J-Canuck's "Canada" Tunes

 

As it says up there, Happy Canada Day! How's it going, eh? Everything is closed today which means I get to have lots of time to figure out how to commemorate the occasion on our humble little blog. But first off, a little aside here regarding another old interest of mine.

The most recent episode of the latest "Star Trek" entry, "Strange New Worlds" showed off its third episode this season, and it involves time travel which is not a new thing at all for the franchise. But this time, a couple of characters end up in 21st-century Toronto, and this time around, Toronto isn't sitting in for another metropolis. La'an Noonien-Singh actually pegs it as my hometown right in the middle of Yonge-Dundas Square (mind you, it helps that the show is actually filmed in the Toronto area)! And who da thunk it?! James T. Kirk actually loves hot dogs and poutine. Get this guy a Timmies Double-Double!

Anyways, the soft tradition that I've had around July 1st is putting up a Canada-affiliated kayo kyoku or J-Pop song. Nope, it's not easy to do but I've tried my best over the years. And I finally decided to make this Canada Day's edition on KKP an Author's Pick compilation bringing together those relevant songs that I've mentioned. So, without further ado, here we go! And by the way, I also have the "America" tunes up and running as well.

(1978) Masaaki Hirao and Yoko Hatanaka -- Canada Kara no Tegami (カナダからの手紙）

(1980) Junko Ohashi & Minowa Central Station -- Canadian Lullaby （カナディアン・ララバイ）

(2008) Superfly -- Vancouver （バンクーバー）

(1993) Yosui Inoue -- Canadian Accordion （カナディアン アコーデオン）

(1983) Yasuko Agawa -- Canadian Star 

Superfly -- Ai wo Komete Hanataba wo（愛をこめて花束を）

This is the second theme song for a TBS drama that I've written about today after Kumi Showji's（障子久美） "Ano Koro no Youni"（あの頃のように）. Whenever I think of Superfly, aka singer-songwriter Shiho Ochi（越智志帆）, I always remember that one student I had over a decade ago in my final school. I've mentioned her in past Superfly articles, but she had the appearance and soul of a free-living hippie, and indeed she's the one who first introduced me to Superfly.

That theme song was for "Edison no Haha"（エジソンの母...Edison's Mother）, a 2008 comedy-drama about an elementary school teacher who has one young man as a student who may be a genius on a par with the legendary Thomas Alva Edison.

Now I've heard "Ai wo Komete Hanataba wo" (Put Love in a Bouquet) before, and it's been treated as the breakthrough song and one of the most successful hits for Superfly. This was the 4th single released in February 2008 and the first single after the composer for the song, Koichi Tabo（多保孝一）, had left the partnership in 2007 although according to the Wikipedia article for Superfly, he still remains "...the group's composer and part-time lyricist". The article for the song itself mentions that Tabo in fact created the melody all the way back in 1997 when he was in his mid-teens and that "Ai wo Komete Hanataba wo" was performed at a number of venues even before Superfly made their official debut in 2006.

Tabo's original lyrics were replaced by ones by Ochi and SUPERCAR member Junji Ishiwatari（いしわたり淳治）for the sake of its use as the theme song for "Edison no Haha". This guitar pop-rock song is beautifully delivered by Ochi and has plenty of heart and hope with an arrangement that is not just contemporary but also brings back a certain 1970s pop nostalgia...perhaps some Janis Joplin? That student who had cottoned me onto Superfly was also a big fan of hers.

I can imagine those opening notes on the piano bringing an applause of recognition whenever the song is played. It's been stated in the article on "Ai wo Komete Hanataba wo" that the song was a new beginning for the now solo member of Superfly, Ochi, and indeed it became a successful restart for her. Although going no higher than No. 13 on Oricon, it did break into the Top 10 on the Billboard Japan Top 100 chart (No. 7) and Billboard Adult Contemporary Airplay chart (No. 9). Moreover, the song was a darling for the cellphones in terms of ringtone downloads as it broke the Million barrier, and it went Triple Platinum and Double Platinum (on J-Wiki) for full-length cellphone downloads and PC downloads respectively (although according to Wikipedia, the PC downloads "only" merited a Platinum). Superfly also got its 2nd of 4 invitations to perform "Ai wo Komete Hanataba wo" on the 2017 edition of NHK's Kohaku Utagassen.

