See photos of his Les Paul on this newly created page:
http://www.ymasuo.com/eng/equip.htm
(I have just put up this Equipment page on this website.
On the Equipment page, clicking on each thumbnail image
enables you to view a larger image.)

I've heard that "Are You Happy Now" was recorded with Les Paul.

And I think track 9, "Satisfaction" of "Life is Good" perhaps
was also recorded with his Les Paul.

I read somewhere that Yoshiaki has played and recorded with a vintage (1959?) Les Paul Standard. Is this correct?

Thank you for your interest, donna.
Before I can find time to add a new photos page,
please check Japanese "Photos & Reports" pages on this website
if you do not mind their captions being in Japanese.
Here is the URL of the Japanese "Photos & Reports" index page:
http://www.ymasuo.com/reports/index.htm
from which you can go to each photos page.

any new photos of mr. masuo?

Hi, donna,
Thank you for trying to have Masuo's music put on air.

Masuo will surely read your warm message.

"Song Is You AND Me," originally on vinyl,
was reissued on CD in 1990 and soon went out of print. I missed
the chance to purchase a CD of the album, and have not obtained any yet.
Used CDs of the album are trading at significant premiums.
Let's hope for another reissue of it.

hi, i would love to see him play live here in the philippines. i gave a copy of Good Morning album to my friend who is one of the disc jocks of one and only jazz radio stations here. i wish he could play it on air one of these days. my japan-based filipina friend is still working out in getting me a copy of Mr. Masuo's The Song is You and Me album. i heard some clips thru the net, its also a nice music. Please extend my regards to Mr. Masuo, am wishing for him good health in the years to come.

Hello donna,
Thank you again.
I guess it's currently not likely for Masuo to go on a tour to
the Philippines, but I wish such a thing would come true someday.
I wish you could see Masuo play live.

Hello again, i am hoping that mr. masuo will have time to visit the philippines......

Hello donna,
Thank you very much for the compliments on Masuo's music. Mr. Masuo
says he is very happy to hear that his music is enjoyed in the
Philippines! Actually, he met a long-time fan with his son from the
Philippines the last time he played at the Blue Note in NYC and was
very surprised.

Many fans are asking Masuo to re-issue his older LPs on CD and Masuo
is sending those requests to the record companies that hold the
rights to the recordings. We are hoping that they will be re-issued
soon.

Hello again Mr. Masuo,
I wonder where i could get a copy of your The Song Is You And Me album. I heard a part of the some of the cuts and i loved it. Again, i am asking a favor from my friend in japan to help me have it. By the way, i always listen to your I'm Still Believing in Dreams music, thanks for making such a very romantic music such as this...

hello mr Masuo, am from the philippines. last june, when i first met my boss, we were both surprised that we love the same kind of music and that is jazz. then i was told that during the 80's he bought a cassette tape of your Good Morning album but got lost. i searched over the internet if there is a chance to download a copy of his favorite cut that is GOOD MORNING. I got so frustrated because i did not find it. i reached to a friend who is based in a remote province in japan to help me get a copy of the subject album.. days past and news received was that the album is out of the market already... her husband, a japanese helped us get a copy... after three weeks, they sent me copy. i gave it to my boss as a christmas gift.

Hello Mr. Roberto Bernardinello,

Thank you very much for listening to "Life is Good"
and reviewing it on the radio program.
I (and perhaps we) would appreciate any further
information about the show and the review.

Hi Masuo,

my name is Roberto Bernardinello, I'm an Italian bass player now living and playing in Wichita, KS.
I'm writing because I'm listening your CD-Life is Good and I'm gonna do a review of it for the KMUW Jazz Radio on the Moonglow show.
If you're interested I'll keep you posted about the show and the review.

Great Music!!!

Thank you
Roberto Bernardinello
www.bernardinello.com

The latter half of 14 videos posted onto YouTube are:

Masuo and Nori Naraoka DUO at FJ's in Tokyo on May 25, 2008
FJ's is a club owned by keyboardist Jun Fukamachi.
Mr. Fukamachi took part in the session on the 6th and 7th tunes.

(1) Have You Met Miss Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bBeZfCTOis

(2) Look For The Silver Lining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5nikIMHwRY

(3) Dolphine Dance
http://www.youtubZT6UvMqcAA

(4) Road Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbzHlU8b4Eg

(5) Georgia On My Mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW726CLCqPk

(6) Autumun Leaves (with Jun Fukamachi on keyboards)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fO34k1b-ws

(7) One Word (lyrics and music written by Masuo) (with Jun Fukamachi on keyboards)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm5hPCZLcfI

Someone videorecorded Masuo's show on May 14th and May 25th, 2008 in Japan
and uploaded them to YouTube with OKs from Masuo and Nori Naraoka.
14 videos in total.

