Clammbon -- Whiskey ga O-Suki deshou? (ウィスキーが、お好きでしょ）

As the expression goes, "Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.", or something thereabouts. That's probably been the case with the long-running Suntory Highball commercials since they've been using variations on the same song for about 30 years.

"Whiskey ga O-Suki deshou?" (You Like Whiskey, Don't You?) all started with Sayuri Ishikawa's（石川さゆり）torch song original back in 1990 and since then, the torch has been passed down to a number of other singers and bands including acapella group The Gospellers（ゴスペラーズ）about a decade ago. This time, it's Clammbon's（クラムボン）turn.

A couple of nights ago, I was listening to a "Light Mellow" CD and in it, I heard one rendition of the venerable song as a duet by original composer Masamichi Sugi（杉真理）and the late Kaoru Sudo（須藤薫）. Unfortunately, that version isn't on YouTube but this time, with Clammbon's contribution to the latest series of Suntory ads, the band has a fresher take on "Whiskey". The jazz is still there but it's more of a spritely French tango with a jigger of a reggae beat for good measure.

Clammbon released it as a digital download single about a couple of weeks ago, and at one point near the end, recording stops for the band to get a few laughs in. Perhaps they were sharing highballs during the session. Hey, if it smooths out any rough edges at the studio, then I'm not judging.🍻

For those who may be curious in creating a highball, you can take a look at the above. Along with the whiskey, all you need is some ice and soda water. Though I was never a fan of the hard stuff, I may have had a highball at the izakaya once or twice during my Japan days.