The song also got onto Superfly's self-titled debut album which came out in May 2008 and hit No. 1 as well as end up as the 22nd-ranked release of the year. It shares CD space with "Vancouver" and "Hi-Five".

Superfly -- Alright!!

Good golly! How would YOU like to make an entrance to THIS song?

Alright indeed. I had long lost interest in watching Japanese TV dramas but if I had seen these opening credits with that song (unfortunately the video has been taken down), I probably would have been convinced to stick with "BOSS", a 2009 Fuji-TV series about a fallen detective played by Yuki Amami（天海祐希）having to lead a squad of quirk-ridden detectives. With this opening theme, their coolness factor probably jumped 50%!

This would be "Alright!!", a bundle of TNT of a song that was Shiho Ochi's（越智志帆）, aka Superfly's, first digital download single from June 2009. Apparently, it was those "BOSS" opening credits right from Episode 1 in April of that year that had folks lollygagging over the tune, so I'm sure that fans were waiting rather impatiently over those 2 months before the song finally became available. May I say that the video provides a visual feast as well...if shown clearly?

"Alright!" could probably make for a good power-up song during Hump Day Wednesdays. Written by Ochi and composed by Ochi and Koichi Tabo（多保孝一）, who had been an official member of Superfly up to 2007, the song hit No. 1 at the iTunes Store, going Platinum. It's also available as a track on Superfly's 2nd album "Box Emotions" released in September 2009. That album also hit No. 1 and became the 9th-ranked album of the year.

I'm wondering how that student who first introduced me to Superfly a decade ago is doing now. I mentioned her back in my own first article on Ochi back in 2014.

Superfly -- Gifts

Whenever I think of Superfly, I am always reminded of that wonderfully cheerful student with the worst post-nasal drip who came in for that model lesson around a decade ago, since she's the one who first introduced me to singer-songwriter Shiho Ochi（越智志帆）, aka Superfly. Back then, Ochi and her former partner, Koichi Tabo（多保孝一）, were making that mix of alternative pop and music from the late 60s and early 70s.

I think since then, Superfly has swung herself to become a more conventional pop singer with that powerful voice who can still rock it out. I hadn't heard from her all that much recently, but then a few months ago, I was catching NHK's "Minna no Uta"（みんなのうた）between programs when a new Superfly song came on accompanied with some mesmerizing animation.

This would eventually become her 24th single, "Gifts", released a few weeks ago on October 10th. For those who might be feeling the blues, I think this ballad, written and composed by Ochi with Koichi Tsutaya（蔦谷好位置）also helping out in the music, is an inspiring one as the singer encourages listeners to remember that everyone has their friends and family supporting them and places to explore, so they ought to get out of their shells and go for it.

The music video for "Gifts" seems to be a combination of Ochi's performance and visits to a number of high schools in Japan seeing what inspired and encouraged students can do. At this point, the song has reached No. 7 on Oricon.

Not surprisingly, the message behind "Gifts" has gotten it performed by various school chorus groups according to YouTube. I think it wouldn't be out of the ordinary if "Gifts" became (or has already become) a standard to be sung at the annual chorus group contests. And I certainly wouldn't be surprised if Superfly gets to appear at the Kohaku Utagassen again at the end of the year.

Superfly -- Beautiful

When it has come to the last two Kohaku Utagassen broadcasts, I think I've started to look forward to a couple of things. Of course, for comfort's sake, there are the enka and pop veterans with some of their chestnuts that they've dusted off. And then there are the few new acts that have been invited to see what kind of oomph they provide.

For Kohaku No. 66, I was actually rooting for Shiho Ochi（越智志帆）, aka Superfly. Now, Superfly isn't exactly a new act since she's been around since I was still living in the Kanto. Just to recap, one of my hippie-ish students happily introduced the singer to me in one of our first lessons together near the end of the last decade. So, perhaps she isn't a new face overall but it was her first appearance on NHK's venerable (if no longer quite venerated) New Year's Eve special.