Masuo (g), Nori Naraoka (b), Tommy Campbell (ds) on May 14th, 2008
at the jass club Alfie in Roppongi, Tokyo

1st set (3) Road Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHa5S9Ot4J8

1st set (4) blues in B flat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHdJjUiWfVY

1st set (5) Body & Soul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROkAiPL8Nqg

2nd set (1) Solar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWyZAVXBnEs

2nd set (2) Have You Met Miss Jones 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOHIH4u-LKM

2nd set (3) Part Of The Deal (written by Masuo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBfZ3WvxcjY

2nd set (4) In a Sentimental Mood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKKfok177U

Hello Tobias, thank you for posting.

If you mean you want to see the sheet music of the tune Josephine,
I am sorry I cannot meet your expectation now.
Masuo was in Japan from April 26 to early June
and I saw him several times during his Japan tour,
but he did not play the tune Josephine and it seemed
he had not brought the tune's music to Japan.

Thank you anyway for your message.

Hello Yoshiaki

I love your Guitar sound! so beautiful. Have you notes for the tune Josephine? i love this tune.

Tobi from switzerland

Hello Mr.Masuo
This is Yoanna and I represent one of the greatest living Jazz pianist - Adam Makowicz.
For some time already we have been contemplating a possibility of organizing Adam's performace(s) in Japan.Many of our friends - classical piano performers- visit frequently your country;Adam, however,would like to delight Jazz loving audiences with his remarkable Art.
Would you be kind enough and help me with reaching appropriate management office in Japan so I could start organizing Adam's tour.
Your suggestions will be most appreciated; also - I would love to look into possibility of organizing a very special performance in Toronto, where Adam and yourself will share the stage.
I thank you in advance
Sincerely
Yoanna ( Zeman) Makowicz

Hi Kati Masuo,
> I guess the musician-ness runs in the Masuo blood

Yes, maybe it does.
Yoshiaki Masuo's father was a jazz pianist and brother is a guitarist, too.

Yes. There are very few Masuo's in the world.
I'm related to you.
Don't know if he actually reads this, but hello, family!
My dad plays guitar too, I guess the musician-ness runs in the Masuo blood.

My name is Tim Miller and i met masuo in california 26 years ago or more now
and would love to catch up my cell is 408-205-7595 please have him call me

Hello Masuo,
My name is Jeff "Siege" Siegel. I am a drummer, and used to play with multi-instrumentalist Arthur Rhames. Back in the early 1980's at the Jazz Forum in New York City, some Japanese film people did a video of a performance of ours. The video has never surfaced. I once met a man named Takashi who said he was one of those film people. He told me he thought that there had been a copy of the video at the Greene Street Studio in New York at one point, and perhaps that video got damaged in the flood there. Do you know what happened to that video, or know any of the other people involved that I could try and obtain a copy? Pianist John Esposito and I are starting a website devoted to Arthur Rhames and it would be great to have that video be a part of it. I have looked for years for this video unsuccessfully. I greatly appreciate any assistance in this you could give me.
Thanks very much!
Best regards,
Jeff "Siege" Siegel

www.jeffsiegeljazz.com

Hello Mr. Masuo,
My name is Yohei Goto. I heard about you and your studio from Matt Wells.
I was going to e-mail you but I couldn't find your personal e-mail address so I just decided to post in here.
I was wondering if you and your studio needs recording engineer or assistant.
I have experience in numerous proffesional sessions and being in NYC for 6 years. and I'm fluent in English and Japanese.
I'd like to send you my resume so please let me know the e-mail or fax number that I can reach you.

Thank you.

Hello Antonio,
Thank you for leaving your message.
"Good Morning" is still on the market, and you can order one
online at amazon.co.jp, a Japan site of amazon.com, using a credit card.

If you are going to try ordering one at amazon.co.jp,
click here to go to its "Good Morning" info page.
Initially, you will see the page in Japanese-language mode.
Click the "Would you like to see this page in English?" link
(or the "See this text in English" link) on any page in amazon.co.jp
to switch the display language.
Note that, even after switching to English mode, only essential part
of the page will be shown in English. And price information unfortunately
will be shown with a garbled currency (yen) mark.
"Good Morning" is 1901 yen at amazon.co.jp.
For amazon.co.jp's shipping rates and delivery information, see this page.
For a CD shipped to an Asian country by International Economy Shipping,
600 yen for shipping (per shipment) plus 300 yen for handling (per item)
will be charged. (* This may subject to change.)

