Farewell, Carl Anderson
We flew in from Japan for Carl's Memorial Service. It was little different from the Japanese way of doing these things. A lot of singing and dancing with choir to celebrate his life. It was nice.
Stevie Wonder talked about the day he met Carl first time in DC, and sang two songs. And, when Nancy Wilson's speech blends into a song, I realized that there was no borders between talking and singing. Carl once told me that Nancy Wilson is like his teacher. Listening to her singing-speech, I almost heard Carl telling me "Kazu, that's Nancy Wilson!"
I was telling Carl that I have to produce Carl Anderson's album someday. I was sure that the way I see Carl was the real Carl Anderson, and people should know about it. I told him that the album I hear sounds so dramatic and great already in my head. Of course there was no songs yet, but it was sounding so good in my mind. Carl said to me, "I hear you, Kazu, I hear you."
Well, I lost my chance to do his album. He was the gate opener, the guide and teacher for me. When he sang on my first album 23 years ago, I was touched by the depth of music. Then I have asked him to sing on Keiko's first album 7 years later. The song "A Drop of Water" is the tune of my life. People may remember him as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, but for me, he is my dear Carl Anderson who sang "A Drop of Water".
I write books and give lectures in Japan about the problems of the society. When I write and speak, I often think about Carl, and try to feel that what he may say. I tune my thinking into his way of thinking, his wisdom and his style of seeing things. When I go to next dimension someday, I feel that he is waiting for me and hug me. Then he will say, "Kazu, let's make that album." - Kazu