[Light & floaty]
No.107 "Gardenia" by Kazuhiko Kato
Hi. Today's song is "Gardenia" by "Kazuhiko Katō".
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Index
1. Song data
| Title | Gardenia |
|---|---|
| Artist | Kazuhiko Katō |
| Album Title | Gardenia |
| Catalog Number | UPCY-7309 |
| Track No. | 1 |
| Duration | 4:29 |
| Released | 1978 |
| Publisher | Doughnut Record |
| Lyricist | Kazumi Yasui |
| Composer | Kazuhiko Katō |
| Arranger | Kazuhiko Katō |
- About the creators
Kazumi YasuiLyricist
"Kazumi Yasui" was a famed lyricist for her remarkable performance in the J-pop from the mid 60s.
Additionally, she had been a partner of "Kazuhiko Kato" until she passed away in 1994. And offered so many nice lyrics to him.
As a talented lyricist
In 1961, she started her professional career by translating foreign songs into Japanese.
Soon, people around her recognized her remarkable talent. And in 1964, she wrote her first original lyrics titled "On-nanoko damonn"(Because I am a Girl.) for a popular singer "Mie Nakao".
In 1965, she wrote a song titled "Oshaberi-na Shinju"(A talkative pearl, "pearl" maybe a metaphor for a young woman.) wrote for "Yukari Itoh".
("Yukari Itoh" was already a known star at that time. She is still active, and recently celebrated her 60 years anniversary in music.)
This song became a smash hit and "Yasui" was given a lyricist award of the 7th Japan Record Awards in this year. She earned more recognition as lyricist from this success.
Since then, she wrote an amazing number of songs until 1994. It amounts to approx. 4000 according to Wikipedia, and some of them are super hit songs.
As a celebrity
At the same time, "Kazumi Yasui", perhaps more well known as "ZUZU", had been a celebrity and role model for the young women who was longing for edgy, voguish, and bright lifestyle.
Fashion, business, way of living, association, and love... from any point of view, "ZUZU" was so successful and incredibly fashionable. Therefore, a lot of women were inspired by her mode of life.
Life with a partner
Even after married with "Katō" in 1977, both "Yasui" and "Katō" continued to pursue the stylish and elegant lifestyle which they thought it was ideal.
Their attitude and practice like the above had continued to be an interest for the style-sensitive modern families.
Quite a few of magazines were published, and introduced their amazingly fashionable lifestyle.
So, in a sense she had been a rare celebrity until the last day of her life.
In 1994, she was called to heaven at only age 55.
However certainly, her name will be clearly written in bold letters as a notable lyricist in the J-pop history.
(Ref: Wikipedia, Kazumi Yasui)
(Ref: music-calendar.jp,
17.03.2016, Kazumi Yasui)
Kazuhiko KatōComposer & arranger
"Kazuhiko Katō" is the artist of today's song. So, we would like to come back on him in the later section "About the artist".
Cover art
- Sound impressions
Light & floaty
This track seems to be a refined, light and floaty pop song. It is in the middle tempo in a 8th-note groove, but party in a Bossa Nova rhythm.
The drums, bass, piano, acoustic guitar, synthesizer and strings participate and start a refreshing introduction.
From the beginning to the end, the strings contribute to the rendition of this song. The finger dancing bass play is also amusing.
And oddly enough, we often feel that Katō's soft and relaxed voice could give some warm energy to us.
Powerful musicians
The following powerful musicians are participated on this song.
- Kazuhiko Katō - Acoustic Guitar & Vocal
- Ryuichi Sakamoto - Piano, Keyboards
- Yukihiro Takahashi - Drums
- Tsugutoshi Goto - Electric Bass
- Nobu Saito - Percussions
- Takeru Muraoka - Saxophone
- Kimiko Kasai - Vocal Accompaniment
and,
"Takeru Muraoka" is performing a cool sax solo in the bridge.
A singer with charming whispering voice, and duetting with "Katō" is a renowned Jazz vocalist "Kimiko Kasai".
Thanks to those skilled musicians, the performance of this song is superb. Please enjoy.
- Reference
- About the artist
Kazuhiko KatōEdgy & sophisticated artist
"Kazuhiko Katō" was one of the most renowned singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, guitarist and music producer in Japan's popular music scene.
He debuted in 1967 with a single "Kaettekita Yopparai" (A drunk man once died, came back from heaven). Since then, 19 singles, and 10 original, 8 live, and 7 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Kazuhiko Katō)
The folk crusaders
In 1965, "Katō", "Osamu Kitayama" and 3 other members teamed up a folk group named "The folk crusaders".
In 1968, their debut song "Kaette-kita Yopparai" (English title - I only live twice.) created a storm, and sold a million.
Kaette-kita Yopparai(1968)
(I only live twice)
After this big hit, "Katō" decided to pursue music as his career.
Sadistic Mika Band
After the folk group's break-up, "Katō" and 4 other members, including "Yukihiro Takahashi" and "Masayoshi Takanaka", formed a revolutionary new rock group named Sadistic Mika Band in 1971.
In the beginning, the band attracted no much attention in their country since they were a little too progressive. But unexpectedly, it soon became popular in the UK, and ironically re-imported to Japan.
Here is one of their hit song.
Time Machine ni onegai (rock, 1974)
(Hey time machine, do me a favor?)
Activity in the later years
The band was however ended its career in 1975.
Since then, "Katō" began to share more time on working as a music producer.
He had written a number of music to the various singers, and it amounts to more than 3000 according to Wikipedia.
"Katō" was also keen to produce music for the movies, plays, or musical arranged "Kabuki" theaters. And quite a few of them earned vatuous music awards.
As a cultural icon
In private, "Kato" married with "Kazumi Yasui" who was one of the most notable celebrities since the mid 60s. as we mentioned earlier.
Since the both of them had been an edgy fashion leader, their way of life was viewed as the most modern and coolest lifestyle.
They had continued to receive an adequate attention from the society until "Kazumi Yasui" went in peace in 1994.
So, in a sense, they had been a cultural icon for a long time.
"Kato" continued to work hard just as before, after the loss of his most important partner.
But in 2009, he departed this life at the age of 62.
Even the creators are already in heaven, their good music is evergreen. Please listen and enjoy.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Kazuhiko Katō)
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, The folk crusaders)
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Sadistic Mika Band)
Next time
We would like stop the article before it becomes too long.
Would you please allow us to continue to the next time? Thank you.
- 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 | Gardenia |
|---|---|
| Artist | 加藤和彦 (Kazuhiko Katō) |
| Album Title | Gardenia |
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(Kazuhiko Katō)
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