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.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Akiho Sendo -- Glass no ECSTASY (硝子のECSTASY)



“Glass no ECSTASY” is, without a doubt, one of my guilty pleasures!!!

Akiho Sendo (千堂あきほ) was one of those beautiful aidoru singers from the early 90s who shared an “OL-style of look” with tons of sensuality, as was the case of Minako Tanaka (田中美奈子) and Chisato Moritaka (森高千里), for example.

Akiho, though, was a very bad singer, and it’s quite synthomatic to think about how was possible that people thought she could be a successful singer... yes, yes, we all know how vocal talent is not the most important thing when it comes to aidoru singers, but, at the same time, I really try to understand how in such a dark period for aidoru singers (late 80s/early 90s) they started promoting girls with dubious talent like Akiho Sendo and Aya Sugimoto (杉本彩) based solely on beauty and sensuality.

Reflexions aside, “Glass no ECSTASY” became one of my favourite trash pop songs since I first listened to it back in 2013. Somehow, I really like the singalong chorus and the generic arrangement comprised mostly of “synths trying to be horns”. As for Akiho, the studio recording does its job covering most of her flaws, but the live performances, just like the one posted at the beggining, is pure shame for the girl. In fact, she was lucky to have some recorded background vocalists accompanying her during the choruses, because if they were relied solely to her, the disaster would be even bigger.

As usual when it comes to aidoru music produced in Japan during the late 80s/early 90s, I hear some similarities between “Glass no ECSTASY” and some Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) productions, and that’s probably because of the “fake horns”.

Also, although not an example of singer, Akiho was an actress and tarento. Personally, the only work I’ve watched from her was the great “Tokyo Love Story” (東京ラブストーリー), aired in 1991. She had a secondary role in the drama, but it was nice to see her somewhere else than on a singing stage.

“Glass no ECSTASY” was released in June 1990. Lyrics were written by Eiko Kiyo (許瑛子), while music was composed by Chika Ueda (上田知華).


4 comments:

  1. Hi, Marcos.

    Yep, I just watched the video....and I can only imagine what a duet between her and Nakai-kun of SMAP would sound like. Nice melody, though, and seeing that it was Chika Ueda who was behind it, I wasn't too surprised. I would be interested in hearing the original recorded version someday to see how it compares with the version she performed on stage.

    I know that Sendo appeared in a number of dramas in the 90s but I only remember her from "Tokyo Love Story" as the mopey medical student, and also for one blooper on a late-night show when she was in her stiletto heels and then she suddenly fell down much to her great embarrassment, and to the audience's great thrill.

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    1. It would be the end of the world if Nakai and Akiho decided to sing a duet together. Something like Akina's "Nanpasen" would be even more dreadful.

      About the original studio recording, even if it's not perfect, I think is way more bearable than the live singing. I can rip it from my single and send the link to you by e-mail if you want.

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    2. Hi, Marcos.

      Oh, I don't even want to imagine that duo behind something like "Nanpasen"...now, that would truly be a shipwreck. However, I would be interested in hearing the original recording, so yes, please send over the link. Thank you kindly. :)

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    3. I just sent a download link to your e-mail. =)

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