I grew up hearing Masuo play from cassette tapes back in the 80's which probably gave up to overuse. I never got to listen to to his songs until a few days ago when a local station played one of the song from his Good Morning album. It brought me back good memories. I really love the melody of the songs and his flowing style. I am learning to play the guitar now and it would probably be fulfilling to play one if not most of his songs. sad, that I still do not see anything on the music bars here. I am from the Philippines and i was hoping to get a copy of this CD.

Shirley & Masuo, This is your long lost HairStylist........ Susan...... Remember me??????? Randy is here visiting in St.Collage....... Would love to hear from you?Susan

SHIRLEY IT'S PAM !!!!!!!!
WOULD LOVE TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU AFTER ALL THESE YEARS !!!!!!
MUCH HAS HAPPENED ....MUCH TO SHARE !!!!!
GOOD MUCH !!!!!

Designed for both guitarists and bassists the "SANTUCCI TREBLEBASS" 10
and 11-string instruments, combine a BASS and GUITAR on one neck allow the fullest rhythmic-harmonic sounds that can be developed play the well renown "tapping touch style" technique with all finger and thumbs directly throughout all the entire fretboard.

Video demo of the 11-string can be seen at the follow website:
SANBASS.COM
RGDS, S. Santucci

Please visit the follow website regarding the novel and unique "SANTUCCI TREBLEBASS" 10 and 11-string electric instruments combine a BASS and GUITAR on one neck:

SANBASS.COM

The incorporate BASS-GUITAR, designed for guitarists and bassists, allow easy multi-sound exploration between this two instrument by play
the "tapping touch style" technique with all finger and even thumbs directly throughout all the entire fretboard.

RGDS.
S. Santucci,
Musician-Inventor

Sali, thank you for linking to this site and letting us know of
your blog article about your recording with Masuo.

Dear Masuo,

Greetings! I wanted to let you know that it was a tremendous honor to meet you earlier this year at the studio. I also wanted to let you know that I've linked up to your site from my blog at http://www.pinkmanhattan.blogspot.com I hope it was OK. Best wishes on your next tour in Japan coming up this May. Fred says "hi". Love to Shirley.

Hello Louie,
"Good Morning" on CD is still in print in Japan.
The amazon.com online store in the US, for example, carries "Good Morning"
as an import item. (See the Yoshiaki Masuo search results.)

For "Song Is You and Me" and "Mellow Focus",
I can't think of any way you can get one, if you live outside of Japan.
It is hard to find used CDs of them.
These are relatively easy to find on used vinyl
in Japan, but maybe not outside.

How can I get old albums by yoshiaki masuo?
The song is you and me/ mellow focus/ good morning. I have been trying to get them but cannot find one.

I have remade an image file of the hand-written music copy, and replaced
the one on the music page. Its file size now is about 83 KB.

I have put up a sheet music image for Small Steps.
Please go to the Music page to view it.
The image file is rather heavy to download (223 KB).
Maybe I'll try making a smaller and clearer-image file later on.

Thanks!

Hello paul alcantara,
Masuo is now in Japan on tour and I am enjoying seeing him play
at several venues in Tokyo.
I got a copy of the sheet music of "Smalll Steps" from Masuo
so that I can put it up on the web. Please wait some more
days until I can find time to do the work.

Does anyone have the chord progression for 'Small Steps' from the 'Are You Happy Now' album?

RIGHT ON, THAT'S WHAT I FIGURED. THAT'S A MASUO TRAIT. I CAN LIVE WITH THAT. EACH TO HIS OWN IT'S ALL UNKNOWN.....

Hello John D. Masuo,
"Masuo" is a relatively uncommon Japanese family name.
So, what your father says may be true,
but there seems to be so many descendant(?) families.
They may now mostly be unconnected and unaware of each other.
There once was a post on the Japanese message board
from a young female singer whose last name was Masuo and
who hadn't known Yoshiaki before finding this site.
Yoshiaki Masuo's younger brother Motoaki Masuo is also
a guitarist, who has released five albums.

For your information, Mr. Y. Masuo is not a good correspondent; he seldom writes.

