Spellbinding 'Dream Power'
by Eva Zanardi

I was one of the lucky people invited to the seventh edition of the Dream Power John Lennon Super Live concert in Tokyo, a yearly benefit concert starring top Japanese singers coming together to perform songs composed and/or sung by John Lennon, in which the proceeds go mainly towards the building of schools for deprived children in Asia and Africa. I have to admit that, at the time my invitation came, my knowledge of Japanese pop music was as extensive of that of 11th century Gregorian chants.

Although, knowing it was the brainchild of Yoko Ono and being a huge fan of both her work as an artist and humanitarian, I accepted and immediately started the necessary homework. Japanese pop music has been largely unknown to the western public with the exception of few bright spots over the years; bands like Southern All Stars, Chage and Aska , Dreams Come True, Sakamoto Ryuichi's YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra) and, in the 90's, bands like Shonen Knife, Pizzicato Five, Cibo Matto and Buffalo Daughter, enjoyed a certain degree of commercial success abroad.

This been said, the 2007 Dream Power's roster of artists included, as customary, some of the most prominent pop singers in Japan and was taking places in Nippon Budokan, one of the largest music venues in Japan, on December 9th,the day following the anniversary of John Lennon assassination. Being able to witness the Budokan at its full capacity (14000 seats), with almost every attendant flashing the message 'I Love You' on Miss Ono's 'Onochord'* in unison with Lennon's music, was worth the 15 hours plane trip to Japan. 

But what truly amazed me was the quality and sheer talent of the 15 Japanese artists who delighted an ecstatic public with some of the most popular Lennon tunes. Among the highlights, a rendition of 'Jealous guy' sung in Japanese by Kazuyoshi Saito, a slowed down version of ' Help' by Kazuya Yoshii, a heart wrenching rendition of 'Mother' sung in Japanese by Kiyoshiro Imawano and a beautiful version of the wonderful hit '(Just Like) Starting Over' sung by Bonnie Pink (which made me sing out loud with a big smile on my face to the amazed look of the Japanese attendees seated next to me). Yoko Ono, luminous and charismatic as ever, joined the artist ensemble for 'Power to the People/Give Peace a chance' and the deeply emotional 'Imagine.'

Given the target of constructing 50 schools in five years in Asia and Africa already achieved, and the new target of supporting 100 more schools in the next 5years, it's really time to give Japanese musicians and Miss. Ono's Dream Power John Lennon Super Live concert a change for world recognition. .

*Onochord is a pen like device with a tiny light bulb on its tip devised by Ms Ono to flash, in Morse-like code, her message of world peace and love ' I LOVE YOU'.

Eva Zanardi