I first encountered Kinokuniya Band（紀の国屋バンド）through their cover of Taeko Ohnuki's（大貫妙子）"4AM" on their 1979 album "Street Sensation".
(30:01)
Here is another song from that album, "Hangin' Around" although in the video above, vocalist Masako Takasaki（高崎昌子）identifies it as "Hangin' Around Downtown". Still, the vibe is definitely in that neighbourhood of the city whether you're taking that stroll through Tokyo's Ameyoko as shown in the top photograph or striding down glittery Omotesando. Unfortunately, I couldn't find out who wrote and composed "Hangin' Around", but it's chock full of Takasaki's rich voice, jazzy riffs and good dollops of bass. Makes one wonder what it must have been like being in Japan's largest metropolis at the turn of that decade.
June 10th 2025: As you can see below, I just received a kind message from Ms. Takasaki herself stating that it was singer-songwriter Shizuru Ohtaka（おおたか静流）who had written and composed "Hangin' Around" for which the band has been very grateful. I also found out from her that regrettably Ms. Ohtaka had passed away in 2022 at the age of 69 from cancer. My belated condolences go to her family, friends and fans.
Ohtaka also has her own article on KKP for her song "Kanashikute Yarikirenai"（悲しくてやりきれない）.
ReplyDelete″ Hangin Around ” は、作詞、作曲共、おおたか
静流さん( Shizuru Ohtaka) です。
アルバムも数多く、幅広い音楽活動を展開していましたが、残念な事に2022年に他界されてしまいました。もっと沢山歌っていて欲しかったです。
この曲は紀の国屋バンドの為に作ってもらった素晴らしい曲です。
こちらに取り上げて頂いて嬉しいです。
ありがとう🎵
Dear Ms. Takasaki:
ReplyDelete大高さんに関する情報を含むコメントをいただき、誠にありがとうございます。また、高崎さんと紀伊国屋バンドの音楽にも感謝申し上げます。残念ながら、大高さんの状況を把握することができず、訃報を知ったのはつい先ほどでした。上記の通り、心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。
City Popのファンなので紀の国屋バンドの曲を今でも楽しんでいます。ありがとうございます。