Peter Cetera Solo Live in Japan 2012
In 2012, Peter Cetera returned to Japan to play at the Cotton Club in Tokyo on January 22, 24, 26 and at the Blue Note in Nagoya on January 28. This was his second visit to Japan for his own shows since December 2009. But to be precise, Peter Cetera returned to Japan since he played for David Foster & Friends Japan Tour on October 19 and 20, 2010. This is my review of the Peter Cetera concert in Japan in 2012.
On January 22, 2012, there was a very long queue just before the door opened. That was just like the scene that I saw 3 years ago. Some were in line just looking for standing-room tickets. I asked those fans to write their own messages to Peter Cetera on a white T-shirt. Many fans readily complied with my request.
When the show time for the 1st stage came, Peter Cetera appeared on the stage with his backing band, the Bad Daddies Electric Band, which featured Bruce Gaitsch on guitar, Gene Miller on guitar and vocal, Boh Cooper on keyboards, Joe Chemay on bass, Dan Needham on drums, Jonathan Hamby on keyboards, and Tania Hancheroff on percussion and vocal. When he came onto the stage, Peter Cetera elicited laughter from the audience by wearing the face mask playfully. As compared with his first visit in December 2009, Peter Cetera clearly looked relaxed and in great shape. His band also sounded more powerful and thick thanks to Jonathan Hamby who joined the band as another keyboard player. Incidentally, the set lists for all 8 shows in Japan were as follows:
1/22/2012 Cotton Club, Tokyo, Japan
[1st stage setlist]
1. Restless Heart
2. Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye
3. Glory Of Love
4. After All (with Tania Hancheroff)
5. Even A Fool Can See
6. Stay The Night
7. If You Leave Me Now
8. You're The Inspiration
9. Feels Like Heaven (with Tania Hancheroff)
10. Lady Madonna (Lead Vocal: Gene Miller)
11. Hard Habit To Break (with Gene Miller)
12. Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
(encore)
13. Save Me
14. 25 Or 6 To 4
After finishing the last encore song on this 1st stage, I could deliver a T-shirt with messages from his Japanese fans to Peter Cetera. (After that, Peter Cetera uploaded a selfie photo of himself wearing it to PHOTOS section on www.petercetera.com with the following comment: “T-shirt from my Japanese fans on opening night.”)
[2nd stage setlist]
1. Restless Heart
2. Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye
3. Glory Of Love
4. After All (with Tania Hancheroff)
5. Even A Fool Can See
6. Stay The Night
7. If You Leave Me Now
8. You're The Inspiration
9. Feels Like Heaven (with Tania Hancheroff)
10. Lady Madonna (Lead Vocal: Gene Miller)
11. The Next Time I Fall (with Tania Hancheroff)
12. Hard Habit To Break (with Gene Miller)
13. Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
(encore)
14. Save Me
15. 25 Or 6 To 4
As for this 2nd stage, Peter Cetera played basically the same songs as he did in 1st stage, but included "The Next Time I Fall" in the proper set. (The song was not included on 1st stage.)
By the way, one of the show's highlights was "Hard To Say I'm Sorry / Get Away". Cos this time Peter Cetera sung “Get Away” along with his band. During his 2009 Japanese shows, Peter Cetera performed " Hard To Say I'm Sorry / Get Away". But “Get Away” was presented as instrumental without vocals, just like you could see it on the PBS Soundstage DVD. So I was so happy to see him sing “Get Away” along with his band.
1/24/2012 Cotton Club, Tokyo, Japan
[1st stage setlist]
1. Restless Heart
2. Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye
3. Glory Of Love*
4. After All (with Tania Hancheroff)*
5. Even A Fool Can See
6. If You Leave Me Now
7. Stay The Night*
8. You're The Inspiration
9. Feels Like Heaven (with Tania Hancheroff)
10. Lady Madonna (Lead Vocal: Gene Miller)
11. The Next Time I Fall (with Tania Hancheroff)
12. Hard Habit To Break (with Gene Miller)
13. Hard To Say I'm Sorry*/Get Away
(encore)
14. Save Me
15. 25 Or 6 To 4
On this 1st stage, Peter Cetera mentioned about the experience of the earthquake that occurred the previous day.
