One of Japan's greatest popular composers, Ryoichi Hattori (1907-1993) is credited with popularizing blues with his song Wakare no Blues in 1937. The song 'Saint Louis Blues' had been introduced in 1923, but Hattori created his own version of the blues. His songs laid the foundation for post war enka, and he was one of the first composers to combine Japanese traditional elements with boogie woogie and other American elements. This CD features some of Hattori's lesser known tunes, on CD for the first time.
Disc 1 : 1. Columbia Hattori Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Banjo de Utaeba 2. Columbia Hattori Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Suki to Kirai 3. Columbia Hattori Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Boogie Cocktail 4. Columbia Hattori Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Sentimental Dainah 5. Columbia Hattori Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Nainai Zukushi 6. Akira Matsudaira, Akiko Futaba + Columbia Orchestra / Utau Saxophone 7. Noriko Awaya + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Jazz Band / Namida no Odoriko 8. Kenji Sakurai + Columbia Orchestra / Kimi to Sanpo 9. Akiko Futaba + Columbia Orchestra / Oka no Hosomichi 10. Otomaru, Hisao Ito + Columbia Orchestra / Yatta na 11. Hyakutaro Akasaka + + Columbia Orchestra / Anata wa Mujo 12. Isuzu Yamada + Columbia Orchestra / Aimite no Uta 13. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Jazz Band / Rokyoku Blues 14. Tadaharu Nakano, Akiko Futaba, Columbia Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Soko-Soko dayo 15. Columbia Rhythm Boys (Kiyoshi Oikawa, Hideo Akiyama, Hironari Momose, Eiichi Hagiwara)+ Columbia Orchestra / Yukai na Hanauta 16. Columbia Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Tsumorida Tsumorida 17. Columbia Rhythm Boys (Kiyoshi Oikawa, Hideo Akiyama, Hironari Momose, Eiichi Hagiwara)+ Columbia Orchestra / Arawashi-san dayo 18. Akiko Kikuchi, Nicchiku Gashodan (Columbia Rhythm Sisters) + Columbia Orchestra / Aizu Bandaisan
Disc 2 : 1. Utako Matsushima + N.O. Gakudan / Dohtonbori Koshinkyoku 2. Minoru Obata, Tomiko Hattori + Victor Orchestra / Shin Dohtonbori Koshinkyoku 3. Tomiko Hattori + Victor Orchestra / Osaka Musume 4. Ichiro Hashimoto & Miss Taihei + Taihei Kangen Gakudan / Kibo no Aozora 5. Michio Shimura + Nihon Christal Kangen Gakudan / Tsuki no Deck 6. Asakusa Michi Yakko + Nitto Orchestra / Rumba Banzai 7. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Jazz Band / Tousei Share Otoko 8. Lila Hamada + Columbia Jazz Band / Sanbiki no Kobuta 9. Emiko Akizuki + Columbia Orchestra / Buruu Muun 10. Ranko Izawa + Columbia Orchestra / Kyoshu 11. Ranko Izawa, SSK Jolly Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Wander Lug 12. Michio Shimura + Columbia Orchestra / Tango Lola 13. . Michio Shimura + Columbia Orchestra / Aozora Ikeba, Jingle Bells 14. N.O. Gakudan / Shin Kokkyo Keibi no Uta 15. . N.O. Gakudan / Koshu Ondo 16. . Columbia Jazz Band / Shimoda Yakyoku 17. Columbia Orchestra / Botan no Kyoku 18. Columbia Orchestra / Asu no Unmei
Volume 1 of excellent new series of 10 2 CD collections charting the history of Japanese pop music with songs from each year beginning with 1927 and ending in 1959. Kayokyoku is the general term coined in the 1930s for 'popular songs'. These songs are the middle ground between 'pops' with strong western characteristics and 'enka' with Japanese characteristics. Volume 1 focuses on 1928-1933. Japan's first three major foreign affiliated record companies were established in 1927, among them Victor and Columbia gave high priority to ryukoka (another terms for popular songs). Some of the hits during this time were associated with movies such as Samurai Nippon sung by Ren Tokuyama. The greatest composer was Masao Koga among his greatest hits 'Sake wa Namida ka Tameiki ka' which helped to popularize the slow, sentimental melody with a single -line guitar accompaniment. These types of songs were the origins of enka.
Disc 1 :
1. Chiyako Sato / Tokyo Koshin-kyoku 2. Chiyako Sato / Habu no Minato 3.Yoshie Fujiwara / Debune no Minato 4. Yoshie Fujiwara / Hoko o Osamete 5. Teiichi Futamura / Aozora 6. Teiichi Futamura / Arabia no Uta 7. Teiichi Futamura / Kimi Koishi 8.Teiichi Futamura / Naniwa Kouta (Dotonbori Yakei) 9. Kikuyo Amano / Kuroi Hitomi yo Ima Izuko 10. Yutaka Kawasaki, Naoko Soga / Kutsukake Kouta 11. Yutaka Kawasaki, Naoko Soga / Kamata Koshin-kyoku 12. Chiyako Sato / Aishite Chodai 13. Takarazuka Shojo Kageki Hanagumi Stars / Mont Paris 14. Takarazuka Shojo Kageki Tsuki-gumi / Sumire no saku Koro 15. Kikue Kawahara / Reijin no Uta 16. Fumikichi Fujimoto / Gion Kouta 17. Fumikichi Fujimoto / Tojin Okichi Kouta 18. Chiyako Sato / Kono Taiyo 19. Utako Hagoromo / Jokyu no Uta 20. Ren Tokuyama / Samurai Nippon
Disc 2:
1. Ren Tokuyama / Rumpen Bushi 2. Ichiro Fujiyama / Sake wa Namida ka Tameiki ka 3. Ichiro Fujiyama / Oka o Koete 4. Ichiro Fujiyama / Kage o Shitaite 5. Fumiko Yotsuya / Ginza no Yanagi 6. Ren Tokuyama, Fumiko Yotsuya / Tengoku ni Musubu Koi 7. Katsutaro Kouta / Yanagi no Ame 8. Chiyoko Kobayashi / Namida no Wataridori 9. Toshio Ikegami / Wasurerarenu Hana 10. Harue Watase / Shigure Hitotoki 11. Haruko Wada / Horobasho no Uta 12. Tokio Matsuyama / Katasenami 13. Katsutaro Kouta / Shima no Musume 14. Yoshi Fujiwara / Spy 15. Akira Matsuyama / Circus no Uta 16. Miss Columbia / Juku no Haru 17. Ichiro Fujiyama / Moeru Gojinka 18. Ichimaru / Tenryu Kudareba 19. Tadaharu Nakano & Columbia Rhythm Boys / Yama no Ninkimono 20. Katsutaro Kouta, Issei Mishima / Tokyo Ondo
Price: £19.99
Voume 2 has tracks from every year from 1934 until 1937. During this period, European classical orchestration was used with shamisen such as the song Nozaki Kouta. These songs were often used in movies and plays and has as their theme 'wandering' also a popular theme in post war enka.
