Tadashi Said

jiguma

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Description

I have had a lot of contact with Tadashi Togawa through MacJams and emails. All I really know about him though is that he produces wonderful music and, in his comments on my and others uploads and his own song descriptions, has a wonderful approach to English which never fails to surprise me.

His comments are generally poetry, and on occasion (as in his response to my song "Careful of the Overflow"), his comments really hit a chord. This song was inspired by his line about "vernal years of hope and fears". I had to look up "vernal" in my dictionary and found that it referred to spring, with "vernal years" referring to that early part of life before "summer" - the productive period.

It dawned on me that I must be getting close to autumn! This clicked with some personal decisions my wife and I were making about work and travel, and moved us in a slightly different direction - one with which we're very happy!

This song is a celebration of reaching a time of life when decisions about the future can be made and acted on - of where we are and where we plan to be.

Thank you Tadashi-san!

Bass drums guitars and lots of vox - PLAY IT LOUD!!

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Lyrics

Tadashi Said
© 28/8/2005 Neil Porter

Something that Tadashi said
Made me pick a different thread
Things are over when you’re dead
I’d rather be free instead

Sick of working 9 to 5
I want to leave this job alive
See grandkids when they arrive
I’d rather be free instead

Move out of your comfort zone
Time to sell the family home
Come next winter we’ll be gone
We’re gonna be free instead

30 years I’ve played the game
Every day’s been much the same
Moving to a slower lane
I’m gonna be free instead

Something that Tadashi said
“Song transparent feeling”
“Vernal years of hope and fears”
Is what Tadashi said
If that translates to autumn years
Staring at the ceiling …?
“Vernal years of hope and fears”
Is what Tadashi said

Vietnam looks good next year
Need another winter here
Hanoi café Bia Hoi beer
Gonna be free instead

Robert and his latest squeeze
Funny how relations freeze
Carry on we aim to please
Gotta be free instead

Something that Tadashi said
“Song transparent feeling”
“Vernal years of hope and fears”
Is what Tadashi said
If that translates to autumn years
Staring at the ceiling …?
“Vernal years of hope and fears”
Is what Tadashi said

Moving from my safety zone
Centre stage and all alone
Man guitar and microphone
It’s good to be free instead

Something that Tadashi said
Made me pick a different thread
Things are over when you’re dead
I’d rather be free instead

Song Stats

Hits: 2339
Comments: 42
Fans: 9
Plays: 178
Downloads: 113
Votes: 24
Uploaded: Aug 30, 2005 - 05:01:51 PM
Last Updated: Jan 20, 2006 - 12:16:43 AM Last Played: Jun 26, 2009 - 03:24:33 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Hardware:

Seagull S6 guitar
'71 Fender Precision Bass
Shure DM1000D mic
Behringer UB802 mixer/preamp
G4 iMac

Software:

GB2

Comments

	said 1547 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Tadashi is right Hey Neil, I am digging the Caribbean feel of the tune, great lyrics, very cool idea. Liked the layered voices and the guitar licks, nice slide accents. This is another cool tune, groovy. Cheers

jiguma	jiguma said 1547 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Tadashi is right Thanks Johnny, glad you liked it. This was another quick turnaround tune, so I'm pleased with the way it ended up. Always appreciate your comments and support, Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

stevel	stevel said 1547 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Very cool Really cool track you have here. For some reason it reminds me of a Kinks track called 'Gotta be free' off the 'Lola' album...must be the melodic harmonies I guess Nice performance and production. Top! Steve Check out my latest song called Electricity

jiguma	jiguma said 1547 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Very cool Thanks Steve, I'm really glad you like it - don't know the Kinks tune, but have an anthology album set somewhere and will have a listen. Really appreciate you taking the time to listen and leave a comment. Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

thetiler	thetiler said 1547 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	The words sure come alive with the music Enjoyed this, love the fact that you are making a wisdom song and the music fits right in. This kind of music is important to mankind. Seeking wisdom and making a precious song out of it! Thanks for sharing! Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

jiguma	jiguma said 1547 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	The words sure come alive with the music Thanks Bill, Glad you liked it, and really pleased to hear your description as a "wisdom song" - a new term to me, but one that I will remember. Always appreciate your comments and the fact that you listen (and hear!). Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jgurner	jgurner said 1547 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	I can't wait... ...until the day I can just let go. On that day, I'm going to play this song very, very loud! There's a lot of happiness behind this tune and it shows. The lyrics, and the comments that prompted them, are truly inspired. Enjoyed it very much. Thanks for sharing this! Check out my latest song called Bourbon Street Dawn

jiguma

jiguma said 1547 days ago (August 31st, 2005)

