October, November, December 09 Calendar - Ryuichi Sakamoto - EU Tour

Oct 7 - Dec 2
Ryuichi Sakamoto
European Tour

Oct 07,Wed - Hau 1 (Berlin/Germany)
Oct 09,Fri - Tonhalle (Dusseldorf/Germany)
Oct 11,Sun - Central Theatre (Leipzig/Germany)
Oct 13,Tue - Arengerg Theater (Antwerpen/Belgium)
Oct 15,Thu - Enjoy Jazz Festival (Heidelberg/Germany)
Oct 20,Tue - Teatro Valli Opera House (Reggio Emilia/Italy)
Oct 22,Thu - Teatro Comunale, Florence (Florence/Italy)
Oct 25,Sun - Teatro Politeama (Cantanzaro/Italy)
Oct 26,Mon - Teatro Politeama Garibaldi (Palermo/Italy)
Oct 28,Wed - Auditorium Parco De La Musica (Rome/Italy)
Oct 30,Fri - TBA (Italy)
Oct 31,Sat - Teatro Comunale, Terviso (Terviso/Italy)
Nov 02,Mon - Teatro Regio (Turin/Italy)
Nov 04,Wed - Ferrara Opera House (Ferrara/Italy)
Nov 05,Thu - Teatro Arcimboldi (Milan/Italy)
Nov 08,Sun - Espace Pierre Cardin (Paris/France)
Nov 11,Wed - Teatro Circo Price (Madrid/Spain)
Nov 13,Fri - Auditorio de Galicia (Santiago de compostela/Spain)
Nov 15,Sun - Auditorio de Girona (Girona/Spain)
Nov 17,Tue - Kursaal Auditorium (San Sebastian/Spain)
Nov 19,Thu - Cartagena Jazz Festival (Cartagena/Spain)
Nov 20,Fri - Teatro Infanta Leonor (Jaén/Spain)
Nov 22,Sun - Symphony Hall (Birmingham/UK)
Nov 24,Tue - Bridgewarter Hall (Manchester/UK)
Nov 27,Fri - Brighton Dome (Brighton/UK)
Nov 29,Sun - Cadogan Hall (London/UK)
Nov 30,Mon - Cadogan Hall (London/UK)
Dec 02,Wed - Queens Hall (Edinburgh/UK)

Source: Official Site (see below for details)



Contact:
- Germany
General information:
SSC Group
http://www.ssc-group.net/artists/ryuichi-sakamoto

Hau 1
Hallesches Ufer 32, 10963 Berlin, Germany
October 07, 2009
Info: http://www.hebbel-am-ufer.de/en/intro.html
Ticket sales online: http://www.hebbel-am-ufer.de/en/reservierung.php?HAU=2
Tel: +49 (0)30 259004 27

Tonhalle Düsseldorf
Ehrenhof 1, 40479 Düsseldorf, Germany
October 09,2009
Info: http://www.tonhalle.de/?q=das_konzert&id=4638984
Ticket sales online: http://www.ticketonline.de/trans/prlist?IDX=4011910&LI=267&MENU=NO

Central Theater
Sternstr. 12-13, 06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany
October 11,2009
Tel: +49 (0) 3491 / 40 22 21

Enjoy Jazz GmHb
Stadthalle, Heidelberg
Bauamtsgasse 5, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
October 15,2009
Info: http://www.enjoyjazz.de/content/index_ger.html
Ticket sales online: http://www2.reservix.de/off/login_check.php?id=c6ec16e8cf3cd5077514ebef590a1f763d4616b372ef8900411779bf6bedf213&vID=932
Tel: +49 6221 583585


- Belgium
General information:
Greenhouse Talent
http://www.greenhousetalent.be/artist.asp?id=143

Arengerg Theater
Grote Zaal, Antwerpen, Belgium
October 13,2009
Info: http://www.provant.be/kalender/vrije_tijd/cultuur/cultuurhuizen/arenbergschouwburg/
ryuichi_sakamoto_091013.jsp?referer=tcm:7-9327-64
Tel:+32 (0)70 22 21 92


- Italy
General information:
International Music and Arts
http://www.international-music.it/homepage.html

Teatro Valli Opera House
Piazza della Vittoria, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy
October 20, 2009
Tel: +39 (0)522 458811
Info: http://www.iteatri.re.it/Sezione.jsp?idSezione=258

Teatro Comunale, Florence
October 22, 2009
Info:http://www.tuscanypass.com/events_tuscany/event-details.html?eId=23150
http://www.maggiofiorentino.com/?q=node/1086

Teatro Politeama Cantanzaro
October 25,2009
Info: www.politeamacatanzaro.net
Tel: +39 (0)961 50 18 18 – (0)961 50 18 19

Teatro Politeama Garibaldi
Via Giuseppe De Spuches, 10, 90141 Palermo (Sicilia), Italy
October 26, 2009
Tel: +39 (0)91 6053421

Auditorium Parco De La Musica
Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30, 00196 Roma, Italy
October 28,2009
Info: www.auditorium.com/
Tel:+39 (0)680241281

