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Post by martindn on Apr 5, 2009 20:27:44 GMT
Who wrote track number four? I definitely have heard it and know it, but it's winding me up that I can't work out where from! I have to say I don't recognise it myself. But I was musing on the meaning of the one Japansese word in the song Arigato, which reminded me of one of the few Portuguese words I know Obrigado. And strangely enough, it means much the same thing, "Thank You". I wonder if those two words came from the same root! Martin |
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Post by maya on Apr 8, 2009 13:47:22 GMT
Who wrote track number four? I definitely have heard it and know it, but it's winding me up that I can't work out where from! I feel the same about the first track. I'm sure I've heard it before. Hi Nicola and Irish-Hayley-Fan. I think I'd better to inform both of you some about the songs. Track number 1, Tsubomi (Buds), lyrics was written by Kentaro Obuchi, composed also by him. This song was a main theme song for the TV drama called "Tokyo Tower, mother always, me and father sometimes". Originally Kentaro wrote the song remembering his mother who has passed away when he was 18 years old. The song is the requiem for his mother. Track number 4, Mama e (To Mother), lyrics was written by Teruma Aoyama and Kana. Composed by Kana. Teruma wrote this when she was aged 20 thanking her mother who raised her alone. Her parents had divorced when Teruma was a small child. It was not easy for a single mother to raise a child in Japan. Teruma was expressing her appreciations in the song. That is why Arigato (Thank you) is repeated in the song. Incidentally, Arigato is derived from Ari-Gatashi which means "Existence Seldom" according to the Japanese dictionary. I do not know any relationship between this and Obrigado in Portuguese. But we do have many Portuguese words in Japanese because Portuguese came to Japan in 1543 with guns and our history was much influenced by them. Hope this helps Maya |
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Post by martindn on Apr 8, 2009 21:29:49 GMT
Thanks for that Maya. I find that with all of these songs, it is fascinating to get inside them and understand where they come from. I know Hayley likes to do that too, she always likes to tell her audiences a little about the songs she sings at live performances, and I'm sure she must have spent a lot of time thinking about this album, understanding the songs and experimenting with arrangements and phrasing. That is why both of her Japanese Songs albums are so special.
Although most Japanese people might know the history of these songs, we in other countries do not, so thank you Maya for enlightening us.
Martin
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Post by Libby on Apr 8, 2009 23:37:14 GMT
But I was musing on the meaning of the one Japansese word in the song Arigato, which reminded me of one of the few Portuguese words I know Obrigado. And strangely enough, it means much the same thing, "Thank You". I wonder if those two words came from the same root! I was also wondering about the word "Mirai" in Mirai e, To the Future. In Latin languages, words beginning with "mir" have to do with looking (mirror, mirage). The future is something people "look" towards, or "look" forward to, so I'm wondering if this word has the same roots, too. |
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Post by Libby on Apr 8, 2009 23:56:22 GMT
I didn't get the Japanese sense with the first album, but with these ones I can imagine one of my J-Pop singers performing them. I'm only on my first listen, but first impressions are very good. <3 I'm not familiar with Japanese pop (other than Hayley's), but on the first album, I thought the White Color is for Lovers song, and Dogwood Flower sound very Japanese, but more the traditional style. In Dogwood Flower, the rhythm sounds very much like the music that Japanese ladies play on those stringed instruments. Do you know what I mean? I actually would prefer more traditional, folksy Japanese songs rather than Japanese pop, or at least a balance of the two. I like the Japanese pop songs Hayley sings. However, on the first album, they were all very long and repetitive. They all have nice tunes, but some of them, when they go on for so long, tend to have a similar effect as eating too much candy. So, I sometimes stop the song early because I don't want to get tired of it. I don't understand why people thought Yuki no Hana was so great. The tune of the chorus is kind of weak, and it actually annoys me a bit. |
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Martin
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team
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Post by Martin on Apr 13, 2009 12:39:36 GMT
Similar to other forum members, I had to listen to this album several times before I felt I could comment. However, I am not going to give a track by track review since that has been provided already and I cannot add to what has been said.
But without doubt it does not have the same impact that HSJS1 had on me and it does not contain so many strong and poignant songs. HSJS1 was, in my opinion, a landmark album for Hayley and consequently would always be difficult to emulate.
However, I enjoyed this album and it is a welcome addition to my collection. It is an easy tempo, easy listening “pop” album which if it has one weakness then it is the lack of variation. But it mustn’t be forgotten that it has been specifically aimed at the Japanese and Far Eastern markets and it is unlikely to ever reach these shores other than via remote Internet sales.
It is therefore in this context that it should be considered and not as an indication of a “new” future direction for Hayley. Quite the opposite and I think that Hayley’s next International album will be quite different.
HSJS2 comes over as a very “personal” album underwritten by some very heartfelt lyrics which incidentally is an improving and significant area of Hayley’s development. I only hope that Hayley also finds time to write more music.
My favourites on the album are “Many times always” and “Singing a lullaby under the silk tree”. These both contain strong melodies and suit Hayley’s vocal range perfectly.
It is a well produced album so credit to Steve and Ian, and I am sure that Hayley also had a defining influence on the final outcome.