Disc 1:
1934-1936
1. Rintaro Hayashi / Kokkyo no Machi 2. Akira Matsudair / Isoge Horobasha 3. Miss Columbia / Namiki no Ame 4. Dick Mine / Dina 5. Rintaro Shoji / Akagi no Komoriuta 6. Kokichi Takada / Ooedo Shusse Kouta 7. Rintaro Shoji / Tabigasa Dochu 8. Otomaru / Sendo Kawaiya 9. Rintaro Shoji / Murasaki Kouta 10. Kiyomi Shinbashi / Meiji Ichidai Onna 11. Rintaro Shoji / Nozaki Kouta 12. Yoshio Kodama / Mujo no Yume 13. Shigeo Kusunoki / Midori no Chiheisen 14. Taneko Seki / Ame ni Saku Hana 15. Dick Mine, Reiko Hoshi / Futari wa Wakai 16. Tadaharu Nakano / Chiisana Kissaten 17. Akira Matsudaira, Nobuko Fushimi / Hanakotoba no Uta 18. Kenichi Enomoto, Polydor Rhythm Boys / Enoken no Gekko Aatai Senkin 19. Akira Matsudaira / Hitozuma Tsubaki 20. Ichiro Fujiyama / Otoko no Junjo
Disc 2 :
1936 - 1937
Ichiro Fujiyama / Tokyo Rhapsody 2. Shigeo Kusunoki / Onna no Kaikyu 3. Michiyakko / Ah Sorenanoni 4. Kyoji Sugi, Michiyakko / Uchi no Nyobo nya Hige ga aru 5. Isa Hayashi, Midori Shinbashi / Moshimo Gekkyu ga Agattara 6. Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys / Yamadera no Osho san 7. Akira Kishii, Eiko Hirai / Tabako-ya no Musume 8. Bin Uehara / Ruten 9. Rintaro Shoji / Sumidagawa 10. Bin Uehara / Tsumagoi Dochu 11. Isao Hayashi, Hachiro Konoe, Shizuo Higuchi / Otoko nara 12. Dick Mine / Jinsei no Namikimichi 13. Ichiro Fujiyama / Aoi Sebiro de 14. Utako Matsushima / Maronie no Kokage 15. Dick Mine / Ireland no Musume 16. Misuko Tsukimura / Haru no Uta 17. Ichiro Fujiyama / Seishun Nikki 18. Dick Mine / Ringo no Ki no Shitade 19. Bin Uehara, Michiko Yuki / Uramachi Jinsei 20.Noriko Awaya / Wakare no Blues
In the latter half of the 1930s many songs were about Manchuria and the South Seas, extolling war and patriotism as songs about love were prohibited. Composition of songs based on messages from mothers to their sons in the battlefield or letters to soldiers were encouraged. This is the period when the Japanese government put most effort into popular music, however few songs survived into the post war period.
1. Bin Uehara, Shoko Aoba / En-o Dochu 2. Bin Uehara / Shanghai Dayori 3. Otomaru / Kokoku no Haha 4. Hisao Ito / Kojo no Shakuhachi 5. Hamako Watanabe / Aikoku no Hana 6. Rintaro Shoji / Jinchu Higekurabe 7. Noriko Awaya / Ame no Blues 8. Tadaharu Nakano / Banjo de Utaeba 9. Shigeo Kusunoki / Jinsei Gekijo 10. Rintaro Shoji / Shanghai no Machikado de 11. Bin Uehara / Hatoba Katagi 12. Noboru Kirishima & Miss Columbia / Tabi no Yokaze 13. Misao Matsubara / Kanashiki Komoriuta 14. Hamako Watanabe / China no Yoru 15. Masaru Shio / Oyako Sendo-uta 16. Tomiko Hattori / Manshu Musume 17. Rintaro Shoji / Mugi to Heitai 18. Dicke Mine / Shanghai Blues 19. Dick Mine / Aru Ame no Gogo 20. Jun Ono / Hate naki Nukarumi
1.Dick Mine / Tabisugata Sanin Otoko 2. Noboru Kirishima & Miss Columbia / Ippai no Cofee kara 3. Tadaharu Nakano / China Tango 4. Akiko Futaba / Furuki Hanazono 5. Haruo Oka / Shanghai no Hanauri Musume 6. Miyuki Yamanaka / Hontoni Hontoni Gokuro ne 7. Masaru Shio / Kudan no Haha 8. Akemi Yuri / Atami Blues 9. Hamako Watanabe / Itsuno Hika Kimi Kaeru 10. Haruo Oka / Minato Chanson 11. Hamako Watanabe / Nagasaki no Ocho-san 12. Noboru Kirishima & Mieko Takamine / Junjo Niju-so 13. Rentaro Kita / Debune no Uta 14. Chiyoko Kobayashi / Tabi no Tsubakuro 15. Akemi Yuri / Nagasaki Monogatari 16. Rintaro Shoji / Meigetsu Akagiyama 17. Yoshio Tabata / Ohtone Tsukiyo 18. Yoshio Tabata / Shima no Funauta 19. Shizuo Higuchi / Senyu no Uta 20. Bin Uehara / Ore wa Funanori
Popular music during this period were also patriotic. Lyrics were often publicly solicited and chosen according to military objectives.
