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Hi Bill and everyone,
Today was the 2nd consecutive Budokan (Tokyo) show. In another 15 hours (tomorrow)
the final "Magical" Seiko Love & Emotion Japan Tour 2001 begins.

July 11 performance at Yokohama Pacifico was very special to me. I didn't have 
any verbal contact with Seiko or the band,... it didn't matter. When she spoke 
the line "This is the place" when she was singing the song on stage, and the 
entire crowd sang "Sha-La-La-La" with her, it was exactly that!...that "This is 
THE place" "This is THE voice" "This is THE moment". You know they live in you 
forever, once you are there in the vincity of the Seiko Live Hall and can feel 
the closeness between her and the audience YOU. You know they live in you and 
it is something like a special present of a temporal experience of magic or 
hope which in this practical and harsh life make it hard for anyone to dare 
want to take the risk of believing and following your heart.

Today, Seiko was very moved by her own show, by the warm response of the 
audience. She spoke lots, she spoke deep, she spoke her heart. She teared and 
so did we. She thanked everyone, fans, the band, the staff, her family... she 
thanked all those who had loved her and stood by her. She wanted to do more to 
return the love and support that she had received that had encouraged her to 
keep on singing. We wished there was something that we could do on our part to 
return the strength and enjoyment Seiko has showed and given us through her 
performances and music. 

Seiko said that she was very moved to see the crowds singing along, singing the 
songs that she writes and sings, and dancing along with her throughout the show.
She was so happy and touched that she teared as she said that. She continued 
saying that she had really wanted this 21Century Summer Tour to be really 
enjoyable for everyone and for herself, she wanted to give it the best that she 
had so that she would have no regrets. And she was really happy when she saw 
how we all responded eversince the Tour started, leaving only one more show 
tomorrow. (she tears again) It was a special night for all of us. 

Seiko was giving freebies throughout the tour eg extra songs here and there, 
joking and teasing the crowds (eg "and you thought I don't remember this 
tune") ... Some may think that it is because she is no longer "there". Nope, 
the aura of a living legend, a true STAR amongst all stars is still there. 
The only difference that separates Seiko from the rest is that she is so high 
up there and yet so close to her fans.... so "at home" so "at ease and comfort" 
while on stage with her fans and yet we all know what a shining star she is. 

It doesn't matter that the album didn't sell, it didn't matter that there were 
a few empty seats here and there at the halls. It didn't matter that many 
thought the album by producer Harada was a little dated, that he should have 
just stayed as producer in the background and not try take any limelight. 
It didn't matter for we saw something else more significant... We dont remember 
seeing a happier Seiko enjoying as much as we were on stage than this time 
round. Had she discovered a new Seiko within her own Seiko Live Magic? 
The quality and the entire livliness of the show was delivered like never before.
You could see that Seiko was reeeeeally enjoying every moment on stage, on 
every stage, every performance, at every city she went. We were enjoying the 
one half hours, THE CONNECTION. It was not the props, not the music per se. 
Everyone just had a great time together. To do a same routine for all 20odd shows 
at that level of enthusiasm and receive the same level of fans' rating is amazing. 

Clearly it was not a job that had to be done because there were people who have 
paid for the tickets. We did not go there to get our money's worth (whatever 
that is or how that is defined). We are way past that. It was a get-together of 
some sort. Yes, It was THAT enjoyable for both us the fans and Seiko. 
Full of high tensions and adrenaline flow and yet so at home. And it was 
exactly THAT at every different location, at every other show that I had gone 
or reviews I had read written by other fans. I guess this is how far we have all come...
It was a concert not for show to the mass media. It was just "A PLACE, A TIME 
for Seiko and fans" and when anyone reach this stage, there is only one way to go.... 
A magical memorable performance, and you know for sure that it is not something 
that can be captured in a recording video. That's Seiko Magical Live 2001 for you.

Tomorrow is the last of a very special Summer Tour 2001.
Thank you Seiko, for a wonderful time.

Tzing