Southern All Stars -- Tokyo Shuffle （東京シャッフル）

Hope you all had a good and restful Holidays. For me, it was the usual getting together with old friends and family for noshing inside and outside the home. For New Year's Day, I made it a point to steer clear of the Net and just stick to some reading and watching the polarizing "Cloud Atlas" before my brother's family came over for the special dinner of o-sechi and tons of fatty tuna sashimi.

But of course, it wouldn't be a J-Canuck New Year's without watching and videotaping the annual Kohaku Utagassen (No. 65 for 2014). Since my brother doesn't get TV Japan in his household, we played the tape on the old VCR (yep, we still have one), and it was telling how much of it we fast-forwarded through and where we stopped...which was the enka portions of the show. I would've been far more lenient but my parents and brother had control of the remote. Still, good to hear Shinichi Mori（森進一）, Sayuri Ishikawa（石川さゆり）and Hiroshi Itsuki（五木ひろし）doing their hits again.

The notable thing, though, was the BIG surprise of the broadcast. And it wasn't seeing Seiko Matsuda（松田聖子）and Akina Nakamori（中森明菜）again (we had a few weeks' notice of the former, and a few days' notice of the latter), though it was great to do so. Nope, the shock was hearing the hosts announcing the appearance of Southern All Stars（サザンオールスターズ）coming onto the Kohaku for the first time in 31 years! There was an audible gasp from the audience....something that I had never heard before.

As I mentioned for the SAS article, "Chako no Kaigan no Monogatari"（チャコの海岸物語）, there was some history between Keisuke Kuwata（桑田佳祐）and NHK...bad-blooded history...that had Southern All Stars basically refusing to have anything more to do with the annual New Year's Eve special for years and years. However, apparently, there has been some thawing out of this NHK/Kuwata Cold War, and we got to see Southern All Stars perform again in concert. I mentioned on my Twitter account that Kuwata even looked quite gracious on stage. Perhaps, everything is good now.

But seeing Southern All Stars doing what they do best on stage at the Kohaku on New Year's Eve 2014 had me reminiscing about New Year's Eve 1983 on the 34th Kohaku Utagassen. That was when the band had their last official appearance singing "Tokyo Shuffle". Now at the time, I had no idea about SAS' biggest hits such as "Katte ni Sinbad"（勝手にシンドバッド）or "Itoshi no Ellie"（いとしのエリー）, and so I only had their Kohaku performances of  "Chako" and "Tokyo Shuffle" as my only knowledge of them. I just wondered if these guys were more of a novelty band than anything else.

And compared to their usual summery songs, "Tokyo Shuffle" was quite the different animal. As I saw Kuwata, Yuko Hara（原由子）and the rest of the gang come strutting out as if they had just come from the set of "Guys and Dolls", the lead guy looked like a mix of Legs Diamond and Ziggy Stardust while he channeled the Jazz Age. Kuwata was the one who wrote and composed their 19th single as a tribute to all things Early Showa with a shoutout to Benny Goodman and all those flappers dancing away at the speakeasy. It was released in early November 1983 so it was quite the thing that Southern All Stars got to appear on the Kohaku a little less than 2 months later. As it was, it wasn't all that big a hit for the band since it only peaked at No. 23. The single was also a track on the album, "Yuko Hara with Southern All Stars" (released on the same day as the single) as well as their 1989 BEST album, "Suika"（すいか...Watermelon）.

It may not have been the usual Southern All Stars song but "Tokyo Shuffle" still has that cheeky playfulness Kuwata is famous for.

Eisaku Ohkawa -- Abare Funa Uta (あばれ舟唄)

As I've said before, 2014 had offered many good Enka songs. And I consider Eisaku Ohkawa's (大川栄策) "Abare Funa Uta" one of them. I'd heard of the guy via his breakthrough single "Sazanka no Yado" (さざんかの宿), which was rather mellow and elegant sounding despite the fact that the man himself looked so gruff. However, it never actually left a strong impression on me and it only allowed me to acknowledge the existance of this new (to me) Enka singer.