1. Hisao Ito & Akiko Futaba / Hakuran no Uta 2. Hamako Watanabe / Itoshi no Ano Hoshi 3. Noboru Kirishima / Dareka Kokyo o Omowazaru 4. Ichiro Fujiyama & Akiko Futaba / Natsukashi no Utagoe 5. Dick Mine / Yuki no Manchuri 6. Hisao Ito & Akiko Futaba / Oshima Sentaro Tabiuta 7. Hisao Ito & Akiko Futaba / Akatsuki ni Inoru 8. Katsuhiko Haida / Kirameku Seiza 9. Noboru Kirishima & Akiko Futaba / Niizuma Kagami 10. Noboru Kirishima & Miss Columbia / Mennai Chidori 11. Mieko Takamine / Kohan no Yado 12. Hisao Ito / Kogen no Ryoshu 13. Noboru Kirishima & Hamako Watanabe / Soshu Yakyoku 14. Yoshio Tabata / Wakarebune 15. Yoshio Kawata & Milk Brothers / Chikyu no Ue ni Asa ga Kuru 16. Fukuko Sayo / Kosame no Oka 17. Hachiro Nitta / Nanyo koro 18. Hisao Ito / Nessa no Chikai 19. Tamaki Tokuyama / Tonarigumi 20. Katsuhiko Haida / Mori no Komichi
1. Akiko Futaba & Yuko Takahashi / Menkoi Kouma 2. Yoshi Tabata / Ume to Heitai 3. Haru Oka / Palao Koishiya 4. Rintaro Shoji & Mitsuko Ogasawara / Biwako Aika 5. Mitsuko Ogasawara / Jusanya 6. Katsutaro Kouta / Asu wa Otachika 7. Noboru Kirishima & Akiko Futaba / Kogen no Tsuki 8. Katsuhiko Haida & Reiko Otani / Jawa no Mango uri 9. Hideko Takamine / Mori no Suisha 10. Katsuhiko Haida / Shinsetu 11. Katsuhiko Haida / Rinken no Michi 12. Minoru Obata & Ryoko Fujiwara / Onna Keizu no Uta (Yushima no Shiraume) 13. Shoko Kikuchi / Kohan no Otome 14. Mieko Takamine / Minami no Hanayome-san 15. Junko Mihara / Minami kara Minami kara 16. Katsuhiko Haida / Batabiy no Yoru wa Fukete 17. Minoru Obat & Ryoko Fujiwara / Kantaro Tsukiyo Uta 18. Yukiko Todoroki / Otsukai wa Jitensha ni Notte 19. Noboru Kirishima & Akio Namihira / Wakawashi no Uta 20. Aiko Anzai, Ichiro Kagami & Emiko Sunaga / Oyama no Suginoko
The positive tone of the 1930s was re-born. The most symbolic post-war Japanese song was 'Ringo no Uta' (Apple Song) recorded in October 1945 (music by Tadashi Manjome, lyrics by Hachiro Sato, performed by Michiko Namiki and Noboru Kirishima). It's been said that people were able to endure the famine and ease a sense of despair after the lost war. Post war kayokyoku (popular songs) is the story of a fight between native and American elements. Early victories of American elements were Ryoichi Hattori's 'Tokyo Boogie Woogie' recorded by Shizuko Kasagi in 1948.
1. Noboru Kirishima & Michiko Namiki / Ringo no Uta 2. Mariko Ike / Ai no Swing 3. Noboru Kirishima / Reijin no Uta 4. Haruo Oka / Tokyo no Hanauri-musume 5. Mitsue Nara & Toshiro Oumi / Kanashiki Takebue 6. Akiko Futaba & Toshiro Oumi / Kuroi Pipe 7. Akiko Futaba / Wakaretemo 8. Yoshio Tabata / Kaeribune 9. Haruo Oka / Seishun no Paradice 10. Haruo Oka / Nakuna Kobatoyo 11. Hamako Watanabe / Ame no Holland Zaka 12. Dick Mine / Yogiri no Blues 13. Dick Mine & Chitaka Fujiwara / Nagasaki Elegy 14. Akiko Futaba / Yoru no Plathome, 15. Ichiro Fujiyama / Mikazuki Musume 16. Aiko Hirano / Minato ga Mieru Oka 17. Itsuro Takeyama / Namida no Kanpai 18. Ichiro Fujiyama / Yume awaki Tokyo 19. Noboru Kirishima / Mune no Furiko 20. Itsuro Takeyama & Ryoko Fujiwara / Darek Yumenaki
1. Shoko Kikuchi / Hoshi no Nagareni 2. Toshiro Oumi / Yamagoya no Akari 3. Mieko Takamine / Natsukashi no Blues 4. Aiko Hirano / Kimi Matedomo 5. Shizuko Kasagi / Tokyo Boogie Woogie 6. Noboru Kirishima / Yume Sarinu 7. Minoru Obata / Nagasaki no Saboten-uri 8. Ken Tsumura / Nagare no Tabiji 9. Akiko Futabe / Franceska no Kane 10. Toshiro Oumi / Minami no Bara 11. Noboru Kirishima & Misao Matsubara / Sanbyaku Rokujugo Nichi 12. Akiko Futaba / Koi no Manjushage 13. Haruo Oka / Otoko Ippiki no Uta 14. Toshio Oumi / Yunomachi Elegy 15. Itsuro Takeyama & Kozo Nakamura / Ikoku no Oka 16. Haruo Oka / Akogare no Hawaii Koro 17. Minoru Obata / Kobanzame no Uta 18. Noriko Awaji / Kimi wasureji no Blues 19. Katsuhiko Haida / Tokyo no Yane no Shita 20. Akiko Futaba / Sayonara Rumba
The most important composer of this period was Ryoichi Hattori who wrote 'Shamisen Boogie-Woogie' a novelty song with the boogie rhythm ground out on a shamisen. The greatest singer of this era was Hibari Misora, who debuted at age 12 in 1949. This CD contains her earliest hits.
