Last night, Kent came to HK (his first overseas concert) and played this song at the very last, after he encored once. He asked us what song to play, and many of us said 'Man in the Mirror'. Kent said he hadn't played this song for a while, and then quickly retuned the guitar and nailed it. Hearing him live and watching him playing with such complexity is truly phenomenal.

Clearly choosing 80s music for the majority of his masterful covers says a lot about the best decade ever.

Mr. Nishimura actually wrote a book about his technique!!

One in a million, one in ten million talent.

After several dozen or more songs, he continues to amaze me. Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, vocals, all of it hits the mark in all his performances. And he’s still what? 18? 19? 20? I think he’s been playing for 13 or so years already. Thank you

Kent is an extraordinary musician. His dexterity and imagination to be true to the original recordings is second to none. I pull my guitar and bass out to play along because he is such an inspiration !!!

Question......Have you ever seen a better version of this cover. If yes please let me know.. This guy is note perfect and his playing makes me smile and feel uplifted. Kent Nishimura should be a name known everywhere.

No matter how many times I watch this, I am amazed!

In my life, I'll never be this good at something. Dude doesn't miss a bar.

Aside from perfect harmonics / bends / hammers/ pulls / slides / dynamics / groove and other various techniques, Kent also arranges the covers himself. in order to fit all the parts on one instruments it is often played in some weird non standard tuning, which alters every pattern you ever learned on guitar & adds another layer of complexity for the brain to handle... xD

Kent's cover of Rocketman just kills me everytime as well, but he has many mindblowing covers

To answer some of your questions, he is only about 19 now and was probably the best acoustic cover guitarist years ago already. He has been releasing albums of these covers for years. He usually covers 1 or 2 songs a month and has incredibly good taste in music and what he covers. He seems to be able to cover just about anything in his style as well, but as you say, there must be some process of selection in a sense lol

One of the most perfect and accurate reactions out there. Not once does his genius and skill of playing get in the way of doing full justice to the song and the music! Absolutely love Nishimura, and the reaction that was so on point!

Still astounding to see and hear after so many listenings!!!

Kent is a generational talent!

Beautiful 🥰 I just love acoustic guitar! So glad this was requested because once again I was introduced to a new artist!🎸🎶This was amazing! I got lost in that music🎶💕 thanks for the great suggestion Steve and the wonderful reaction Jeff 🤗

This kid is 19 & has 5 albums & a KZfaq channel w/271K subscribers

Sounds like a group of guitarists and a percussionist jamming.

Kent is a Genuis. I get late for work, whenever a watch him in the work morning.

Yesssss!!! I'm so glad you went over one of the most incredible guitarists and covers ever lol

I’m blown away by the bass sound. I wonder if his technique makes him play the bass note consistently slightly later than the kick, and that is what gives the groove its spongy punch.

I agree with you 100% aside from any visuals, the sound quality is absolutely beautiful.

Your first comment was wonderfully said. Taking the genius of Michael Jackson’s music and making it even more beautiful is extraordinarily uplifting. Many musicians want to show their flash more than create something someone else really wants to hear.

You think that was unreal, give a listen to Kent doing "25 or 6 to 4"

That kid is a genius he is going to be famous.

This is what is meant by "music soothes the savage beast.: Have you to be quiet and smile and listen when someone is playing music this sweetly.

I'm making my second watch. The first one was only on my ears, while walking from office. And yes, it was great just listening. So musical and pleasant. Good choice, Steve!

I thoroughly listening to your explanation of what is going on, so we can actually appreciate even more the technical aspects of Kent's magic. But like many of the listeners... I am at awe and there is already even pleasure to simply listen to Kent's play and arrangement.😍 I love his covers by Sting, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, Prince (oh that Purple Rain!), all MJ, Michael, Michael McDonald, Phil Collins.. We all have our favorites, and so I am interested to see which Kent's covers you will choose to feature next 🤩

That was special Jeff. you know I tend to over react....but this just a gift to hear. Pray for you a great day!!