Teatro Comunale Treviso
Corso del Popolo, 31, 31100 Treviso, Treviso (Veneto), Italy
October 31, 2009
Info:http://www.venetojazz.com/news/new.jsp?idm=C4E64O7D4689T293KIG47HGEU838214C0K829Q9T2DOGZ780S3F10973AZ0D8681&prg=1
Tel: +39 (0)423 452069

Teatro Regio di Torino
Piazza Castello, 215, 10124 Torino, Italy
November 02, 2009
Info:http://www.teatroregio.torino.it/en
Tel: +39 (0)11 88151

Teatro Comunale di Ferrara
Corso Martiri della Libertà, 5, 44100 Ferrara (Emilia Romagna) Italy
November 04, 2009
Info: http://www.teatrocomunaleferrara.it/index.asp
Tel: +39 (0)532 202675

Teatro degli Arcimboldi
Viale dell'Innovazione, 20 – Milano, Italy
November 05, 2009
Tel: +39(0)2 64 11 42 212/214


- France
General information;
Voyez mon producteur
http://www.voyezmonproducteur.com/

Espace Pierre Cardin
1-3, Avenue Gabriel 75008 Paris France
November 08,2009
Info: http://www.pierrecardin.com/home_en.html


- Spain
General information:
Stage Planet
http://www.stageplanet.net/

Festival de Otoño de Madrid 2009
Teatro Circo Price

Ronda Atocha, 35, Madrid, Spain
November 11th
21:00 h
Info: www.madrid.org/fo/2009/es/index.html

Ticket sales online: www.entradas.com

Phone sales: +34 902 876 870

Auditorio de Galicia
Santiago de compostela, Spain
November 13, Friday
Info: http://www.auditoriodegalicia.org/auditorio/index.php?txt=aud_auditorio&lg=gal

Auditorio de Girona
Girona, Spain
November 15, Sunday

Kursaal
Avda. de Zurriola, 1 - 20002 Donostia/San Sebastián, Spain
November 17th 


Info: www.kursaal.org

Ticket sales: www.kutxa.net

Cartagena Jazz Festival
Cartagena, Spain
November 19, Thursday

Teatro Infanta Leonor
Jaén, Spain
November 20, Friday


- UK
Birmingham Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA
Sunday 22nd November
Tickets £25, £20
Doors open 7pm
www.thsh.co.uk, Box Office 0121 780 3333
www.seetickets.com / 08700 603 777 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk

The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS
Tuesday 24th November
£25, £20
Doors open 7pm
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk, Box Office 0161 907 9000
www.seetickets.com / 08700 603 777 / www.ticketline.co.uk / 0871 424 4444 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Brighton Dome, 29 New Road, Brighton BN1 1UG
Friday 27th November
Tickets £25, £20
www.brightondome.org, Box Office 01273 709 709
www.seetickets.com / 08700 603 777 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
Sunday 29th and Monday 30th November
Tickets £32.50
Doors open 7pm (Sunday 29th), 7.30pm (Monday 30th)
www.cadoganhall.com, Box Office 020 7730 4500
www.seetickets.com / 08700 603 777 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Queens Hall, 85-89 Clerk Steet, Edinburgh EH3 9JG
Wednesday 2nd December
Tickets £26
Doors open 7pm
www.thequeenshall.net, Box Office 0131 668 2019
www.seetickets.com / 0871 220 0260

Yellow Magic Orchestra

Yellow Magic Orchestra were (and still are) a massively influential electro band that formed in the late '70s. They played almost exclusively electronic instruments, including huge analog synths. They were also one of the first bands to recognize the appeal of video game music, incorporating it into much of their style. But unlike what one might expect from a digital-loving electro group, YMO combined the static electro sounds with a heaping helping of funk, disco and rock, injecting more than a little life and humanity into the machinery. One bit of trivia that might put a group like Yellow Magic Orchestra into context is their appearance in the American TV show Soul Train in 1980. They were quite likely the first (and perhaps only) Japanese act to appear on the show, bringing their unique brand of electro-funk to astonished and bemused American audiences everywhere.

In a way, YMO is still together. The individual members Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi and Ryuichi Sakamoto have all gone on to pursue their own solo careers and causes to great success. But the band still finds the time to occasionally get back together for live shows. These shows showcase both the original YMO lexicon and the individual members own music outside of YMO.

As for the original YMO music, it's a little of what you might expect from a very early synth band, namely swirling Moogs and and massive forests of cords, robotic, lock-step beats and obtuse lyrics. Then there are the more tripped out tunes, the experimental passages and the weird sense of humor. Their live shows from that era are mesmerizing. Perhaps described best as a mix between Kraftwerk and Devo who were active at the same exact time, YMO put on a show that was a mix of "dare to be stupid" futurism, cold, calculated programming and a real sense of, again, humanity and life. YMO followed their own path wherever it naturally lead them, and took an entire generation of electo-loving fans with them.

BUY YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA RELEASES HERE!

