[Light & warm]
No.132 "April fool" by Yōko Minamino
Hi. Today's song is "April fool" by "Yōko Minamino", who is one of the top idol star since the mid '80s.
The melody of this song is soft, warm, and cheerful, then it might go well with current pleasant spring air.
But unlike its melody, the lyric is actually a bit sentimental love story on a April fool's day.
If you like, please listen.
Some links to the music shops, offering the song sample, are located on the bottom of this page.
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Thank you.
Song data
| Title | April fool |
|---|---|
| Artist | Yōko Minamino |
| Album Title | |
| Catalog Number | MHCL-30334 |
| Track No. | 4 |
| Duration | 5:07 |
| Released | 1988 |
| Publisher | |
| Lyricist | |
| Composer | |
| Arranger |
About the creators
Shun TaguchiLyricist
"Shun Taguchi" is a notable lyricist, singer-songwriter, music producer, guitarist and a bassist of a progressive rock band "Yuka & Chronoship", active since 1980.
Summary
"Taguchi" debuted in 1980, as a member of a rock band, "LORELEI".
Around 1982, he began to offer lyrics for other artist as a professional, and quickly became an popular lyricist.
"Taguchi" is also an active musician even now. He has been the bassist of a progressive rock band, "Yuka & Chronoship" or "Yuka-kuro", since 2009.
A bit more details...
We have recently covered a bit about "Taguchi", at "About the creators" section, in our earlier post No.124.
If you like, please have a look.
Yasuhiro KidoComposer
"Yasuhiro Kido" is a singer-songwriter, composer, backing vocalist, a member of a chorus unit, "Breath by Breath", & "Kira".
And a partner to a charming singer, "Junko Hirotani".
Debut
"Yasuhiro Kido" debuted in 1978 with a 7 inch single "Mr. Music" from Victor.
He then released 2nd single "Tōi Manazashi" (distant eyes) in the same year.
In parallel, he launched a unique 1st album "Kid" also in 1978.
This album "KID" was recently re-evaluated in association with a quiet Light & mellow boom. And re-launched in 2006 in CD format for the first time in its history.
Chorus specialist
"Kido", might had some thought on him. He stopped releasing his own singles and albums, after these three in 1978.
"Kido" then began to focus on working as a chorus specialist at the recording studio. And participated in thousands of recording as a professional backing singer.
On the other hand, he has been offering melodies for various other artist, since he is actually a good composer.
Recent
Around 2000, he started 2 chorus units, namely "Breath by Breath" and "Kira".
And releasing albums of a beautiful harmony in their own pace.
As a solo singer, his 2nd album "KID 65" has become on sale in 2017.
It is actually a very good album. We wish he could continue to release as long as he can sing.
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of "Kiseki-no kakera (short ver.)" (Pieces of the miracle) performed by "Yasuhiro Kido".
In 2017, he released his 2nd album "KID 65 'Kiseki-no kakera'" after 40 years from the release of the debut album in 1978.
In fact, it was a mystery, that the singer like him with a beautiful voice, was not releasing albums for a long time.
Anyway, his nice vocal is still there.
If you like, please listen.
* "Kiseki-no kakera,(short)" by "Yasuhiro Kido"
Mitsuo HagitaArranger
"Mitsuo Hagita" is one of the most notable, and prolific arranger active since 1973.
The number of songs He has arranged so far may exceeds 4000, according to a biography of him. (Hagita Mitsuo no jidai)
A bit more details...
We have recently covered a bit about "Hagita" at "About the creators" section, in our earlier post No.115, though it has covered earlier part only.
If you like, please have a look.
We would like to update the latter part if we can take some more time.
Cover art today
Golden idol
Yōko Minamino
30th Anniversary
(limited edition, 5CDs)
(New&used CD, Amazon.co.jp)
Yōko Minamino, 1988.
Song image & Lyrics
Open
Link to the lyrics
Copyright notice on the lyrics link
Sound impression
Light & warm
This is a gentle, and warm pop song in moderated speed.
It has a bright, fancy and twinkle sound character, which was often applied for the songs for young idol stars during the '80s'
A lot of instruments
The bass, drums, clarinet, percussion, synth, and sampler(?) join, and start a warm and moderated introduction.
In the main melody, the electric guitar, keyboard, marimba, alto flute, chorus, Brass synth(?), and Glockenspiel participate, and create a colorful sound.
"Yōko Minamino"'s vocal is simple, straight, and natural, with no funny characterization.
It is actually quite relaxing, and preferable.
Reference
About Google translate
About the artist
Yōko MinaminoLovely "Nanno"
"Yōko Minamino" is a singer, actor, TV character, radio personality, and a top idol star since throughout the "80s & 90s".
And "Nanno (Na-n-no)" is her well-known nickname. Fans are almost always call her "Nanno".
She debuted in 1985 with a single "Hazukashi-sugite" (To shy to say). Since then, 22 singles, and 10 original, 17 best albums, and 15 live DVDs have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Yōko Minamino)
Before debut
When she was a high school student, for "social research" purpose, she auditioned a kind of "sketchy" talent scout.
