日本語 | English

■ We are featuring Stationery from Feb. 29 to Mar. 30.







Atom_feed
Niagara Calendar’78
The Calendar Filled with Ohtaki Eiichi’s Music Sense
Date:30, Dec, 2014
Investigated and Written by Misaka Youhei
About our introductory articles


Sir: Now, together with an assistant A, we are mentioning about “Niagara Calendar’78,” a hidden fine work by Ohtaki Eiichi who has been renowned as the father of Japanese pops.

A: I had not seen you after “Matsuri” of Kitajima Saburo, sir.

S: Going back to 1977, we find Mr. Ohtaki very busy because he had to publish 12 albums 3 years for a contract with a record company.


Niagara Calendar’78
Released on Dec. 25, 1977

NIAGARA / COLUMBIA
01. Rock'n'Roll お年玉
02. Blue Valentine's Day
03. お花見メレンゲ
04. Baseball-Crazy
05. 五月雨
06. 青空のように
07. 泳げカナヅチ君
08. 真夏の昼の夢
09. 名月赤坂マンション
10. 座 読書
11. 想い出は霧の中
12. クリスマス音頭
13. お正月


Blue underlines mean my recommendations.

All Songs Written by Ohtaki Eiichi
Produced by Ohtaki Eiichi
A: Ohtaki Eiichi or Frank Vincent Zappa, sir.

S: “Niagara Calendar’78” is one studio album born in the 3 years of pressure of business. The theme is Calendar. He created 12 songs featuring each month of a year.

A: I guess he hardly had stuff in a serious way, sir.

S: Oh my, oh my, the 12 songs have each musical material and then, it is a masterpiece. For example, the first one, January, shows rock and roll just like Elvis Presley although the second is a sentimental ballad colored by strings of elegance.

A: I have found unfamiliar words like “鬼泣き Oni-naki” on the rock and roll, sir.

S: They say they are plays for generations conveyed in the Ohtakies in Iwate. Japanese New Year’s Day is almost described through the whole. It means the album is Japanese one no people but Japanese can create. Making a stay abroad, you will get what it is.

A: No persuasive since you have never been overseas, sir.

S: This to my face! My base! For instance, listen to the December song. Though we have many love songs in the disguise of Xmas ones in Japan, it is Ondo for a spree like year-end parties. That is Japanese spirit!

A: Do not deprecate Yamashita Tatsuro with a work of Ohtaki Eiichi, sir.

S: Laugh if you want to do as jealousy of a bachelor! “座 読書 (The Reading)” is a dance like Bo Diddley though it says Reading. Ohtaki Eiichi crammed, with might and main, his musical sense, love for his homeland and humor into a masterpiece “Niagara Calendar’78.”

A: It is very nice because the structure makes you want to listen to January again when you hear December, sir.



Sony Version
S: By the way, it has two types; Colombia version and Sony version. You can see a 1978 calendar with Colombia’s and it also uses in 2017, 2023 and 2034. How eco-friendly and dateless!

A: I wonder if you can live until the time, sir.

S: This to my face! My fate! Anyway, this jacket shows it includes pop songs of eternity and universality. That is a masterpiece of Ohtaki Eiichi who said “Against the times, you have no ways but universality.”

A: I agree. Sir, have a great new year!


Ami-go Gara-ge (Ohtaki Eiichi Official Site)







 

evergreen
That’s My Little Lover’s Happiness

Tree
Evolution of SEKAI NO OWARI’s Pops