"Technopolis"



Official Site
MySpace

Members:
Haruomi Hosono
Yukihiro Takahashi
Ryuichi Sakamoto

Albums:
Yellow Magic Orchestra - 1978
Solid State Survivor - 1979
×∞ Multiplies - 1980
BGM - 1981
Technodelic - 1981
Naughty Boys - 1983
Naughty Boys Instrumental - 1983
Service - 1983
Technodon (as YMO) - 1993

"Rydeen"


"Computer Games"


"Tighten Up (Japanese Gentlemen, Stand Up Please!)" (Live on Soul Train)


"Rydeen" (Live 2007)


"Tokyo Town Pages" (Live in London 2008)

Videos of the Week 6-28-09

If you've spent any time on this blog, you know that I'm not a huge fan of pop music. But I must admit that I have a pretty big soft spot for Perfume. I really liked them right from the start, and have been following them ever since. Most of their music sounds very "same-y" lately, but their newest "Night Flight" single is quite different and just plain loaded with retro smoothness. It's like a long-lost Yellow Magic Orchestra track unearthed and updated. Plus, the video (or the commercial that the song is used in, actually) also looks great. Like living inside a Famicom!

Perfume "Night Flight"


More after the jump!



Vola and the Oriental Machine "Self-Defense"


This is an amazing live performance from Vola. It's totally chaotic, but the amount of energy they bring is incredible!

Ling Tosite Sigure - live


Speaking of high-energy live shows, here are a couple live songs from Ling Tosite Sigure. 'Nuff said!

Yellow Magic Orchestra "Tighten Up"


This is a "live" version of "Tighten Up" by YMO (originally by Archie Bell and the Drells), on the classic US show Soul Train nonetheless! Obviously they aren't actually playing, but it's still a historical "performance."

Oh, and just in case you didn't know why I found this even funnier the first time I heard it, watch this:





And, of course, the obligatory bizarre Japanese Michael Jackson "Thriller" parody.

May Calendar 09 - Ryuichi Sakamoto - Bang on a Can Marathon, NY

May 31, 2009
Ryuichi Sakamoto (and many, many others)
Bang on a Can Marathon
World Financial Center Winter Garden, New York, NY
10pm

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Source: GungirlNewYork

Album Review - 8bit Project - Spicy Innovator vs Superior Marionette

Quick, what do (deep breath) Perfume, Michael Jackson, Exile, Utada Hikaru, Ai Otsuka, Studio Ghibli, Southern All Stars, Juicy Fruits, Coldplay, Raiders of the Lost Arc, Led Zeppelin, Yellow Magic Orchestra and many more all have in common? (gasp)

Well, nothing really.

Until now!

Because now they can all be linked by the power of 8bit chiptune music! Ah yes, the glue that sometime seems to hold the very fabric of the universe together has spawned yet another compilation full of both incredible and very clever covers of some classic (and not-so-classic) songs.

The album Spicy Innovator vs Superior Marionette (see, isn't that clever, now?) was put together by a group going by the innocuous name of 8bit Project. This humble name actually obscures a rather intimidating trio consisting of Ito Toshiharu (of Mansfield), Matsutake Hideki (Logic System and the sound programmer and so-called fourth member of the highly influential 1970s-80s Japanese electro super-group Yellow Magic Orchestra) and Saito Hisahi (of YMO cover band Y Setsu O). Spicy Innovator is the group's second full release (they've also recently remixed Shoko Nakagawa). It seems to take the previous effort to a whole new level of insanity across twenty one tracks of pure 8bit overload. Sure, it may be over twenty tracks, but some of those tracks consist of five song medleys! This is, like, fifty songs, people!

If you're not already running over to HearJapan to download it or to CDJapan to get the CD (either of which I can assure you, without hesitation, is the right thing to do) then follow me after the jump to get a bit (ha ha) more background on what's going on here. Then go buy it.


There is far too much going on here to do any sort of play-by-play, so instead, the highlights.

[NOTE: All video clips are the original songs, not the 8bit covers. Just in case that wasn't screamingly obvious...]

Perfume "Polyrythm"


The album kicks off with two of the strongest tracks, both a Perfume medley and a Michael Jackson medley. The Perfume track consists of four of the singing-trio's most recent singles, “Polyrythm,” “Chocolate Disco,” “Baby Cruising Love” and “Love the World.” While none of these are really any sort of revelation when presented in 8bit form, (they are an electro/chiptune-ish band already) it will nevertheless instantly get you into the right frame of mind for the onslaught to follow. Much more shocking, and simply wonderful, is the Michael Jackson material that follows. “Bad,” “Beat It” and “Thriller” are an ascending scale of perfection (come on, a chip version of an Eddie VanHalen guitar solo?!), culminating with the album's coolest trick. When it's time for Vincent Price to give his monologue at the end of “Thriller,” 8bit Project chooses to instead use the default text-crawl blips sound heard in so many early 8 and 16 bit games. It's an obvious yet at the same time surprising gimmick, topped off with a very lo-bit laughing sample at the end that you won't be able to help but giggle at yourself. This track alone is worth the entire price of the album.

