A classic of Japanese blues. Japanese blues that lets you get drunk on the sound and vocals.
What songs come to mind when you think of the blues?
Originally, it was music born from African peoples who had immigrated to America, beginning with songs that expressed the sorrow and laments of the poor.
Compared to jazz, which is centered on instruments, I think the blues has a special appeal in that you can enjoy it mainly with guitar and vocals.
Japanese blues is very rich in flavor and is perfect for listening to at a relaxed pace!
That groove that makes you drunk on the sound and the singers’ emotive expressiveness—blues moves the heart in every era.
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A classic of Japanese blues. Japanese blues to get lost in the sound and vocals (31–40)
Street Corner of BetrayalKai Band
“Uragiri no Machikado” (Street Corner of Betrayal) is the second single, released in 1975.
It became Kai Band’s first song to enter the Oricon Top 10 and gradually gained popularity.
The old-fashioned melody and bittersweet mood are really appealing.
While the rhythm pulses steadily, the relaxed sound still carries heat, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
It’s a deeply flavorful and memorable track that calmly sings about the moment when someone important leaves their hometown.
Bad CitySHOGUN
Even people who aren’t familiar with the blues have likely heard it: the widely known classic “Bad City.” This track was created by the music group SHŌGUN as the opening theme for the TV drama Detective Story.
Its fully English lyrics, native-sounding pronunciation, and rock-tinged sound will get listeners’ energy up.
The chorus, which repeats the title phrase, is also memorable.
First, simply enjoy the sound, and then try delving into the lyrics.
Farewell, youthDrop’s
This is the second single released in 2014 by Drop’s, a girls’ band formed in Sapporo.
I think the husky vocals of Miho Nakano really enhance the charm of the song.
It has a somewhat bluesy feel, doesn’t it? Since it was written around the time of their high school graduation, it brings to mind nostalgic memories and the sparkle and beauty of youth that anyone can relate to—enough to bring tears to your eyes.
It’s a nostalgic track that’s perfect for a calm listen from dusk into the night.
tokyo bluesSaitō Kazuyoshi
“tokyo blues” is an early masterpiece by Kazuyoshi Saito that’s perfect for acoustic solo performance.
It’s included on his debut album, “Under the Blue Sky…,” which leans especially heavily into the blues among his works.
That fresh yet husky voice is irresistible, isn’t it? The light, brisk tempo of the acoustic guitar feels great and makes it seem easy to sing.
While it’s a song that portrays the so-called “male wishful thinking,” it also showcases Saito’s signature stance of “things will work out—just go with the flow,” which is wonderful.
Even if you can’t play guitar, it’s fun to sing at karaoke.
Wandering BluesWada Akiko
This is a single released by Akiko Wada in July 1970.
It appeared on the Oricon weekly chart 22 times, peaking at No.
28.
It’s a song that sings about a woman’s way of life.
The lyrics were written by Rei Nakanishi, and the music was composed by Kunihiko Suzuki, who is also a pianist.