Just to see her by herself on the Shibuya stage perform the upbeat and inspiring "Beautiful" (she provided words and music) did put a thrill through me for some reason. Although I can't say that I've become a die hard fan of hers, I was happy to see Superfly with those vocals of her joyfully press forward with those optimistic lyrics about getting past the gloom and into the sunlight. I think she gave one of the highlights for the broadcast and she got some appreciative applause for her performance.

"Beautiful" wasn't even an official single but a track on her most recent album, "White" from May 2015. It's her 5th studio album which peaked at No. 2 on Oricon and became the 23rd-ranked album for the year. The song itself was used as the theme for the TBS drama "Mother Game".

Chikuzen Sato/Superfly -- Desperado

A few celebrities have passed on in the past several days. David Bowie was one with actor Alan Rickman coming very quickly after (loved him as the deliciously villainous Hans Gruber in the original "Die Hard"). And now I have found out that Glenn Frey of The Eagles also left this mortal coil earlier today.

I was not an Eagles fan but certainly through the karaoke bars and boxes, I've heard enough takes on "Hotel California", and the band was almost right up there with The Beatles, The Ventures and Carpenters in terms of popularity in Japan. In fact, the first teacher I worked with on the JET Programme was an Eagles fan and I think part of the reason for him being so musical was his love for the music of Frey and Don Henley. Of course, my connection with him was through his work in the 1980s with his pop hits of "The Heat Is On" and "You Belong To The City".

However one of the most hauntingly beautiful ballads that I have heard was "Desperado" as sung by Frey. My own rule on the blog as applies to me is not to feature the same singer twice in a month, but I wanted to give my own tribute to Frey through a couple of cover versions by Japanese artists, one who was just put up a few days ago.

Chikuzen Sato（佐藤竹善）gives an absolutely beautiful bluesy version of "Desperado" on his 1995 "Cornerstones" album. Perhaps not through his voice, but melodically, he may have been channeling Ray Charles though the synths were a bit twee.

Then, there is Superfly's version which came out on her 2010 album "Cover Songs: Complete 'Track 3'". I couldn't help but be reminded of Linda Ronstadt singing the song while listening to Superfly.

Of course, I will leave off the man himself. I'm not a religious person by any means but if I were, I can imagine that both Bowie and Frey must be having one heck of a jam session right now.

Superfly -- Hello, Hello （ハロー・ハロー）

When I heard that Superfly (Shiho Ochi/越智志帆) was on the list of the Red Team for the 2015 Kohaku Utagassen, I just thought "Good stuff!" I'm hoping that she will bring some fine happy pop-rock to the Shibuya proceedings on December 31st.

I have already gone into my own story about how I found out about Superfly through my first article on the lass, "Hi-Five" from 2008. And whenever I hear Superfly or the name, I still get reminded of that really happy-and-hippie student with the post-nasal drip who introduced me to Ms. Ochi.

I've compared Superfly to booming voices like EPO and Misato Watanabe（渡辺美里）. And of course, there is that whole Janis Joplin aesthetic, but on listening to her debut single, "Hello, Hello" from April 2007, my mind went to Miwa Yoshida（吉田美和）of Dreams Come True. Former member Koichi Tabo（多保孝一）handled music and arrangement while he and Ochi took care of the lyrics about the power of the word "Hello" to shoo away the blues.

The song peaked at No. 31 on the Oricon weeklies, but it also got further exposure through its use in a couple of TV shows and a commercial. It was also a track on Superfly's debut album "Superfly" which came out in May 2008 and hit No. 1. The album later became the 22nd-ranked release of the year.

Superfly -- Vancouver （バンクーバー）

(cover version)

As I was going through Superfly's very first album, the aptly named "Superfly" from May 2008, I saw one track on there with the title "Vancouver". I wasn't quite sure whether vocalist Shiho Ochi （越智志帆）had ever been to the 3rd-largest Canadian municipality but I was intrigued nonetheless. To be honest, I guess I'm no better than the Japanese mass media. Those folks get downright ravenous whenever a Hollywood celebrity lands anywhere in Japan since they can then ask in great quantities about what the star thinks of their country. I have to admit that whenever someone in the geinokai has anything to do with my country or city, my eyes and ears do prick up.

