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The Zen Of Kitaro May 28, 2025 This is my Tribute to the Zen Soundscape of and my Friendship with my buddy, Kitaro. Kitaro effectively speaks three languages. He converses with English; his birth language is Japanese. But Kitaro’s most powerful language is “spoken” with his body, his arms and his fingers. You have the privilege to feel his Music because there are no vocals (except for some occasional vocal collaborations) in his masterpieces. Everyone will derive different personal feelings from the songs they feel when the songs are performed. Over the years, Kitaro had interesting collaborations with the likes of Grateful Dead (Mickey Hart), Yes (Jon Anderson), Megadeth (Marty Friedman), Dennis Banks, Philip Glass, Zhang Yimou and Oliver Stone. When Kitaro performs his music vision, his body (arms, facial gestures, closed eyes, dancing fingers) flows with what emerges from his Soul. To play out his Music Vision, the multi-instrumentalist Kitaro employs his trusty Korg keyboard, Mini Moog, electric sitar, Buddhist bells, Taiko drums, flutes, and even a harmonica. Kitaro’s Arsenal (above image) to quell off one’s ill feelings and replace it with tranquil optimism and contentment. Kitaro with his Buddhist Bell (above image). Kitaro with his Flute (above image). Kitaro with his Electric Sitar (above image). Kitaro with his Taiko Drum (above image). Kitaro with his Harmonica (above image). Kitaro with his Family of Soundscapes (above image). Quiet ponderings before his concert performance. Kitaro calibrates his Electric Sitar (above image). During Soundcheck. Ensuring he gives his best to his deserving audience. Kitaro Poster (above image) with his Flute. I am honoured that Kitaro used my image of him for his poster. Over the years I have joyfully hung out with Kitaro and got a feel for who he really is. He is genuinely calm and contented, exuding optimism. He never raises his voice. I acquaint him as the Asian version of Prince (“Purple Rain”, “Let’s Go Crazy”, “Sign Of The Times”) and Brian Eno (Roxy Music, U2, Taking Heads etc) who are all oozing with melodies, musical ideas and are multi-instrumentalists. Different sons of a different Music Motherlode. Kitaro music is timeless and transcends all racial, cultural and spiritual boundaries. His music provides soothing balm to one’s soul especially in today’s stressful times. My eclectic latest Sparks (“MAD”) and Kitaro (“Zen: Live In Katsuyama”) CDs and DVD arrived yesterday, courtesy of Amazon. As diverse music genres as you can get. My Stash of Kitaro CDs and Concert Passes collected over the years (above image). You do not listen to Kitaro’s music, you feel it. Play Loud. Let the Zen Music seep into your Soul. “Thinking Of You” Vinyl and CD Signed “Thinking Of You” Vinyl and CD (above image). I am honoured Kitaro featured my portrait of him in his Grammy award winning album, “Thinking Of You”. Actual Portrait of Kitaro featured in “Thinking Of You” album (above image). I presented a signed print of this beloved image to him during his most recent private visit. The following images are of me hanging out with the ageless Kitaro over the years. Kitaro with my “ACCESS: Into The Wilderness Of Rock And Roll” book (above image) featuring him in the pages. Kitaro hanging out at my Meditation Chamber at home (above image). Kitaro and his fun wife Franci enjoying lunch at Tanglin Club (above image). Stretching out with Kitaro (above image) pre-concert. Me and Kitaro’s Canon Cameras (above image). Another Happy Hangout Time with the Maestro (above image). Me, the talented Drummer and his Taiko Drums (above image). Now and Zen, I always look forward my bonding time with Kitaro-san. See you in September 2025! Żródło: https://eddie-sung.com/the-zen-of-kitaro/

