VAMP

From Sanspo this morning, they released the results of the 艶華-Enka- poll. The main topic of this article seems to be if Akina will cover a 森進一 song which I have never heard before. The controversy seems to lie with the intro of the song which was unscripted, and hence caused a commotion when it was released with the song writer. Apparently 森進一 made a decision to mouth some words in the intro to the discontent of the songwriter. The songwriter believes that due to Akina’s previous successful imitation of 森進一’s husky voice in 「夜ヒト」 prompted fans to vote for the song. However, let’s not forget that it’s No. 27. 

The staff connected with the production of the album seem to think that it does not suit the theme of the album because they did say that she was going to cover the most popular songs from the poll, but the final decision lies with Akina.

I have read on Minoru World’s BBS a month ago that they didn’t like it, and it’s placed  No. 27, far down the list, so let’s hope that Akina doesn’t sing it. Let quality stride over publicity because we don’t need another 「夜霧よ今夜も有難う」.

Here is the actual link: Sanspo

森からバトンタッチ！？あるぞ中森明菜版「おふくろさん」

　えっ、明菜が禁断の「おふくろさん」を歌う！？　６月２７日にポップス歌手として初めて演歌のカバーアルバム「艶華」を発売する中森明菜（４１）が、森進一（５９）の代表曲「おふくろさん」を収録する可能性があることが１５日、分かった。

　明菜は先月１２日からカバーしてほしい楽曲をファンに呼びかけるネット投票を行い、先月末に終了。２万３３１４件の投票があり、ベスト３に入った石川さゆり「天城越え」（２９３３票）、坂本冬美「夜桜お七」（２６４０票）、森昌子「越冬つばめ」（２４８５票）の収録を決めた。

　上位ランク曲はこの３人の曲をはじめ、故美空ひばりさんや故テレサ・テンさんら女性の楽曲が大勢を占めたが、異変も起こっていた。森の「おふくろさん」が１０４１票の２７位にランクされていたのだ。

　ネット投票を募集したのは、森が同曲のイントロ前に無断でせりふを足した問題で、作詞家の川内康範氏（８７）から歌唱差し止めを言い渡され、連日この問題が報道された時期と重なる。「昔、明菜がテレビ番組でサビの部分を真似していたことがあった」という投票意見があり、明菜ファンと演歌ファンが敏感に反応し、得票に拍車がかかったようだ。

　制作スタッフの間では「今回のアルバムには合わないんじゃないか」という意見がある一方で、「ファンが望んでいるのなら」と収録に前向きな声も。日本音楽著作権協会ではオリジナルバージョンの歌唱規制はしていないため、問題はない。最終的には明菜が決めるという。

　川内氏のマネジャーはサンケイスポーツの取材に「最終決定ではないようなので、先生の耳には入れない」と断った上で、「先生は森進一氏以外の人がオリジナルバージョンを歌うことには問題がないという考え。特に問題はないのではないか」と話している。収録曲は今週中に決める予定で、明菜の決断次第では大いにありそうだ。

The report also suggested that songs of 美空ひばり and テレサ・テン were very popular in the poll, but they seemed to miss the fact that 石川さゆり and 八代亜紀 had two songs in the Top 10, just like the 紅白 poll previously where Akina was the only artiste with two songs in the Top 20, but rarely rated a mention in any newspapers but they chose to report that both 聖子and 百恵 had three songs in the Top 100.

If Akina will only cover one song per artiste, then we can strike off 津軽海峡冬景色, 愛燦燦 and 雨の慕情 from the Top 10, leaving space for 北の宿 (I think they made a mistake here because the title of the song should be 北の宿から), つぐない and 喝采, which would be perfect for the 「Version A」 and then Akina can record her desired song 「みちづれ」 as the bonus song for 「Version B」. I am selfish and I think that she should record 喝采 definitely because she likes the song and it suits her to a T. There you go, the decision is made for you Akina! (and quit smoking too!)

I also think that ２万３３１４件 is actually a very encouraging figure since they do not allow people to multi-vote. I like most of the Top 20 and happy to see that quite a few of our recommendations have made it, though I have also not heard a few of them, which will make it interesting. As to how Akina will finally settle on the setlist is yet to be decided but I am sure it will be highly anticipated by all of us.

According to the guru AN-Fun Site’s Blog, there are going to be 3 versions of 「艶華-Enka-（仮）」and one separate release 、「中森明菜 演歌セレクション（仮）」

These are the versions:

艶華 －Enka －（仮）[CD+DVD]＜初回盤A＞@ ￥5,000

艶華 －Enka －（仮）＜初回盤B＞ CD only @ ￥3,800

艶華 －Enka －（仮）＜通常盤＞ CD only @ ￥3,000

Lastly, there is the 中森明菜・演歌セレクション（仮） , which I believe is a collection of Akina’s favourite "演歌" since the artiste name is not Akina but "Various Artists".

So, Akina has realised that multiple versions = more sales, especially if you have an A and B version. I wonder what is the difference between A and B, and what is going to be contained in the DVD besides the recording scenes? The price tag for A version is significantly higher than the B version, so I am wondering if it contains more songs – poll winners + enka that Akina wants to sing?