[Song Review #206] "Bye-bye blues" by Miyako Chaki
Hi. Today's song is "Bye-bye blues" by "Miyako Chaki".
This is a rhythmic, little nightly, and urbane pop song perform by a singer-songwriter "Miyako Chaki".
"Chaki" is known as one of the earliest generation of female folk singers debuted in the beginning of the '1970s. And surprisingly, she is still an active singer in 2021.
She is popular with her soft, warm, & touch wistful vocal. And for old fans like our writer "Satsuma", "Chaki" is one of the pioneers of Japanese popular music.
If you like, please listen to.
Links to the music shops, offering song samples, are located on the bottom of this page.
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Cover art today
Song data
| Title | Bye-bye blues |
|---|---|
| Artist | Miyako Chaki |
| Album Title | |
| Catalog Number | SWAX 86 |
| Track No. | 10 |
| Duration | 4:57 |
| Released | 1977 |
| Publisher | |
| Lyricist | |
| Composer | |
| Arranger |
About the creators
Ritsu Iwasawa Lyricist
"Ritsu Iwasawa" is a popular song lyricist most active from mid 70s to the 80s.
"Iwasawa" has written songs for singers, or groups like "Miki Imai", "Junko Sakurada", "Yoshimi Iwasaki", "Lazy" or "Gamu".
Profile
So far as we know, there aren't much information about the biography of "Ritsu Iwasawa".
We would like to chase the information if we find some.
Miyako Chaki Composer
The composer, "Miyako Chaki" is also a singer of this song.
So, We would like to come back to her in "About the artist" section later.
Mickie Yoshino Arranger
"Mickie Yoshino" is a keyboardist, composer, arranger, and a leader of one of the most prominent Japanese progressive rock band, "Godiego", active since 1966.
"Yoshino" is famous as a leader of a legendary progressive rock band, "Godiego", and his active participation in various music fields is also well known.
Short bio.
"Mickie Yoshino" started his professional career by joining a super popular "GS"(Group sounds) band, "The Golden Cups" in 1968, when he was only 16 years old.
After the band was broken up, "Yoshino" went to the United States in 1971, to study music at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
And "Yoshino" met with core members of "Godiego" while he was studying there.
in 1974, after came back to Japan, "Yoshino" formed a precursor band of "Godiego" with four other members
And in 1976, after few member changes, the band changed the name to "Godiego".
Godiego
"Godiego" finally debuted in 1976 with their brand-new first single "Boku-no Salad girl" (My salad girl),
And in 1977, they wrote, and performed really fashionable screen music for a unique, and now a legendary Idol-horror movie "HOUSE", and surprised music & cinema fans.
Since then, "Godiego" released a string of big hit songs, like "Gandhara", "Monkey Magic" or "The Galaxy Express 999" etc, until they suspended the band activity in 1985.
In fact, it is amazing.
For more details about "Godiego", please have a look at the related page at "Wikipedia (Godiego)".
Afterwards
Even in the period that "Godiego" was inactive, "Mickie Yoshino" had been actively engaging himself in various music activities, like film music, game music, or work as a music producer.
And in 2006, "Mickie Yoshino" & other members of "Godiego" agreed to re-start the band.
Since then, "Yoshino" seems to be working not only as a solo artist, but also holding concerts, or participating in various music festivals as "Godiego" regularly.
For more details, please have a look at the Wikipedia page of "Wikipedia (Mickie Yoshino)".
-
(Ref: www.mickieyoshino.com,
Bio)🇯🇵
Video clip
Lastly, we would like to introduce a music video of a popular song, "The Birth of the Odyssey~Monkey Magic" performed & uploaded by "Mickie Yoshino".
"The Birth of the Odyssey~Monkey Magic" was written and performed by "Godiego" in 1978 as a opening theme for a very popular TV fantasy adventure drama series "Sai yū ki" ("Account of the Journey to the West").
It is one of the most well knwon hit song of "Godiego".
"Sai yū ki" achieved a huge success as a TV drama series.
But cool & energetic sound track of "Godiego" also made drama series very enjoyable, and greatly contributed for its big hit, just our opinion though.
If you like, please listen to.
Song image & Lyrics
Open
Link to the lyrics
Copyright notice on the lyrics link
Sound impression
Smooth & rhythmic
This is a light & rhythmic Pop song in upper middle tempo.
Its uptempo rhythm, and chic & controlled tone remind us of a running midnight express train.
Solid & rhythmic
A simple ensemble of the bass, drums, electronic organ, synthesizer, and pure sound of the electric guitar start a solid & rhythmic introduction.
In the main part, a gentle wind like female chorus also joins, and support soft &amo; warm vocal of "Miyako Chaki".
The keyboard and synthesizer creatively use various sounds, and making the ensemble colourful.