His newest single on the other hand (released on 27th August 2014) first caught my attention by being up and around the Top 10 in the weekly Enka-yo Oricon list. It apparently stayed on for a solid 10 weeks and the highest it got was 49th place on the regular charts. So since it seemed like it had a pretty good reputation, I thought I'd give it a listen.

http://music.163.com/#/song?id=492528

The next thing that drew me closer to "Abare Funa Uta" during the listen was its rollicking and fairly manly tune, especially with the electric guitar revving away and the thumping drums. I have no clue what the song is about... I'm guessing it has something to do with boats, or probably some sea-shanty-like thing since "Funa uta" means "Boat song". Ohkawa also goes, "Ha su choi choi!" after the chorus, which sounds like something a sailor would yell out while on the high seas trawling for some fish. (Update from 4/1/15, courtesy of J-Canuck) Turns out the song's about a guy who'd rather spend his time out at sea rather than staying dry on land. Not a landlubber huh?

"Abare Funa Uta" had its lyrics done by Osamu Yoshioka (吉岡治) and was composed by the late Shousuke Ichikawa (市川昭介).

Seriously, scarves seemed to be "in" at that point in time.
Even Ichiro Toba wore one in "Shigure tabi"!
But dang, Ohkawa looks pretty cool in this picture.

amazon.co.jp

Koji Taira -- Bus Stop (バス・ストップ)

Last night I finally had the chance to view the annual Kohaku Uta Gassen for the very first time. Although I sat through a mind-numbing 4 hours of musical acts with most of them being those I usually couldn't be bothered with, only waiting for a specific few to come on, I must at least say that the performers all seemed to give it their all.

What impressed me the most was Kouhei Fukuda's (福田こうへい) rendition of "Tokyo gorin ondo" (東京五輪音頭), with the petite guy in a white kimono up on a platform with dancers dressed in the Olympic colours prancing around below, as he warbled away in a way that made me think it was the late Haruo Minami (三波春夫) singing it! And then the acts I had been waiting very, very patiently for: Hiroshi Itsuki (五木ひろし) singing his breakthrough hit "Yokohama Tasogare" (よこはま・たそがれ) in memory of lyricist, Yoko Yamaguchi (山口洋子). A while later came Sayuri Ishikawa's (石川さゆり) "Amagi goe" (天城越え) which has been sung for the 9th time as of now. It was amazing, amazingly dramatic, and grand. Kiyoshi Hikawa's chirpy "Choitto kimagure wataridori" (ちょいときまぐれ渡り鳥) didn't hurt either.

Anyway, speaking of Ishikawa and Itsuki, I had encountered a couple of videos (3, to be exact) with the pair doing an energetic medley of hit songs from the 70's. It was quite a while ago since I had found it, so most songs they sung were like Greek to me on the first listen. I did, however, find a couple of the tunes enjoyable. Some examples include Feifei Ouyang's (欧陽菲菲) "Ame no midosuji" (雨の御堂筋), sibling duo Karyudo's (狩人) "Azusa ni go" (あずさ２号), and the song for today, Koji Taira's (平浩二) "Bus Stop".

During the medley, the original singers of the songs were not mentioned, so I had no idea who the original singer of "Bus Stop" was. And of course, being lazy, I hadn't actually bothered to look it up even though I had tried to make a mental note on that. It was only until the "Mood Kayo Special" on Kayo Concert just a couple of months back did I finally see and listen to the original by Taira, who was decked out in a sparkly, silver, sequined top that made him look disco ball. That also made him stand out from the other more regularly dressed Mood Kayo All Stars.