Utada Hikaru "Beautiful World"


Then there's the Utada Hikaru medley, complete with an overt Final Fantasy break and Galaga sound effects, the Ai Otsuka “Tsubomi” cover with its Metroid backdrop, and the classic pop song “Hajimete no Chu” with a ton of Kid Icarus callbacks. All of the myriad of classic game samples and homages are handled with subtly and class, so much so that you'll probably often find yourself wracking your brain to solve that “where the hell I have I heard this before?” feeling.

Yellow Magic Orchestra "Computer Games"


While some of the tracks on Spicy Innovator might leave non-Japanese music fans scratching their heads, there are also plenty of more “universal” hits for the rest of the world. The most obvious being Coldplay's “Viva La Vida,” followed by the main themes from Raiders of the Lost Ark and even a complete (though slightly compact) version of Led Zeppelin's “Stairway to Heaven.” The whole thing ends with an unsurprisingly brilliant medley of Yellow Magic Orchestra tracks. It's a perfect choice, since they are the ones who (unofficially) started the movement toward seeing video game music as something serious and something to love.

That's the real story here, too. Sure, some 8bit versions of “normal” songs can be the most tired and worn out hack move for shallow musicians to make. Anyone can run something though a modded NES and people will be there to blindly flock to their side. Here, it's the obvious love for the genre and the craft of making these songs that sends 8bit Project and Spicy Innovator vs Superior Marionette far beyond the also-rans. It's full of both silly fun and professional production. The sound of a few old-school electro masters playing around and relaxing with some of their favorite games and songs, and doing it better than anyone else. This is an album that any fan of the genre should buy right now, end of story.

Review and Lyrics: Kayo - Mitsuami Heroine

As a huge Polysics fan, there was no way I was going to miss out on the solo album of the band's iconic keyboard player Kayo. Luckily it was actually rather easy to track down, and is still available.

Simply put, Mitsuami Heroine is, on the one hand, far from what one might expect from the robotic, nearly emotionless woman behind the screaming synths of one of the world's most spastic and energetic new-wave bands. On the other hand, it is exactly what you might expect from a very talented woman who wants to break free, at least a little, from that very image.

Before I begin this odyssey, I'd like to thank yuri_nikko of j_music_lyrics for the lyric translation. Without it, this would be a much less interesting review. With the help of the translation I was able to dig up a wealth of details pointing to the origins of some of these songs. She also did the translation for Supercar's Highvision album. Thank you yuri_nikko!

What treasures did I find? Well, you'll just have to continue on to find out. HINT: It has a lot to do with Yellow Magic Orchestra!



Kayo
『三つ編みヒロイン』
『mitsuami hiroin』 {Braided Heroine}
Produced by Hayashi Hiroyuki

1. Mitsuami Hiroin 2. Natsu Nandesu 3. Bokutachi no Jikan 4. Midori Poppu de 5. Saraba Shiberia Tetsudou

1. 『mitsuami hiroin』 {Braided Heroine}



The first thing I noticed, way back in 2004 when I first devoured the liner notes, was that there were a lot more people involved in the production of Mitsuami Heroine than just Kayo. First off, her band-mate and fellow Polysics founder Hayashi Hiroyuki had a very large role in the overall production, along with some songwriting. As much as I love Polysics, he thankfully manages to keep the band's sound out of this album...for the most part.

Also involved, both directly and indirectly, is Haruomi Hosono, a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra, one of the most influential electro pop bands to come out of Japan. Hosono wrote the title and lead track for Mitsuami Heroine, along with another popular songwriter Takashi Matsumoto. Matsumoto worked with both YMO and Hosono in the past. He also is responsible for the lyrics to three of the five songs on Mitsuami Heroine.

From a fan's point of view, it's almost hard to believe how totally awesome this is. Two major figures of Japanese electro rock, coming together to compose a new song for the next generation. The real kicker is that "Mitsuami Heroine" is a very laid back song, once again not something you may expect knowing Kayo's main gig. It's simple and reserved, nothing showy or too artificial.

The song seems to be a fatherly note of advice from Matsumoto to Kayo, telling her that even if she becomes nervous and falls (the allusion here is to being in a band), that it can't be helped. It just happens sometimes, even to the best of us. She will just keep going. She is the braid-haired heroine. (Note, the "The earphones on your walkman sang of 'glass apples'" line is probably a reference to Seiko Matsuda's 1983 single of the same name. Is that internet Matlockery or what?)

2. 『natsu nandesu』 {Because It's Summer}

Original version by Happy End



Next up is a cover of "Natsu Nandesu," written in the early 1970s by Haruomi Hosono's band before YMO, Happy End. Again the lyrics were originally composed by Takashi Matsumoto.

As you can see in the video above, the original is a straight-up folk song. It floats along like a rolling stream full of hazy '70 nostalgia. Very little is changed in Kayo's version. Hiro adds a toy-box drum loop suitable for any lazy tropical location, and his signature clean-channel electric guitar replaces the acoustic guitars of the original. Aside from that, it's a perfect copy, with Kayo's far superior vocal performance (though a bit flat at times) adding a much needed dose of sublime emotion.