1. Ichiro Fujiyama & Mitsue Nara / Aoi Sanmyaku 2. Akiko Futaba / Koi no Amaryllis 3. Shoko Kikuchi / Hahabeniume no Uta 4. Itsuro Takeyama & Ryoko Fujiwara / Tsuki yori no Shisha 5. Bin Takakura / Koi no Madoros 6. Haruo Oka / Tokyo no Aoi Sora 7. Ichimaru / Shamisen Boogie Woogie 8. Mieko Takamine / Wakare no Tango 9. Toshiro Oumi & Kozo Nakamura / Khabarovsk Kouta 10. Yoshio Tabata / Kayoibune 11. Rokuro Tsuruta / Minato no Koiuta 12. Isao Hayashi / Reijinso no Uta 13. Minoru Obata / Bara o Meshimase 14. Itsuro Takeyama / Atsuki Namida o 15. Ichiro Fujiyama / Nagasaki no Kane 16. Hideko Takamine / Ginza Kan Kan Musume 17. Yoshio Tabata / Genkai Blues 18. Haruo Oka / Otoko no Namida 19. Itsuro Takeyama / Nagare no Funauta 20. Haruo Oka / Anko Kawaiya
1. Hibari Misora / Kanashiki Kuchibue 2. Minoru Obata / Hoshikage no Komichi 3. Machiko Sanjo / Karisome no Koi 4. Yoshiko Yamaguchi / Ye Rai Shang 5. Hisao Ito / Iyomante no Yoru 6. Teruko Tsuji / Sakuragai no Uta 7. Akiko Futaba / Mizuiro no Waltz 8. Tsuzuko Sugawara / Akogare no Sumu Machi 9. Ichiro Fujiyama / Yama no Kanatani 10. Mariko Ike / Button to Ribbon 11. Shizuko Kasagi / Kaimono Boogie 12. Mitsue Nara / Akai Kutsu no Tango 13. Yoko Kuroki / Besame Mucho 14. Hibari Misora / Tokyo Kid 15. Isao Hayashi / Dance Party no Yoru 16. Hamako Watanabe & Kiyoshi Utsumi / Hi no Tori 17. Hamako Watanabe / Kuwaminato no China-gai 18. Atsuro Okamoto / Shiroi Hana no Sakukoro 19. Mieko Takamin / Jonetsu no Rumba 20. Hibari Misora / Echigojishi no Uta
Another golden period for Japanese popular music. Fantastic songs by Hibari Misora, Hamako Watanabe and others as Western, Latin and Japanese elements are combined with incredible innovation.
1. Teruko Akatsuki / Minnesota no Tamagouri 2. Yukie Kubo & Masao Kato / Tonko Bushi 3. Toriro Miki, Kiyoko Tange & Hisaya Morisihge / Boku wa Tokkyu no Kikanshi de 4. Hibari Misora / Hibari no Hanauri Musume 5. Hibari Misora / Watashi wa Machi no Ko 6. Katsuhiko Haida / Alps no Bokujo 7. Minoru Obata / Kogen no Eki yo, Sayonara 8. Teruko Akatsuki / Tokyo Shoe Shine Boy 9. Katsuhiko Haida / Yakyu Koso 10. Ken Tsumura / Shanghai gaeri no Ril 11. Tsuzuko Sugawara / Enoshima Elegy 12. Tsuzuko Sugawara / Renrakusen no Uta 13. Hisao Ito / Azami no Uta 14. Yukie Kubo / Yatton Bushi 15. Machiko Sanjo / Tokyo Elegy 16. Ken Tsumura / Tokyo no Tsubaki Hime 17. Atsuro Okamoto / Akogare no Yubin Basha 18. Ichiro Fujiyama / Nichola no Kane 19. Columbia Rose / Musume Juku wa mada Junjo yo 20. Hisao Ito / Yama no Kemuri
1. Hibari Misora / Ringo Oiwake 2. Hibari Misora / Omatsuri Mambo 3. Fujio Maki / Namida no Yogisha 4. Hamako Watanabe & Kiyoshi Utsumi / Ah Montenrupa? no Yoru wa Fukete 5. Hanko Kagurazaka / Geisha Waltz 6. Ichiro Fujiyama / Oka wa Hanazakari 7. Peggy Hayama / Hi no Seppun 8. Hachiro Kasuga / Akai Lamp no Shu-ressha 9. Kokichi Takada / Izu no Sataro 10. Koji Tsuruta / Hawaii no Yoru 11. Mariko Miyagi / Dokukesha Irankane 12. Hideo Ko / Yuki no furu Machi o 13. Koji Tusuta / Machi no Sandwich Man 14. Yoshio Tabata / Furusato no Todai 15. Minoru Obata / Hana no Sandogasa 16. Koich Miura / Ochiba Shigure 17. Shigeko Orii / Kimi no Na wa 18. Shigeko Orii / Kuroyuri no Uta 19. Ken Tsumura / Machimasho 20. Hachiro Kasuga / Ame furu Machikado
More stars emerge during this golden period of Japanese popular music.
