Kozo Murashita -- Yataizake（屋台酒）

 

I've mentioned this once before, but I've always found it fascinating whenever I get to hear or see something that has had a long and venerable reputation in their earliest days because that is when I get to hear and see elements that existed back then but have since been smoothed out or eliminated immediately. That can be true from anything or anyone from a beloved TV series to a veteran singer.

Recently, I also discovered this as well with the late singer-songwriter Kozo Murashita（村下孝蔵）. For literally decades, I've been accustomed to listening to Murashita with his mellow and reassuring vocals which will always be recognizable to me. However, I learned that though his official discography began in 1980, he had released a self-produced album in 1979 titled "Sorezore no Kaze"（それぞれの風...Every Wind）, and on that album is the track "Yataizake" (A Drink at the Yatai).

by Eejyanaika
at Wikimedia Commons

Now, as a quick aside...for those who may not know what a yatai（屋台）is, it's the traditional old wooden cart selling particular dishes whether it be ramen or oden. It's been seen as a mobile people's plaza, especially if it sets up shop regularly at night at a particular spot such as in front of a train station. 

Anyways, "Yataizake" is a warmhearted country-style folk ballad about returning to that beloved yatai after some time away. The interesting part of this early Murashita song isn't the genre since folk was something that was naturally born to the singer, but it was his voice. It wasn't the familiar gliding voice but something that had a bit more of a rasp to it (maybe to reflect the time at the yatai). He was dipping down into the lower registers a bit more than usual but once he reached the main chorus, there were the hints for that amazing Murashita voice that I first got to know in the 1980s. 

It's been mentioned that "Sorezore no Kaze", though it still exists as a rare LP, it's yet to get its release on other media including compact disc. Perhaps after 45 years, maybe it's time to do so.