My dad said that all Masuo's from Japan are from one original family....There are a lot of Masuo's in HAWAII....I myself play a Gibson ES175D. And one day by accident, I spotted Yoshiaki's name. I still don't know for sure, but what a coincidence. I'm pretty busy right now, but I will research more later. Anyone have any further info please e-mail me. I'm in Portland,Oregon. But I did spend a lot of Light Years in the Bay area when it was really Turned On! Yoshiaki, if you read this send me an E-mail and I will send you my telephone number.......John..7/05/1949..Honolulu, Hawaii.

Thank you for your post, Rick.
Yes, the Les Paul you saw in "Live at Laren" 1973 is a '59 model. Masuo still owns it.
This site currently has only Japanese pages about his instruments,
but I'll try to find time to make English pages hopefully in the near future.
The Les Paul Masuo first got was a black custom model (the photo is
from Masuo's second album titled "24" in 1970) .
He sold the black one and bought the cherry sun burst '59 model.
The latter (cherry sun burst) one survived a water accident that flooded Masuo's
recording studio at basement level into a pool in 1994.
See photos taken in 1978 and in 1992 or 93 with his Les Paul.
You can listen to Masuo play this Les Paul in his recent albums
"Are You Happy Now" and "Just Like Old Times".

Although the cover art of "Are You Happy Now" shows Masuo playing
the Gibson ES-175 (hollow archtop), he recorded the album using the Les Paul.
The cover jacket makes you expect to hear the ES-175 played on the album,
and even after listening to it, most people do not doubt it.

Hello iwan,
The song "Minor Samba" was first recorded on the album "Mellow Focus,"
which was released in 1982. I love the tune, too.
Later, it was recorded for the album "Just Like Old Times" in 1992.
I wonder which one you have heard...perhaps on "Mellow Focus"?
In the Mellow Focus version you hear electric keyboard.
This recording gives a sort of light and mellow feel. On the other hand
in Just Like Old Times, the tune is played in slower tempo and
in a more melancholic way, with Sadao Watanabe's alto saxophone featured.
Just Like Old Times was remixed and reissued in 2002. It has become difficult
to find a copy on sale in Japan, but amazon.com in the US seems to carry it.
Mellow Focus went out of print long before. Its CD version was released as early
as in 1983. In spite of the album's popularity among fans, it hasn't
come out again since then. So the CD version of "Mellow Focus" is
nowadays traded at extremely high prices in net auction markets.

(My deep condolences to all those affected by the recent devastating
earthquake and tsunami in your region.)

Greetings Yoshiaki

I recently obtained a video of Sonny Rollins Live in Laren 1973; marvelous band and wonderful performance. I was of course thinking about Sonny when I bought this video, but the pleasant surprise was discovering your excellent guitar work here as well.

I was curious about the guitar you were using; it looks like an original '58 or '59 Gibson Les Paul. As you probably know, these are insanely rare and expensive nowadays. Do you remember any details about that instrument, and do you perhaps still have it?

Thanks

dear Mr Masuo

my name is Iwan from Indonesia.
i was looking for one of your song "minor samba" where is the album contain with this song ?
the song was very very inspirational, very charm.
why the great oldies songs from japanise musicians never release on cd ?

GOD bless all of your family.

Hello,
"Sailing Wonder" was first released by the Electric Bird label of King Records,
and has been reissued in CD format on the same label a few times in Japan.
The album was recorded during the period from Jun. 25 to Nov. 15, 1977
at the Electric Lady Studio, New York and released on May 21, 1978.
Steve Gadd plays on track 2 (Treasure Island), 4 (Nature's Anthem), and 6 (Cracker Jack).
I love his drumming especially on track 2 and 4.

This is about all I can tell.
(Sorry, Masuo only reads the board and does not write. )

Hello,

My name is Krzysztof Filipski. I do discography of Steve Gadd's recordings.
I suppose he plays drums on your album the "Sailing Wonder". Could you tell me which record label released it first? Electric Bird/King? In which year was it issued first? 1977 or 1978? Is there any other album of yours featuring Steve Gadd?
I need this information to the discography of Steve Gadd.
I will be extremely thankful for your help.

Regards,
Krzysztof Filipski

P.S. Could you tell me something about Mr. Steve Gadd? What kind of man is he?

Thank you for pointing out the spelling mistake.
I have corrected it.

Ther is no such person in Jazz by the name of Havey Schwartz. YOu may be referring to Harvie Swartz(now Harvie S). If so please correct.

