Last Update 95.12.31
Osaka music
Osaka,Missisippi,Blues....
Blues becomes Osaka very well.Nothing but the blues becomes osaka.
and nothing but Osaka becomes the Blues in any cities in Japan.
Now,I feature the most popular blues band in Japan,"Yuka-dan".
Yuka-dan
Hidekatu Kimura Vo. Side-Guitar
Kantaro Uchida Vo. Lead-Guitar
Kenji Kanaoka Bass
Kazuo Shimada Drums
Yes.they are the men who constructed Osaka Blues.
They were born in Tennoji(south middle of Osaka).They grew up around Tutenkaku.
So they know the depth of Osaka by their heart and soul.
At first,Kimura and Uchida made a band.At that time,Forksong was very popular.
so they mainly copied PPM or Brothers four.They always exercised at
Shimada's house.
One day,Shimada asked them to join because he was interested in their music.
In addition,Hanaoka joined them,and made their record debut in 1980.
Later, their work"The sweeper woman" was placed under a broadcasting ban
because it was discriminative.It was a happennings.
They spent their times until they couldn't become famous in Japan in spite of
their wonderful ability.
But their unknown ability was so great,they cut a figure about ten years ago
in the revival of live-house in Japan.They began to treat as the No.1 stage
musician.Now they produce some commercial song,so they become famous.
The terrible earthquake in Kobe,many live-house are destroied."Chiken George"
is one of them.When it openned again,Yuka-dan is the top of revival stage.
Resemblance between Osaka Blues and Missisippi Blues
1,Big River are there.---Yodo river,Misissippi
The laborer moved along the river.That is the common geographical backbone.
It can't conbine Blues to the marely existance of laborer.The laborer had to
move along the river to New Orleans,Menphis,and Chicago.This movement is just
like the movement of laborer in Osaka.
2,Hard working
The trade in Osaka is very severe.Some people never give even his breath.
"Mas marchandise with low profit" and "Service".It is the only way to deal
against such a stingy man.It is natural to go severe.They have to work
all through the day.
That situation is like the condition of blacks along Misissipi.Both conditions
are severe and hard.
In fact,the Boss of Chicago blues,Muddy Waters worked in factry in the day time,
in the night he drove a truck,so he got along.
3,Osaka's guts and Blues spirit
Blues is not only the quitting song,but also the mercy song.
So blues insists that the longest night will have an end.
This spirits likes Osaka's guts called "Do-conjoh".
4,Durty is mighty!
Blues is surely durty.John Lee Hocker's singing isn't beautiful.But its durty
becomes Osaka very well.People in Osaka think that beauty is but skin-deep.
Osaka had own culture in 1900.Big chimneyes made lines until Tokyo was not
a city.Osaka had the urban functions from then.
Towns looks like durty proof it.So even "city blues in Chicago" can become
Osaka.
5,Osaka dialect is so emotional.
Blues is very emotional music.The language which can express the emotion
is fits for blues.Osaka dialect has various emotional word.So it can express
Blues easily.
Expressions proper to Osaka "Do-tsubo ni hamaru"(means meeting unlucky),
"Sappari wayaya"(means "everything in vain"),"Warawana shar nai"(means
"I know only laughing to be at a loss)is very suitable to sing the blues.
Written by Walter
impression
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