Catherine Catherine/Emiko Yamauchi -- Warawaseru janai ka（笑わせるじゃないか）

 

Over here in Toronto, the local news channel CP24 has its four-hour weekday morning show called "CP24 Breakfast" with one of the hosts being the vivacious Jennifer Hsiung. Along with at least a few of the other broadcasters on the channel, Hsiung has had an interesting past in terms of previous occupations. She was once a standup comedian and there's some of that in her patter which has led to some impolitic outbursts occasionally. In a way, she reminds me of a somewhat more toned-down Phyllis Diller or Joan Rivers.

Now, the only reason that I'm even mentioning Ms. Hsiung is that the singer of note here has a glancing resemblance to our CP24 anchor. This is Catherine Catherine（カトリーヌ・カトリーヌ）whose real name is Ayane Miura（三浦綺音）, a model, actress and singer. She's also had some interesting points in her career, one of which is that she portrayed Sadako in the 1995 Japanese TV version of the famous horror franchise "Ringu". I have to say that her hair looks much lovelier and silkier here.

As for her singing career, she, under that stage name of Catherine Catherine, released three singles and two albums, with the last single being "Warawaseru janai ka" (Well, Aren't You Funny?). Released in September 1998, there's something of the indies pop vibe with the guitar and the singer's whispery vocals. 

Now, the song was written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima（中島みゆき）and apparently she did cover it herself as the B-side to her more famous 1981 single "Akujo"（悪女）, but not surprisingly, any actual YouTube videos of Nakajima's version don't exist. However, back a few years in the 1970s, she did offer it to another actress and singer Emiko Yamauchi（山内絵美子）who is also appearing on "Kayo Kyoku Plus" for the first time. The Hokkaido-born Yamauchi released "Warawaseru janai ka" as her fifth single in February 1977 and there is a jaunty Old World feeling to this original version that takes it into the Fashion Music realm.

Speaking of Hokkaido, I've also been monitoring the situation in Japan due to some tsunami warnings that could be affecting the entire Pacific coast. I'm hoping that everyone there, especially one regular commenter who may be living in one affected area, will be fine.