Aside to being known for singing enka, Hibari Misora was also a wonderful singer of minyo or folk songs. This fantastic CD of 20 tracks features those minyo classics, some performed in quite a traditional style, others with a latin or orchestral backing. Tracks include Chakkiri Bushi, Itsuki no Komoriuta, Yakkotai, Kiso Bushi, Joban Tanko Bushi and Sado Okesa.
2 CD, 26 track compilation of Michiya Mihashi, one of Japan's greatest post-war male singers. He started off singing minyo before becoming one of the top enka singers in the 1950s. This CD features his greatest hits, mainly in the old style enka style, but with strong minyo elements. Fantastic. Tracks include Onna Sendo Uta, Ringo Mura Kara, Aishu Resha, Aikai Yuhi no Kokyo and Jogashima no Ame. Price: £22.99
The very wonderful female nagauta, traditional 'geisha' style singer Umekichi releases an interesting 6 track mini album. The main song, Kurashki Bushi was written in 1936 but disappeared until it was discovered on an old 78 eight years ago. Seeing as Umekichi is from the ancient town of Kurashiki, she was asked to sing this rare song, and she duly obliged, also singing other Kurashiki songs, Kurashiki Kouta and Kurashiki Ondo, plus Daikan Bayashi.
In recent years female singer Umekichi has become pretty popular in Japan and has even made some in-roads overseas for her plaintive nagauta singing and shamisen playing. She is marketed overseas as a geisha, which in her style is quite accurate although she didn't receive formal geisha training. She was born in the beautiful city of Kurashiki that has one of the best preserved old quarters in Japan. She grew up learning ballet and classical piano, but found her future vocation after witnessing the Azuma Odori concert, held once a year by geishas. She learnt shamisen and went on to study at a traditional Japanese music school. She has since become known for combining traditional Japanese music and songs, with a modern twist. She performs mostly Edo era folk tunes, the pop music of the time before western influence. The stereotypical image of Japan when men were samurai and women were geisha. This new album has thirteen Edo era songs combined with modern influences. 1.Ozashiki Rock 2. Ah Sorenanoni 3.Tokyo Boogie Woogie 4.Tonko Bushi 5. Melon no Kimochi 6.Cakkiri Bushi 7.Tenryu Kudareba 8.Shamisen Boogie Woogie 9.Ozashiki Kouta 10.Ura no Setoya 11.Ume wa Saitaka 12.Yoneyama Jinku 13.Dodoitsu Price: £18.99
Entertaining CD from wonderful female singer Umekichi. She sings 'hayariuta' (popular songs) from the early Showa period- 1930s. Shamisen and Japanese percussion plus some western instruments. Rhythmical, upbeat, joyful set of twelve tracks, including three karaoke tracks if you're up for singing yourself. Well know tunes include Ohedo Shusse Kouta, Kirigirisu, Kiso Bushi, Sado Okesa, Hakata Dontaku, Kyushu Tankou Bushi and Dodoitsu. Quintessentially Japanese traditional sounding music with a modern twist.
Umekichi is a wonderful female singer and shamisen player, singing songs which were popular a hundred years or more ago. Umekichi sounds like a geisha might have done in the eras when Japan first opened up to the west. The songs on this CD are all tunes from the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho (1912-1926) periods. Price: £17.99
Superb album of traditional folk tunes ( minyo, hayashi, and kouta) that includes Umekichi's version of 'Tokyo Ondo'. Recommended album from a wonderful singer.
Superb female 'yose' singer, a sort of entertainment venue for 'rakugo' or 'kodan' both humourous storytelling traditions. On this album Umekichi sings minyo (local traditional folk) and hayashi (festival songs) including the superb "Shamisen Boogie Woogie". Worth checking out. 12 tracks. Price: £18.99
Anthology of the Japanese popular songs from the 12th century. Momoyama revives these un-noted songs with her own compositions, linking the 12th century to the modern age, using synthesizers and her own voice. Excellent blend of ancient and modern.
Shamisen and female vocals, playing 'hauta' and 'kouta', popular songs of the edo period, (1600-1867).Excellent. Price: £18.99