As it is, though, Superfly's "Vancouver" doesn't drop local names like Stanley Park or UBC in the lyrics like the average geographically-titled enka song. In fact, the only reference in Bun Onoe's （尾上文）words is the city itself. However, Onoe rather describes Vancouver as a seeming city of intrigue along the same lines as Berlin or Hong Kong....the critical stopover in a journey that will irrevocably change fates depending on decisions made that night. Then-Superfly member Koichi Tabo （多保孝一）composed the appropriately suspenseful musical atmosphere which with the lyrics would imagine a latter-day Bogart and Bacall hanging about in a foggy Gastown. I told my hippie-culture-loving student in my class some days after buying "Superfly" about this particular song (the woman who actually introduced me to the band) and asked whether Ochi had any interest in good ol' Vancouver to which I got a hearty laugh and a quick conversational switch to San Francisco, the city that she really wanted to talk about.

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/superfly/279691838

(excerpt only)

In any case, tomorrow is indeed July 1st....i.e. to us Canucks, Canada Day. Happy 147th Birthday!

Superfly -- Hi-Five

Holy Janis Joplin, Batman! That was my initial reaction to Superfly when I saw excerpts of their early videos on TV. I don't think I'd seen that fashion since I was a toddler, and I know I hadn't worn that fashion since 1972 (peach-and-white turtleneck, vest and bell-bottoms...and NO, you will NOT get photographic evidence). But guitarist Koichi Tabo（多保孝一） and vocal Shiho Ochi（越智志帆） brought back The Summer of Love and Woodstock....kudos to them for being so different.

JTM has already provided a short history and description of the duo (although it's now just Ochi) through his fine article on one of their later songs, "Force", so I'm gonna cut to the chase about my other introduction to Superfly. A few years ago, I had a new young student who came to our school in Nakano-Sakaue. She was very outgoing and bubbly....and had a bad cold, to boot. So, I unfortunately got to see a bit more bodily fluid than I was used to seeing from a student at a first lesson. Still, she became one of my favourite students and she told me about her great love for hippie culture. In fact, her big dream (which has since been satisfied) was to head straight over to San Francisco to the district of Haight-Ashbury...to the roots of that culture from decades ago.

The conversation then segued over to her love of Superfly. But it just wasn't for their fashion. It was also because of the band's joie de vivre approach to their music, and I think "Hi-Five" rather fits the bill in that respect. From the title itself, the whole song takes on a celebratory party atmosphere, and Ochi has that boomer of a voice alongside singers such as Misato Watanabe（渡辺美里） and EPO...and yup, I realize there are temporal and stylistic differences here, but a boomer is a boomer. Again, I like my horns so their inclusion into the song just lightens my mood even more. There is nothing cutesy or heavy here....it is just jump-up-and-down fun.

Although "Hi-Five" was my official intro to Superfly's music, the song was their 5th single, released in April 2008. Written by Ochi & jam and composed by Tabo, it managed to peak at No. 30. My student practically begged me to buy their 1st album, and since it was rather hard for me to turn down a student (and her nose stopped dripping), I got "Superfly" which had come out in May 2008.  It, along with their successive albums, debuted at No. 1 on the Oricon weeklies. And that debut album ended up becoming the 22nd-ranked album of the year.

Peace, man!

Superfly 「Force」 theme song to 『Doctor-X 外科医・大門未知子』/"Doctor X" (2012)

 

Image courtesy of http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/doctor-x_01/news/20130204/

TV Asahi's Japanese medical dramedy 『Doctor-X 外科医・大門未知子』/"Doctor X - Gekai Daimon Michiko" (2012) shares more than a few passing similaries to the popular American medical drama "House" (2004-2012). As with "House's" brilliant yet cynical, curmudgeon Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), Dr. 大門未知子/Michiko Daimon (米倉涼子/Yonekura Ryoko) is a rebellious anti-hero whose unconventional behavior and cold demeanor sets her as an outcast among her peers but whose incredible surgical skills are an absolute godsend to those patients she is tasked to save.  