Lunch with Kitaro May 9, 2025 Today (Friday, 9 May 2025) I enjoyed an especially fun lunch with the legendary maestro Kitaro who was in Singapore, with his beautiful and fun wife Franci, for a private visit. Yes, rock stars sometimes come to Singapore for just a holiday. Sans musical instruments. Like all rock star invitations to hang out, I received an email, this time from Kitaro. One simply cannot decline such delicious invites. Me with Kitaro (Mr. Suave) at Tanglin Club. Chummy cuisine of choice – scrumptious tenderloins, oysters, Guinness and Tiger beers (above image). Two good friends catching up. Check out our unintentional coordinated white jeans. An extra bonus, my sister Gena was coincidentally seated at the next table. Kitaro, Franci and me with our tenderloins and oysters (above image). Two Thirsty Love Birds (above image). I learnt that when you mix Tiger beer with Guinness stout, you will be belly happy. A happy tender-hearted Man with his Tenderloin (above image). Wine tasting session at the Club lobby (above image). Exploring the other restaurants at Tanglin Club (above image). Next trip perhaps? Pix by Franci A fun spontaneous shot of our funky shoes after a great lunch (above image). I’m glad Kitaro and Franci didn’t (ahem) … step on my Clarks Wallabee blue suede shoes. Me, Franci and Kitaro-san at my home’s Meditation Chamber (above image). Hanging out at my home after a fun and delicious lunch. Me and Kitaro-san at my home’s Meditation Chamber (above image). His award-winning CDs are in my vast CD collection, filed under “K”. I showed the CDs to him. Pix by Franci. Do read my previous “Kitaro Returns” and “More Kitaro Returns” blogs on his concerts in Singapore blogs. Today marked one of the most enjoyable lunches I have had in a long time. To Kitaro fans in Singapore: maestro Kitaro is set to have a concert in September 2025. You read it here first. Fun times indeed! Żródło: https://eddie-sung.com/lunch-with-kitaro/

More Kitaro Returns June 29, 2024 Here are a few more poignant images I took at the recent sold-out visual and sonic two-night Kitaro concert extravaganzas. It was such a joy and amazement to witness the scenes I saw and captured with my camera. Go read my previous “Kitaro Returns” blog for my earlier concert images before reading this blog. Most of my concert commentary are there. Consider this Blog a sharing of Bonus Visual Material (CD Album speak). Enjoy the Visual Encore of the contemplative Zen moments captured during the Soundcheck Sessions and actual Concert Performances! Mystic Maestro in Meditation (above image). For a second, I thought I was photographing Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees. Just for a single second, mind you. Gratitude and Humility (above image). The Suwa Daiko Group bathed in Blue Splendour (above image). Soundcheck rehearsal of the second opening act. The blue lights lasted only a second after I took the shot. Pre-Show Backstage Bonding with Kitaro and the talented and powerful Suwa Daiko Group (above image). Moments later, the Suwa Daiko Group went on stage to captivate their awaiting audience. @ARTDIS Claire Teo and Dr. Azariah Tan with Kitaro (above image). A brilliant performance from the first Opening Act. Melody Weaver (above image). Soothing Sitar Symphony (above image). Mystic Glow (above image). Soundcheck rehearsal. Sonic Calibration with Band Members (above image). Soundcheck rehearsal. An Exclusive Intimate Moment – just Kitaro with his Fans (above image). View from the privileged back of stage – a.k.a. My Office. Mental and Spiritual Precision (above image). Wizard Of Wow (above image). Soundcheck rehearsal. Concentration (above image). Soundcheck rehearsal. Panoramic View Of Stage – from Stage Right (above image). A Glowing Magical Performance from Kitaro (above image). A fitting finale image of the Maestro fully focussed and hard at work at pleasing his Fans. Żródło: https://eddie-sung.com/more-kitaro-returns/

