[Happy & bouncy]
No.46 "Wonderland" by Mami Ayukawa
Hi. Today's song is "Wonderland" by "Mami Ayukawa".
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♫. Index
Song data
| Title | Wonderland |
|---|---|
| Artist | Mami Ayukawa |
| Album Title | |
| Catalog Number | KICS-1583 |
| Track No. | 8 |
| Duration | 4:38 |
| Released | 1987 |
| Publisher | |
| Lyricist | |
| Composer | |
| Arranger |
About the creators
Keisuke Yamakawa
Keisuke Yamakawa was a leading lyricist, scenario writer, and playwright active since '60s.
He had written so many songs in the various fields on Japan's popular music, and left dozens of super hit songs throughout his career.
Above all, his contribution to kids culture is amazing.
He began to write songs for kids programs on NHK Educational in the early '70s. Since then, not only making hundreds of song, but also joined various programs as a scenario writer until recent.
On top of that, he drafted many theme songs for TV animations for children. So, he was a respectable creator had a passion to support kids culture.
Kazuhiko Kato
Kazuhiko Kato was a singer-songwrter, producer and composer active since the late '60s. He is also known as a original member of the '70s legendary rock group "Sadistic Mika Band".
He was one of the most creative artist in the modern J-pop world. Not just singing by himself but offered hundreds of songs to the various artists.
Ichizo Seo
Ichizo Seo is a producer, arranger and a singer song-writer active since the late '60s.
He is in fact a competent music producer in the folk song field. In 1973, he involved in a historic live album of a super folk singer "Takuro Yoshida".
Since then, he has engaged the various album productions of prominent stars like, Miyuki Nakajima, Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, Kaguyahime, Anri, Hideaki Tokunaga and dozens of others, and regarded as one of the greatest arranger.
Here is one of the popular song of Miyuki Nakajima arranged by Ichizo Seo.
* Chijō no hoshi(The stars on the ground)
Cover art
Sound impressions
Happy & danceable
This is a happy, cheerful and danceable pop music in comfortable 2-beat rhythm.
The drums starts bouncy 2 beat rhythms (rhythm machine?), then a glissando of "Koto"(Japanese harp) signals the opening.
The bass, keyboard, acoustic piano, and the strings create a lyric ensemble, and the chimes play a gentle melody.
In the bridge, there is a nice jazzy saxophone solo. And the fill of the grand harp follows later. So, this is a quite rich music.
Mami Ayukawa has a remarkable smooth, lively and high-tone voice. It really fits with the happy somg like this.
Music clip
Here is a sample clip of a typical traditional play of Koto.
"Sanka"(A song of praise)
Ms. Sachiko Yoshihara is a master of the Ikuta tradition of Koto.
Reference
About Google translate
About the artist
Singer, songwriter & racing driver
Mami Ayukawa debuted in 1984 with single "Kaze-no "No-reply". Since then, 13 singles, and 10 original, plus 10 best albums has been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia, Mami Ayukawa)
Anime song
She was a rare singer-songwriter debuted with a theme music for TV animation. Maybe the earliest of that kind. Since the animation music was usually sang by the dedicated singers for animation music at that time.
This is her debut song "Kaze no No-reply"
Kaze no No-reply
And this is one of the music CD for "Heavy metal L-Gaim".
L-Gaim
Smash hit
As the animation became popular, her song was also accepted well by fans.
Luckily, she could have sung 4 theme musics of animations in 3 years including popular series "MOBILE SUIT Ζ GUNDAM" These experiences later come up as a precious asset for her as a pop singer.
Singer & racing driver
After this favorable start, she has constantly been releasing a nice pops albums until now, though there were a short break in the mid '90s.
In the '80s, she had been a racing driver in parallel with a singer.
We aren't sure what lead her to the motor sports, but she was enthusiastically competing in the various races like endurance or "Pokal" (race with VolksWagen Golf).
Actually, she has left fairly good results in the class so far.
Hesitating
As anime songs gain popularity, the number of anime song concert has increased.
Naturally, she began to be asked singing on stage at those events.
Initially, she was unsure if the audience could welcome her, since it was so long time ago she sang them. But her challenging nature finally pushed her to perform.
Passion of anime fans
In the concert, the heat of the fans acclaimed her. When she started singing, the fans were very excited and began chorusing together.
She was deeply moved by this experience, since she had no many opportunities to sing in front of audience in the '80s.
She recognized the passion of anime lover, and the value of long time fans. Since then, she is actively participating or holding a events like this.
(Ref: anican.jp, Mami Ayukawa-30th aniv.interview-part1)
We have more of her songs wish to introduce. Please look forward to the next time.
Music Samples
About the samples
Please go to the page below, and just play or click track No.16.
Trial button is on the left side of the song title.
AD : Free listening samples
neowing.co.jp
TOWER RECORDS ONLINE
hmv.co.jp
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | ワンダーランド(Wonderland) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 鮎川麻弥(Mami Ayukawa) |
| Album Title | Melting Point |
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