But actually, this small event created an opportunity for her to be scouted by an entertainment agency in Tokyo.
And in 1984, she started her career by appearing on a TV drama series as a first step to be an idol star.
As a singer
In 1985, she released her first single, "Hazukashi-sugite" (To shy to say) in June.
Since then, she continued to release a single CD, once in every 3 months pace until 1991.
And quite a few of them topped the chart, and the most of the rest were ranked in the top 10.
In parallel, her first album "Gelato" was also launched in 1986.
Admirably, this album was ranked 2nd at the peak, in pops album chart.
Since then, she released 9 studio albums until 1991. And 2 of them were came out top, and the most of others were ranked in the best 3.
These were perhaps the results only top idol stars can achieve.
But in 1992, she stopped releasing both singles and albums, and began to concentrate on acting.
As an actor
As referred, she was first brought in as an actor to a school drama series on TV in 1984.
Since then, she has been acted on more than 100 of TV drama series, 28+ of movies, 21 comedies and dramas in theaters, and appeared on uncountable number of TV variety show.
Actually, a primary trigger to surge her popularity was a well-liked TV drama series "Suke-ban deka II".
And the name of "Suke-ban deka II" has been an emblem for her.
Or, she starred in a few of "talked-about movies" like,
- Haikara-san ga tōru (1987)
(Here Comes Miss Modern) - Kan-tsubaki (1992)
(Rose of winter) - Watashi-wo daite. Soshite kiss shite. (1992)
(Hold me, and kiss me)
And in 1992, in appreciation for her excellent performances in latter 2 movies, she nominated as 1 of 5 candidates for "The Japan Academy Prize, Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role" award.
So, she is more like an actor than an idol star.
Suke-ban deka II
Suke-ban deka II (Delinquent Girl Detective II) was a sequel to a popular TV action series, "Suke-ban deka" (Delinquent Girl Detective), which a top idol star "Yuki Saitō" played the lead, and on-aired in 1985.
As a matter of fact, the most of us (like ordinary fans) heard "Yōko Minamino"'s name from this drama, and she became a popular idol star through this series, so it might be worth to mention.
For more information about "Suke-ban deka II, Shōjo Tekkamen densetsu (A legend of the iron mask)", ← Please click arrowed link, or this English page, "Sukeban Deka The Movie" is also helpful.
For the original piece of "Suke-ban deka", please check with this wikipedia page, "Sukeban Deka".
If you need some more information about "Suke-ban", we have written a small article titled , "What is Suke-ban?" in our earlier post No.101.
Please click the above links to see the article, or go to "About the article" section from the link below.
Recent
She is in fact a smart person, and able to make funny, witty, or decent comments depending on the situation.
According to an article on the internet, (narinari.com,Yōko Minamino, 04-03-2015) . "Yōko Minamino" recently (2015) appeared on a interview variety on TV, and talked about her mind.
In the program, she unveiled her thought, that she has been wishing to quit entertainment business since the day of debut, in other words, from 30 years ago.
In her explanation, she became a member of show business largely by mistake. And therefore, she still cannot feel confident for herself, and has been feeling a pressure for singing in front of many audiences.
It might not be a only reason, but she is wondering if her current job is really suit for her, although she has spent more than 30 years in entertainment business as a top star.
It might be partly a joke, but mostly honest feelings. Anyway, she is giving us a lot of hints.
Because, even a super star like her, still feel like that way.
And a person can yet achieve the greatest job, even holding such a fundamental question on one's suitability for the present job.
Very encouraging. We would like to be fans of her for all time.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Yōko Minamino)
(Ref: wendy-net.com,
No.246, Yōko Minamino)🇯🇵
(Ref: narinari.com,
Yōko Minamino, 04-03-2015)🇯🇵
(Ref: uta-net.com,
"Hanashi-kaketa katta" Yōko Minamino)🇯🇵
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of "Yōko Minamino"s "NANNO 30th & 31st" Anniversary concert", held in 2016 at Maihama near Tokyo.
At this concert, she wore the fancy costumes as same as 30 years ago, and singing a series of her hit songs like that time.
And, she is still perfectly a top idol star, surprisingly the same, or even better than before... amazing.
It must have been a very much enjoyable concert, not only for old fans, but for new fans too.
Iron Mask
One thing, we would like to remind you is a skull-like "Scary" iron mask (Tekkamen), appearing on the first 2 minutes of this video.
For us, it is a memorable item, since it had been used in "Yōko Minamino"s very popular TV series "Suke-ban Deka II" in 30 years ago, so we are familiar with it.
However, for the people seeing this mask for the first time, it is possibly just a weird mask, and not always OK for everyone.
So, if you think you are sensitive for such, please skip this video.
If not, please click, and enjoy.
* "NANNO 30th & 31st" Anniversary
Music Samples
4
(試聴する)
AD: Listening samples (Free)
Amazon JP(No sample)
Tower records online
hmv.co.jp
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | エイプリル·フール(April fool) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 南野陽子(Yōko Minamino) |
| Album Title | YOKO'S FAVORITES |
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