[2nd stage setlist]
1. Restless Heart
2. Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye
3. Glory Of Love
4. After All (with Tania Hancheroff)
5. Even A Fool Can See
6. Stay The Night
7. If You Leave Me Now
8. You're The Inspiration
9. Feels Like Heaven (with Tania Hancheroff)
10. Lady Madonna (Lead Vocal: Gene Miller)
11. The Next Time I Fall (with Tania Hancheroff)
12. Hard Habit To Break (with Gene Miller)
13. Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
(encore)
14. Save Me
15. 25 Or 6 To 4
As for this 2nd stage, Peter Cetera played the same songs as he did in 1st stage; he reversed the order of two songs - "If You Leave Me Now" and "Stay The Night" - on the set list, though.
1/26/2012 Cotton Club, Tokyo, Japan
[1st stage setlist]
1. Restless Heart
2. Glory Of Love
3. Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye
4. After All (with Tania Hancheroff)
5. Even A Fool Can See
6．If You Leave Me Now
7. You're The Inspiration
8. Feels Like Heaven (with Tania Hancheroff)
9. The Next Time I Fall (with Tania Hancheroff)
10. Lady Madonna (Lead Vocal: Gene Miller)
11. Stay The Night
12. Hard Habit To Break (with Gene Miller)
13. Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
(encore)
14. Save Me
15. 25 Or 6 To 4
As for this 1st stage, Tochinoshin attended the show as the VIP guest. Before going to the stage, Peter Cetera greeted Tochinoshin briefly, and then walked toward the stage. During the show, Tochinoshin was spotlighted and introduced to the crowd. When mentioned about his daughter Senna who accompanied to Japan, Peter Cetera revealed episodes that he had to go shopping with her at Shibuya 109 after watching Sumo and Kabuki. Cos for her, Sumo was ok but Kabuki was not.
[2nd stage setlist]
1. Restless Heart
2. Glory Of Love
3. Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye
4. After All (with Tania Hancheroff)
5. Even A Fool Can See
6. If You Leave Me Now
7. You're The Inspiration
8. Feels Like Heaven (with Tania Hancheroff)
9. The Next Time I Fall (with Tania Hancheroff)
10. Lady Madonna (Lead Vocal: Gene Miller)
11. Stay The Night
12. Hard Habit To Break (with Gene Miller)
13. Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
(encore)
14. Save Me
15. 25 Or 6 To 4
On this 2nd stage, there were several happenings. Peter Cetera seemed to suffer from monitor problems or something from the beginning of the show. On “Glory Of Love”, Peter Cetera stopped and restarted the performance because of monitor problems or something. As for this 2nd stage, Peter Cetera played the same songs as he did on the 1st stage.
According to Bruce Gaitsch, by the way, Peter Cetera saw the result of the vote on what is the Peter Cetera song you'd most like to hear live in Japan next time. Peter Cetera enjoyed seeing the result and talked a little bit about “They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To”, which ranked No.1 in the vote tally. I’m afraid I’m not sure if the result influenced the set lists of the Japanese shows, though.
1/28/2012 Blue Note, Nagoya, Japan
[1st stage setlist]
1. Restless Heart
2. Glory Of Love
3. Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye
4. After All (with Tania Hancheroff)
5. Even A Fool Can See
6. If You Leave Me Now
7. You're The Inspiration
8. Feels Like Heaven (with Tania Hancheroff)
9. The Next Time I Fall (with Tania Hancheroff)
10. Lady Madonna (Lead Vocal: Gene Miller)
11. Stay The Night
12. Hard Habit To Break (with Gene Miller)
13. Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
(encore)
14. Save Me
15. 25 Or 6 To 4
After performing “Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye” on this 1st stage, Peter Cetera thanked the Blue Note in Nagoya and the Cotton Club in Tokyo for inviting him, and said that Japan was spectacular in everything, including the audience. Then he also said, “Nippon Daisuki!” (meaning “I love Japan!”) After performing “After All”, Peter Cetera introduced his band members to the audience. Peter Cetera, when introducing Dan Needham to the audience, revealed a backstage episode that Tochinoshin joked Dan Needham at the Cotton Club, saying that he looked like a sumo wrestler. After the show, one of his hardcore fans who showed his drawing of Peter Cetera was invited to backstage and met the Peter Cetera in person again, just like he made it on December 17, 2009.
