Tatsuro Yamashita -- Season's Greetings

Like his wife, Mariya Takeuchi（竹内まりや） when Tatsuro Yamashita（山下達郎） got bitten by the Xmas bug, he got bitten big time! For a guy who was one of the pioneers of New Music and then City Pop, he can wear the Yuletide on his sleeve as well as Bing Crosby. Of course, there is "Christmas Eve" which is represented by the English version on his album, "Season's Greetings"; the album was released in November 1993 and peaked at No. 4 on Oricon and sold close to half a million copies.... which would include the one I bought.

The first entry is his cover of the Judy Garland classic from "Meet Me in St. Louis", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". His version is swept up in an epic orchestral arrangement by Katsuhisa Hattori, who had also arranged Takeuchi's take on "The Christmas Song" the year before.

"Season's Greetings" is actually more accurately half a Xmas album. The other half consists of other old standards like "Bella Notte" (the higher of the two videos) from "Lady & The Tramp" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes". But it's all covers.... including this version of the 1988 Alexander O'Neal R&B Xmas tune, "My Gift to You". It's done in acapella style....one of Yamashita's favourite musical itches to scratch. The album can also be split into his acapella stuff and the orchestral songs. For me, this is my favourite song on the disc. I've always loved the R&B from the 80s. I've got the original O'Neal version above and I think it's just as gorgeous. Above that is Yamashita's cover.

And there is his acapella take on Der Bingle's "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin. Listening to it, I wondered if Yamashita was channeling either The Osmonds or The Beach Boys. He doesn't quite eclipse Bing here but still, good on him.

Santa Tatsuro