Satoru Shionoya -- Side By Side (We Go)

 

Writing about Sing Like Talking last night, I can't help but remember pianist Satoru Shionoya（塩谷哲） because he and SLT vocalist Chikuzen Sato（佐藤竹善）have collaborated together on songs. For example, there is his work with the band and then Sato's contribution to Shionoya's own works such as the 1995 "Salt II". Basically whenever I see Shionoya's name attached to any song, I automatically get interested in what is to be performed.

(great cover by Moulin Café)

In 1997, "Salt III" came out and one of the tracks is the short-but-sweet "Side By Side (We Go)". It's a charming and fairly fizzy number kinda like one of those carbonated cocktails at poolside. There is also something seemingly lighthearted and comical about the arrangement as if it had been meant to accompany a modern-day Charlie Chaplin.

The other thing is about the title or at least part of it. As an English teacher for many years, I used to use a textbook series called "Side By Side" which went down to the nitty-gritty in terms of grammar practice with some humourous pictures. It was pretty useful since the series was just perfect for pair work.