[Jazzy Bossa]
No.91 "Ame no hi no hitorigoto" by Junko Yagami
Hi. We are in the midst of the rainy season, and everyone, including frogs, seems enjoying this moist weather in their own way.
Then, today's song is "Ame-no hi-no hitorigoto" (Talking to myself on the rainy day) by "Junko Yagami".
The introduction of this song is in a minor key, but it will change soon. So, please keep listening until the vocal starts after 30sec.
Some articles have been put away in a "Memo" tab in each section, so please click it to read.
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Index
1. Song data
| Title | Ame-no hi-no hitorigoto (Talking to myself on the rainy day) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Junko Yagami |
| Album Title | Omoide-wa utsukushi-sugite (Too beautiful memories) |
| Catalog Number | YCCU-10041 |
| Track No. | 1 |
| Duration | 3:49 |
| Released | 1978 |
| Publisher | Disc-o-mate records |
| Lyricist | Junko Yagami |
| Composer | Junko Yagami |
| Arranger | Masa-aki Ohmura |
- About the creators
Junko Yagami
Junko Yagami is a talented singer-songwriter active since mid '70s.
Her name is well established as an excellent melody maker for a pop music.
And perhaps more famous as a Japan's top class pop vocalist with crystal clear high tone voice.
We would like to come back to her later in "About the artist" section.
Masa-aki Ohmura
Masa-aki Ohmura was a very capable arranger for a pop music. Quite a few of Japan super hit songs were the works of him.
For example, one of "Junko Yagami" 's best hit song, "Mizuiro-no ame"(Aqua color rain) is his debut song as an professional arranger.
And the other her big hit song "Purple town", which sold more than half a million disks was also his work.
These facts say a lot about his rare flair.
Two arrangers
This song has 2 versions(Single & album), and the arrangers for each are different.
Masa-aki Ohmura was an arranger for the album version and Mr. Mitsuo Hagita is the arranger for single version.
Both are great arrangers, and there is a taste difference in each versions.
You can check them from the links in sample section.
Cover art
- Sound impressions
Jazzy Bossa
This seems to be a Jazzy vocal song in Bossa nova rhythm in moderated speed.
The song begin with a sentimental acoustic piano solo, then the drums, bass, trumpet, and the acoustic guitar join.
Quiet tone of Vibraphone gently accompanies with vocal, while the strings add the richness to the ensemble.
Junko Yagami is the singer with the top class powerful high-tone vocal.
But she is singing this song in very calm manner for making this more attractive.
Two versions
This song has 2 different versions. The first one was released when she was 16 (1974), and for the 2nd one, she was 20 (1978).
They are same songs in close arrangements, but the impressions are very different.
Please try to listen both if you are interested.
If you look at the sample link section located below, the sample from "Apple" is the one she recorded in 1974, and the others are the samples of 1978 version.
- Reference
- About the artist
Outstanding vocalist
Junko Yagami debuted in 1974 with single "Ame-no hi-no hitorigoto". Since then, 33 singles, and 22 original, 2 live, and 22 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia, Junko Yagami)
Beautiful voice
Junko Yagami is a singer-songwriter known with her excellent songs and extremely clear, long lasting high tone voice.
Popcon
She started her professional career by challenging "Yamaha popular song contest(POPCON)", which was a Japan's most competitive and prestigious amateur popular song contest in the '70s.
For more details about POPCON, please check with this page.(Wikipedia-en "Yamaha Popular Song Contest")
In 1974, when she was 16, she entered 2 songs in the contest. In spite of the huge number of entries and strong competition, both songs won the prize.
Recording
A record company quickly decided to launch her these songs as single records.
And on the 10th DEC 1974, her debut single "Ame-no hi-no hitori-goto"(Talking to myself on the rainy day), which was the single version of Today's song, was happily released.
Pre-debut
Since she was still 16, and a high school student, the formal debut had been postponed until the graduation.
And in 1978, she finally debuted as a singer-songweiter from Disc-o-mate record.
Blooming
Her 1st and 2nd singles after debut was fair on sales. But her 3rd single "Mizuiro-no ame"(Aqua color rain) became a smash hit. And it was a starting signal of her hit song rush.
Since then, she is constantly releasing albums, or holding live concerts until now, even she has been living in the US after marry with a British music producer in 1986.
(though there was a 15 years break for private life.)
(Ref: Wikipedia, Junko Yagami)
Next time
In fact her songs are so nice, and we have a few to introduce.
We would like to continue the topic for the next opportunity, so please allow us to pause for now. Thank you.
Finally here is a video clip for a recent Junko Yagami from her channel.
* Music clip, Junko Yagami
- 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.
Long introduction
Introduction of this song lasts about 30 seconds, then you cannot listen the song part from the short samples.
So, please check Apple(long) or Amazon sample to catch more correct song image.
AD : Free listening samples
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
Apple Music(jp)
1
8. Japanese Letters
| Song Title | 雨の日のひとりごと (Ame-no hi-no hitorigoto) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 八神純子 (Junko Yagami) |
| Album Title | 思い出は美しすぎて (Omoide-wa utsukushi-sugite) |
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