1. Akiko Kikuchi / Ganpeki no Haha 2. Dick Mine / Ame no Sakaba de 3. Hachiro Kasuga / Uramachi Yakyoku 4. Ken Tsumura & Taeko Yoshioka / Anata to Tomo ni 5. Atsuro Okamoto / Kogen Ressha wa Iku 6. Hibari Misora / Hibari no Madlos san 7. Ichiro Wakahara / Fukeba Tobuyona 8. Takashi Naiajima / Wakamono yo! Koi o shiro 9 Izumi Yukimura / Aoi Kanariya 10. Chiemi Eri / Usukudara 11. Hachiro Kasuga / Otomi san 12. Isao Hayashi / Mamurogawa Boogie 13. Harumi Aoki / Yakyu-ken 14. Hachiro Kasuga / Hyotan Boogie 15. Kokichi Takada / Shirasagi Shamisen 16. Kazuo Shirane / Jinanbo Kamome 17. Mieko Suzuki / Musume Junrei 18. Michiya Mihashi / Onna Sendo Uta 19. Yoshiko Otsu / Tokyo Anna 20. Hibari Misora / Ano Hi no Fun wa Mo Konai
1. Hachiro Kasuga / Wakare no Ipponsugi 2. Haruo Oka / Aitakatta ze 3. Columbia Rose / Wataridori Itsu Kaeru 4. Michiya Mihashi / Anoko ga Naiteru Hatoba 5 Koichi Miura / Benten Kozo 6. Tuzuko Sugawara / Tsuki ga tottemo Aoi kara, 7. Utako Matsushima / Kissaten no Katasumi de 8. Chiyoko Shimakura / Konoyo no Hana 9. Kunie Eto / Kasba no Onnna 10. Mariko Miyagi / Gard-shita no Kutsu Migaki 11. Yoshio Tabata & Mizue Shiratori / Oyako Funauta 12. Michiya Mihashi / Ah Shinsengumi 13. Chiyoko Shimakura / Rindo Touge 14. Isao Hayashi / Kogen no Yado 15. Koji Tsuruta / Aka to Kuro no Blues 16. Hisaya Morishige / Ginza no Suzume 17. Hibari Misora / Suteki na Rendez-vous 18. Michiya Mihashi / Shima no Funauta 19. Meiko Nakamura / Inaka no Bus 20. Koichi Aoki / Kojima gayoi no Yubinsen
1. Yoshiko Otsu / Koko ni Sachi ari 2. Shiro Sone / Wakai Omawari san 3. Mieko Suzuki / Ai chan wa Oyome ni 4. Michiya Mihashi / Ringo-mura kara 5. Koichi Aoki / Hayaku Kaette ko 6. Ichiro Wakahara / Kaze no Fukiyode 7. Chiyoko Shimakura / Tokyo no Hito Sayonara 8. Hachiro Kasuga / Ukikusa no Yado 9. Michiya Mihashi / Aishu Ressha 10. Ichiro Wakahara / Sanin n Michi 11. Koichi Miura / Tokyo no Hito 12. Columbia Rose / Shiawase wa Dokoni 13. Shinji Yamada / Aishu no Machi ni Kiri ga fuhu 14. Yujiro Ishihara / Kurutta Kajitsu 15. Koji Tsuruta / Sukidatta 16. Hiroshi Mifune / Otoko no Blues 17. Columbia Rose / Dose Hirotta Koi Damono 18. Peggy Hayama / Que Sera Sera
Yujiro Ishihara / Ore wa Matteruze 2. Frank Nagai / Yogiri no Dainikokudo 3. Chiyoko Shimakura / Tokyo dayo Okka san 4. Columbia Rose / Tokyo no Bus Girl 5. Kazuya Kosaka / Seishun Cycling 6. Michiko Hamamura / Banana Boat 7. Ichiro Wakahara / Oka ni Noborite 8. Hachiro Kasuga / Gomenyo Kanben na 9. Haruo Minami / Chanchiki Okesa 10. Hibari Misora / Minatomachi Jusan-banchi 11. Michiya Mihashi / Ippon-gatana Dohyo Iri 12. Haruo Minami / Yuki no Wataridori 13. Akira Wakayama / Yorokobi mo Kanashimi mo Ikutoshitsuki 14. Michiya Mihashi / Osage to Hana to Jizosan to 15. Koichi Aoki / Kakinokizaka no Ie 16. Haruo Minami / Funagata-san yo 17. Hachiro Kasuga / Antokya Doshaburi 18. Koichi Miura / Odoriko 19. Yoshiko Otsu / Inochi no Kagiri 20. Frank Nagai / Haneda-hatsu Shichiji Gojuppun 21. Yujiro Ishihara / Sabita Knife 22. Frank Nagai / Yurakucho de Aimasho Price: £19.99
1. Yujiro Ishihara / Srashi o Yobu Otoko 2. Keiko Matsuyama / Dakara Ittajanaino 3. Yoshiko Otsu / Ginza no Cho 4. Ichiro Kobe / Ginza Kyu-chome Mizu no Ue 5. Michiya Mihashi / Yuyake Tonbi 6. Haruo Minami / Tabigasa Dochu 7. Hibari Misora / Hanagasa Dochu 8. Hideo Murata / Muhonmatsu no Issho 9. Ichir Wakahara / Ooi Nakamura-kun 10. Akira Kobayashi / Dynamite ga Hyakugoju ton 11. Masaaki Hirao /Dina 12. Shigeko Orii / Yoru ga Waratteiru 13. Masaaki Hirao / Hoshi wa Nandemo Shitteiru 14. Fran Nagai / Koi san no Love Call 15. Hiroshi Mifune / Yogiri no Kassoro 16. Hiroshi Wada & Mahina Stars / Nakanai de 17. Hachiro Kasuga / Wakare no Todai 18. Chiyoko Shimakura / Karatachi Nikki 19. Michiya Mihashi / Akai Yuhi no Kokyo 20. Hachiro Kasuga / Umineko no Naku Hatoba
1. Peggy Hayama / Nangoku Tosa o Atonishite 2. Hachiro Kasuga / Arekara Junen Tattakana 3. Hiroshi Moriya / Boku wa Naichicchi 4. Three Cats / Kiiroi Sakurambo 5. Frank Nagai / Yogiri ni Kieta Chako 6. Pegg Hayama / Tsume 7. Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kuroi Hanabira 8. Frank Nagai & Kazuko Matsuo / Tokyo Night Club 9. Keiko Matsuyama / Owakare Koshu Denwa 10. Komadori Shimai / Asakusa Shimai 11. Hibari Misora / Ohkawa Nagashi 12. Hide Murata / Jinsei Gekijo 13. Haruo Minami / Ohtone Musho 14. Michiya Mihashi / Kojo 15. Hachiro Kasuga / Yama no Tsurihashi 16. Chiyoko Shimakura / Aishu no Karamatsu-bayashi 17. Hachiro Kasuga / Ashisuri Misaki 18. Akira Kobayashi / Guitar o Motta Wataridori 19. The Peanuts / Kawaii Hana 20. The Peanut / Jonetsu no Hana
2CDs, 44 tracks of the greatest Japanese popular music of the 50s. Kayokyoku (Japanese pop) mixed with boogie woogie, jazz, or rockabilly sung by star singers and actors/actresses.