Kitaro Returns June 27, 2024 After seven years (2017), since he last performed in Singapore, the legendary Kitaro returned to perform two sold-out nights on 25 (Tuesday) and 26 (Wednesday) June 2024. I got to hang out with Kitaro on both nights. The awesome shows were brought in by the awesome folks at AUX Media Group. Published in 2020, I waited four years to finally present my “ACCESS: Into The Wilderness Of Rock And Roll” book to Kitaro (above image). My legendary buddy is featured in a double spread in the book. Always great to enjoy a LAID BACK moment, literally, in the Green Room with Kitaro-san (above image). My Kitaro-signed “ARTISTE” nuclear-powered concert pass (above image). With this kind gift from the concert organiser, I’m able to roam wild and free, as my following beloved images will show. I’m honoured to share with you the following wondrous sights I was privileged to witness, on and back of stage, and captured with my trusty Canon R3. Enjoy the Show! A fun and impromptu stage portrait shot of the Maestro and his stage (above image). Just the two of us. “The World Is My Oyster Sashimi” stage shot of the Maestro (above image). Just the two of us. A jubilant Kitaro after a fantastic performance in front of his sold-out and full house concert audience (above image). Same star pose as previous image, this time with 2,200 fans looking on! A spectacular giant screen display advertising the show awaits the audience before the show (above image). The awesome shows were brought in by the good folks at AUX Media Group. Thanks greatly to Chyi Kei and Bryan, also to veteran concert impresario Jimmy Loh. I tip my hat to the two talented opening acts – 1) Claire Teo and Dr. Azariah Tan as well as 2) the Singapore Suwa Daiko Group. Full Impact of an immersive Kitaro Concert Experience (above image). This panoramic image illustrates 1) the Kitaro band, 2) the Singapore Suwa Daiko Group on stage and 3) the captivated audience. Kitaro and his Electric Sitar (above image). Sound check. A seated Kitaro enjoying the powerful performance of the Singapore Suwa Daiko Group (above image). Kitaro, stage right, enjoying a contemplative Zen moment during the concert (above image). Kitaro rehearsing an emotional “Imagine” (above image). Soundcheck. Kitaro performs “Imagine” for his audience (above image). I focussed my 70-200mm telephoto lens on his emotional face and melodic hands. I fondly call this image “The Circle Of Life” (above image). Soundcheck rehearsal with the Singapore Suwa Daiko Group. Soundcheck rehearsal with the Singapore Suwa Daiko Group. (above image). A solemn Kitaro plays and sings with emotion the John Lennon and Yoko Ono song, “Imagine” for his finale song in the concert (above image). A touching and emotional moment of the performance. He mentioned to the audience how my ACCESS book touched his heart, on seeing some of my rock subjects that were featured in my book, are no longer with us. One legendary buddy of Kitaro, in particular, is the late David Crosby. My favourite poignant image. I used a telephoto lens to zoom in on the well-worn “Imagine” lyrics sheet while Kitaro sings “Imagine” for his audience (above image). I joked with an amused Kitaro that I called this image, “Sitaro” (above image). Single Minded Enlightenment (above image). Unique view of amazing sound and light show from back of stage (above image). IMHO, the best view in the concert hall. Maestro mesmerising his fans (above image). Emotion of the Maestro 1 (above image). Emotion of the Maestro 2 (above image). Enlightened Soundcheck. I love the halo around Kitaro from the strong light beam (above image). “Focussed On The Golden Moment” (above image). “The Moment of the Maestro”, bathed in golden splendour (above image). “Sitaro and his Amplified Friends” (above image). Check out the wires. Band Silhouette (above image). Sayonara, Singapore! Kitaro and his talented musicians show their appreciation to their applauding fans for two sold-out concerts. (above image). Please also read my previous “Kitaro” blog. Return to Singapore soon, Kitaro-san! Żródło: https://eddie-sung.com/kitaro-returns/

Kitaro May 16, 2023 Kitaro-san is the Grand Master of Music Instruments – Eastern and Western, Analog and Digital. Any music instruments he touches, turns magical. Kitaro-san is also a photographer and visual extraordinaire, he uses the Canon camera system. He once wrote a theme song for Canon in the early days. Always great to have camera chats with this multi-talented maestro (image below). One day I saw a Kitaro concert advertisement in the leading local newspaper, I was excited at the opportunity of hanging out with my dear talented friend again. But I was even happier to see that Kitaro-san used a Zen image I shot of him from a previous concert for the advertisement (image below). When we met, I was happy (again) to see Kitaro-san used the same image on his concert passes (image below). I got him to sign on mine. This is the actual image that was used. Kitaro-san also featured my other images of him in his various websites (personal, label etc) The first time I met Kitaro-san backstage, I saw him walking towards me in the dark backstage area, I recognised his iconic long-hair silhouette. He said, “Eddie Sung, (or was it Eddie-san? Haha.) I like your pictures.” My first picture with him in casual raglan shirt in front of his imposing Taiko drum (above image). Later during the concert, I shot a Zen photo of Kitaro-san, in traditional Japanese kimino, in front of the Taiko drum (image below). I call it the Moon Drum for obvious visual resemblance. Kitaro-san’s Sonic Arsenal (above image). Kitaro won a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album for “Thinking Of You” in 1999. I’m proud that Kitaro-san featured my portrait of him, photographed during soundcheck, in the album artwork for Vinyl and CD formats. He kindly sent me some signed and personalised album (Vinyl and CD) souvenirs (above image). This is the actual image that was used (above image). I like the single light beam shining down on Kitaro-san. It really anchored the portrait. Kitaro-san amazed his fans with an electric Sitar solo (above image). Kitaro-san breathed magic into his antique flute. As I mentioned earlier in this Blog, Kitaro-san is a Grand Master of all Music Instruments. During the soundcheck, I was amazed and amused to see Kitaro-san whip out a harmonica and showed it some affection. Kitaro-san channeling Bob Dylan. I quickly snapped the priceless moment. Long May You Run, Kitaro-san! Żródło: https://eddie-sung.com/kitaro/

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