3. 『bokutachi no jikan』 {Our Time}

"Bokutachi no Jikan" is the first (and only) song written entirely by Kayo. This time it's performed by instrumental jazz experimental freak-out rockers Natsumen. After the first two mellow opening tracks, this is a welcome upbeat song. Once again, Natsumen defies expectation by playing things straight and close to the vest. Full of walking basslines, funky guitars and a soothing horn section (even a kazoo!) "Bokutachi no Jikan" is a fun, easy listening surprise totally devoid of electronics. Much like the lyrics, the music is all about innocent joy and happiness, which is, after-all, the main theme behind the album.

4. 『Midori Poppu de』 {With Green Pop}

If everything up to now was a smack to the face of our expectations, than "Midori Poppu de" is a kiss to make it all better. Written entirely by Hiro, it's a song taken straight out of the Polysics lexicon. Extremely, well, poppy and totally electrified, it's very much like their other Kayo fronted songs, i.e. "Baby BIAS" or "Miss Donuts." It's fast, simple and to the point and full of the usual crazy, almost nonsensical lyrics one would expect from Hiro. It could easily be (or perhaps at one time was) a B-side to any regular Polysics single.

5. 『saraba shiberia tetsudou』 {Goodbye Siberian Railroad}

Original Version


Once again we have another all electro, synth-pop song, once again in the Polysics style. "Saraba Shiberia Tetsudou" is another cover song, this time from another popular '70 era producer Ootaki Eiichi, with lyrics, once again, from Takashi Matsumoto.

Much like "Natsu Nadesu," very little has been changed on Kayo's version of "Saraba Shiberia Tetsudou." It's already an excellent song, so why break it? Hiro has simply updated the sounds and production and let Kayo deliver an absolutely stunning vocal performance. I'm not saying Kayo is a bad singer, far from it, but her voice on this song is perfect. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a little support from a Simpson's-esque voice enhancer. Seriously though, this song it easily the star of the show for any synth-pop fan. 100% electro-bliss.

I have to admit, this simple little five song, obscure solo EP from a member of a Japanese new-wave band most people have never heard of (but that's changing fast now, isn't it?) came with an education I never expected. It almost outweighs the musical content itself. It shows that there is much more going on here, not only with Kayo, but with Polysics as a whole. They aren't springing out of nowhere and flailing around without purpose. Not at all. They are Japanese electro-rock anthropologists. Historians with cyclops eyes and Technicolor jump-suits. There is a rich history that they are tapping into. It's all just waiting, willing us to reach in and be subsumed by its wonders and mysteries.

--------------

LYRICS

Kayo

『三つ編みヒロイン』
『mitsuami hiroin』 {Braided Heroine}
作詞: 松本 隆 | 作曲 & 編曲: 細野晴臣
{Lyrics by Matsumoto Takashi | Composition & Arrangement by Hosono Haruomi}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]

西瓜畑の細い道
入道雲にご挨拶
ブレーキの鳴る自転車で
入り江に降りる急な坂

suika hatake hosoi michi
nyuudougumo ni goaisatasu
bureeki no naru jitensha de
irie ni oriru kyuu na saka

A narrow watermelon field
greeted by summer clouds
With the sound of my bike breaks
I fell in a cove off a sudden drop

ソフトクリーム抜けた指
カレ氏ない歴１年か
ウォークマンのイアフォンが
「ガラスの林檎」歌ってた

sofutokuriimu nuketa yubi
kareshinaireki ichinen ka
wookuman no ieafon ga
"garasu ringo" utatteta

The ice cream fell from your hands
you hadn't had a boyfriend for a year
The earphones on your walkman
sang of "glass apples"

三つ編みヒロイン
岩をめざしクロールする
三つ編みヒロイン
ただの地味な紺の水着
空よりも海よりも深く青い日々
さざ波ピチャピチャ　光のあやとり

mitsuami hiroin
iwa wo mezashi kurooru suru
mitsuami hiroin
tada no jimi na kon no mizugi
sora yori mo umi yori mo fukaku aoi hibi
saza nami pichapicha hikari no ayatori

Braided heroine
You crawled aiming for the rocks
Braided heroine
dressed in a plain deep blue swimsuit
a blue more deep than the ordinary sky and sea
the rippling water splashes, strings of light

指が空中叩いてた
わたしピアノも上手いんだ
都会に行ってバンドでも
組んだら何か変わるかな

yubi ga kuuchuu tataiteta
watashi piano mo umainda
tokai ni itte bando demo
kundara nanika kawaru kana

My fingers beat in the air
my piano playing is much better
But when our band went to the city
altogether, somehow something was off

未来をキッて睨むのよ
怖がっててもしょうがない
怒った顔が綺麗って
言ってたカレは消えたけど

mirai wo kitte niramu no yo
kowagattetemo shouganai
okotta kao ga kirei tte
itteta kare ha kietakedo