Godiego
One of the notable facts is that a legendary progressive rock band "Godiego" fully participated in the recording of this album.
"Godiego" is famous with their many hit songs, but also known for their very good music sense, and skilful performance as a rock group.
(For more details, please have a look at the page of "Godiego" at Wikipedia.)
There aren't many collaboration albums that "Godiego" fully participated in as a band, since they were already becoming one of the busiest rock bands at that time.
So in a sense, "Rainbow Chaser" is also an album of "Godiego" as an instrumental group.
Contrasting
Music wise, the world of "Miyako Chaki", and Pop & energetic Godiego sound are actually quite opposite.
But that was why, this collaboration was interesting, and therefore, this album still come up as a topic among music fans, and is still on sale.
Reference
About Google translate
About the artist
Miyako ChakiMysterious & attractive
"Miyako Chaki" is a singer, songwriter, and occasional radio personality.
She is one of the 1st generation folk singer debuted around the early '70s. And a very rare example of the first generation artist, still singing.
"Miyako Chaki" debuted in 1971 with a single, "Boku-ni sawarasete okure" (Let me touch it). Since then, 13 singles, and 10 original, and 1 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Miyako Chaki)
Early times
By some articles on the internet, already in high school, "Miyako Chaki" was an enthusiastic folk song fan, and musically active student.
Pink Pickles
After went up to a college in Kyoto in 1970, "Chaki" formed a folk duo with her long time friend, and schoolmate, "Kyōko Kobayashi".
In 1971, one of their song "Boku-ni sawarasete okure" (Let me touch it) was featured as song of the month in a very popular radio variety "MBS Young Town".
The song gained unexpected popularity. And soon, it was released as the debut single of "Pink Pickles", and the duo started their professional career.
"Pink Pickles" quickly became a popular folk duo, and the singles they released were well-received by music fans.
However in 1972, simultaneously with their graduation from college, "Pink Pickles" ended their activities as a folk group.
Solo
Some time after the breakup of "Pink Pickles", one of their song "Hitori-no michi" (The way alone), written to commemorate a hero Olympic athlete, became a sort of sleeper hit.
This gave "Miyako Chaki" a supportive push.
Then, "Chaki" decided to start again as a solo artist in 1973.
Maboroshi-no hito
Since restarted as a solo singer, "Miyako Chaki" constantly released attractive single records, and steadily gained popularity among music fans.
In 1977, a mystery-horror drama series, "Seishi Yokomizo series" was started broadcasting nationwide.
The series marked a huge hit, and eventually it became one of the longest running TV drama series.
Fortunately, one of "Chaki"'s song "Maboroshi-no hito" (Phantom man) was selected as a main theme for the drama series.
"Chaki" sang this song in soft, warm, but a little eerie way.
As a result, the song matched the mood of the drama series very well, and it became a smash hit.
By this achievement, "Miyako Chaki" became a national singer.
"Chaki" was requested to write a theme song for the second season of this drama series as well. And wrote another nice piece, "Azami-no gotoku toge areba" (If I were prickly like a thistle) in 1977 again.
Both the drama series, and the theme music recreated same success with the first season. And "Chaki" established her name further as a leading singer in the category.
Rainbow Chaser
On the other hand, but also in 1977, "Miyako Chaki" tagged with one of the Japanese leading progressive rock groups "Godiego", and released unexpectedly refined, and also energetic pop album, "Rainbow Chaser"
In fact, this album is rather exceptional in "Miyako Chaki"'s discography, since her music is basically a simple, college or messaging folk, and not usually using tricky rhythm, tension chords (like 9th, 11th) or overdrive sound.
So, we think "Chaki" was also exploring her music direction for the future, by asking a support to "Godiego", which was one of the most advanced progressive rock group at that time.
Resultantly, "Rainbow Chaser" has been recognized as one of the fine city-pop album of the '70s, and being a gateway to "Chaki" for young music fans.
And a good thing too.
But to our ears, the character of "Godiego" tend to be dominating in some songs in this album. (in other word, too energetic.)
So, if you wish to listen more relaxed "Miyako Chaki" songs, but also a fine tune like "Bye-bye blues" at the same time, we would like to recommend one of her best albums, "Senka" (Selected songs) released in 1978 & 2004.
It would be more suitable for your needs.
The stock seems to be tight, but still available at Tower record at the moment.
If you like, please check.
Break & Resume
Since the early '80s to the late '90s, "Miyako Chaki" took a break for personal life. (Marriage, raising children)
And since around year 2000, "Chaki" resumed her music career by releasing a new album "Love is enough".
Afterwards, she is releasing fine new albums quite constantly, but in her own pace until today.
It seems to be her motto, but "Chaki" often says "Whereever there are audience, I'll go and sing".
As a result, "Chaki" is travelling all over Japan, and holding her concert even in the small venues like pubs or tea houses, even now!