I can't wait...
Thanks Joseph,
we're not quite there yet, but I have this very clear picture of light at the end
of the tunnel! I'm really glad you got the happiness vibe - Tadashi's
comments (both these and some others which didn't really fit in the song)
just inspired us to think a little differently.
Really appreciate you listening and taking time to comment.
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1547 days ago (August 30th, 2005)
	Tadashi rocks! Oh man, this is great! Dig the lyrics, performance and production, and of course that it's about one of my fav MacJammers. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

jiguma

jiguma said 1547 days ago (August 31st, 2005)

Tadashi rocks!
Thanks pv - couldn't agree more about Tadashi. I'm really pleased you like
this one. Although the harmonies are a bit rough, I sure did have a lot of fun
doing them. Feeling like a kid in a lolly shop here with GB and MJ!
As always, I appreciate your comments and the time it took to listen and
write.
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Cori Ander

Cori Ander said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)

Great weather
Wow what a cool start! And such great music! Again a top
production!

Either you are cultivating your personal style more and
more or it is me getting more and more able to recognize
it! This is highly enjoyable music that again makes me
long to experience the climate of NSW Australia, you just
must have very pleasant weather there! (Yes I am
accepting your invitation to play at the caf� in Pambula
Beach ;-)

Looking forwards to an album from you! You seem to be
on the track! Keep on please!

Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

jiguma

jiguma said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)

Great weather
Thanks so much Curry. I'm a bit dumbfounded by the fact that people like
yourself like this music so much. It's just 25 years or so of stuff coming out
after not playing for so long. Main thing is that I'm absolutely having a ball
doing it. When you get here we must spend some time jamming with a beer
on the front verandah!
Thanks again for being so supportive.
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Cori Ander	Cori Ander said 1545 days ago (September 2nd, 2005)
	Great weather Yeah! And we could do some Swedish Chef in your kichen!! Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

Tom Atwood

Tom Atwood said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)

Mythic figure
Sometimes 'quick turnarounds' are the best songs. This
one appeals to me for several reasons. Lovely, laid back
rhythm. Cool, easy vocals and breezy harmonies. But I
think Tiler hit on it when he called this a "wisdom song." I
like the idea of you lying in bed looking at the ceiling
contemplating the words of Tadashi, the Japanese
funkmeister and mystic. His poetry and song description
narratives are a source of inspiration, joy and laughs for
me. I sometimes wonder who he really is?

Great piece, Neil.

Check out my latest song called Keep Looking for Jesus (MJRF)

jiguma

jiguma said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)

Mythic figure
Thanks Tom,
There's certainly something about Tadashi - his music and poetry really touch
me, and I have no idea why. "Japanese funkmeister and mystic" - there has to
be a song in that!! He's certainly the most enigmatic MJer around. I'm really
glad this song seems to resonate with so many people. As I said further up
the page, I just love doing this, and the fact that people actually like it is an
added bonus.
Thanks for stopping by,
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)
	The word is unnecessary Neil, I do not say anything today. I was able to meet this song today. I am good only in it. I do not say anything today. I was able to meet this sound today. I am good only in it. Because the word is not needed. Good tune and good lyrics. I was enriched. Thank you very much,Neil Tadashi Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

Tom Atwood	Tom Atwood said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)
	The word is unnecessary Thanks, Tadashi, for the title for my next instrumental... Check out my latest song called Keep Looking for Jesus (MJRF)

jiguma	jiguma said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)
	The word is unnecessary Tadashi, Thanks for the comment, thanks for listening, thanks for the inspiration! Looking forward to your next upload a lot. Cheers, supashi-bo Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Macaudion

Macaudion said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)

Another tasty ear treat...
...except, this one spilled all the way down to parts of me that before, I hadn't known existed...

Great lyrics and of course, very nice vocal work as well. Your vocals and sylye of playing are quite unique and they pounce onto my ears in just the right way and it always seems that this happens at just the right moment w/ your music.