 

Dr. Daimon (unflatteringly referred by her colleagues as the "Daemon" - a word play on her name) is somewhat of an enigma with a cloudy past that is veiled in mystery and legend. She is rumored to have gained her extraordinary surgical knowledge and skills through harsh and rigorous training abroad (having served as a field doctor in various military conflicts across the globe and in numerous Third World countries).  She is the daughter of another famed surgeon, Daimon Hiroshi who operated a small clinic in Northern Japan but who died under myseterious circumstances (his clinic was closed down due to unknown and somewhat questionable factors). Dr. Daimon is rumored to be the ominous "Doctor X", an enigmatic doctor who is said to sell their surgical skills to the highest bidder and who would often use unconventional and even unorthodox medical procedures on patients. 

Leggy Yonekura Ryoko portrays the beautiful but aloof Dr. Michiko Daimon - Image courtesy of http://www.ent-mabui.jp/program/3520

As a condition of her contract work with the prestigious帝都医科大学第三病院/Teitou Medical School and Municipal Hospital - 3rd Division, Dr. Daimon has a number of stipulations in which she absolutely adheres to: (1) she will only work during normal business hours from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM and will charge exorbitant overtime fees if she has to work outside of those normal hours; (2) She will not perform any duties which do not require a Medical/Surgical license (She will not participate in Doctor Rounds; She will not write research papers or assist her colleagues with their Medical Research and (3) She will not participate in or help with any outside activities such as marketing, promotion, meeting with wealthy donors, attending company sponsored events or covering up for her colleagues extramarital affairs.  

The principal cast of Doctor X - Back Row - L-R - Hayashi Tantan, Shibuki Jun, Muroi Shigeru, Kishibe Ittoku, Suzuki Kosuke,  Series Writer - Nakazono Miho;  Front Row - L-R - Danta Yasunori, Uchida Yuki, Yonekura Ryoko, Tanaka Kei & Ito Shiro - Image courtesy of  http://entame55.net/6626.html

What is indisputable however is Dr. Daimon's miraculous surgical skills in which is able to perform intricately complex, extremely difficult and sometimes near impossible surgeries with unbelivable efficiency.  Dr. Daimon often boasts that "she never makes mistakes" and true to her word astounds her colleagues with her steady "god hands".  Dr. Daimon's often quirky and unconventional behavior (in the place of normal scrubs, she wears revealing mini-skirts, sexy high fashion tops and Louboutin high heel shoes) frequently gets her in trouble with the University's "Ivory Tower" of pompous and bureaucratic elitist doctors which include the corrupt Dr. 毒島隆之介/Ryonosuke Busujima (the great 伊東四朗/Ito Shiro) and his assistant medical director and lead researcher Dr. 鳥井高/Takashi Torii (another memorable villainous role for 段田安則/Danta Yasunori).  While Dr. Daimon has few allies at the hospital, she does find grudging respect from the idealistic young fledgling doctor Dr. 森本光/Hikaku Morimoto (田中圭/Tanaka Kei) who is in the midst of his residency program at the hospital and Chief Anesthetician 城之内博美/Hiromi Jonouchi (the always fabulous 内田有紀/Uchida Yuki), a single-mother who admires Dr. Daimon's independent and self-assured attitude.

Image courtesy of http://www.iza.ne.jp/news/newsarticle/entertainment/television/638442/slideshow/

It's little surprise that "Doctor X" has been called a female version of 手塚治虫/Osamu Tezuka's classic ブラック・ジャック/"Black Jack" character.  Just like Osamu's iconic "dark" doctor, Dr. Daimon is an edgy hero who has somewhat less than noble characteristics and questionable morals but whose life saving skills help save countless people who would otherwise be unable to survive their particular ailments and medical disorders. While Screenwriter 中園ミホ/Nakazono Miho crafted the series using many of the same melodramatic beats of other similar medical dramas such as 「 コード・ブルー　ドクターヘリ緊急救命」/"Code Blue" (2008/2010),  「救命病棟24時」/"Kyumei Byoutou 24-Ji" (1999/2001/2005/2009), 「医龍」/"Iryu: Team Medical Dragon" (2006/2010) and 「最上の命医」/"Saijou No Meii" (2011), the strength of this series clearlly lies with its absolutely alluring star, the stunning former model turned actress Yonekura Ryoko. With her gorgeous looks, tall lanky frame (at over 170 cm/5.7 Ft. she towers over most of her co-stars) and explosive personality she is an absolute joy to watch. 