Take care in the future
you can't help being nervous
He said my angry face was beautiful
but then the guy vanished

三つ編みヒロイン
雲の波をクロールする
三つ編みヒロイン
手を広げて離陸しよう
空よりも海よりも深く青い日々

mitsuami hiroin
kumo no nami wo kurooru suru
mitsuami hiroin
te wo hirogete ririku shiyou
sora yori mo umi yori mo fukaku aoi hibi

Braided heroine
You crawled on the waves of clouds
Braided heroine
Let's spread our arms and takeoff
into a blue more deep than the ordinary sky and sea

三つ編みヒロイン
岩をめざしクロールする
三つ編みヒロイン
ただの地味な紺の水着
空よりも海よりも深く青い日々
さざ波ピチャピチャ　光のあやとり

mitsuami hiroin
iwa wo mezashi kurooru suru
mitsuami hiroin
tada no jimi na kon no mizugi
sora yori mo umi yori mo fukaku aoi hibi
saza nami pichapicha hikari no ayatori

Braided heroine
You crawled aiming for the rocks
Braided heroine
dressed in a plain deep blue swimsuit
a blue more deep than the ordinary sky and sea
the rippling water splashes, strings of light

『夏なんです』
『natsu nandesu』 {Because It's Summer}
作詞: 松本 隆 | 作曲: 細野晴臣 | 編曲: HAYASHI
{Lyrics by Matsumoto Takashi | Composition by Hosono Haruomi | Arrangement by HAYASHI}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]

田舎の白いで畦道
埃っぱい風が立ち止まる
地べたにぺタンとしゃがみこみ
奴らがビー玉はじいてる
ギンギンギラギラの
太陽なんです
ギンギンギラギラの
夏なんです

inaｋa no shiroi azemichi de
hokoroppai kaze ga tachidomaru
jibeta ni petan to shagamikomi
yatsura ga biidama hajiiteru
gin gin gira gira no
taiyou nandesu
gin gin gira gira no
natsu nandesu

On a path in a white rice field
the dusty winds stand still
Crouching, pentan* on the ground
they fling the marbles
silver silver glitter glitter
because of the sun
silver silver glitter glitter
because it's summer

鎮守の森はふかみどり
舞い降りてきた静けさ
古い茶屋の店先に
誰かさんとぶらさがる
ホーシーツクツクの
蝉の声です
ホーシーツクツクの
夏なんです

chinju no mori ha fukamidori
maioritekita shizukesa ga
furui chaya no miseseki ni
dareka santo burasagaru
hooshiitsukutsuku no
semi no koe desu
hooshiitsukutsuku no
natsu nandesu

Deep green leaves in the shrine grove
calmly they dance to the ground
At the old tea house store front
a certain someone hangs around
Intently they chirp
the cicada's voices
Intently they chirp
because it's summer

※日傘くるくる
ぼくはたいくつ
日傘くるくる
ぼくはたいくつ※

※higasa kuru kuru
boku ha taikutsu
higasa kuru kuru
boku ha taikutsu※

※Spinning my parasol
I'm so bored
Spinning my parasol
I'm so bored※

空模様の縫い目を辿って
石畳を駆け抜けると
夏は通り雨と一緒に
連れ立って行ってしまうのです
モンモンモコモコの
入道雲です
モンモンモコモコの
夏なんです

soramoyou no nuime wo tadotte
ishidatami wo kakenukeru to
natsu ha toori ame to isshouni
tsuredatte itteshimau no desu
monmon moko moko no
nyuudougumo desu
monmon moko moko no
natsu nandesu

Follow along the seams of the sky
and run through the stone paving
We'll go along together
in the summer showers
Worrying away, fluffy
are the columns of clouds
Worrying away, fluffy
because it's summer

(※くり返し)

*Pentanque is a French game played with metallic balls on dirt.

『僕たちの時間』
『bokutachi no jikan』 {Our Time}
作詞 &作曲: KAYO | 編曲: NATSUMEN
{Lyrics & Composition by: KAYO | Arrangement by NATSUMEN}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]

窓に写る　憂鬱な顔
機嫌直して　夜空の下へ

mado ni utsuru yuuutsu na kao
kigen naoshite yozora no shita he

In the window reflects my sad face
Calm my mood under this night sky

誰のいない　僕たちだけの
時間過ぎてゆく　今だけは

dare mo inai bokutachi dake no
jikan sugite yuku ima dake ha

No one's around, it's just us
Time just passes by, now is all there is

窓の外の　小鳥たちも
目を覚して　歌ってる

mado no soto no kotori tachi mo
me wo samashite utatteru

Outside my window, even the little birds
they open their eyes and sing

優しい気持ちに慣れるのはやっぱり嬉しい

yasashii kimochi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii

So gently, the feeling I feel is of course, happy

心の中の違う　あの子に
色んなモノを　見せてあげたい

kokoro no naka no chigau ano ko ni
ironna mono wo misete agetai

All the faults in my heart, to that kid
I want to show, all sorts of things

誰も知らない　僕達だけの
時間過ぎてゆく　今だけは

dare mo shiranai bokutachi dake no
jikan sugite yuku ima dake ha

Things no one else knows, just us
Time just passes by, now is all there is

楽しい気持ちになれるのはやっぱり嬉しい
優しい気持ちになれるのはやっぱり嬉しい
楽しい気持ちになれるのはやっぱり嬉しい
優しい気持ちになれるのはやっぱり嬉しい

tanoshii kimoshi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii
yasashii kimichi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii
tanoshii kimoshi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii
yasashii kimichi ni nareru no ha yappari ureshii

