[Bright & acoustic]
No.130EX "Treasure" by Kōtaro Oshio
Greetings
Hi. Today's song is an acoustic guitar instrumental "Treasure (album ver.)" by "Kōtaro Oshio".
It is a vibrant and melodic guitar solo, which reminds us of the sparkling clear water of the stream, or the glittering of melting icicles in spring.
From the beginning to the end, it's a sequence of great plays. Please enjoy.
Some contents have been put away in a " ▼Memo " tab in each section, so please click it to read.
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Thank you.
Song data
| Title | Treasure (album ver.) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Kōtarō Oshio |
| Album Title | |
| Catalog Number | SECL-578 |
| Track No. | 5 |
| Duration | 4:18 |
| Released | 2008 |
| Publisher | |
| Lyricist | Instrumental music |
| Composer | |
| Arranger |
About the creators
Instrumental musicLyricist
This is an instrumental music.
Kōtaro OshioComposer&Arranger
Come back later
Kōtaro Oshio is the Composer & Arranger, but also a plater of this guitar instrumental.
Therefore, we would like to come back to him later at "About the artist" section.
Cover art today
Song image & Lyrics
Open
Link to the lyrics
Copyright notice on the lyrics link
Sound impression
Bright and acoustic
This is a bright and harmonic acoustic guitar solo in comfortable up-tempo in 4th note rhythm, but 16 strokes in a bar.
Harmonics, slapping, tapping...
The instrumental begins with a flow of beautiful harmonic tones, and a thrilling introduction starts.
In the main part, his right hand keeps accurate 16th note rhythm.
But at the same time, he is playing chords, and main melody as well. It sounds as if the 2 guitarists, at least, are playing there.
So, we cannot understand how he can play like this.
Guitar techniques
"Wikipedia-en, Outline of guitars, #guitar_use, guitar technique",
for more information.Or, "Acoustic guitar magazine" (Youtube) has uploaded various useful video clips on the guitar technique. If you like please also check.
Small Orchestra
"The guitar is a small orchestra." (H.Berlioz?) is a phrase we sometimes hear on TV music programs.
Perhaps, this word was given to the classical guitar originally, but it might be applied for the acoustic guitar as well.
It creates sounds like the guitar, drums, percussions, harp, vibraphone, bell, chime..., whenever we listen "Kōtaro Oshio", we remember this expression.
Reference
About Google translate
About the artist
Kōtaro OshioIncredible guitarist
"Kōtaro Oshio" is a guitarist active since 1999.
One of the most skillful acoustic guitar player in recent Japan, and focusing on the acoustic guitar instrumental mostly.
"Oshio" debuted in 1999 with an album "KOTARO OSHIO". Since then, 16 original, 1 live, 2 best albums, and 7 DVDs have been released until now.
Single record hasn't been produced so far.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Kōtaro Oshio)
loves cinema(2015) Kōtaro Oshio (2015) [Digital music]
- * tussie-mussie
- (archaic)
-
A small bunch of flowers or aromatic herbs
- (To see the reference)
Early years
Like many other young men, he started the guitar when he was a middle schooler.
And like many other young men, his motivation was to catch the girl's attention.
But his passion to the guitar seemed a little different from others.
He continued to practice the guitar in a music circle at the high school.
And, when he was 17, also began to learn the guitar from a renowned acoustic guitarist "Isato Nakagawa" at his guitar class in Ōsaka, and carried on an effort to pick up "Nakagawa"'s professional skills.
After graduated high school, he moved to Tokyo to study at the music school.
Because of this life-change, he had to give up the guitar class, but the tutor "Nakagawa" introduced him an other mastery guitarist "Rynten Okazaki" lives in Tokyo, and supported "Oshio" to keep up learning.
Then, in the late '80s, he completed a course of the music school, and returned to Ōsaka.
～Kotaro Oshio Best Album Kōtarō Oshio (2006) [Digital music]
Amateur period
After come back from Tokyo, he teamed up a "would-be" professional rock band with his peers.
There were however no bassist in the band, and it wasn't easy to find a suitable person.
So, "Oshio" decided to play the bass instead of the guitar, and began to recruit a guitarist.(Because the guitarist were plenty usually.)
Thanks to his action, the band managed to start reasonably well.
"Oshio" continued his efforts to be a professional. But the band ended up with breaking up after 7 years.
