Toshi Tsuchitori is a veteran percussionist, well known in jazz and avant-garde circles and for releasing a series of extraordinary albums of ancient music played on replicas of ancient Japanese percussion instruments. His late wife Harue Momoyama (1939-2009) was a respected singer and shamisen player who studied many genres of almost forgotten Japanese traditional music. One of these was the early enka and popular songs from the Meiji and Taisho period written by Azenbo Soeda (1872-1944) and his son Chido Soeda (1902-1980). Azenbo was a political activist and one of Japan's first mainstream popular music stars. Harue studied under Chido for many years, detailing each song, probably the only surviving document of this influential and precious music. Toshi used this document to record this album, playing Harue's shamisen as well as Indian instruments esraj, bansuri and tabla, and Tibetan damaru. A wonderful, fascinating labour of love. Listen to sound samples.
CD1
1. Kenkotsu Bushi 2. Chakurai Bushi 3. Strike Bushi 4. Rappa Bushi 5. Shakai-to Rappa Bushi 6. Akiramero Bushi 7. Ah Wakaranai 8. Ah Kane no Yo 9. Zee Zee Bushi 10. Omoigusa 11. Murasaki Bushi 12. Naramaru Zukushi 13. Makkuro Bushi 14. Kamayasenu Bushi 15. Gendai Bushi
CD2
1. Aojima Bushi 2. Nonki Bushi 3. Burabura Bushi 4. Ah Fumikiri-ban 5. Tokyo Bushi 6. Tsubame Bushi 7. Kaze no Uta 8. Fukko Bushi 9. Sutoton Bushi 10. Tsuki wa Musjo 11. Koi o Shiru Koro 12. Seikatsu Sensen Ijo Ari
