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.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Minako Yoshida/Rats & Star -- Yume de Aetara （夢で逢えたら）
"Yume de Aetara"(When We Meet In Our Dreams) was originally written and composed by Eiichi Ohtaki（大瀧詠一）for singer Ann Lewis but found that it didn't quite fit with her singing style at the time. However, Ohtaki found a couple of saviours in Minako Yoshida（吉田美奈子） and Celia Paul. As was customary for an Ohtaki tune, "Yume" had that 50s/60s sound with a hint of Phil Spector...especially more pronounced in the Celia Paul version (available on YouTube). Both versions are considered to be the original sources from which so many singers in the decades to come covered the song. It has become quite the kayo kyoku standard.
The song is simple, innocent and romantic. The lyrics talk pretty straight about hoping to meet that boy/girl in one's dreams no matter how far the distance. Just close your eyes and dream. Rather like an old lullaby.
Yoshida's version was originally part of her 3rd album, "Flapper", released in 1976. Considering her later musical direction, she sings it surprisingly high in a kayo kyoku way, although that retro feel is still there. A single version was later released.
The very first version of the song I heard, though, was the one by the vocal group Rats & Star released in April 1996. This one had the feeling of an old R&B ballad with Masayuki Suzuki（鈴木雅之） taking the lead and Masashi Tashiro（田代まさし） taking the spoken-word part. Perhaps it's because the Rats & Star cover was the first version I heard, but for me, I prefer this one since the harmonies are so well delivered.
There's also one with Masayuki Suzuki (Lead Singer of Rats & Star) singing it with the Gospellers and another guest who I can't name... :c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r_ySN9Nsd8
This one has the Choreography of a FOUR TOPS performance. And unlike the Ballad Version by Rats&Star, this one is upbeat, like the original.
There's also one with Masayuki Suzuki (Lead Singer of Rats & Star) singing it with the Gospellers and another guest who I can't name... :c
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r_ySN9Nsd8
This one has the Choreography of a FOUR TOPS performance. And unlike the Ballad Version by Rats&Star, this one is upbeat, like the original.
Yeah, I couldn't identify the mystery person there myself. It's indeed like the original happy version.
DeleteThis later became a staple for Hiromi and Yoshimi, but Hiromi Iwasaki also did a solo version in the Sumire Iro no Namida Kara album. It's lovely.
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