I have to say, that the lyrics are quite resonant w/ me, as I've made some recent huge dicisions regarding relocating to move to a better area for me. (obviously represented in my music) I had to do a 'knock out punch' on some big fears of mine, but it all happened to work out quite well for me and in all phases of my life at this point. Everyday it feels like spring time in the heart. Thanks for capturing that with this wonderful kraft of words and music.

This music making thing that we do here, it seems to be way more than showing up on the charts for all to see and hear. It's about sharing lives in special ways and, sharing them regardless of how distant and how wide, the tallest of boundries could be...

Thanks for jump'n the fence...

Dion

Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

jiguma

jiguma said 1546 days ago (August 31st, 2005)

Another tasty ear treat...
Thanks Dion,
It's always so good to read your comments. Again, I'm really glad that this
one resonates with you. My guitar style is the result of many years of playing
12 string by myself after moving away from musical friends - a sort of rolling
feel based on 2 or 3 finger picking. When I bought my 6 string a few months
ago, I discovered that there were lots of new things I could do which weren't
possible on the 12 string (note bending for a start).
Whatever - the main thing is that I'm loving the MJ thing, the (and I didn't
think I'd ever say this) online friendships, getting feedback on new music and
just playing. The fact that people like it is such an added bonus!!!
All the best with your decision making.
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

_nderscore	_nderscore said 1546 days ago (September 1st, 2005)
	dreamy gits great sound & lyrics, jiguma. i'm still tryin to figure out what all the words 'mean'. inspiring song, macjammer love! Check out my latest song called glyd

jiguma	jiguma said 1546 days ago (September 1st, 2005)
	dreamy gits Thanks for the comment and the listen _nderscore. Sometimes I find myself wondering about the meaning of the lyrics too - maybe this is a good thing (it might mean more listens). They made sense when I wrote them. Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

dexty96	dexty96 said 1545 days ago (September 1st, 2005)
	Wow I like it very much Check out my latest song called kittorasora

jiguma	jiguma said 1545 days ago (September 1st, 2005)
	Wow Thanks giordano, appreciate your visit! Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

I.G.M.	I.G.M. said 1545 days ago (September 1st, 2005)
	Innovation Great song, Neil! A real song! I like Tadashi`s music very much and also his comments. Would be nice to learn more from people like him. It grooves! Ingo Check out my latest song called I`m Gone

jiguma	jiguma said 1545 days ago (September 1st, 2005)
	Innovation Thanks for the comment Ingo. Really pleased you enjoyed the song. The more I listen to it the more I realise there are some glitches - must put a remix up someday (along with all the other remixes I want to do!). Tadashi rocks! I wonder what he'll do next? Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1545 days ago (September 1st, 2005)
	The Byrds circa Younger Than Yesterday... ...but something else, too... Love the bass against the drums pulse... Actually, I love the whole thing... This is psychedelic... I love the thickness of the mix... heck, even the tambourine comes in cool... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

jiguma

jiguma said 1545 days ago (September 1st, 2005)

The Byrds circa Younger Than Yesterday...
Thanks Ed, always enjoy reading your comments!! I had a long period of Byrds worship, (look that up in the DSM4!), so any mention of them in a comment about a song of mine is very pleasing. "Psychadelic" is also taken as a great compliment. It's funny - when I'm starting on a new song I never really have any idea of how it will sound virtually until it gets uploaded. This started out as a fairly aggressive guitar riff and, true, it ended up psychadelic. Far out!
Take it easy, and don't step on any mushrooms.
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jiguma	jiguma said 1541 days ago (September 5th, 2005)
	The Byrds circa Younger Than Yesterday... I did of course mean "pschedelic"! Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jiguma	jiguma said 1539 days ago (September 7th, 2005)
	The Byrds circa Younger Than Yesterday... No, "psychedelic" - must get my internal spell check serviced! Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

holyparsnip

holyparsnip said 1545 days ago (September 1st, 2005)

hey J
personally,,,,,the Undertow song is still a big Fav! This
song is just okay. What takes away from it for me is the
effected vocals and the effected guittars. It's too heavy,
One or the other, or lighten it up a bit. The vocals drown
into the guitar.

Maybe just a deeper cleaner layering of your voice. it's
too much together.

You Rock!

