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... still in love with the blues
Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai
Guitar, vocals
June Yamagishi
Guitar, vocals
Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai & June Yamagishi (Japan)
"... still in love with the Blues"
P-Vine 2025 - CD
Reedition 2026 Album
(2 tracks added)
Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai, (永井“ホトケ”隆, born October 24, 1950, Mie Prefecture),
Japanese guitarist.
In 1970, while attending Doshisha University, he started a rock band covering songs by The Beatles, CCR, and others with Masashi Kobori.
In 1971, he formed a blues-rock band with Shinji Shioji.
In 1972, Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai (vocals), Shinji Shioji (guitar), Junji Yamagishi (guitar), Tadashi Kobori (bass), and Teruo Matsumoto (drums) formed the West Road Blues Band. In September of the same year, they were asked by BB King himself to perform an encore session as the opening act for his Osaka concert, which became a catalyst for their deeper devotion to the blues.
In April 1973, as "Magazine #1/2" was closing, they recorded a commemorative live album (limited to 500 copies) "Live at Magazine No. 1/2"
June Yamagishi 山岸 潤史, born , June 6, 1953 Mie Prefecture) is a Japanese guitarist based in New Orleans, Louisiana
On April 1, 1975, they released their debut album, "Blues Power" (Tokuma Bourbon). They embarked on their first nationwide tour. In the same year, they released their second album, "Live in Kyoto" (Tokuma Bourbon)
On February 26, 1977, West Road Blues Band disbanded after their final live performance. He traveled to the United States alone. After returning to Japan, he formed a new band Blue Heaven. In 1980, he released "Blue Heaven/Live" (Vivid Sound) and "Big Boss Man" (Dead Ball Records)
In 1984 The West Road Blues Band reunited with its original members and released the album "Junction" (Victor/Invitation). Then formed Crazy Boogie Night with Masahiro Sayama (piano) and Romy Kinoshita (bass), performing at jazz clubs and jazz festivals.
He toured Tohoku and Hokkaido with young bluesman Robert Cray during his visit to Japan
In 1995, he released his first solo album, "Night People" (ZAIN). His long-held dream of performing live on West Road came true. This performance was released as the album "West Road Live in New York" (ZAIN).
1998: Formed the band Trick Bag releasing the first album "Last Exit" (ZAIN) in 2000.
In 2006, he formed Blues Power with Yoshiyuki Asano (guitar) and Takashi Numazawa (drums).
In 2016, with his new band Blues The Butcher, he released the album "Three O'clock Blues" (P-VINE)
His latest solo work to date was released in 2022 titled "Kick Off The Blues".
Musicians:
June Yamagishi - guitar, vocals
Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai - guitar,vocals
Masaki Ueda - vocals (Tracks 1,4,6,8)
Tracklist:
01 Crying Time
02 Ramblin’ On My Mind
03 Walkin’ By Myself
04 Baby What You Want Me To Do
05 Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
06 The Right Time
07 You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had
08 Lonely Avenue
09 Rock Me Baby
10 I Don't Want No Woman
11 I'm Still In Love With You
Listen to samples - June Yamagishi & Takashi Hotoke Nagai - ...still in love with the blue
Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai
June Yamagishi
Active since the early seventies, in 1972 he founded the pioneering blues band in Japan, West Road Blues Band, together with his mate, singer Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai.
In 1975, Yamagishi left the band to join Sooo Baad Revue, releasing three albums, "Guitar Work Shop"(1977), "Guitar Work Shop 2, Live"(1978) and "Really ?"(1979)
After releasing his first solo album, "All the Same" (1980),
After releasing three more solo albums, "Give This Love" (1988), "Jack Of Blues" (1993) and "Smokin' Hole" (1994),
...he left Japan in 1995 and moved to New Orleans, where he settled permanently. There, he became well-known among Louisiana musicians and began playing alongside legends such as Earl King, Henry Butler, Davell Crawford, Marva Wright, and George Porter Jr.
In the 1990s, he joined American guitarist David T. Walker and drummer James Gadson to form Band of Pleasure. Together they released three albums: "Live at Kirin Plaza" (1992) "Band of Pleasure" (1994) and "A Tiny Step" (1995).
throughout that decade he was performing and recording with the band called Chickenshack.
As a member of The Wild Magnolias, he released two albums between 1996 and 2002.
As a member of Papa Grows Funk, he released five albums between 2001 and 2012.
In February, 2018, Funk on Da Table, Yamagishi's new band consisting of Japanese and American musicians made a tour debut. They released their first CD Live at Tipitina's the following year
In 2007, he reunited with West Road Blues Band guitarist Shinji Shiotsugu to record Together Again - Blues in New Orleans
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