[Calm & peaceful]
No.104 "9-gatsu no umi" by Noriko Sakai
Hi. Today's song is "9-gatsu no umi" (The sea in September) by "Noriko Sakai".
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Index
1. Song data
| Title | 9-gatsu no umi (The sea in September) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Noriko Sakai |
| Album Title | work out fine |
| Catalog Number | VICL-60256 |
| Track No. | 3 |
| Duration | 4:43 |
| Released | 1998 |
| Publisher | Victor entertainment |
| Lyricist | Naoko Gushima |
| Composer | Naoko Gushima |
| Arranger | Toshihiro "Bobby" Kirigaya |
- About the creators
Naoko GushimaLyricist & Composer
"Naoko Gushima" is a singer-songwriter, lyricist and composer active since 1996.
They say that her music is somewhere in between the soul & AOR. But the quality of them are really outstanding.
Craftsperson ship
She has not released many albums nor songs so far, but they are both beautiful and artistic creatives, rather than the commercial products.
Very delicate sentiment of women are skillfully expressed with plain words. The stylishness of the sound is at an artistic level. They then creates an unique "Gushima" world.
Really a precious talent in J-pop, particularly in Light & mellow.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Naoko Gushima)
Toshihiro "Bobby" KirigayaArranger
Toshihiro "Bobby" Kirigaya is an experienced voice trainer, and a representative of "Hawaii-mana music" which "Naoko Gushima" belongs to.
"Toshihiro Kirigaya" used to be a singer-song writer debuted in 1979. But he gradually shifted his position to a songwriter or backing vocalist than solo singer.
From 1996, he has been in full support of the album production by "Naoko Gushima" as an arranger, and polishing up her songs to real gems.
Cover art
- Sound impressions
Calm & peaceful
This song seems to be a calm & peaceful ballad in a slow and laid-back 4 beat rhythm.
The bass, drums, acoustic piano and the string synthesizer start the tender introduction, and the electric guitar quickly join and add a quiet accent.
In the bridge, the main melody is played by the piano. It is also pretty relaxing.
Good choice of songs
As far as we see, "Noriko Sakai", it seems, has been singing songs which fit well with who she is in each moment.
When she was a young female idol star, sang a number of cute and cheerful pop songs. And after she's grown up, she is singing a nice and stylish love songs.
Talented songwriters
Surprisingly, the choice of songwriters are excellent. We don't know who is choosing the creators for her songs. But the selections of the lyricists or composers are tasteful as far as we see.
- Reference
- About the artist
Friendly to anyone
A popular idol star, Noriko Sakai, more well known as "Nori-P", debuted in 1987 with single "Otoko-no-ko ni naritai"(Wanna be a boy). Since then, 36 singles, and 24 original, 1 live, and 17 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Noriko Sakai)
Top idol star
In 1986, when Noriko Sakai was a newbie, obtained a chance to appear on a TV variety as a regular member.
The program lasted a year and her face became familiar among the people, together with her now well known nick name "Nori-P", since she was shining in the program by showing her unique character.
Competing with rivals
In 1987, Noriko Sakai debuted as an idol pops singer.
She competed for the new face awards with powerful rivals like "Rie Hatada", "Risa Tachibana", "Babe", or now the "Enka" queen "Fuyumi Sakamoto".
And received a new face prize at the 18th Japan Music Awards, which was pronounced music awards used to be given once a year until 1993.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Noriko Sakai)
Big hit and sign language
In 1995, "Noriko Sakai" starred in a TV drama series "Hoshi-no Kinka"(The Star Money) which was a complicated love story of a deaf young woman.
She performed the role of young woman well including sign language.
She also sang a theme song of the series, and it became her first million hit.
For this achievement, she was chosen as a performer of the Japan's biggest "Year-end Song Festival" named "Kōhaku Uta Gassen" in 1995.
"Noriko Sakai" presented the song both in voice and sign language. And she became the honorable first singer in the program history sang a song in sign language.
* Kōhaku Uta Gassen
Here is a clip of a small part of the "Kōhaku Uta Gassen" program featuring Electro pop band "Perfume".
Singing in China
On another front, she has been a rare top idol star challenged to Taiwan and China market from her early stage of career, circa 1990.
Luckily, she was well accepted by fans and came to be recognized as an idol star from Japan. And she is still one of the best known Japanese star in there.
In fact, her contribution is great for opening a path to the followers.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Noriko Sakai)
Next time
Sorry, it is getting too long. Please allow us to continue the topic in the next opportunity.
- Samples from online music stores
About the samples
Please go to the page below, and just play or click track No.3.
Trial button is on the left side of the song title.
AD : Free listening samples
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
Apple Music(jp)
3
8. Japanese Letters
| Song Title | 9月の海 (9-gatsu no umi) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 酒井法子 (Noriko Sakai) |
| Album Title | work out fine |
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