Martin
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Post by grant on Apr 13, 2009 18:31:53 GMT
Hi Martin and everyone
These two Japanese songs albums have certainly produced some interesting and quite diverse reactions and I was interested to read your views Martin.
I did say a little while ago that I intended to say a bit more about my own feelings in this respect and, having now had the opportunity to listen to each album a few more times and compare them, here goes. First, let me say that I love both albums; that I feel they are quite different; and that I actually find it hard to compare them on a 'like for like' basis.
Secondly, I don't have a technical knowledge of music, so have to take a lay approach. As far as HSJS1 is concerned it has a 'soft and gentle' feel in both its songs and Hayley's performance of them. It also has two songs on it that, for me, stand out as exceptional "Thousand Winds" and "Tsubasi Wo Kudasi".
HSJS2 on the other hand has that "WOW!!" factor - Hayley's presentation of every song is just awesome and she demonstrates such power in her voice that I just can't get enough of it. On top of that, virtually every track has something special and I'm finding it difficult to settle on a favourite - one day it will be "Cosmos", the next "Many Times Always".
Perhaps it will ultimately depend on mood which one I would choose to listen to. If asked which one would I take to a desert island, the choice would be difficult, but it would have to be HSJS2.
Best wishes
Grant
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Post by martindn on Apr 13, 2009 22:36:28 GMT
Hi Grant
Don't talk to me about Desert Island Discs. If I were to choose, it would probably be eight Hayley songs, which would make it very boring for some listeners.
But you are right of course, and what you say is something that I was trying to express. HSJS2 is in some ways her best album, in terms of vocal technique and lyric writing certainly, but also for the power that her voice now has. HSJS1 cannot match it in those terms. But would I use it if I was trying to introduce Hayley's music to someone who had never heard her? I don't think so. HSJS1 or Pure or ROD would be better for that purpose. Even though privately I might rate HSJS2 her best album. Perhaps you need to be a fan to appreciate that. There are things in HSJS2 that I think would pass you by if you don't listen to a lot of Hayley's music.
And perhaps an album of slushy ballads about her mother might be seen a deeply unfashionable in this day and age. I cannot think of any other singer that would convince me with those songs. Nothing wrong with them, I need to emphasise that, just that for me Hayley makes them special..Anyone else probably wouldn't. With Hayley, it truly is "the singer, not the song".
Martin
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Post by grant on Apr 13, 2009 23:22:22 GMT
Hi Martin But would I use it if I was trying to introduce Hayley's music to someone who had never heard her? I don't think so. HSJS1 or Pure or ROD would be better for that purpose. You're right, of course, but then I wasn't actually suggesting that I would use HSJS2 in that way - I would leave that for the 'A' Level students! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifDefinitely get them hooked Hayleywowed on RoD before introducing them to the more advanced stuff  Best wishes Grant |
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Post by gra7890 on Apr 14, 2009 15:33:31 GMT
Don't talk to me about Desert Island Discs. If I were to choose, it would probably be eight Hayley songs Hi Martin, Yes. that would be the easy decision ..... but choosing the eight would be more of a problem  Best Wishes, Graham |
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Post by Cherany on Apr 22, 2009 12:30:25 GMT
I'm late to the party, but I just recently got my copy. I purchased through itunes Japan & had to wait a little while to get my itunes card.
I haven't listened to the CD enough to give an in-depth review, by any means, but early favorites, songs that immediately caught my attention and already have me singing along, are Mikazuki (Crescent Moon) & Mama E. I love those two!
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Post by Libby on Apr 22, 2009 19:04:35 GMT
Yeah, I like Crescent Moon, too. I haven't seen many others say it was one of their favorites. But then, I haven't listened to all the songs often enough to remember them very well yet. I listened to the whole thing when I first got it, but you can't really absorb each song when another one comes on after it. So, it's better to listen to one or two at a time, and more than one time in a row, to remember the song very well.
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Post by martindn on Apr 22, 2009 21:19:59 GMT
Hi Libby,
After two listens Crecent Moon was my favourite track. I'm sure I said so. Now I think Cosmos (for its terrific emotional power), but also "To the Future" for its lyric, and "Many Times Always" for its originality. I have found with both Japansese sogs albums that I have sevral changes of favourite before I settle on a particular track.
Martin
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Post by Cherany on Apr 23, 2009 13:07:47 GMT
I love Cosmos once it gets going, but when it starts up, it doesn't seem as if it is going anywhere too exciting. When I am listening to the CD, and that song comes on, I have the urge to skip ahead to a better track, but if I leave it playing, about a minute in, I am glad I stuck with it.
Crescent Moon is probably my #1 pick from the CD, but as I said, To Mother is also wonderful, and I quite like Mother of Mine. And Flower is pretty catchy.
Lullaby Under the Silk Flower is my least favorite, but even it is nice to listen to. Anything Hayley sings is nice to listen to!
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Post by martindn on Apr 23, 2009 20:37:11 GMT
Hi Cherany,
As for least favourite, I think I would choose Mother of Mine, but that is probably becuase I remember many years ago a TV talent contest being won by an 8 year old boy singing that song, and it came over as so naff, that I absolutely hated it. The said 8 year old was never heard of again of course! So the song has negative associations for me.
I probably counldn't stand to hear that song sung by anyone other than Hayley, whose magnificent voice retrieves it and makes it enjoyable.
Martin
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