Cinema, avant-garde music, reading, philosophy, science and arts are my life. I work from home, and ...
Cinema, avant-garde music, reading, philosophy, science and arts are my life. I work from home, and I enjoy life in general. I was educated in Southern France but then moved back to England. I'm 1/2 French 1/2 British. Check out my Ebay auctions.
Member since:10.08.2006
Reviews:54
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A terrific blend of plucked Tsugaru Shamisen and feral drums.
Wadaiko Matsuriza is a professional group from Hachioji, composed of twenty-one performers (mostly on drums). The power delivered by twenty-odd drums is very impressive. Tempestuous, electric, calculated and arousing would all be perfect words to describe Wadaiko Matsuriza.
If you are not familiar with Japanese Taiko drums, this is the best place to start. Wadaiko Matsuriza manage to create a very intertaining style of folklore, mostly upbeat.
This CD was released in 2002. Wadaiko Matsuriza have been touring since 1996. The group uses 3 distinct instruments: The Taiko drum, the Tsugaru Shamisen (the Japanese Banjo - not to be mistaken for the Koto instrument) and also the Horagai, the latter being a conch-shell trumpet. Gaku makes use of a Chappa too, which is a small chinese bell. Chanting is also used, on a few tracks, as a very delicate coating
to the already superb music.
The booklet is worth a mention. It is a 30 page read in English, German, French and Spanish. Although the English section (the 7 first pages) is probably the one you are going to read, you may want to check out the superb photography throughout the entire booklet too.
The CD features 60 minutes of approx. music. Wadaiko Matsuriza's oeuvre is split into 11 tracks.
Riki-Maru is a fabulous opening track. Here, the Taiko was used for synchronizing the oarsmen during naval expeditions. This track is 10 minutes long, toying with intricate rhythm and thunder-like power. Tsugaru Jyongera Bushi introduces the Tsugaru Shamisen style and is considered to be an extremely traditional piece from the 16th century. In the background, you can hear the sound of some distant sea. The style is plucked and displays a very clever use of repetition. Fantastic.
Otoko-Koko-ni Ariki is yet another great piece of folklore where 3 men play different rhythms, fiercly punctuating their drums patterns, emulating the act of fighting over their own style. It is a marvellous piece of work and might even be Wadaiko Matsuriza's most complicated piece yet. Kabuki Gomen-Jyo refers to Toshimasu Maeda-Keijiro, a Samurai from the 15th century, notorious for his on-the-edge lifestyle.
Oni-mo-naku (even a demon cries) is a very different kind of piece. It is a soft cradle song performed by delicate voices. Very short and eloquent. Tamaya! Kagiya! is a fantastic piece, using the drums as means of picturing a firework display. It seems to convey the energy of a child, giving Tamaya! Kagiya! a universal appeal.
Ichijin-No-Kaze is Masaya Takashino's vision of a Samurai before battle; meditative, zen, concentrated and yet, as the 7 minutes pass, increasingly desperate, like a slow fire gradually gathering weight.
Gaku can be compared with Tamaya! Kagiya! as another awe-inspiring and light-hearted piece. It is full of energy and seems to, once again, embody the sense of power that youth has in Japan. It is a piece about the liveliness of kids and achieves this through complex patterns and passion. We then get to hear some great upbeat drums from Dairakuji; inspired by Dairakuji. This piece is deeply religious and manages to capture the appropriate feeling with it's gentle and almost graceful Taiko.
The two last tracks are superb. Wadaiko Matsuriza's Medley is just under 10 minutes in length and seems to connect all of the album together. All the styles collide in complete euphoria. The last track is intitled "The Song of Matsuriza" and is the best way to understand what these great people are all about. You will find the translated lyrics in the booklet and will be able to fully grasp the Wadaiko Matsuriza spirit and, as a matter of fact, the very soul of Japan.
If you want to discover a different type of Japanese music, then I recommend the album called Lullaby for the Moon by various artists (much more than a simple compilation, it is the very best of Japanese music in my opinion).
I shall conclude by saying that Wadaiko Matsuriza is a little gem of folklore. It is a unique CD and should be considered a masterpiece by world music lovers.
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(Written by myself - no violation, no lifting, no breach of copyright)
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This sounds very interesting. What is your interest in Japanese culture? I remember playing in Gilbert and Sullivan (The Mikado) and asking a Japanese friend about what the sounds meant ~ and was disappointed to discover it was just made-up sounds for the operetta. I have at various times learnt a little Japanese to communicate with Japanese friends ~ including a "teach yourself Japanese" CD-ROM ! ♥♥ ! ~ ........................................................... ~ jes ~ ! ♥♥ !
ice_pink 13.09.2006 10:48
Good review on something different, I'd never be able to say some of those names included in this review lol xx
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