As I mentioned in the article for Anzen Chitai's（安全地帯）"VIII ~ Taiyo" album from 1991, I think Koji Tamaki's（玉置浩二）band started losing their appeal for me with "VII ~ Yume no Miyako" in 1990, although I liked a number of their tracks on that later album. Since then, it hasn't been quite the same so for me...Anzen Chitai was more the band of the 1980s.
Having said that, listening to the band's 22nd single from December 1992 "Ano Koro e" (To That Time) is a wonderfully moving experience, thanks to Tamaki's incredible voice. It's a well-titled ballad since the music and vocals easily brings me back to the time when Anzen Chitai was one of the top bands in Japan.
As usual, it was Goro Matsui（松井五郎）on the lyrics and Tamaki on the music. "Ano Koro e" sounds as if it were a love letter by the band to their home in Hokkaido. A big sloppy heart is on everyone's sleeve as Tamaki starts off with words like these:
The snow falls in my faraway hometown
They become tears of nostalgia
I wait for the spring. My memories
Can probably make someone happy
That sky, those winds
They still unfailingly stay in my heart
If I can take you
To that heartwarming time someday
If I'm not mistaken, I think the song was actually used as a campaign song for tourism somewhere, probably Hokkaido itself. "Ano Koro e" could sell it. Tamaki makes the whole scene epic and intimate at the same time right down to the keyboard putting forth those sounds of snowflakes falling softly.
I don't think the ballad ever made it onto an original album but it did get onto at least one BEST compilation since that is where I first heard the full version. Anzen Chitai's best days may have been behind them by the early 90s but the band could still come out with the one big amazing tune. And Tamaki will go down as one of the best singers that Japanese popular music has ever seen.
Hi, J-Canuck. I'm back (again).
ReplyDeleteI have to say that Tamaki's powerful, heart-wrenching vocals is what I love most about "Ano Koro e", especially the way it echoes to create that feeling of loneliness. As for its Asian-inspired melody, I was reminded of it when I heard enka singer, Takeshi Matsubara's version of Stardust Revue's "Mokuren no Namida". You can check it out in the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTG0GXqxZHw
Yup, "Ano Koro e" did make it into the band's GOLDEN BEST album I got back in my secondary school days. The song does bring me back to that time, more specifically when I had to wait for a less frequent bus in the scorching heat of the late afternoon with a bag heavy with books. Unlike Tamaki, I can't say I'd like to go back to that warm (definitely not heartwarming) time.
Hello, Noelle. Good to see you back from your Canadian caper! Thanks for linking me to Matsubara's take on "Mokuren no Namida". It has quite the mystical quality.
DeleteYeah, I think "Ano Koro e" is probably more for the colder climes. And there's nothing better than Tamaki's voice to provide some comfort from the winds.
Ano Koro e was the background music for a Gekkekan sake commercial on Japanese tv during the 90's featuring Sanada Hiroyuki (Last Samurai, Mortal Kombat,etc.).
ReplyDeleteHello, J.Noah. Yeah, I'd heard that the song was used for some commercial, and I figure that with those lyrics, "Ano Koro e" was ideal for crying in one's sake.
DeleteJ-Canuck, LOL, excellent. When I was a salaryman in Japan, my co-workers would often start out laughing then end up crying after a few drinks.
DeleteBTW, I have a blog on Japan-related themes that I think you would enjoy. Comments are most appreciated. jamesbnoah.blogspot.com THX.
Ps. I agree the Anzen jitai's best days were probably through album IV. After that, not so much, IMHO. I guess I am a City Pop guy because I love Circus, Yamashita Tetsuro, and or course, Anzen.
Hi, James. I saw examples of that when I was working in the Tokyo area. When I was on the JET Programme back in 1989-1991, the PTA drinking parties even had a few fisticuffs. That was my cue to go back to my apartment.
DeleteThanks for letting me know about your blog. I read your most recent entry about tissue. I was able to get the lion's share of the stuff through what young folks were giving out at the station entrances. Being a teacher, I really hated it when I had post-nasal drip. The worst thing for me was when I found out through the JET manual that one never should never blow their nose in public. I always had to run to the washroom to get that done.
"IV" was definitely Anzen Chitai's peak with that distinctive sound they displayed. I was OK up to "VI", then the glory days were over. "V" was fine but the band decided to change their sound with the addition of a horn section.
Yup, my favourite genre is City Pop so the folks that you mentioned are on my list, too. I'm also a fan of the two Junkos: Ohashi and Yagami.
Never was a JET, but I heard about some of their parties! I would also include Nakamoto Mari and Takahashi Mariko on the list. I think you will get a laugh out of "Obama in Japan: or how I came to love Janglish," which is my third post from the top. Should bring back some memories.
ReplyDeleteTake care, J