Singer-songwriter Sumiko Yamagata（やまがたすみこ）is someone that I got to know first from the pages of "Japanese City Pop" and then from her 1977 album "Flying". It was the album that signified the young folk singer's transition into something more adult contemporary.
However, I think the Tokyo native may have already been showing signs of trying out different genres as early as 1974 when she released her third album "Melodies Come From My Heart". It was still considered a folk LP but I think with her track "Murasaki Iro no Kaze" (Purple Wind), I've been getting different genres including folk. I could pick up on some blues guitar and a general feel of New Music. Yamagata was behind both words and music with the story of a woman standing in the midst of a stiff breeze as she tries to forget about that man who's now very much part of the past. There may be some lingering regret but as the last few notes hint, there is also hope around the corner.
Sumiko Yamagata's voice isn't what I was expecting at all! She has a very strong, haunting, and serene voice. Her early album covers and other photos make her look like a pop aidoru but she her music is a far different genre.
ReplyDeleteHello, Brian. Yamagata certainly looked like a kid sister from the old neighbourhood, but when she went City Pop, her looks got glammed up, especially with some longer hair.
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