OFFICIAL RELEASE ON 28th MARCH 2012.
VAMP
中森明菜 ❤ akinanakamori.com
Filed under Video …
Akina and Mariya
It is no secret that if a poll was conducted between fans on their favourite Akina album, a large number of them would have 「Crimson」down as one of the Top 3 choices. It is my personal favourite because it presents Akina in a totally different light from the image that she usually projects with her single releases.
After her mysterious turn with 「不思議」which marks her first mature album, she follows it up with a 180 deg turn into exploring womanhood, with an album full of potential hits, but none released as a single. 山下達郎さん famously criticised her rendition of「駅」in Mariya’s million selling self-cover album 「Request」but retracted his comments later by saying that it was the arrangement rather than the singer.
「駅」is probably one of Mariya’s most covered tracks together with 「元気を出して」, which coincidentally was also originally recorded by 薬師丸ひろ子 in her debut album, and not released as a single. Mariya sings it with a free soul, having moved on totally from her ex-lover with 「駅」, but Akina’s version is painstaking, and in my humble opinion, a better rendition and interpretation of the lyrics, especially the bit where she realises that her ex-lover’s true love was her.
Recently, I started wondering about 山下達郎さん’s comments, and wonder if his comments had more to do with Akina not releasing any of the songs given to her by Mariya as singles, rather than his issue with her treatment of the song in「Crimson」. Mariya is a respected and accomplished songwriter and she brings clout to the singers who usually release her songs as singles, but Akina had chosen only to include it in an album. Did they believe that she showed disrespect this way? Should they have given 「駅」to Teresa Teng, because they thought it would make a nice 歌謡 song?
In my opinion, she should definitely have released 「駅」as a single, but then, I believe Akina preferred 「約束」because she performed that in 夜ヒット, and it would have made a better single than 「Fin」. Anyway, one can’t rewrite history but I think this performance below, which is one of my favourite Akina performances ever shows what a beautiful rendition Akina’s 「駅」is.
竹内まりや – 【駅】
Akina vs Seiko Monomane
“Akina” & “Seiko” in a duet of ”瑠璃色の地球。” I think “Akina” got alot of her singing traits and habits down pat. Thanks to Martin for alerting us to this video!
Yoru Hit Studio「夜のヒット」DVD Box Set
Hey guys! Here’s a bigger image of the Yoru Hit Studio 6-disc DVD Box Set that everyone is thrilled with! You can see the montage of smaller thumbnails in the background a lot clearer. What a great cover! Orders from Tower Records and CDJapan will offer a free poster.
In the meantime, the pre-orders are blazing up the HMV Charts:
Congratulations!
Finally, here’s a news item on the release.
歌姫伝説２ TV Commercial
Oh lookie lookie! This TV commercial is surprisingly un-Akina and as a result – very refreshing! she looks really good here, and i love the touch of humour!
『CR中森明菜 歌姫伝説〜恋も二度目なら〜』 – Full PV
Here is the full promotional video for the pachinko machine. It has a short skit in front and shows the drink coasters that are distributed at the izakayas.
Press Conference
Here’s the video to the link which Jamez posted earlier. Snippets of the MV – More decent dancers this time. I didn’t like what she was wearing in it – was it like a track suit? Don’t like the hair. Don’t like her moving style. Why can’t they shoot an MV using the colours/saturation for Ano Natsu No Hi, instead of the cheapo studio look we can all replicate using our HD cameras? Such a waste.
BUT BUT BUT – SONG IS MEGA KICKASS!!
Akina’s Daiichi Press Conference
The first video is of her actual appearance during the press conference.
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/rJmRoF9nHJg/
The second video is the introduction of the Pachinko, which looks really fun!
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/30tla7xPqe4/
You get to listen to parts of Crazy Love and bits of the MV, which reminds me of the background for Moonlight Shadow. Akina doesn’t seem to like it very much, even after the announcer used the word “カコイイ”. She also said that she will have an urge to throw stones/rocks at the car if she saw it driving out in the open. Umm …
What I like is her smile and how her voice is so much stronger and louder. She has stopped speaking so softly like she used too, which is good. As for the video, I will reserve my judgment when I can view it in its entirety.
“Crazy Love”!! & Utahime Densetsu 2
What a great 45th Birthday it is for Akina’s fans! First she threw a rather big scale press conference for the Uta Hime Densetsu 2 Pachinko Machine “CR中森明菜 歌姫伝説 〜恋も2度目なら〜” by Daiichi, and then she announced the shocker which is a brand new tie-up song “Crazy Love” which will be exclusively distributed via mobile/ketai networks in Japan! From my understanding, the 3:30 minute dance track will be distributed on Recochoku for AU, Yahoo and I-mode phone users. Softbank users are left out in the cold. Brrrr~!
Crazy Love
作詞: 遠藤幸三、Miran:Miran
作曲: Fredrik Bostrom, Anna Nordell, Calle Kindbom
Produced by BNA Productions for Caped Crusader Management
Label: Universal Sigma
Source: Wikipedia
Miran:Miran is Akina’s pen name so she co-write the song!! Good for royalties! LOL.
We’ve heard a low quality rip of the song, and it’s really up-tempo and current!! Starts off with a reminescence of Madonna’s Hung Up bassline. It’s an excellent track and I’d say single material, so I am sure this isn’t some “leftover” song from the “DIVA” session. All these must have been preorchestrated a long time ago. Much as I like surprises, I wonder why she loves harbouring her developments and plans under tight wraps only to unleash a tidal wave on her fans lately. She could have milked this alot more by building up to the release of the track (which by the way, is available for digital download starting from today 13th July).
On the track: Vocals are strong and confident. She sounds extremely adept and comfortable with this genre of music. I really fantasize about her having a treasure trove of tracks along this line – a “DIVA Part 2″ will sell like hotcakes if given proper marketing. all you need is another 9 tracks like this, throw in a couple of remixes, plus a megamix, and if budget allows – a quality music video!! “Aprodite” would have made a brilliant follow up album title, but Kylie has already snatched that! Too bad. Kekeke. Personally, I think this current team of musicians working with her is a definite keeper!
Oh, I must add that she is looking really genki! Bright smiles and great get up and hair!! Love those stocking and shoes!! For once I didn’t cringe at her choice of wardrobe at a press conference.
Great great day for all of us!! And to Akina, THANK YOU and on behalf of all Akina fans – we wish you a great and fulfilling year ahead!! Hope you had a blast!
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Update:
Promo clip for “CR中森明菜 歌姫伝説 〜恋も2度目なら〜”