Jeff, this was soooo cool to listen to. What a talent we saw on this video!!! Didn't mind this interruption to my workday at all.

👍🤯🤯 It do not happen a lot. But this just Blew my mind. I get it and know how one can do this. But Not many can pull this off at such an elite level. Close your eyes at first. and count how many people are in the Band. Rewind and now get blown away. One musician. simply amazing. I have only seen this on a regular over in Spain on Spanish songs in a Tapas Bar.

He play like there are 4-5 players ❤

Beautiful finger picking. Great musician.

grabe talento nitong bata nato parang guitar genius eto na ata ang nakita ko sa buong buhay ko na pinakamagaling na acoustic player sa buong mundo

Just beautifully done both technically and musically

Exquisite technic!! That was Beautiful!

his feel is what I'm always struck by.

very beautiful choice, Thank you Steve!!!!!

I absolutely love your commentary. I truly enjoy your insite and your pure appreciation of his talent. I'm glad I found your channel

Just beautiful! Happy 2023 to all y'all!

1st - Kent Nishimura 2nd- Naudo 3rd - Alexander Misco 4th - Alif Ba Ta

I think you really nailed it... many of the other popular guitarists i have found on youtube have tended to be more gimmicky and it seems like they are showing off the skill more than making the song sound perfect. I think thats what separates Kent is that his songs sound so amazing and I dont think I've seen anyone in his league

Can you imagine a concert with Kent and featuring Leonid and Friends?!!

Thank you so much, Jeff!!!

Stratele you want this guy in your studio....i know you do!!! This guy Kent is gem!!

Nice, (day 3 of asking for Brooklyn by Youngblood brass band) I was listening to this and I was so focused on the small details of the song that I forgot it was a Michael Jackson song, so for a split second I was like "Wait a minute, this sounds familiar".

Great reaction, Jeff, as always. And super interesting to hear your thoughts and perspective on this rendition, as always done with so much heart, humbleness and respect. I love it when musicians totally transform an existing piece of music. To me, Kent created this wonderful, mellow soundscape, completely drawing the listener into his playing -at least me… Thanks for showcasing this 🙏

It's curious to wonder just what he hears when he's listening to a song.

This is such a great song and I ll tell u what!!.... this guy playing the guitar has his bases covered bigtime. He has a lot going on with his finger picking , keeping the rhythm of the song and picking the leads at the same time! This isn’t easy and takes a lot of practice to play all parts and slapping the strings for the snare beat to ring out . This guy really made me want to learn how to play this song because he makes it look effortless but believe me. It’s gonna take me awhile I know that much. This guy did an amazing job even making it look like it’s too easy. 😂. He looks like he isn’t even trying hard. Lol. Good stuff. The guitarist Lindsy buckingham plays a song with the same technique called Big Love. Plays the route notes. And the solo at same time . This was a great rendition for sure

God tier level😊

I enjoyed it, thanx! I've loved Kent since I found him. He does a great version of Beauty and the Beast and Comfortably Numb (ikr?!) Have you heard Eva Cassidy live at blues ally?

He is probably the best in the world at fingerstyle precussion on acoustic guitar

I think when he covers a song like this from a musical genius like Michael Jackson, in return he is honoring and carrying on the legacy of the artist to which the original track comes from. You can see this in which ever track he chooses to put his on special touch on.

How does he get so music out of one instrument? Amazing.

Great analysis. Thank you.

now we know how people feel when Mozart was around !

Jeff, just to make it easier. I know that all your 12+K followers appreciate you (despite the metal stuff,,,lol). You have a solid follower base and is growing every day. I love you and IK as friends and think about your families daily, OK , sentimental Peter signing off.

