The Monsieur -- Nakimushi Ropopo（泣き虫ロポポ）

 

It's the beginning of another week as we go into the middle of November (already?!), so let's start with something nice and mild.

Last year in the summer, I discovered this folk trio called The Monsieur（ザ・ムッシュ）and their whimsical tune "Hajimete no Eki"（はじめての駅）. Just to remind readers, the lineup here was Yuuji Yamamoto（山本雄二）, Akira Tokunaga（徳永章）and Kouichi Dobashi（土橋広市）.

Well since then, I found a bit more information about the Kansai-based group. They released their first single in 1969 and disbanded several years later in 1975, according to their Discogs profile. In addition, that profile lists four albums and seven singles provided by them. Apparently, The Monsieur's 4th single which came out in 1973 was "Nakimushi Ropopo" (Cry Baby Ropopo) which was more on the wistful side of things. Unlike the later "Hajimete no Eki", "Nakimushi Ropopo" was a totally internal creation with lyrics by Yamamoto and melody by Dobashi. A very comfortable folk tune, it deals with someone reassuring young Ropopo, who's utterly despairing over the fact that she cannot find love, that she's lovely the way she is, and that love may actually be right in front of her nose. I especially admire the meshing of the piano and the guitar (hey, don't forget that harmonica!) along with whoever is delivering those resonant vocals.