VOICE 06

You taught me how to play guitar.
Then, alone,
You've departed for journey.

I've tried to be like you
I've held my guitar,
I've been traveling along by myself somehow.

Didn't you come back to us finally?
Blowing in the Prairie Wind,
Didn't you end your journey?

Are you saying that you are off on another journey?

Please take me with you this time.
Listen to my sound!
Now I can play like you do!
I can sing your songs just like you!

6lai, born in 1957
Hidatakayama, Japan
Wood Crafter
VOICE 07
If Bruce Springsteen's approach using Pete Seger's "We Shall Overcome" is "static", I feel Neil Young's "Living With War" which directly expresses anger for the government treatment for soldiers is "dynamic".

In spite of the difference in style, the fact that these two new albums came out almost at the same time suggests that America's public opinion, which is quiet but strong enough to shake authority, is rising from the bottom and calling "No more Bush" and "No more War".

Neil was born in 1945, and I was born in 1955. I imagine he idolized and looked enviously at America as "America, The Beautiful" when he was small, just like I did.

Back then, our "Idol, America" came to us through radio and TV. I used to memorize names of American pop songs introduced on FEN in Katakana, used to feel Western cowboy spirit and their justice and friendship by watching "Bonanza", "Rawhide" and "The Rifleman". I used to imagine the green grass front yard and multiple cars parked, a huge shinny refrigerator packed with large bottles of milk and orange juice, all from "Father Knows Best" and "Bewitched". They always have "Cookies, for now!" for the kids who come home hungry.

For us, it was all an illusion. America was advanced and had high level of culture and civilization, had a strong sense of justice and moral, yet was pastoral and had a big heart (just like in "Prairie Wind").

That is why I feel vexed at the illusion being destroyed. I wonder when America became so arrogant and self-centered.

Of course I'm not saying all the Americans are like that. But I'm worried.

Please wake up and sing "Earth, The Beautiful" rather than "America, The Beautiful". I want America to stop being selfish uncle and come back as "My Proud Uncle" whom I can tell everything and count on.

sassa, 51, Nagoya
VOICE 08
I want to believe the thing of which the day that can be said that the war ended comes.

masato kaida

*self written in English
VOICE 09
I have many thoughts toward this album, however, overall I was impressed by his intention of expressing his wish for peace by placing "America, The Beautiful" at the end. Which is unlike a country expressing patriotism by creating conflict and increasing armaments.

"AMERICA is beautiful
But she has an ugly side"
(Lookin' For A Leader)

I wish the people in high office somewhere could think like this.

k_k at J.S. Mach
VOICE 10
Just like all of your music in the past has been sounding in my daily life, these new songs reached my daily life as "reality".

The relationship brought by your songs gave me a lot of power, just like your songs used to do to me. I hope this chain reaction of relationship extends to a larger ring.

Thank you.

Shiroya Kazuaki

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