This is the bomb and would love to see a acoustic playoff with Tommy Emanuel on the same song!... that'll be awesome ❤

Almost unthinkable skills! What a special treat this is!!! Thank you for this Steve. That´s another rendition of this song to add to your collection Quincy! Right Jeff, he is using the skills to make awesome music, not to show off. To develop these techniques in order to recreate all the different layers at ONCE... Ok, he started uploading to YT 5 years ago and he has a book out "Kent NISHIMURA'S FINGERSTYLE SOLO Guitar Songs: 15 Songs arranged for Solo Guit". Sadly his homepage is only Japanese... This is "Pretzel Logic" by Steely Dan by him kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a72Jmclm0p2smpc.html Be amazed!!!

sliding the capo a half note made me cackle with glee.

Thanks!

I’m not musically inclined at all, but what l do know is that was a performance by a genius.

Aaah man, I’m a real sucker for harp harmonics, they sound heavenly 🥹

He is the new definition of a one man band......literally

I can't think of any other player that can get this much out of one acoustic guitar. Not even Tommy.

My favorite Kent Nishimura is 25 or 6 to 4 Chicago cover. I hope it's not hyperbole to say he's an evolution of music. Great review here. I've had all the same thoughts.

Man, that acoustic soundhole has been whacked more than a few times but with fantastic results. Let's buy him a new guitar to beat up!!!

You should watch him play Pretzel Logic or Hey Nineteen 🤯

Just the number of (very challenging) individual musical events (of varied technique) he executes flawlessly (or so close to flawlessly as to count that way) and with such a rhythmic groove and great tone and dynamics ... five minute song ... the number has to be close to 1000. But, yes, ignore all that just listen ... it's still a wonderful piece.

Nice finger style

Nishimura must have learnt from Kotaro Oshio. If you liked his guitar technique, check this out! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hM1zqKej3Lq0nqc.html

Awesome! Can we know the tuning, please? I hear kind of octaver on 5-th and 6-th strings here, is it so?

please reacto to kents 25 or 6 to 4.. you'll be more amazed when you hear that cover.. one of the best. please.. :) thanks..

I noticed the heel as the kick drum obviously and I hear the alternating snare and know it’s from slapping the strings, and I see what you mean about that motion with the heel coming down as he plucks out the bass note with his thumb but my question is: Is there any bass notes when he’s mimicking the snare? Or is he sacrificing a bass note in favor of the snare note? I hope this makes sense …

I wonder if the body of the guitar is re-enforced somehow. I'd love to try this kind of technique but think I'll find a $20 guitar in a charity shop to practice on.

wait , is this even possible

This looks a lot like the Mother Mabel Carter's strumming+lead on upper strings.

nice player..Alip ba ta also

Круто!!!

Kelly Vallue Not sure if I am spelling his name right but he has a similar style.

Some people have too much talent....please share some.

Have you heard Leperous? Castaway angels. Band from Norway, not a bad listen at all.

Jesus! That’s ridiculous. Unreal. Some peoples children lol

So talented boy. Btw,please check out the acoustic guitaris frm indonesia, Alip Bata and a singer Dimas Senopati.thank you.

"Main in the Mirror"?

He has turned a very average song into a masterpiece.

Who’s bihind the mirror?

Ok bihind the window mirror?

I'm a big fan of Kent and I've watched 100's of hours af all his videos. He is a unbelievalbe guitarist! However, I've learned he is using a backup drum machine and a bass guitar on most of his songs. It is impossible for anyone to play fingerstyle guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums at the same time.

Poor Michael Jackson. I know he was a great singer when he was a little boy...but all the stuff that happened later in his life was AWFUL. Kent is great BTW. I have an ovation guitar signed by Glen Campbell. I wonder if Kent would play it for me? I loved the modulations!!

So nobody is going to mention Tuck Andress’ version here? And the similarities?

So beautiful🥰. Thank you for doing this great reaction to this suggestion, which I might not have found otherwise ….. beautiful🫶🏼🤗.