So joyously, the feeling I feel of course is happy
So gently, the feeling I feel is of course, happy
So joyously, the feeling I feel of course is happy
So gently, the feeling I feel is of course, happy

大切なもの　無くさぬ様に
笑っていてほしい　君だけは　君だけは

taisetsu na mono nakusanu you ni
waratte ite hoshii kimi dake ha kimi dake ha

What's important, is that you never go away
I want you smiling always, just you, just you

『ミドリポップで』
『Midori Poppu de』 {With Green Pop}
作詞, 作曲, 編曲: ハヤシヒロユキ
{Lyrics, Composition & Arrangement by Hayashi Hiroyuki}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]

キレイな光　そそいでみるなら
あなたどれくらい　育ってくれるの？
自分次第ね～　もう一歩
後は雰囲気もね～

kirei na hikari sosoide miru nara
anata dorekurai sodatte kureru no?
jibun jidai ne~ mouippo
ato ha funiki mo ne~

If you tried to let in some pretty light
how much would it help me grow?
It all depends on me~ Just one more step
After I'll get in the mood okay~

キレイな音に　かたむけてみるなら
あなたどれくらい　染まってくれるの？
気分次第ね～　もうイイヨ
後は気付いてね～

kirei na oto ni katamukete miru nara
anata dorekurai somatte kureru no?
kibun jidai ne~ mou ii yo
ato ha kidzuite ne~

If you let me listen to a pretty sound
how much would it seep into me?
It all depends on my mood~ That's all
After you'll realize, okay~

ミドリポップで　一番いいのはそばにおいでよ
ミドリポップで　一度いいからごらん下ください
ね～　おねがい　２人のポップ

midori poppu de ichiban ii no ha soba ni oide yo
midori poppu de ichido ii kara goran kudasai
ne~ onegai futari no poppu

With green pop, the best place to pop up is by your side
With green pop, please don't look at me just this one time
Hey~ please it's our own pop

安心感はもう足りない　うわべでしか笑ったりね　ホントひどいね

anshinkan ha mou tarinai uwabedeshika waratteri ne honto hidoi ne

A sense of security isn't enough, you're just laughing on the outside, that's really mean you know

ミドリポップで　一番いいのはそばに置いてよ
ミドリポップで　いつでもいいから話かけてね
一人ぼっちで　動かないカラだただ見つめてる
ミドリポップで　一度でいいからごらんください

midori poppu de ichiban ii no ha soba ni oite yo
midori poppu de itsude mo ii kara hanashi kakete ne
hitoribocchi de ugokanai karada tada mitsumeteru
midori poppu de ichido ii kara goran kudasai

With green pop, the best place to pop up is by your side
With green pop, you can always count on me to listen
Only you alone, I'll gaze at your unchanging figure
With green pop, please don't look at me just this one time

ね～　おねがい　ね～　おねがい
ね～　おねがい　ミドリのポップ
ミドリのポップ　ミドリのポップ

ne~ onegai ne~ onegai
ne~ onegai midori no poppu
midori no poppu midori no poppu

Hey~ please Hey~ please
Hey~ please green pop
Green pop, green pop

『さらばシベリア鉄道』
『saraba shiberia tetsudou』 {Goodbye Siberian Railroad}
作詞: 松本隆 | 作曲: 大滝詠一 編曲: HAYASHI
{Lyrics by Matsumoto Takashi | Composition by Ootaki Eiichi | Arrangement by HAYASHI}
[Translation by yuri_nikko/j_music_lyrics]


哀しみの裏側に何があるの？
涙さえも凍りつく白い氷原
誰でも心に冬を
かくしてると言うけど
あなた以上冷ややかな人はいない

kanashimi no uragawa ni nani ga aru no?
namida sae mo koori tsuku shiroi hyougen
dare demo kokoro ni fuyu wo
kakushiteru to iu kedo
anata ijou hiyayakana hito ha inai

What is there beyond this sadness?
My tears even freeze into a white snowfield
In anyone's heart
hides something called winter
On the other side, there are no cold-hearted people

君の手紙読み終えて切手を見た
スタンプにはロシア語の小さな文字
独りで決めたで別れを
責める言葉捜して
不意に北の空を追う

kimi no tegami yomi oete kitte wo mita
sutanpu ni ha roshia go no chiisana moji
hitori de kimeta de wakare wo
semeru kotoba sagashite
fui ni kita no sora wo ou

