I've been a fan of Japanese popular music for 40 years, and have managed to collect a lot of material during that time. So I decided I wanted to talk about Showa Era music with like-minded fans. My particular era is the 70s and 80s (thus the "kayo kyoku"). The plus part includes a number of songs and artists from the last 30 years and also the early kayo. So, let's talk about New Music, aidoru, City Pop and enka.
Credits
I would like to give credit where credit is due. Videos are from YouTube and other sources such as NicoNico while Oricon rankings and other information are translated from the Japanese Wikipedia unless noted.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Tatsuro Yamashita -- Amaku Kiken na Kaori (あまく危険な香り）
Another mellow summery early 80sTatsuro Yamashita（山下達郎）ditty. I have to admit that within Yamashita's long career, the output during this period is the one I've enjoyed the most. The arrangement of the horns and electric piano and guitars just makes one want to open that Schlitz and take that ride in the open convertible down the bayside highway (of course, not at the same time.....kids, drinking OR driving: GOOD, drinking AND driving: BAD).
"Amaku Kiken na Kaori"(Sweet Dangerous Scent) was actually the theme song for a drama of the same name, and reached a peak of No. 12 on the Oricon weeklies. It's included on one of Yamashita's BEST albums, "Greatest Hits! Of Tatsuro Yamashita".
With all of the summery City Pop songs that was coming out of Yamashita at this time, it's ironic that he also released in the same year what would become his most famous song......"Christmas Eve".
By the way, the above video is a cover by Original Love.
And of course, we can't miss Miku Hatsune's（初音ミク）version.
One of my favorite jpop artists. I used to really like TUBE but during these past few years, I could not finish one album of TUBE. On the other hands, I still listened to Yamashita frequently and wish that he continue to release new works often.
This is J-Canuck. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm kinda in the same boat when it comes to TUBE. I still like their biggest hits such as "Stop the Season in the Sun" and "Summer Dream", but I'm not so much into their albums although I did buy a few. Actually, I listened to "GREATEST HITS BY TATSURO YAMASHITA"this afternoon. Very nice, especially when the weather is sunny and warm.
One of my favorite jpop artists. I used to really like TUBE but during these past few years, I could not finish one album of TUBE. On the other hands, I still listened to Yamashita frequently and wish that he continue to release new works often.
ReplyDeleteHi, Patrick.
DeleteThis is J-Canuck. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm kinda in the same boat when it comes to TUBE. I still like their biggest hits such as "Stop the Season in the Sun" and "Summer Dream", but I'm not so much into their albums although I did buy a few. Actually, I listened to "GREATEST HITS BY TATSURO YAMASHITA"this afternoon. Very nice, especially when the weather is sunny and warm.
For me, Tatsuro Yamashita is good for all seasons. We do have a laugh often on his 'H' sound though.
ReplyDeleteIs there a way to be able to watch the drama, please?
ReplyDeleteHello, Julia. I've only seen evidence of excerpts on YouTube but I don't know of any sites that would show the entire drama.
Delete