Strange Days No. 60 [September, 2004] - Japanese Music Magazine "....Historically speaking, the 1960’s were the best period in the music revolution. It was an exciting decade. There was a variety of music at the time. It was really wonderful. Good music inspired me "The Rolling Stones, Dylan, The Doors". Love was everywhere...." SD: I feel as if you were making music on stage, when I saw your show last night. GOS: I think it’s because there are no drums and guitars. Melodies might transfer directly to your mind. The PA system was very good. It made it easier for me to sing. SD: Your band is very simple; two chorus singers, one piano, one synthesizer and a flute or harmonica. Why is this so? GOS:It depends on what kind of songs I am singing. If I sing many songs from, for instance, "Singer Sowing Machine", I would bring a drummer and guitarist to Japan. However, Piano Foreplay is very simple. Simple line-ups will bring my songs closer to the audience. Besides the venue (Duo Music) is also small. So I thought it would be better to sing with a smaller band. SD:What impressed me most last night was watching you enjoy playing the piano. GOS: Thank you. I can’t dispense with the piano, as Bon Dylan can’t do without the guitar. SD:You said last night, on stage; you gave up playing the guitar because you are left handed. Tell me how you chose the piano. GOS: Because there was a piano in the house then. Working-class families had pianos at that time. I had piano lessons but I hated reading music. So I quit learning. I taught myself, and fell in love the piano. Music became more important to me. SD: In Japan, many families also have a home piano. Usually, it’s not for popular music, but the gateway to classical music. GOS:It’s the same also in England. When I began piano lessons, I studied classical music. But the piano for me is the means to express my feelings or what I felt listening to the radio. It doesn’t matter whether you are right-handed or left-handed. SD:What songs helped you decide to write music with the piano? GOS:The Beatles’ songs in 1962. They made me feel you could compose songs even if you didn’t learn music theory. When it comes to singers, it’s Bob Dylan. His voice is not so good but he could make it with such a bad voice. SD:What instrument did you play when you started playing music? GOS:Drums and vocals. The first band I belonged to played songs by the Searchers and Marvin Gaye. The next band was what Rick Davies belonged to. We played blues in the beginning but gradually our favorites were in different directions. My songs were commercial oriented, although Rick’s were not. I started again as a solo artist, while Rick made his new band (Supertramp). SD:How do you feel about the late 60’s when you debuted? GOS:In my opinion, the best period for films is the 1950’s. I’m sure the best period for pop music is the 1960’s; the Beatles, The Stones and flower power. In the 1970’s, good singer-songwriters appeared one after the other like Carole King, James Taylor and Gilbert O’Sullivan (he laughs). However, historically speaking, the 1960’s were the best period in the music revolution. It was an exciting decade. When I was in London, I shared one room with a friend of mine. There was a variety of music at the time. It was really wonderful. I tried to promote myself to record companies. Willy nilly, good music inspired me "The Rolling Stones, Dylan, The Doors". Free sex was so rampant. Love was everywhere! SD:The Best Hits And Rarities compilation seems to represent your music career so far. So when I finish listening to the CD, I wanted to know more about you. GOS:Exactly! You will find how I have matured on the album. It includes not only well-know songs but also the songs you can’t find on my albums. Disappear seems to be sung by another artist, doesn’t it? SD:Tell me about the history of Disappear. GOS: I recorded the song in 1966. I lived in Swindon, and recorded it in my garden shed. I couldn’t record my songs in the house because visitors came often and the telephones rang. So I put my piano there. It’s important to concentrate when you record a song. This version was recorded in my garden shed and the string quartet was overdubbed later. SD:Are you going on tour with this band? GOS:I suppose so! However, when I perform in larger halls, I might change the line-up. SD:Do you get inspiration while visiting Japan? GOS:No, I came to Japan for my work. I just go to the hotel and studios and concert halls. That’s all. I visit Japan to promote my new cds and to perform in concert. It’s not related to my writing. SD:What Japanese food to you like? GOS:I like "Shabu Sahbu" and "tempura." I like green tea. When I am at home I always drink Japanese Tea. SD:I imagine that you’re bored in Japan if you just go from hotels to concert halls. GOS: No, I’m a workaholic. I will not come to Japan to sightsee. I f I should come to sightsee, it will be after I quit my job.

You can surf to Strange Days here. Unfortunately, it's all in Japanese and it takes a second or two to download!

*Thanks Isao for translating the article into English. I've changed just a few words!