Weird yet amusing wardrobe choice aside, with his smooth vocals he delivered "Bus Stop" well. After a somewhat dramatic start, the score, along with Taira's voice continues rather gently, which slowly gets more and more intense as it builds up to the chorus. This was composed by Masahiko Aoi (葵まさひこ), and the lyrics were written by Kazuya Senke (千家和也). Apparently the "bus stop" that's being featured here in the song is supposed to be the bus terminal at the Shibuya train station's east exit.

Not surprisingly, "Bus Stop" became Taira's biggest hit, peaking at 11th in 1972 and selling around 800 000 copies. This hit came 3 years after his debut in 1969. Taira coincidentally hails from the same city in the same prefecture as Kiyoshi Maekawa (前川清), that being Sasebo, Nagasaki and the 2 were classmates in Primary and Secondary school (Elementary, Middle).

Here's the video of that Ishikawa-Itsuki medley where I first heard of "Bus Stop". It's the last one they sang in the video, but you can enjoy the other classics first.

And if you want to see a rare moment of Itsuki shaking his behind to Pink Lady's "Pepper Keibu" (ペッパー・警部) with Ishikawa, you can take a look at part 2.

blogs.yahoo.co.jp

Ah yes, and have a great new year ahead you guys (readers and bloggers alike)... ... Huh, I just realised that this is my first article of the year.

Top 10 Albums of 2001

1.  Hikaru Utada                             Distance
2.  Ayumi Hamasaki                       A Best
3.  Southern All Stars                     Ballad 3 ~ The Album of Love
4.  Glay                                           Drive ~ Glay Complete Best
5.  Morning Musume                      Best Morning Musume 1
6.  Mr. Children                              Mr. Children 1992-1995
7.  SMAP                                        SMAP Vest
8.  Misia                                          Marvelous
9.  Love Psychedelico                     The Greatest Hits
10.  Chemistry                                The Way We Are

J-Canuck's 5 Go-To Karaoke Tunes

For almost 20 years, karaoke was one of my leisure activities with the various groups of people I hung out with. However, back in my university days when I first got involved with the Japanese hobby, I spent several months at that Yorkville karaoke bar, Kuri, without getting anywhere near a microphone due to fear. But with growing familiarity to my surroundings and several drinks' worth of Brown Cow (known as Kahlua Milk over there) later, my friend and I finally gathered up the gumption to try out one song together. And this will segue into my list of those go-to songs I had in my arsenal whenever I took part in singing in the years to come.

1. Anzen Chitai & Yosui Inoue -- Natsu no Owari no Harmony

Yep, my humble beginnings in picking up a microphone and singing to that empty orchestra resided with this ballad. It was just the perfect duet for a couple of fairly pickled undergraduates to try out at a time when neither guy was willing to go it alone. Lack of talent was no barrier for us...especially when alcohol was coursing through our veins.

Basically my career in amassing a karaoke repertoire was a matter of trial and error. Gradually, I developed some basic rules in picking a song which I thought I could handle:

A: A nice even melody without any shifts in key.
B: Lyrics that didn't require me to leaf through a kanji dictionary many times.
C: No demand for vocal gymnastics (therefore, Kazumasa Oda and Dreams Come True were out)

2. Ikuzo Yoshi -- Yukiguni

When I finally graduated from U of T in 1989 and got on that plane for Japan to start my teaching career in Gunma Prefecture, trips to karaoke bars became more of a professional demand. After all, the various official dinner functions always required the nijikai（二次会...second party）which often meant a visit to drinking establishments armed with karaoke equipment. I found Ikuzo Yoshi's "Yukiguni" to be fine with me since it fulfilled those 3 rules above, and in a way, it represented The Great White North.

Singing this dozens of times over the years, I was finally able to develop that deep growl that enka singers use to launch the title in the refrain...often got some applause for that.