Disc 1
1.Shizuko Kasagi / Tokyo Boogie Woogie 2.Michiko Namiki, Noboru Kirishima / Ringo no Uta 3.Ichiro Fujiyama, Mitsue Nara / Aoi Sanmyaku 4.Hideko Takamine / Ginza Kan Kan Musume 5.Katsuhiko Haida / Tokyo No Yane no Shita 6.Ichimaru / Shamisen Boogie Woogie 7.Ichiro Fujiyama / Nagasaki no Kane 8.Akiko Futaba / Mizuiro no Waltz 9.Minoru Obata / Hoshikage no Komichi 10.Ken Tsumura / Shanghai gaeri no Lil 11.Yoshiko Yamaguchi / Ye Lai Xiang 12.Hamako Watanabe / Kuwaminato no China-gai 13.Hibari Misora / Tokyo Kid 14.Hisao Ito / Iyomante no Yoru 15.Shigeko Orii / Kimi no Na wa 16.Hisaya Morishige, Kiyoko Tange, Toriro Miki / Boku Wa Tokkyu no Kikainshi de, Tohkaido no Maki 17.Shizuko Kasagi / Kaimono Boogie 18.Teruko Akatsuki / Tokyo Shoe Shine Boy 19. Mariko Ike / Button to Libon 20.Izumi Yukimura / Aoi Kanariya 21.Chiemi Eri / Tennessee Waltz 22.Hibari Misora / Ringo Oiwake
Disc 2
1.Hibari Misora / Omatsuri Mambo 2.Atsuro Okamoto / Kougen-ressha wa Iku 3.Kazuya Kosaka / Seishun Cycling 4.Columbia Rose / Tokyo no Bus Girl 5.Shiro Sone / Wakai Omawari san 6.Ichiro Sugawara / Oooi Nakamura kun 7.Mariko Miyagi / Guard-shita no Kutsumigaki 8.Kunie Eto / Kasbah no Onna 9.Hideo Kou / Yuki no furu Machi o 10.Yoshiko Ohtsu / Koko ni Sachi ari 11.Akira Wakayama / Yorokobi mo Kanashimi mo Ikutoshitsuki 12.Frank Nagai, Kazuko Matsuo / Tokyo Night Club 13.Ichiro Kobe / Ginza Kyu-chome wa Mizu no Ue 14.Frank Nagai / Yuraku-cho de Aimasho 15.Akira Kobayashi / Guitar o motta Wataridori 16.Yujiro Ishihara / Arashi o yobu Otoko 17.Michiko Hamamura / Banana Boat 18.Three Cats / Kiiroi Sakurambo 19.Chiyoko Shimakura / Karatachi Nikki 20.Hiroshi Moriya / Boku wa Naichicchi 21.Masaaki Hirao / Hoshi wa nandemo shitteiru 22.The Peanuts / Kawaii Hana Price: £19.99
In the early 60s, kayokyoku (popular songs) were often slow to medium ballads about romance in the big city or similar; so called 'mood kayo'. Such songs featured sax or steel guitar, and a bit later in the 60s a lot of echo was added to the vocals to up the atmosphere. The influence of 'group sounds' at the end of the 60s was the impetus for rock rhythms.
Disc 1 : 1. Keiko Fuji / Keiko no Yume wa Yoru Hiraku 2. Yuzo Kayama / Kimi to Itsumademo 3. The Peanuts / Koi no Vacance 4. Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kuroi Hanabira 5. Pinky & Killers / Koi no Kisetsu 6. Shinichiro Hakozaki / Atamino Yoru 7. Takuya Jo / Hone made Aishite 8. Jerry Fujio / Toku e Ikitai 9. Duke Aces / Onna Hitori 10. Chiyo Okumura / Koi no Dorei 11. Masako Izumi, Ken Yamauchi / Futari no Ginza 12. Jun Mayuzumi / Koi no Hallelujah 13. Jacky Yoshikawa / Blue Chateau 14. Tomotko Ogawa / Yube no Himitsu 15. Ken Kuroki / Kiri ni Musebu Yoru
Disc 2 : Sono Mari / Aitakute 2. Ayumi Ishida / Blue Light Yokohama 3. Kiyohiko Ozaki / Mata Au Himade 4. Rumiko Koyanagi / Seto no Hanayome 5. Peter / Yoru to Asa no Aidani 6. Akira Nishikino / Sorani Taiyo ga Arukagiri 7. Fubuki Koshiji / Ai no Sanka 8. Hachiro Izawa / Ah Uenoeki 9. Setsuo Ohashi & Honey Islanders / Shiawase wa Kokoni 10. Saori Yuki / Yoake no Scat 11. Yuko Nagisa / Kyoto no Koi 12. Golden Half / Kiiroi Sakurambo 13. Mirei Kitahara / Zange no Neuchimo nai 14. Ou Yang Fifi / Ame no Midosuji 15. Sakura & Ichiro / Showa Karesusuki
The second volume continues in the same vain as Volume 1 with more kayo sounds from the 60s.
Disc 1 : Meiko Kaji / Uramibushi 2. Hirodhi Uchiyamada & Cool Five / Soshite Kobe 3. Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kimikoso waga Inochi 4. The Peanuts / Jonetsu no Hana 5. Tsuneo Fujishima / Tsuki no Hozenji Yokocho 6. Keiko Matsuyama / Owakare Koshu Denwa 7. Kazuo Shirane / Hatachi no Shishu 8. Fubuki Koshiji / One Rainy Night in Tokyo 9. Shinichiro Hakozaki / Houyo 10. Teruo Hata / Aitsu 11. Jun Mayuzumi / Tenshi no Yuwaku 12. Rumiko Koyanagi / Watashi no Jokamachi 13. Sakiko Ito / Kogarashi no Futari 14. Mari Henmi / Keiken 15. Mimi Hiyoshi / Otoko to Onna no Ohanashi
Disc 2 : 1. Mina Aoe / Isezakicho Blues 2. Keiko Fuji / Inochi Azukemasu 3. Yukari Ito / Koyubi no Omoide 4. Chiyo Okumura / Gomenne Jiro 5. Saori Yuki / Tegami 6. Ou Yang Fifi / Ame no Airport 7. Yuko Nagisa / Kyoto Bojo 8. Tomoko Ogawa / Hatsukoi no Hito 9. Naoki Matsudaira, Hiroshi Wada & Mahinastars / Onnappoi ne 10. Koji Taira / Bus Stop 11. Honey Nights / Furimukanaide 12. Akira Kurosawa & Los Primos / Love You Tokyo 13. Teresa Teng / Tsugunai 14. Shigeru Amachi / Showa Blue 15. Ayumi Ishida / Anatanara Dosuru
Price: £17.99
Re-recordings of popular songs or kayokyoku until 1948. Kayokyoku are generally the middle ground between pop, with western characteristics and Japanese enka with strong Japanese characteristics. They originated from the time of the first major foreign affiliated record companies. 18 tracks, sung by artists including Michiya Mihashi, Hachiro Kasuga, Rintaro Shoji, Utako Matsushima, Akihiro Miwa, Goro Kagami, Miyako Otsuki, Minoru Obata and Haruo Oka.
