Keiko Mizukoshi -- Too far away

 

Years ago, when I was with what is now known as the Japan-Canada Students' Association at the University of Toronto, we had a Monday night activity called English TV (ETV) where we showed various movies with subtitling to the Japanese segment who were interested in picking up some vocabulary and expressions, and then enjoy the movie. I got involved with the organizers so I helped out in choosing the movies and then selecting certain vocabulary which could be useful to the students. It was just one of the many activities that the JCSA had over the week so those early 1990s were quite the busy ones between my stint on the JET Programme and then my far longer odyssey in Japan.

Anyways one movie that most likely I chose since I was one for the Golden Age of Hollywood was "An Affair to Remember". Starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, it was a frothy 50s romantic comedy which Grant could handle with ease. It did have its pathos which may have had viewers reaching for their hankies by the end, especially accompanied by the gloriously dramatic orchestral score.

That movie along with similar flicks came to mind when I first listened to "Too far away" by Keiko Mizukoshi（水越けいこ）. Released initially as a May 1986 single, it's been released several times in the years since for some reason according to her J-Wiki discography. The lyricist/composer was Kaoru Ito（伊藤薫）and the arranger was Masaaki Omura（大村雅朗）, and the one reason that I got reminded of those old Hollywood romances was the intro which brought in some majorly tenderhearted strings that immediately had me pegging it as a Fashion Music tune. I also think that Ruiko Kurahashi（倉橋ルイ子）could do a pretty good version of "Too far away" as well.

Contemporary arrangements do come into play though as we get into the song but it's all about the lyrics and Mizukoshi's delivery. Just like the final third of "An Affair to Remember", there is perhaps a need for the handkerchief as she sings about a man missing his significant other deeply because she's left this mortal coil due to illness. Mizukoshi herself sounds as if she's about to burst into tears herself. It would be a spark to hug that loved one somewhat harder and more closely.