[Sunny&Danceable]
No.64 "Futari no Rainy day" by Meiko Nakahara
Greetings
Hi. Today's song is "Futari no rainy-day" (A rainy day for two of us) by "Meiko Nakahara".
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1.Song data
| Title | Futari no rainy-day (A rainy day for two of us) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Meiko Nakahara |
| Album Title | Mint |
| Catalog Number | TOCT-12009 |
| Track No. | 2 |
| Duration | 4:46 |
| Released | 1983 |
| Publisher | Toshiba EMI |
| Lyricist | Meiko Nakahara |
| Composer | Meiko Nakahara |
| Arranger | Hiroshi Shinkawa |
- About the creators
Meiko NakaharaLyricist&composer
Meiko Nakahara is the lyricist and composer of this song..
So, we would like to come back to her later in "About the artist" section.
Hiroshi ShinkawaArranger
"Hiroshi Shinkawa" is a keyboardist, arranger, composer and producer active since 1975.
Debut
"Shinkawa" started the piano when he was a child.
He experienced some amateur activities from middle to high school age.
And in 1975, during studying at a University, he debuted as a member of a backing band to a rapidly rising pop vocal group "Hi-fi set".
Then in 1980, he also became a music director of the live concerts, performed by a prominent pop singer "Yumi Matsutōya".
Arranger
In 1983, he started a recording arranger's job.
Since then, he has participated in an array of pop songs as an arranger, or composer. And quite a few of them are well known hit songs.
Here is just an example.
"Kimi wa 1000%"(1986)
(You are 1000%)
by "1986 Omega tribe"
(You can still listen this song by clicking the banner. Please select the track No.1, once new page opens.)
For "Meiko Nakahara", he has arranged 3 albums to date, and contributed to launch her signature hit, "Kimitachi Kiwi Papaya Mango dane" (Like Kiwis, Papayas, and Mangoes you (girls) are. We will touch this later a bit.) in 1984.
Recent
In 2000, he set up a Victor Entertainment's in-house label "aosis", which will be specialized for cross over, Jazz, fusion, Latin, and AOR like genres, and became a producer of the label.
At the same time, he has started a solo, and band activities. And has released 3 albums from "aosis" label until now.
He is also enthusiastically performing a compact live at the various venue around Tokyo.
If you have a chance, please join.
(Ref: Wikipedia, Hiroshi Shinkawa)
(Ref: www.shinkawa.info, biography)
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of a nice fusion instrumental, "Up & Down Babys" performed by a Hiroshi Shinkawa's unit "The Shinkeys".
A keyboardist playing the Fender Rhodes, and the ARP Odyssey (Revived by Korg) is "Hiroshi Shinkawa".
And the drummer is Naoya Hamada, and the bassist is Masahiko rokukawa. Both are long serving expert studio musicians.
If you like, please listen.
* The Shinkeys - Up & Down Babys
Cover art today
- Sound impressions
Sunny & dance-able
This is a sunny and perky, lively pop song in up-tempo in 16th note rhythm.
Introduction
The drums, bass, brass and percussion (Shaker) start playing an introduction all together, and create a dance-able beat.
And an elegant harmony of the grand harp add a rainbow image of a tropical resort. and a bit of Timbales sound spices Latin aroma.
Main melody
In the main melody, the acoustic piano and, highly effected electric guitar also join, and support singer. The chorus gradually increases its presence.
Even in a rich and gorgeous backing of this song, Meiko Nakahara's clear, and driving vocal is amazingly visible.
- Reference
- About the artist
Meiko NakaharaSoaring vocal
"Meiko Nakahara" is a singer, and songwriter active since 1982.
She debuted in 1982 with single "Konya-dake DANCE・DANCE・DANCE" (DANCE・DANCE・DANCE, just for tonight). Since then, 15 singles, and 10 original, plus 12 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Meiko Nakahara)
Debut
"Meiko Nakahara" began to write songs when she was a junior high-school student.
When she became a high school student, she also started attending a pop music school.
After the while (there are no handy references.), in April 1982, she finally debuted with a single, "Konya-dake DANCE・DANCE・DANCE" (DANCE・DANCE・DANCE, just for tonight).
And 3 months later, her first album "Coconuts house" became on sale.
Become popular
She quickly gained the popularity from fashion-conscious, or progressive music fans. But gradually, she became popular even among general listeners.
In December 1982, 2nd album, "2-ji made-no Cinderella" -FRIDAY MAGIC- (Cinderella by 2:00AM), and in Sep 1983, 3rd album, "Mint", she constantly released fine albums, and established a reputation.
And in April 1984, she released a rhythmic, Samba like, but minor pop song, "Kimitachi Kiwi Papaya Mango dane" (Like Kiwis, Papayas, and Mangoes you (girls) are.) as 6th single. This turns out her signature song later.
"Kimitachi Kiwi Papaya Mango dane"(1984)
(Like Kiwis, Papayas, and Mangoes you (girls) are.)
by "Meiko Nakahara"
(You can still listen this song by clicking the banner. Please select the track No.6, once new page opens.)
1984 and onward
According to Wikipedia, after the big hit, she became a pop star, and spent a busy days until she decided to take a short break in 1988, and refresh herself in New York.
In 1990, she moved her home ground to New York, and resumed activity as a songwriter. But it seems she has been in the break time again after the mid 00s.
Talented
As far as we see, she is, with no doubt, a notable female singer-songwriter debuted during the '80s.
She was creating all most all of songs she sing, by herself.The lyrics & melodies were both unique & excellent, and was vividly reflecting an atmosphere of the bustling '80s.
One more topic is her amazing singing performance. She had a clear, lively voice, and also had an accurate pitch & sense of rhythm at that time.
We suppose that was also a reason why her songs came to hits.
So, we wish that we can listen her live performance again someday.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Meiko Nakahara)
(Ref: discogs.com, Meiko Nakahara)
- Samples from online music stores
About the samples
Please go to the page below, and just play or click track No.2.
Trial button is on the left side of the song title.
AD :
Free listening samples
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
7net.omni7.jp
Apple Music(jp)
(You can still listen this song by clicking the banner. Please select track No.2 once the page is open.)
8. Japanese Letters
| Song Title | ふたりのRainy day (Futari no rainy-day) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 中原めいこ (Meiko Nakahara) |
| Album Title | Mint (ミ・ン・ト) |
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