"Oshio" then restarted his live performance in simple "Guitarist + Singer" style, like an accomplished American pop duo, Tuck & Patti.
And interestingly, this choice finally led him to be a professional musician.
Debut
His unit gradually became popular, but on the other hand, some audiences also wished to hear his guitar solo.
Eventually, guitar solo became his main activity, and in 1999, "Oshio" released his first album from an Indies label.
The album was supported by a radio personality of a local FM station. He picked out some tracks, and introduced on the program.
This helped "Oshio" to be highlighted.
His popularity had sounded in Tokyo, and finally in 2002, "Oshio" debuted with the album "Starting Point" from a major label.
To be continued...
We would like to continue this subject in the next opportunity, since it is getting too long. Thank you.
Musicians had influence on "Oshio"
"Kōtaro Oshio" often mentions these names as the musicians he has been influenced most.
- "Isato Nakagawa"
Isato Nakagawa is a former member of a legendary folk group "Itsutsu-no akai fūsen"(Five red baloons), and one of the pioneer of finger-style guitar in Japan.
"Nakagawa" is the first high-level guitar teacher to "Kōtaro Oshio".
"Oshio" still expresses a sense of respect to him in various occasions.
Here is a rare video clip uploaded by "Isato Nakagawa" himself. It is a session play with "Momotaro Maruyama".
If you like. please have a look.
- Michael Hedges
Michael Hedges was an American singer-songwriter, but he was perhaps most famous with his extreme play of the acoustic guitar using various slapping technique.
"Oshio" says he leaned "Entertainment" from him.
We could not find a suitable video clip for here. We will update if we find one.
- Tuck Andres
(Tuck & Patti) Tuck & Patti is an accomplished American pop duo active since 1981.
The guitarist to "Tuck & Patti" is Tuck Andress, and he is also known by his impressive guitar play.
"Oshio" also told that he has been inspired by "Tuck & Patti".
Because they are not just innovative for their original songs, but even more creative when they are covering the songs of other artists.
Actually, "Oshio" likes to cover good songs, and his attitude for covering is same with them. That is perhaps why.
Here is a Tuck Andress's archtop electric guitar solo, covering Santana's masterpiece, "Europe(1972)", uploaded by "Tuck & Patti".
If you like. please have a look.
Greven
"Greven" is the acoustic guitar brand owned by an independent guitar studio, "Greven Guitars".
"Greven Guitars" is a workshop making specialized custom made guitars. They are based in Portland, Oregon, United States.
"Kōtaro Oshio" first bought a "very expensive"(approx 2500USD) second-hand "Greven" when he was 18. Because his teacher "Isato Nakagawa" was using this brand, and recommended him to take a bargain second-hand "Greven"(J Herringbone) at a specialty shop.
Since then, it has been a main guitar brand for "Kōtaro Oshio".
Now, "Greven Guitars" has developed a "Kōtaro Oshio" model "The Oshio D". Here we are.
He has quite a few of other guitars and using them. For more information, please check with the guitar section of Wikipedia(JP) "Kōtaro Oshio" page.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Kōtaro Oshio)
(Ref: Guitar Labo,
Kōtaro Oshio Interview, 04-05-2006)🇯🇵
(Ref: akogimania.com,
List of guitars, Kōtaro Oshio)🇯🇵
(Ref: oshiokotaro.web.fc2.com, Kōtaro Oshio profile)🇯🇵
(Ref: www.kotaro-oshio.com,
Official site, Biography(en))
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of a "Kōtaro Oshio"s new release "Cyborg"(2019), from his 15th album "Encounter".
You can monitor his marvelous guitar technique on this video.
The guitar, he is playing this time, has a pick up on its sound hole.
"Oshio" seems occasionally switching it on and off, and creating a Lee Ritenour like enhanced acoustic sound.
If you like, please have look.
Cherry on the cake
And this is not directly related to "Kōtaro Oshio", but an extra video clip of a guitar solo performed by a Finnish guitarist Petteri Sariola.
"Kōtaro Oshio" also praises his fine performance, according to an advertising.
If you like, please listen.
Music Samples
10
(試聴する)
AD: Listening samples (Free)
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
music.apple.com (Track No.5)
5
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | TREASURE (アルバム・バージョン)(Treasure(album ver.)) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 押尾コータロー(Kōtarō Oshio) |
| Album Title | Nature Spirit |
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