In 2020s, it is very rare to see the first generation folk singers (who debuted around the early '70s) still singing.
If you happen to find her concert in somewhere in Japan, and are in the mood to enjoy simple & basic Japanese folk song, please just join.
About Pink Pickles (As pickled foods)
By the way, the name of "Miyako Chaki"'s first folk duo was "Pink Pickles" as introduced.
According to some articles on the internet, it was named after a famous Japanese pickles "Shiba-zuke" which is a local speciality of Kyoto, where the duo was originated from.
Any way, "Pink pickles" (Shiba-zuke) looks like these.
According to some articles, "Shiba-zuke" is a traditional vegetable pickles of Kyoto, Japan.
It has a characteristic sour taste like Germman Sauerkraut, or Yoghurt because of natural lactic acid fermentation.
Traditionally, the main ingredients are eggplants, cucumbers, Myoga gingers, Red Shiso leaves (Herb, Perilla mint), and salt. (There are variations now a days.)
Materials a cut into adequate size, then mixed, and pickled for a month.
While pickling, Red Shiso, also called "Shiba" (literally, purple leaf, it has been a speciality in Ōhara, Kyoto) gives pinkish red color, and refreshing herbal smell to the pickles.
Then, it is called "Shiba-zuke".
(The basic meaning of "-Zuke" or "-tsuke" is "soaked", then there are various usages. But in food area, it quite often (maybe 2/3) used to mean pickled foods.)
For more information, please have a look at the references below.
- Wikipedia (Google-translate), Shiba-zuke
- A wikipedia page auto translated by Google translate.
- Shiba-zuke, production process(Photos)
- This is a web page of a leading Shiba-zuke manufacturer "Doi Shiba-zuke" of Kyoto, showing pictures of their Shiba-zuke production. (explanatory texts are in Japanese)
- Youtube.com, About Shiba-zuke
-
This is a promotion video of Shiba-zuke uploaded by "Doi Shiba-zuke" company.
It runs 18 minutes plus, but provides good overview of "Shiba-zuke", and "Ohara, Kyoto". (If you like, please skip occasionally.)
Voice is in Japanese. Sorry for that.
If you are travelling to Kyoto someday, please try the variety of "Shiba-zuke"
There are many pickles shops, and samples are available in most outlets.
(Sample tasting had been tentatively halted in Japan during pandemic. But it seems some shops are resuming the service in a current quiet interval.)
-
(Ref: cress30.exblog.jp/18075773/,
Pink pickles)🇯🇵 -
(Ref: www.chakimiyako.com,
profile)🇯🇵
Shen Bing(Yan-chin) (2020) [New CD]
Video clip
Finally. we would like to introduce a trailer video of recently (2020) released "Miyako Chaki"'s live album, "Miyako Chaki Live Stage Vol.1 by Miyako Chaki with Shen Bing(or Ping) (沈兵)".
As reported, "Chaki" is enthusiastically holding live concerts at various venues in all over Japan.
And in 2004, "Chaki" started collaborating with a prominent "Yang-chin (or Yangqin)" player "Shen Bing". And the two of them are occasionally holding a joint concert in several places.
Then, "Miyako Chaki Live Stage Vol.1" is a live album featuring 9 fine performances from their joint session.
Just for your information, "Shen Bing" is a master "Yang-chin" player certified & recognized by Chinese government as national first-grade musician.
And "Yang-chin" is a traditional Chinese string instrument, but create sounds by hitting strings with hammers, like playing the "Cymbalom".
For more details, please see the linked Wikipedia pages for "Yangqin".
You might be surprised, since the songs in here are so different from today's select "Bye-bye blues", which is a light & stylish city-pop.
But frankly, song like these, in other words, simple, orthodox, and straight forward Japanese folk song might be the home ground for "Miyako Chaki" as long as we know.
If you like, please listen.
Music Samples
10
(試聴する)
Sample link Amazon
Amazon.co.jp provides no sample, but is a rare shop still selling this CD.
If you like, please check.
Sample link hiptank
On sample link 2, "hiptankrecords.com" might trigger a caution on your browser, because they are not yet "https" (encrypted).
But we see no problem, since we listen to music sample only, and sending no private data at all.
Anyway, it is just for your information.
Sample link apple
On sample link 3, music.apple.com has filled a wrong song title on track No.10 (though it is written in Japanese).
But today's song "Bye-bye blues" is surely on the track No.10. So, please simply check track No.10, instead of 11. Thank you.
AD: Listening samples (Free)
Amazon JP(en)
hiptankrecords.com
music.apple.com (track.10) (Track No.10)
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | バイバイ ブルース(Bye-bye blues) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 茶木みやこ(Miyako Chaki) |
| Album Title | レインボウ・チェイサー(Rainbow Chaser) |
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