[2nd stage setlist]
1. Restless Heart
2. Glory Of Love
3. One Good Woman
4. After All (with Tania Hancheroff)
5. Even A Fool Can See
6. If You Leave Me Now
7. You're The Inspiration
8. Feels Like Heaven (with Tania Hancheroff)
9. The Next Time I Fall (with Tania Hancheroff)
10. Lady Madonna (Lead Vocal: Gene Miller)
11. Stay The Night
12. Hard Habit To Break (with Gene Miller)
13. Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
(encore)
14. Save Me
15. 25 Or 6 To 4
As for this final 2nd stage, the show kicked off in full swing. Peter Cetera replaced "Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye" with " One Good Woman", saying that he changed a part of the set list for repeat fans. Since “One Good Woman” was not part of the set list during the 2012 Japanese shows, the audience was again excited. After performing “Lady Madonna”, Peter Cetera especially thanked his 4 hardcore fans, including myself, one by one with a handshake and a smile. Peter Cetera also picked up some of his drawings presented by his hardcore fan and showed them from the stage. Before coming back for the encore, we showed 60 copies of drawings of Peter Cetera with the following message: “Please, come again!”. This surprise was organized and prepared by a hardcore fan who showed his drawing of Peter Cetera during the 1st show. Since performing “Get Away”, the entire audience rose to its feet and the applause was deafening. The encore of this final 2nd stage was indeed the greatest part of the 2012 Japanese shows.
Lastly, I would like to share Peter Cetera's overall impressions on these Japan shows. They were all posted on PC SPEAKS section of www.petercetera.com.
Just in case, I've cut and paste his comments below：
“Thank you JAPAN for a fantastic welcome!”
Monday, January 23, 2012
japan..
It’s been unbelievable coming back here..As usual the fans here have made myself and the BD’s feel so welcome I’m afraid it’s all very addicting..The first night was about as good as it gets onstage..I’m looking forward to the rest of the shows and I’ll keep you posted on that..hmm..Sumo-Kabuki-great shows…Bring it on Japan!!!
“Last night at the TOKYO COTTON CLUB!”
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
japan..
Thursday is our last night in Tokyo’s Cotton Club then on to Nagoya..It’s a great venue in a fantastic city..Every show has been packed with our many friends and enthusiastic fans. I always miss Japan after I leave and most certainly look forward returning any time I can.. Seriously, Japan should be on your visit list..Even considering the problems they’ve had recently, as far as I’m concerned there’s no place friendlier, safer or with as much culture as Japan..I LOVE IT!..seeyapC
ps..If you do come over however, please be prepared to feel overweight, underdressed, and ill-mannered because they’ve got it going on over here!..
Thursday, January 26, 2012
tokyo
As we depart for Nagoya, many thanks to Hitomi San-Hamasaki San-Reiko-Noriko-Yuko Amino-Hiroko Unno-and to the fans and friends for your many presents and gifts of kindness both to myself, my daughter and the Baad Daddies..We will always come back to this wonderful special place. )-: pC
Monday, January 30, 2012
japan..
Just got back to the USA from JAPAN and all I can say is that it was SPECTACULAR! From the sights and sounds to the wonderful friends and fans it was one beautiful journey…I’ll write more later after I’ve had a few days sleep..for now, ZZzzzzz..pC
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
JAPAN THANK YOU'S
I really want to thank the many fans and friends who helped make JAPAN a most memorable tour..First off thank you to everyone at The Cotton Club/Blue Note, Katz-Hiroshi and Rune..Same to the staff at OKURA HOTEL including Takashi Hitomi and Osuma Hamasaki..Thank you Reiko Yoshikawa for the exiting tour of Sumo-The fish market and shopping at Shibuya109 for Senna..And to everyone who sent a letter or the many wonderful present including but not all Miwa Oshima-Yosuke Oko-Hironori Arai-Yoko Oyagi-Kazuko Hirasaw(with Sumo and Sushi)-Eri Ono-Makiko Igarashi-Tomhiko Takeda-Setsuko Hasegawa-Taka-Reiko Takeuchi and the wonderful artist who does all those sumo-bball-etc drawings of me Norifumi Shishido and to more people than I can mention..THANK YOU JAPAN!!!..Peter Cetera