Re-recordings of 18 pop hits from the enka kayo scene between 1948-1955. Artists include Haruo Oka, Ken Tsumura, Minoru Obata, Machiko Sanjo, Isao Hayashi, Chieko Baisho, Chiemi Eri, Taeko Yoshioka and Ichiro Wakahara. Price: £17.99
Re-recordings of 18 tracks of popular kayokyoku hits from 1955-1959 by artists including Hachiro Kasuga, Isao Hayashi, Yoshiko Ozu, Yutaka Shimazu, Hiroshi Mifune, Yuriko Futaba, Peggy Hayama and Goro Kagami.
Kuranosuke Hamaguchi was known as 'Mr Hitmaker' being one of Japan's most prolific composers of pop songs especially during the the 1950s and 60s including the 'Group Sounds' movement. Born in 1917 he died in 1990 and this 4 CD set of 100 songs has been released to mark his 90th birthday. He is credited as a pioneering composer putting western and Latin rhythms to Japanese lyrics. This album features tracks by many of the artists he composed for plus some of his own versions of his own songs plus special rare tracks that were featured on soundtracks or TV commercials. Tracks include Three Cats - Kiiroi Sakurambo, Hiroshi Moriya - Boku wa naichicchi, Midori Satsuki - Coroque no Uta, Paul Senako - Ame no Pierrot, Hiroshi Moriya - Tsuki no Elegy, Akira Kobayashi - Koi no Yamanote-sen, Kyu Sakamoto - Namida-kun Sayounara, Hiroshi Wada & Mahina Stars plus Miyoko Tashiro - Aishite Aishite Aishichatta Noyo, Teruhiko Saigo - Hoshi no Flamenco, The Spiders - Yuhi ga Naiteiru, Hitoshi Ueki - Warae Pierrot, Yujiro Ishihara - Yogiri yo Koyoi mo Arigatou, Hiroshi Mizuhara - Ai no Nagisa, Kyoko Takada - Minna Yume no Naka, Chiyoko Shimakura - Ai no Sazanami, Hadashi no Bossa Nova - Claudia Caro, Kiyoko Ito - Mishiranu Sekai, Billy Ban Ban - Akai Bara to Chocolate, Village Singers - Nakinagara Koi o shita koro, Akira Nishikino - Atsui Namida, Mari Amachi - Chiisana Koi, Yujiro Ishihara - Koi no Machi Sapporo, Mari Natsuki - Mango no Ki no Shitade, Chiyoko Shimakura - Jinsei Iroiro Special Tracks: Seiji Takano - Hakuba Doushi, Kuranosuke Hamada - Watashi no Carola, Jal Pack no Uta, Bara no Uta, Rumiko Koyanagi - Yakult Jowa no Uta, Tokuko Nakadate - Kao Feather Oil Shampoo. Price: £34.99
By the time she was nineteen, Hibari Misora already had a body of work that would have been a lasting legacy. This 2 CD set (CD 1- 24 tracks, CD 2- 19 tracks) contains some of her greatest tunes from the early post war period. Japanese elements are mixed with boogie woogie (Kappa Boogie Woogie) mambo (Omatsuri Mambo) in what was an early world music mixture on CD 1. This also contains big hits such as Tokyo Kid and Ringo Oiwake. CD 2 has a lot of jazz influences on songs such as Shanghai, The Soba Song, Take the A Train, and La Vie en Rose. A truly remarkable talent.
Hibari Misora (1937-1989) was possibly Japan's greatest ever entertainer. Best known for singing enka, she was also equally adept at other styles such as minyo (local folk) and on this album she shows yet another side to her talents. She tackles jazz standards and other classics including La Vie en Rose (made famous by Edif Piaf who Hibari is sometimes compared to), Ave Maria and Danny Boy. Some songs are sung in English although most are in Japanese. 1.Fascination 2. Stardust 3.La Vie en Rose 4.Take the A Train 5.Walkin’my Baby Back Home 6. Cry Me a River 7. Love Me or Leave Me 8.Danny Boy 9. Ave Maria 10.Core ’ngrato 11.Torna a Surriento 12.Get Out and Get Under the Moon 13.Love 14. Over the Rainbow 15.Love is a Many-Splendored Thing 16. Red Sails in the Sunset 17.Pretend
Price: £18.99
Ichimaru (1906-1997) was one of the greatest Japanese female singers. She helped to update traditional singing (hauta, kouta) into a modern style combined with American jazz and boogie woogie. She trained as a geisha, specialising in shamisen playing and singing under some of the great masters, inclduing Eijudaiyu Kiyomoto. She started recording in 1931, and performing for Japanese troops before the war. Following the war and the US occupation she became interested in jazz which she combined with the traditional music she had become well known for, including the hit song 'Shamisen Boogie-Woogie'. This CD compiles songs from her post-war period. 1.Tenryu Kudareba 2.Chakkiri Bushi 3.Ina Bushi 4.Ryukyo Kouta 5.Tokamachi Kouta 6.Yuki no Blues 7.Yuki no Hamamachigashi 8.Sumidagawa Zomeki 9.Shamisen Boogie Woogie 10.Hatsude Miyotote 11.Oedo Nihonbashi 12.Harukaze ga soyosoyo to 13.Ami wa Johi 14.Kasui 15.Kujo Hachiman Matsuri 16.Kirigirisu
Hamako Watanabe was one of Japan's greatest pop singers from the post war era. She sung songs composed by the great composer Ryouichi Hattori and others. This CD features many of her most famous songs including probably her best known hit, Shina no Yoru. 17 tracks. 1. Shina no Yoru 2. Kuaminato China Gai 3. Shoshu Yakyoku 4. Hejih Chun Tsailai 5. Yeh Lai Hsiang 6. Beniya no Musume 7. Itoshi Ano Hoshi 8. Hi no Tori 9. Changwei Changwei 10. Uruwashi no San Diego 11. Tongaragatcha Dame yo 12. Katyusha no Uta 13. Aikoku no Hana 14. Aa Montin Lupa no Yo wa Fukete 15. Nagasaki Monogatari 16. Minato ga Mieru Oka 17. Shina no Yoru (Karaoke)