Check out my latest song called Democracy Despotism Scale (collab)

jiguma

jiguma said 1545 days ago (September 1st, 2005)

hey J
Greetings hp!
I know what you mean - there does seem to be a bit of clutter about in this one. Although I didn't use much in the way of effects on the vocals, I sure did with the main guitar track and the bass. I've been thinking about stripping this one right back to an acoustic guitar sound and seeing what happens from there. So much to do and so little time!!
Will let you know when I have a cleaner mix.
I appreciate your comments - it's good to have some constructive criticism.
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

ledebutant

ledebutant said 1544 days ago (September 2nd, 2005)

Stuck in my head
These lyrics are just terrific, Neil. There are so many great
phrases here, that if I tried to list them all, I'd just end up
retyping the lyrics.

I especially liked, "Man, guitar and microphone, it's good
to be free instead." Your playing, as usual, is just stellar
and I think you did an excellent job with the production. I
also really liked the little vocal improvisation you did at
the end...or are you saying, good, good, good?

This is great. Loved it.

Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)

jiguma

jiguma said 1544 days ago (September 2nd, 2005)

Stuck in my head
Thanks so much Lisa. The vocal improv was just something that happened,
so I decided to leave it (and then use it twice!) - it's just "yeah, yeah . . . . " -
nothing deep. We saw David Bowie's Reality show last year in Sydney - maybe
a relic from that, as I've become quite a fan. The lyrics came in one session
after a glass or two of red!
I'm really humbled by your approval, but enjoying it none the less.

Thanks again,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

8piscean8	8piscean8 said 1544 days ago (September 2nd, 2005)
	Musical Smorgasbord This song is a musical smorgasbord of sounds and senses. It sounds really good in the headphones and the lyrics are inspiring also. Nice groove going on. Check out my latest song called The End

jiguma	jiguma said 1544 days ago (September 2nd, 2005)
	Musical Smorgasbord Thanks Adam, Really appreciate you dropping in and having a listen. Glad you liked it, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

ziti	ziti said 1542 days ago (September 4th, 2005)
	tadashi-san our guru from kobe...inspiring people 'round the globe! great tune jiguma...nice performance and production...the bass part was worth the ticket price! nice work! z Check out my latest song called All Smokey

jiguma	jiguma said 1542 days ago (September 4th, 2005)
	tadashi-san Thanks Fran, Really appreciate your visit and comment. Bass is really my instrument - the other bits (I'm sure you would have noticed that this was my first ever play of slide guitar!) are areas that still need lots of work. Thanks again, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

ziti

ziti said 1541 days ago (September 5th, 2005)

bass
well no wonder that part is so good....I play my own bass parts and always
struggle...sometimes my recordings suffer from my mediocre playing. I am a
firm believer that the bass is the most important instrument in any band, and
the bassist is the first thing i listen to when hearing a band. Very often if the
bassist is good, i will listen to no one else the whole evening!

Bad bass players hurt me on a very deep and personal level (kidding)

Check out my latest song called All Smokey

Scorpjammer	Scorpjammer said 1541 days ago (September 5th, 2005)
	Great Song! Tadashi must be grinning from ear to ear.:) Great story in your lyrics. Simple and picturesque. Masterful guitar picking and overall mixing. Nice use of guitar effects on your S6. You gotta new fan from 'up over'! :) Thanks for sharing! Scorp:) Check out my latest song called Seaside Samba

jiguma	jiguma said 1541 days ago (September 5th, 2005)
	Great Song! Thanks a lot ScorpJammer. I suspect Tadashi grins a lot most of the time - if I could do what he does I'd certainly be smiling! It's great to get such positive comments as yours - I really appreciate the interest. Cheers, Neil Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jmt	jmt said 1424 days ago (January 1st, 2006)
	be hazardous An enjoyable listen. Some parts Grateful Dead, some parts Lindsey Buckingham... The lyrics are uplifting and very well constructed. Sometimes that much rhyming can be hazardous to your health, but here it's good for you. Solid playing/performing... Check out my latest song called mARINERS lULLABY

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Artist Info

Name: Neil Porter

My old bio page looked pretty out of date, so it’s time for a new one: For the full story, see my interview in the MacJammer Blog "The Jiguma Is Up" by Tobin Mueller. I started to learn guitar when I was about 10 – but didn’t last long be... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

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More songs in Acoustic Rock:

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