As half of the world goes deeper into autumn, here at "Kayo Kyoku Plus", I'm quite cognizant that it's time for the more reflective and sadder kayo, and for this season, there's traditionally been a focus on the ending of romances and the awareness of loneliness. Following all that summer fun, it's time to pay up!
I found one such song and it's an oldie that I have heard before via the voice of veteran kayo crooner Yuzo Kayama（加山雄三）. He and his group The Launchers（ザ・ランチャーズ）released "Tabibito yo" (I'm a Traveler) back in October 1966 as the B-side to the wistful "Yozora wo Aoide"（夜空を仰いで）, another beloved Kayama tune.
Written by Tokiko Iwatani（岩谷時子）and composed by Kayama under his nom de plume Kosaku Dan（弾厚作）, "Tabibito yo" sounds like one of those creations that could have been the theme song for a samurai movie or even a Hollywood Western with the main character being the lone wolf vagabond moving among the small towns, helping people out here and there but unable/unwilling to settle down. Iwatani's lyrics relate the sad story of a young man seemingly forced to stay far away from home as the weather gets chillier and the leaves become browner and crinklier.
The harmony between Kayama and The Launchers is fine but he still does well by "Tabibito yo" solo as you can hear here.
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