I finished reading your letter and saw the stamp
On it was written tiny Russian characters
You decided to say farewell
I searched for condeming words
suddenly chasing the Northern sky

伝えておくれ
十二月の旅人よ
いついついつまでも待っていると

tsutaete okure
juunigatsu no tabibito yo
itsuitsuitsu made mo matter iru to

Convey for me
December travellers
I'm always, always, always waiting

この線路の向こうには何があるの？
雪に迷うトナカイの哀しい瞳
答えを出さない人に
連いてゆくのに疲れて
行き先さえ無い明日に飛び乗ったの

kono senro no mukou ni ha nani ga aru no?
yuki ni mayou tonakai no kanashii hitomi
kotae wo dasanai hito ni
tsuite yuku no ni tsukarete
ikisaki sae nai asu ni tobinotta no

What lies at the end of this railroad track?
Lost in the snow are reindeer with sad eyes
To we who cannot answer you
lead us though we're wary
Prance upon an unknown tomorrow

僕は照れて愛という言葉が言えず
君は近視まなざしを読みとれない
疑うことを覚えて
人は生きてゆくなら
不意に愛の意味を知る

boku ha terete ai to iru kotoba ga iezu
kimi ha kinshin manazashi wo yomitorenai
utagau koto wo oboete
hito ha ikiteyuku nara
fui ni ai no imi wo shiru

I can't say those awkward words of love
My nearsighted eyes can't scrutinize you
I remembered my doubts
But as long as we're alive
we'll know the meaning of love

伝えておくれ
二十月の旅人よ
いついついつまでも待ってると

tsutaete okure
juunigatsu no tabibito yo
itsuitsuitsu made mo matteru to

Convey for me
December travellers
I'm always, always, always waiting

New Single: Polysics "Computer Obaachan"

Polysics have released a new video for their cover of "Computer Obaachan," their contribution to the Rock for Baby compilation, which also features Shonen Knife, Hoff Dylan, Suemitsu & The Suemith Kids, Ryukyudisko, Tomovsky and the usual MANY MORE!

The song was originally produced by Yellow Magic Orchestra founder Ryuichi Sakamoto and used as one of the themes to a NHK radio show called Sound Street in 1981. It was originally sung by Yuko Sakaitsukasa, and was later covered by YMO cover band Cosmic Invention (sung by Mima Morioka). They even performed it on Minna no Uta (Songs for Everyone), a long running (over 40 years!) TV and radio show that mostly features short segments of children's songs. The original song was released on a 2005 three disc collection of YMO-related material called Yellow Magic Kayokyoku.

The above video is the new Polysics version, which I think fits the children's theme wonderfully. I really love what they do with all of the words being spelled out, and the spinning crab is great. Don't we all wish we had an obaachan this computer savvy? I mean, she is a computer!

More videos and lyrics after the jump!


Here's the original:



The live Cosmic Invention version:



"Computer Obaachan" Lyrics [via Smiletalk, with thanks to Nihonjin_berryz on the Coelakanth boards]

konpyutaa obaachan
Computer grandmother.

Wow wow wow wow wo wo woh.

boku no obaachan wa
My grandmother is

meiji umare no konpyutaa
a computer born in Meiji.

sansu kokugo syakai
mathematics, national language, society,

nandemo donto koi ! sa
come in anything directly! yeah.

monosiri hakugaku ashikosi kakusyaku
Knowledgeable, wide knowledge. Legs are wobbly.

genki ni wan tuu surii
Cheerfully, one, two, three !

eigo mo rakuraku, ireba wo kakukaku
Good at English, the false tooth is shakily.

tokui no ei bi shi !
Skillful A, B, C !

konpyutaa obaachan
Computer grandmother.

iei iei boku wa daisuki sa
Yeah, Yeah, I like her very much.

mukashi banasi kara yufo no hanashi made
From an old tale to the story of the UFO,

boku no kikitai koto, nandemo oshiete kureru
she teaches me anything I want to know.

bamyuda kaiiki, hawai wa waikiki
Bermuda sea area, Hawaii is Waikiki.

sekai wo mata ni
she straddles all over the world.

hyakubun ikken, jiken wo hakken
Seeing is believing. Discovering affairs.

rettu go obaachan
Let's go, grandmother.

konpyutaa obaachan
Computer grandmother.

iei iei puroguramu okei
Yeah, Yeah, program OK !

zutto itsumademo nagaiki shite kudasai
"Please live long much more forever.

yume no uchu ryokou, kitto dekiru hi ga kuru
The space trip of the dream, the day to be able to surely do it will come sometime.

monosiri hakugaku ashikosi kakusyaku
Knowledgeable, wide knowledge. Legs are wobbly.

genki ni wan tuu surii
Cheerfully, one, two, three !

eigo mo rakuraku, ireba wo kakukaku
Good at English, the false tooth is shakily.

tokui no ei bi shi !
Skillful A, B, C !

konpyutaa obaachan
Computer grandmother.

iei iei boku wa daisuki sa
Yeah, Yeah, I like her very much.