[Elegant & festive]
No.4 "Crystal city" by Junko Ohashi
Hi. Today's song is "Crystal city" by "Junko Ōhashi".
Some articles have been put away in a " ▼Memo " tab in each section, so please click it to read.
If the " ▼Memo " tab does not open, please enable the Java script in your browser.
Thank you.
Index
1. Song data
| Title | Crystal city |
|---|---|
| Artist | Junko Ōhashi |
| Album Title | Crystal city |
| Catalog Number | UPCY-9789 |
| Track No. | 1 |
| Duration | 4:04 |
| Released | 1977 |
| Publisher | Philips(Phonogram) |
| Lyricist | Machiko Ryū |
| Composer | Ken Satō |
| Arranger | Ken Satō |
- About the creators
Machiko RyūLyricist
"Machiko Ryū" is a famed lyricist, translator (lyrics, musical), author and musical writer active since the early '70s.
In the late '60s, she started her career by translating foreign songs for Japanese singers when she was a student of the University.
At the same time, she was writing some original lyrics in Japanese, and one of them was selected for a new single for a popular folk duo "Tombo-chan" in 1975. And it became (perhaps) her 1st song wrote as a professional lyricist.
Just 3 months later, she offered her 2nd song for "Candies" who a rising pop group at that time. This is the one.
Kuchizuke no ato
(After the kiss)
(You can still listen it by clicking the upper-right corner of banner above, and select track No.7 to play the song.)
Since then, she has written hundreds of song for various artists in J-pop. And quite a few of them became a smash hit.
So, the name of "Machiko Ryū" is like a trusted brand for a hit song.
As a translator for Musicals
In parallel, she has been a master of translator and lyricist for a series of musicals.
The first musical she participated was an original musical "Show girl" starred by "Nana Kinomi" and "Toshiyuki Hosokawa" staged from 1974.
From then, She engaged herself in various foreign musicals, like "The Apartment" or "The Witches of Eastwick". And achieved a great success.
And in 2016, a statusy special award of "Kazuo Kikuta theater award" were given to her, for her long time remarkable contribution to the musicals.
Ken SatōComposer & Arranger
"Ken Satō" is a keyboardist, composer and arranger active since the early '70s.
Around 1970, He started his music career as a keyboardist of the band named "Peace city", which a guitarist "Motoaki Masuo" (Jazz guitarist "Yoshiaki Masuo" is his elder brother.), or a known music producer "Yuji Tanaka(S-KEN)" had also belonged to.
Minoya central station
In 1976, he teamed up a new instrumental band named "Minoya central station".
The group was formed as a backing band exclusively for a super vocalist, and a rising star "Junko Ōhashi", who became a spouse of "Ken Satō" sometime later, and still is.
Musicians like "Kazuaki Misago" (leader of "Tokyo cuban boys" now.), and "Masami Tsuchiya" (Ippū-dō) were also members of the band.
"Minoya" broke up in 1980. Since then, "Ken Satō" has been constantly offering a good music for the various artists in J-pop.
Cover art
- Sound impressions
Elegant & festive
This is an elegant, festive and grand pop song in comfortable upper middle speed.
After the beautiful introduction featuring the solo play of the violin, a gorgeous ensemble of the drums, bass, electric guitar, key board, percussion, violin and the powerful horn section starts festive main melody.
In the bridge, the horn section performs grand and splendid play.
It seems "Junko Ōhashi" is singing much lightly than usual in this song, but still fairly powerful and attractive.
- Reference
- About the artist
Junko ŌhashiAmazing power of voice
"Junko Ōhashi" is a Japanese singer, active mainly in pop and soul music field since 1974.
One of the best vocalist in modern J-pop history, and her overwhelming vocal power and a great singing performance are widely known.
Since debuted with a single "Kagi ha kaeshite" (Do you still need my key?), she has released 38 singles, 27 original and 20 best albums until now.
(Few of earlier albums were released under "Junko Ōhashi & the Minoya central station" name.)
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Junko Ōhashi)
Bit of hit song history
In 1977, she had her 1st smash hit "Simple love" after she tied up with "Minoya central".
In this song, the performance of "Ōhashi" is superb and "Minoya central" is showing an excellent play. Please check.
Simple love(1977)
Luckily in 1978, she had another big hit titled "Tasogare My love" (Uneasy my love). Please listen anyway.
Tasogare My love(1978)
(Uneasy my love)
This is a slow, mellow, and slightly wistful ballad which is a type of melody the Japanese people love. But it was little different from her previous songs.
It was, however, very well accepted by fans, and became a big hit. And nominated for the honorable 20th Japan Record Awards.
Even after this, she continued to release hit songs. We would like to continue about it on the next opportunity.
Resonance chamber?
She has been especially well known with her fantastically powerful voice.
She is not however tall or heavy, actually the complete opposite.
In spite of that, she looked far bigger on the stage and her voice was so powerful and carrying when she was young.
It seemed as if she had a resonance chamber in her body. (Sorry Junko-san.)
Video clip
Finally, here is her likely only one official video clip, "Ai wa toki wo koete" (Love transcends time) of her 2013.
* "Ai wa toki wo koete"
- Samples from online music stores
About the samples
Please go to the page below, and just play or click track No.1.
Trial button is on the left side of the song title.
AD : Free listening samples
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
Apple Music(jp)
1
8. Japanese Letters
| Song Title | クリスタル・シティー (Crystal city) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 大橋純子 (Junko Ōhashi) |
| Album Title | CRYSTAL CITY |
Comments