3. Saburo Tokito -- Kawa no Nagare wo Daite Nemuritai

Mysteriously, I never mentioned in the original article for this bluesy ballad that I had first heard it on "Sounds of Japan". That piano that starts things off had me right there. One time at a karaoke box, I was leafing furiously through the thick tome of the listings when that song suddenly percolated up through my memories. I hadn't thought I would find it but sure enough it was right in there, so I decided to give it a try. Strangely enough, it worked out pretty well although none of my compadres that night knew the song at all. They were quite impressed that it was Tokito who sang it since they (and most other people) knew him just as an actor.

4. Takashi Hosokawa - Kita Sakaba

During those Gunma days, I was giving the aforementioned "Yukiguni" quite the workout so the guys knew my go-to song. However, being the demanding folks they were, they wanted another song from me, so somehow I went with another tune that I had first heard on "Sounds of Japan", the jaunty "Kita Sakaba". This song by Hosokawa is perfect for a lot of the older karaoke-going group to get all cheered up and clapping. And for some reason, the order gets to the front desk for more beer afterwards. "Kita Sakaba" became my Commander Will Riker to the Captain Picard of my "Yukiguni".

5. Yumi Matsutoya -- Blizzard

Unlike "Yukiguni", I didn't pick Yuming's "Blizzard" because it had some sort of connection with Canada (last year's Ice Storm aside). I just liked singing it because it sounded good to me (love the dramatic intro) and the three rules were once again met. Yuming's voice may have already become quite high even back then, but I still could get through it in a lower register.

Believe me, there were many others I've tried and succeeded/failed at. But the above are the ones that were my juu-hachi-ban (my go-to tunes). Perhaps some of the other collaborators can clue us in on their karaoke likes.

Also, you can take a look at my article on karaoke in general which I wrote back in April 2012.

And finally, you can take a look at the five that I failed miserably at.

Toshihiko Tahara -- Kanashimi 2 (TOO) Young （悲しみ２「ＴＯＯ」ヤング）

Happy New Year to you all wherever you are on the planet. Some of you may already be enjoying your o-zoni and o-sechi while others may be getting gussied up for that big New Year's Eve blowout. I actually had my toshikoshi soba about an hour ago at home, but for anecdotal purposes, I would just like to show you my photo of ramen with the extra pork belly slabs when my friend and I went over to the fourth branch of Kinton Ramen in north Toronto the other day. The weather is quickly chilling down after a warm Green Christmas so that bowl of ramen was really satisfying.

Anyways, one of my final entries for 2014 comes from the base year for my launch into kayo kyoku, 1981. I remember Toshihiko Tahara's（田原俊彦）6th single, "Kanashimi 2 (TOO) Young" (Lonely Too Young) primarily from the melodic intro after the impassioned vocalizing...a burst of energy that seems to be perfect for a choreographed Toshi-chan spin-o-rama. But then again, I think the whole song is just half of a Toshi-chan experience. One must see the lad dance around in all that yuppie gear while it's playing.

Nope, the above isn't from those early days but probably some years later judging from the hairstyle and clothing. "Kanashimi" was released in September 1981...just a month after I'd finished my school-day odyssey in Japan. It was written and composed by Kazuya Amikura（網倉一也）who also came up with another exciting tune for Hiromi Go（郷ひろみ）a couple of years earlier, "My Lady". Toshi's contribution peaked at No. 2 on Oricon and became the 35th-ranked song of the year.

The song was also used as a campaign tune for Glico Chocolate, so you can see Toshi in his prize yuppie gear despite the lack of choreography.

Top 10 Singles of 2001

1.  Hikaru Utada                              Can You Keep A Secret?
2.  Ayumi Hamasaki                        M
3.  CHEMISTRY                             Pieces Of A Dream
4.  Keisuke Kuwata                         Naminori Johnny
5.  Morning Musume                       Ren'ai Revolution 21
6.  Keisuke Kuwata                         Shiroi Koibito Tachi
7.  Ayumi Hamasaki                        evolution
8.  Kinki Kids                                  Boku no Senaka ni wa Hane ga aru
9.  Dozan Miki                                Lifetime Respect
10. Pornograffitti                             Ageha Chou