Thank you for your words about Masuo's playing.
I am very sorry but there is no way I can make a copy of it available to you.
As far as I know, the Sonny Rollins' video titled "Festival international
de jazz de Montreal" was released on Laser Disc in early 90's.
I hope it will come out on DVD someday.

A few years ago I saw the video where you were playing with Sonny Rollins
in Montreal in 1982. What a great show! Being a jazz guitar player myself I really appreciated what you played at that show and how you and Bobby Broom played off of each other. I have tried to get my hands on the video to no avail. You are my last hope! Thanks.

Sincerely,

Andrew Thompson

Thanks for the info. I supposed I will just have to ask somebody back home to keep looking. There must be somebody out there who still have a copy of of the album. If you hear anything, please let me know. Once again, thank you for the info

Hi, Ling,
"Deanna" is on the album "The Song Is You and Me."
Yes, its cover has a yellow bird picture.
You can check the cover image on the Discography's "Cover Images" page in this site.
Unfortunately, this album is out of print. Its CD version was released
in 1990, and it went out of print too soon! I missed buying it.

During mid 80's, I have two albums of Yoshiaki Masuo. One of the album contained a song name "Deenah". I was still in the Philippines way back then, and I have move to LA 13 years ago, and left all my albums collection behind. For some reason, all my collection were either misplaced or somebody took it. I tried to search for the same album here and in the Philippines, but I supposed they are already out of print. I forgot the name of the album, but I remember the album cover has a yellow bird picture. Please let me know where to find these record especially the one with the tittle song "Deenah"

Hi, this is Sayuri Goto, I'm a piano player.
I met you at Arthuro's maybe a year ago.
You showed me your studio at that time but
I would like to see and check out the piano there again.
Please let me know when is the good time for you and give me the rate, too.

Thank you very much.
Sayuri Goto

Hello Eric,
the CD is currently out of print and it is difficult to find one even at online auctions such as Yahoo Japan's auction. (I have seen its vinyl version on sale in Yahoo Japan's auction a few times, but unfortunately sellers in the auction will not ship internationally anyway.)
I myself have the album on vinyl only and am still looking for one in CD format to get.

In 1990, four titles of Masuo's Electric Bird label albums were released in CD format by King Records: Sailing Wonder, Sunshine Avenue, Good Morning, and Song Is You and Me. Of the four, Sailing Wonder and Good Morning have been reissued on CD twice since then, while the other two have not yet.
I hope Sunshine Avenue and Song Is You and Me will also be reissued.

Hello! Does anybody here know where i can find a copy of
The Song is You and Me album in cd format? I love this album but too bad the record i had was borrwed by a friend but it was not returned to me.

Yoshiaki Masuo
The Song is You and Me album
CD: KICJ 2004 (Mar 21, 1990

I've seen your ex bass player TM stevens 10years ago.
Yes he no longer plays jazz, BUT!
I was really excited by his groove!

You know, Most of "Jazz peaple" look down on other kind of music.
Why? Don't you think that's bullshit?

Anyway, We must go on!
Good music, dosn't mean Jazz or not!

Dear Masuo

I saw your ex bass player TM stevens play on Feb 1st 2003. I was very dissapointed. He no longer plays Jazz and he thinks he is George Cinton now. He calls himself shockazoolu.
I saw you play in nyc many times at Seventh Ave South and at mikel's uptown. I met you and your wife a couple of times and even tried to get your records played at a Long Island radio station. My friend Mario Fukuda got you to play at our college STONYBROOK. I would love to buy any Cd 's from you directly.
Please let me know when you are playing in nyc. I would love to see you play.
PS. the times I saw you play were in the early 1980,s

David Selwyn

Hi, this is Jazz pianist Eric Reed and I want to notify you of a concert coming up featuring the music of Donald Brown, who wrote such tunes as "Insane Asylum" (recorded by Wynton Marsalis,) and "New York." Donald was the contemporary composer of choice in the 1980s. Cats would record his tunes "hot off the press," even before Donald could record the music himself!

Come and hear some of the greatest Jazz music ever written being played by Donald's heroes, peers and followers: Mulgrew Miller, Gary Bartz, Carl Allen, Robert Hurst and me!

The concert will take place on Friday, February 21, 2003 at 8pm; Miller Theater (campus of Columbia University) 116th & Broadway NE.


Regards,
Eric
EricReed.net
http://www.EricReed.net

Hi Georges,
The CD, LUSH-LIFE-BILLY-TOKYO, has not been reissued.
There seems to be no plan of reissuing this album as of now.

