One of our favourite albums of 2007 was Appalachian Shamisen by shamisen player Takeharu Kunimoto and his group of American bluegrass musicians, The Last Frontier. In July 2007 they performed live in Yokohama and now the DVD of that concert is released. Part 1 features Takeharu performing solo in his usual shamisen and rokyoku storytelling role. Part 2 features Takeharu with the Last Frontier playing banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass. 21 tracks.

Takeharu is a wonderful shamisen player and rokyoku (storytelling) singer. He developed a highly musical and entertaining style of rock 'n' roll shamisen and in 2003 went to East Tennessee State University for a year to study American traditional culture especially bluegrass. Aged 14 Takeharu had first heard bluegrass and the following year met Bill Monroe in Japan. In Tennessee he started playing his shamisen with a bluegrass band, which led to the formation of the group The Last Frontier. They toured in Japan and the US and recorded this album together. Appalachian Shamisen feels like an entirely natural combination, the result of years of absorbing bluegrass into rokyoku and shamisen. Brilliantly played, with loads of humour. Fantastic stuff.


Price:   £17.99

Classic rokyoku storytelling from the shamisen playing and singing Takeharu Kunimoto. Third volume of five of his Koten Rokyoku series. Two parts of Chusingura, the revenge of the 47 ronin for the death of their master. 1.Murakami Kiken-Chushingura, Honden 2.Eikoku Mikkou

Part 4 of Kunimoto's Chushingura, Rokyoku series. 1.Genzo Akagaki Tokuri no Wakare-Chushingura, Gishi Meimeiden 2.Kei Hara no Yujo

Price:   £15.99

Three tracks of Chushingura done in Kunimoto's unique rokyoku rock 'n' roll style plus two karaoke, including one with commentary by Kunimoto.

Original master pieces plus one story telling rokyoku. 9 tracks including Asia no Inori, Hamburger Kid's, Keirou Rock'n Roll, Shinning Tomorrow, Saiaku no Ashita ni, Arkansas Traveller, Matsuyama-kyo (story telling), Go-Go

Price:   £15.99

Excellent album of shamisen plus mandolin and guitar playing rokyoku with blueglass and blues. 13 tracks including Waraou, Hobo, Shikekomi no Blues, Yorokobu, Goumon Night, Sally Goodin and Odore Odore.

Takeharu Kunimoto is known for his excellent shamisen playing, strong singing, mixing of musical styles and sense of humour that shines throughout his songs. This CD features various rokyoku style songs including the most popular songs at his live shows. 14 tracks including Hitounari, Daibutsu, Oira to Omae no Ballard, Mabuta no Haha, Fight Ippatsu, Sugaru Shamisen, Eeja-naika and Kannin Boogie

Price:   £15.99

Live CD from 2002 in Tokyo of Kunimoto in excellent form together with three other artists. The full story of the famous Chushingura from part 1 to 10.

The story telling of 'Ganryu-jima' in shamisen rock 'n' roll style. 4 tracks Ganryu-jima Uta Emaki and Kaikyo Ondo plus their karaoke versions.

Price:   £15.99