Yuko Shibuya -- Yoru no Ushio（夜の潮）

By edwin.11 via Wikimedia Commons

 

It's been a good long while since I've mentioned singer-songwriter Yuko Shibuya（渋谷祐子）. I remember posting my first article of her back in 2016 for her "Konya dake Koibito"（今夜だけ恋人） which is a cover of "C'est Un Dernier Nuage" by Jean-Jacques Debout. At the time, I was rather begging for information on Shibuya so I gather that since 2016, her data has increased somewhat significantly including her own J-Wiki page at last. I can now say that "Konya dake Koibito" is her third single from February 1979.

I can also mention that the song launches Shibuya's 2nd album "Pop Lady II" which was released a month later. Also on the album is "Yoru no Ushio" (Night Tide) whose melody was crafted by the singer with Michio Yamagami（山上路夫）handling the lyrics and Ichizo Seo（瀬尾一三）arranging it. As I noted above, it's been a while since I've heard Shibuya so I'm getting to realize once more how soulful her vocals are, especially enhanced with this ballad seasoned with a languid Latin guitar and the keyboards which once again bring out that quintessential 70s City Pop sound: the haze effect. Plus for a bit of refinement, there are some wonderful strings and a harp. It really does feel and sound like a couple walking along the beach at night barefoot while carrying their shoes.