I'm a French jazz collector trying to find all versions of the tune : I Remember Clifford. I send that email on behalf of Tsuyoshi yamamoto who give the link of your site . I'm looking for one record by Yoshiaki Masuo including that tune :

LUSH-LIFE-BILLY-TOKYO. AGHARTA (J) PCCY-00126

Could I find one copy ? Is that recording reissued on CD ? If not do you think that someone could be able to dub on cassette or CD-R? Even the tune only ?
All infos are welcome. Thank you.

Georges

Hello Marc,
It's probably very difficult to find one.
Although twenty titles out of 30 on JazzCity have been
re-issued recently in Japan, Marc Cohen's two titles
you mentioned unfortunately were not. Currently there
seems to be no plan to re-issue either of the two.

Several titles of those originally released on JazzCity
also came out in the USA from Evidence Records.
I hope JazzCity albums including Marc Cohen's will be
released again in the US.

Hello Yoshiaki,
Am a big fan of your playing, as well as your producing. I am currently seeking Marc Cohen's MY FOOLISH HEART cd on JAZZCITY, which you produced in 1988. Is this cd available anywhere, or will it be rereleased soon? I am also seeking Cohen's ALL BLUES AT NIGHT, also on JAZZCITY. Anyone with info on these discs, I am willing to pay top dollar for a new, used, or cdr copy. Thank you.
Regards,
Marc Grieco
email: MCG1371@aol.com

last album i got was "the song is you and me", and that was 1982. great to hear that you are again playing. i won't miss your latest. thanks for all the years of music. domo arigato. your tomadachi, michael.

I am trying to send e-mail to Shirley and Yoshiaki Masuo, but old address is being returned.

Thanks for your posting, Shunya san.
And thank you very much for your cordial offer.
Access to this English message board is very scarce, compared to the Japanese-language board. I hope this site will have more and more non-Japanese-speaking visitors and more English postings, although I'm afraid I won't be able to make adequate responses on this board in English.
I am hoping that access to the English pages will increase when Masuo's next album comes out (when "Are You Happy Now" was released, this site did not exist).
I would appreciate if you kindly let your friends know this site.

Hi, Kaco san,

I am sure that you remember my name, Shunya. I once appeared on the Japanese side of this board and that lead to some little argument. Well ,frankly I enjoyed it so much. I did not know that you also set up this English version. Maybe I could contribute to this site by contacting my Jazz friends living in foreign countries by letting them know this existence. Please keep up a good work and just hope that many English speaking Jazz fans will see this and share our appreciation for Masuo san's great music.

Warm Regards,

The biggest contest for unsigned band of the year happening at www.jamwithpam.com You can take part by voting for your favorite band and get to meet Pam Anderson.

I have loved the guitar playing on Sonny Rollins' Horn Culture album for years and always wondered who the guitarist 'Masuo' was. I am delighted to have finally discovered the answer!

Hello, John.
I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner. I've been on a trip for a few days.
2000 yen is equal to about $18.6. But I'm afraid the shipping cost to
your country will be high. I think I'm going to ask them about this.

hello webmaster i went to the site in japan with the record i want and they dont take credit cards yet but maybe you can set the order up for me they did e-mail me and i think they want to sell me the lp song is you and me i will send them cash in us dollars how much us is 2000yen?
this is the site you sent me to thank you!!!!!!

john zbodula

"Finger Dancing" is also out of print. This was recorded live (partly
in studio).
It was released on LP in 1980 (KING Electric Bird K28P-6071), and has
not been re-issured either on LP nor CD.

hello

i would like to buy this record or tape by yoshiaki masuo called finger dancing

Hi, john! Thank you for coming.

"Song is You and Me", which was released
as an LP in 1980 (KING Electric Bird, K28P-6043), and
as a CD in 1990 (King, KICJ 2004)
is now out of print.

For now, there is no way but to get one from a used LP/CD shop.
I've found one in the catalog of a used record shop in Japan at:
http://www.uchu-rec.com/ ([catalog] -> [J-POP K--M])
It says "UJ-G0215 THE SONG IS YOU AND ME K28P-6043 2,000 yen."
But, I wonder if they accept any order from outside of Japan.

where can i get this lp? or is it a cd?

Welcome to the Yoshiaki Masuo's English message board !!

Construction of the English version of the Yoshiaki Masuo Website
has been lagging behind the Japanese version. Finally, the
English subsite had its own message board set up here.

Please feel free to post messages about Masuo or this site.

(You can go to the Japanese-language message board by clicking on
the [Japanese board] link at the top of this page.)