Iwao Junko - Anime on Bossa
I was actually rather surprised to see Anime on Bossa get picked up for release by Nipponsei. Oh well, since I’m not likely to get my hands on my own copy for another fortnight or so I thought I’d give it a bit of a preview - also means I don’t have to open the CD when I do get it. Er yeah, I’m one of those people who buys albums purely for the satisfaction of owning them, there’s some I’ve bought and never even bothered opening ^^;;;
It’s hard to see who on earth anime on bossa is supposed to appeal to. Well I guess if I can be used as any sort of barometer, it’d be someone who is familiar with anime music and at the same time, can appreciate Japanese jazz and bossa-nova artists like Modern Conya, DOIS MAPAS, dorlis and Qypthone (to name but a few). The blurb for anime on bossa compares it to Sotte Bosse, a bossa nova group who used to exclusively do covers of famous Jpop tunes, and are pretty popular with the Jpop-buying public. I do like them myself, so we’ll see if I feel the same way about Iwao Junko’s attempt at applying the style on anime songs….
Right, so I’m reviewing each song as I listen along to the songs - that means it’s well and truly my first impressions of them. It helps that I know all the original songs off the bat - it’s easier to make a comparison that way. Note: the song titles are Youtube links for the original videos.
1. Cutie Honey (original by Maekawa Yoko, from Cutie Honey)
A song that’s been covered to death already. It’s pretty hard to top the original by Maekawa, and I’m not sure myself that bossa nova is a style that fits a song that demands sexiness, sultriness and a bit of naughtiness. Which is why Koda Kumi’s cover of Cutie Honey remains my favourite version, she’s got the sexy voice thing down pat, and the PV…….*_* On the other hand, Iwao’s version sounds rather…. flat. Still, it’s better than that dreadful Wild 3-nin Musume one that came out a few months ago. Another cover of Cutie Honey worth checking out is harpist Agematsu Mika’s, it’s absolutely brilliant.
2. Scarlet (self-cover, from Ayashi no Ceres)
Isn’t too much of a stretch to turn the already melancholy Scarlet into a jazz/bossa tune, I think. The problem I guess, is that the previous two versions of the song are already so deeply engraved into most people’s consciences that it’s hard for anything to top them. Still, it’s a job well done on this - the style and instrumentation fit the song well at least.
3. Bin♡Kan Rouge (original by Ohta Takako, from Creamy Mami)
Most recently covered by Nakagawa Shoko, who just carbon-copied Ohta’s original whilst Iwao’s version retains much of its cheerfulness but loses the cuteness and charm. Tolerable, but not one of my favourites on the album.
4. Omoide ga Ippai (original by H2O, from Miyuki)
Another oft-covered song. Personally, this is the 7th version of the song I’ve heard (including the original) so where would Iwao’s rank amongst those 7? I’d say smack in the middle at 4th; behind H2O, Yonekura Chihiro and Shimokawa Mikuni and ahead of NapsaQ, Ogata Megumi and Billyken. It’s a little too slow and depressing for me, but I suppose I prefer it to Billyken’s awful folk-rap version anyday.
5. ETERNAL BLAZE (original by Mizuki Nana, from Nanoha A’s)
Have I ever mentioned that I dislike this song? A bit weird given how big a Nana fan I am. At this present moment I can just about tolerate listening to ETERNAL BLAZE, a year ago I’d have pressed skip everytime it came up on random, two years ago I’d have chucked something at my speakers when it started playing. No, doing it in bossa nova style won’t make me like the song any much more.
6. Rock River e (original by Osugi Kumiko, from Araiguma Rascal)
Woah, classic song time! One thing you can’t beat those World Masterpiece Theatre anime in is the quality of the theme songs. Ah, the nostalgia…. though Rascal the Raccoon actually aired 7 years before I was born ^^; Iwao’s version is every bit as fun as the original. Definitely one of my favourite songs on the album - it’s probably one of the most un-bossa ones too, heh. Altogether now, ‘Hidy Hidy little ras….’ OK, I’ll shut up. You can go listen to Hatsune Miku singing it instead.
7. Umi no Triton (original by Sudo Rika & Kaguya-hime, from Umi no Triton)
Another fantastic classic song - this time from 1972 classic Triton of the Sea. I didn’t think a jazz version of such a typically bombastic 70s anime theme would work - but what do you know, it does. It made me giggle hearing Iwao whispering ‘Go, go, go Triton’ in a seductive voice though. At this point, it’s my favourite track from the album - this would sound great on a mainstream Jpop album I think. Minus the silly Triton lyrics of course.
8. Mahou Tsukai Sally (original by Three Graces, from Mahou Tsukai Sally)
I was really eager to hear what Iwao had done to that nonsensical chanting at the opening of the song that goes something like ‘Mahariku maharita yanbarayanyanyan’ but it turned out a bit anti-climatic in the end. It was very slow, and not very exciting - sounded more like a lullaby than a magic chant. The song demands more craziness but sadly fails to deliver. My favourite version of the song is the one by rockers detroit7 - that is fantabulous (as is the band itself).
9. Tenohira no Uchuu (self-cover, Key the Metal Idol final ED)
Can’t find a video for this, so make do with the live version. I really like the arrangement on this version, the original track which is now more than 10 years old sounds very much out of date. Thumbs up for this one.
10. Lum no Love Song (original by Matsuya Hiroko, from Urusei Yatsura)
Yet another well covered anime song. I thought in theory, that bossa was unlikely to work with Lum but like Umi no Triton I am pleasantly surprised. Very enjoyable song - perhaps like Bin Kan Rouge, takes all the cuteness and fun out of the original but otherwise holds its own.
11. Shutter Chance no Renzoku (self cover, image song from Montana Jones)
The single the song was taken from was Iwao’s first ever CD released (original PV here) from Montana Jones, an anime that she also happened to appear in. Again, no complaints about this self-cover - certainly a welcome update of the cheesy ’90s beats of the original.
12. Zankoku no Tenshi no These (original by Takahashi Yoko, from Evangelion)
No anime covers album seems to be complete without a take on the everpopular Evangelion theme. It took a long, long time for Takahashi’s original to grow on me (I’ve come to like it quite a bit after 7 years of trying) and but I’ve taken to this version a bit faster; I think that lovely piano intro helped. Nice way to end the album.
I’d preach caution for those who hate jazz/bossa nova in general though, I guarantee you’ll find this album a yawn. For me, it was a lot of fun hearing just how versatile anime songs could actually be; sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. But heck, it was a blast and I’d definitely consider it money well spent. Oh, I’m a such a sucker for cover albums…. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to revisit some of my favourite Iwao Junko albums like 1/f and Kimochi to remind myself just how fantastic a singer she is.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Sweet. Thanks for the review!