The amazing Yonekura Ryoko - Image courtesy of http://ricobeauty.exblog.jp/2191127/

While Yonekura does tend to be typecast in the same "ball-busting", modern woman with a cool personality and rebel attitude role, she still manages to make each role interesting with her dynamic and energetic performances.  Yonekura is one of my favorite actresses and I always look forward to seeing what she does next.  "Doctor X" ends rather ambiguously with Dr. Daimon leaving Teitou University for parts unknown, presumably traveling abroad again to hone her skills.  The true "Doctor X" (of the title) it turns out is actually Dr. Daimon's contracting agent and mentor 神原晶/Kanbara Akira (the always amusing 岸部一徳/Kishibe Ittoku) who is himself a former doctor/surgeon and who had given up his practice amid scandal inorder to sell out his skills as a mercenary doctor.  

TV Asahi has recently announced that a sequel will air this Fall that will follow the further adventures of Dr. Daimon as she establishes herself at yet another morally corrupt hospital.

Promotional image from the sequel (set to debut this October) - Image courtesy of http://news.nifty.com/cs/entame/phdetail/wtv-20130820-40608/1.htm

 

Image courtesy of http://ameblo.jp/cream-cheese003/entry-11376266705.html

Appropriately Superfly's 「Force」（フォース） was selected as the theme song for the series.  The song was the lead track for their 4th album release "Force" (released 9/19/12).  The single was released the following month and charted in the Oricon Top 100 for that month reaching No. 9.  Written by elusive songwriter and Superfly founding member 多保 孝一/Tabo Koichi and frequent collaborator Music Producer 蔦谷好位置/Tsutara Koichi, "Force" has the signature Superfly sound - retro 70s Psychedelic rock coupled with lead singer Ochi Chiho's dynamic vocals.  

Taking their name from the Cutis Mayfield theme song for the 70s Blaxploitation film "Superfly" (1972), the band was formed by Ehime country girl and tiny vocal dynamo, 越智志帆/Ochi Chiho and 70s classic rock enthusist and guitarist 多保孝一/Tabo Koichi while both were attending Ehime's Matsuyama College's Music Department in 2003. At first they mostly covered songs from 70s pop idol group Finger 5/フィンガー5 and the Rolling Stones but they soon began producing and arranging their own music (with Ochi writting most of the lyrics) which caught the attention of music producers with Warner Music Japan.  

Tabo Koich and Ochi Chiho are "Superfly" - Image courtesy of http://www.listal.com/viewimage/924325

As Ochi's vocal style clearly indicates, she is heavily influenced by the late 60s-70s rock singer Janice Joplin as well as other 70s power vocalists such as Carole King, and Maria Muldaur. Ochi also lists Mick Jagger and Sheryl Crow as musical influences. With their retro 70s psychedelic rock inspired sound and style, they were certainly a breath of fresh-air in the Japanese Music scene and quickly made a name for themselves with their various single hits such as 「ハロー・ハロー」 (2007) ,「 マニフェスト」 (2007), 「 愛をこめて花束を」(2008),   「How Do I Survive?」 (2008), 「Dancing On The Fire」, 「Eyes On Me」 (2010) and  「Beep!!」 (2011). 

「Force」isn't the first time one of Superfly's songs has been used as the theme song for a Japanese drama. Their songs 「Wildflower 」(2010) and 「Alright!!」 (2007) were used as the theme songs for the series 『GOLD』(2010) and 『BOSS』 (2009) respectively. 

Superfly's next single  「Bi-Li-Li Emotion」 （ビリリエモーション） to be released 9/25 has already been tapped to be the theme song for the sequel to 「ドクターX～外科医・大門未知子～」Doctor X sequel (to air in Japan in October). While it seems that Ochi is starting to distance herself from the 70s retro sound that made them famous, gravitating towards a more contemporary sounding pop/rock sound (although her 70s styling is still there).  I hope that Superfly continues to stay with their signature rock sound as it really does make them standout from the crowd and being a child of the late 70s/80s I really appreciate their nostalgic rock sound.

Flower Child - Ochi Chiho - Image courtesy of http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2010/09/03/music/j-pop-diva-superfly-has-the-classics-covered/