Price: £13.99
2007 marks the 100 year anniversary since the birth of Ryoichi Hattori, one of the Japan's most important composers and figures of popular music. Post World War II, a battle in music was taking place between native Japanese and American elements, and Hattori helped the US cause, combining American with native elements on his hit single Tokyo Boogie-Woogie recorded by Shizuko Kasagi, or grinding out the boogie rhythm on the shamisen on his Shamisen Boogie. The impact of Hattori's genius on the shape of popular music in Japan cannot be overestimated and this excellent compilation features some of his greatest tunes, performed by several of the singers and musicians that benefitted. Compiled by ex- Pizzato Five leader Yasuharu Konishi. Full track listing. 1. Ryusengata Jazz / MICHIO SHIMURA 2. Oshare Musume / NORIKO AWAYA COLUMBIA NAKANO RHYTHM SISTERS 3. Kusatsu Jazz / COLUMBIA JAZZ BAND 4. Tokyo Kenbutsu / TADAHARU NAKANO & COLUMBIA NAKANO RHYTHM BOYS 5. Tsuki ni Odoru / AKIKO FUTABA COLUMBIA NAKANO RHYTHM SISTERS 6. Yume miru Kokoro / RIKKEY MIYAGAWA 7. Yamadera no Osho-san / COLUMBIA NAKANO RHYTHM BOYS 8. Banjor de Utaeba / TADAHARU NAKANO 9. Jazz Rokyoku / COLUMBIA NAKANO RHYTHM BOYS 10. Ahodara Shinkyo / COLUMBIA NAKANO RHYTHM SISTERS 11. Oedo Nihonbashi / COLUMBIA NAKANO RHYTHM BOYS 12. Kotori-uri no Uta / AKIRA MATSUDAIRA 13. Rappa to Musume / SHIZUKO KASAGI 14. Roppa Minami e Yuku / Roppa 15. Tokyo Boogie Woogie / SHIZUKO KASAGI 16. Hey Hey Boogie / SHIZUKO KASAGI 17. Shamisen Boogie Woogie / ICHIMARU 18. Kaimono Boogie / SHIZUKO KASAGI 19. Modern Konjiki Yasha / SHIZUKO KASAGI, SHUNJI SAKAI 20. Kuroda Boogie / SHIZUKO KASAGI 21. Blue to Pink no Shinkon Ryoko / HIROSHI ASHINO, MIYOKO HOSHINO 22. Ore wa Highteen / ICHIRO KOBE HATTORI RHYTHM SISTERS 23. Tokyo Bebe / SONOMI NAKAJIMA FOUR LADS 24. All Man Rebup / SHIZUKO KASAGI
This incredible 3 CD set of Shizuko Kasagi (1914-1985) originally released in 1989 has just got a welcome re-release. Shizuko Kasagi is one of Japan's greatest ever entertainers, as a singer, dancer and film actress. Before World War II, she was one of the stars of the Japan Girls Opera Company. Following the war and the American occupation she became a mega star singing songs influenced by American jazz and boogie woogie. The songs were mostly composed by the great Ryoichi Hattori and a had a fantastic swing and rhythm with Kasagi's powerful vocals to the fore. The 3 CDs contains almost all her recorded output (apparently missing only four songs) including her biggest hit Tokyo Boogie-Woogie, Rappa to Musume (Bugle and Girl) recorded with a big band before the war, the southeast Asian flavoured Aire Kawaiya (1946) and Jungle Boogie (1948) the theme tune to the movie Yoidore Tenshi/Drunken Angel directed by Akira Kurosawa. Price: £28.99
3 CD set of the works of Ryoichi Hattori (1907-1993), thought of as the originator of Japanese modern popular songs who laid the foundation for post-war enka. The word blues became known in Japan when in 1937 Ryoichi Hattori composed Wakare no Blues (Seperation Blues) for Noriko Awaya included here, as well as Hamako Watanabe & Noboru Kirishima's "Soshu Yakyoku (Suzhou Serenade)" (1940), Shizuko Kasagi's "Tokyo Boogie-Woogie" (1947), Hideko Takamine's "Ginza Kan Kan Musume (Ginza Street Girl)" (1949), Ichiro Fujiyama & Mitsue Nara's "Aoi Sanmyaku (Blue Mountain Range)" (1949) and many others.
Compilation of 50s and early 60s songs from female singer known for her country music and novelty hits. This album includes rare old 78s and singles.1. Hula Hoop Song 2. Daigaku no Oneichan 3. Oneichan ni Makashitoki (Sonomi Nakajima, Noriko Shigeyama, Reiko Dan) 4. Takumashiki Otoko tachi 5. Seibu no Anego 6. Seibu no Emugata Musume 7. Texas no Koiuta (Sonomi Nakajima, Kazuya Kosaka) 8. Cha Cha Cha Tengoku (Sonomi Nakajima, Kazuya Kosaka) 9. Kagoshima Ohara 10. Akai Tusuki no Shitade 11. Futari Arukeba 12. Highteen Baby 13. Tokyo Bebe 14. Tsuki wa Chikyu o Mawatteru 15. Ginza Bura Bura 16. Mahiru no Iso no Hirusagari 17. Nyan Nyan Odori 18. Konosaki Tsuko-dome (Sonomi Nakajima, Ichiro Kobe) 19. Bari-to Yoitoko (Sonomi Nakajima, Norihei Miki)
Gunka is a term for 'war music'. This CD features some of the best known gunka songs from the Meiji period until the Japanese surrender in 1945. Songs used to inspire patriotism and hatred of Japan's enemies. 24 tracks of re-recordings of these songs by including Hachiro Kasuga, Bonnie Jacks, Masanori Tomotake and Kazuo Kitani.
