Aoi Teshima - Gedo Senki Kashu

>> photo from Ghibli World>> http://www.ghibliworld.com/
Left: Director Goro Miyazaki | Right center: Aoi Teshima

I can't remember when's the last time I wrote a review. Maybe I should just write down random stuff before the urge completely evaporates. While the album is on its way to yours and yours email box, here's a lil' appetiser.


(photo from Ghibli World>> http://www.ghibliworld.com/)

I wrote something about it in my animation blog so maybe Jeremy knows. Aoi Teshima is a new star born out of the upcoming Ghibli film 'Gedo Senki'(Tales of Earthsea, premier July 29th in Japan). The theme song of the movie, titled 'Teru no Uta'(Teru's song) is an instant hit. Extensive publicity helps of course but what truly captures thousands of fans is Aoi Teshima, this 18 year old's soothing voice. The director of the movie, Goro Miyazaki, pinpointed her to perform the theme song after listening to her demo tape. There's loneliness in that voice, a loneliness which only belongs to the youth. (director's quote) The lyrics are beautiful. I don't understand Japanese but at least I can tell they rhyme and it's perfect for an epic story like Gedo Senki. The songbook album that came out July 12th contains 10 tracks, all of them lullaby-ish ballads. If you enjoy 'Teru no uta'(track #9), you'll sure love the rest as well. Track #2 'Ryuu' (Dragon) is one of my favourites. It's a nice switch after my eardrums got stuck to rock n roll all week. It's summer and this album is like a cool breeze. Btw, Miyazaki already started preparations on his next film. According to the producer Suzuki, Miyazaki just wouldn't let his son surpass him. Wait and see. (Honestly I pity the rest of Ghibli staff. C'mon this's not all about Miyazaki business... I want to see more varieties! Goro draws exactly the same as his dad. This's impossible!) Back to the album. Enjoy!

>> Download link:Aoi Teshima - Gedo Senki Kashu (July 12, 2006)

ゲド戦記歌集 (Gedo Senki Kashu)
Artist: 手嶌葵 (Aoi Teshima)
Date : 2006.07.12

1. 数え唄 (Kazoe Uta)
2. 竜 (Ryuu | Dragon)
3. 黄昏 (Tasogare | Twilight)
4. 別の人 (Betsuno nin | Another man)
5. 旅人 (Tabibito | Traveller)
6. ナナカマド (Nanakamado)
7. 空の終点 (Sora no Shuuten | The end of sky )
8. 春の夜に (Haru no yoru ni | Spring Night)
9. テルーの唄 (Teru no Uta)
10. 時の歌 (Toki no Uta)

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Aoi Teshima Profile



Official Website >> Aoi Teshima
Kanji: 手嶌葵
(Singer, Voice actress)

B-day: 1987.6.21
Height: 174cm
Hobbies: Ballet, reading

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Finally, the lyrics to 'Teru no Uta' (Kanji, Romaji, plus English & Chinese translations. Any more request? Guess not.)



テルーの唄

yuuyami semaru kumo no ue / 夕闇迫る　雲の上
itsumo ichiwa de tondeiru / いつも一羽で　飛んでいる
taka wa kitto kanashikarou / 鷹はきっと　悲しかろう

oto mo todaeta kaze no naka / 音も途絶えた　風の中
sora wo tsukanda sono tsubasa / 空をつかんだ　その翼
yasumerukoto wa dekinakute / 休めることは　できなくて

kokoro wo nani ni tatoeyou / 心を何に　たとえよう
taka no youna kono kokoro / 鷹のような　この心
kokoro wo nani ni tatoeyou / 心を何に　たとえよう
sora wo mauyouna kanashisawo / 空を舞うような　悲しさを

hitokage taeta no no michiwo / 人影絶えた　野の道を
watashi to tomoni ayunderu / 私と共に　歩んでる
anata mo kitto samishikarou / あなたもきっと　さみしかろう

mushi no sasayaku sougen wo / 虫のささやく　草原を
tomoni michi yuku hitodakedo / 共に道行く　人だけど
taete mono iu kotomonaku / 絶えてもの言う　こともなく

kokoro wo nani ni tatoeyou / 心を何に　たとえよう
hitori michi yuku kono kokoro / ひとり道ゆく　この心
kokoro wo nani ni tatoeyou / 心を何に　たとえよう
hitoribocchi no samishisawo / ひとりぼっちの　さみしさを

--- oOo ---

English Translation : Song of Teru

Over the cloud in the dusk
the hawk is flying always alone
He must surely be sad

All sounds are ceased in the wind
Holding on tight to the sky
he can't rest his wings

How do I express my mind
my mind like the hawk
How do I express my mind
my sadness that flies in the sky

The rain falls gently on the ground
Always hiding there behind the rock, a secret blooming
That little flower, is surely bitter

All colours fade in the rain
Who will ever stop by to appreiciate
its faint pink petals?

How do I express my mind
my heart, like that flower
How do I express my mind
the bitterness that sways in the rain

On this empty path
you who walk beside me
must surely be lonely

Insects are chirping in the grass
But we who walk together
have not spoken a sound

How do I express my mind
my mind that walks all alone
How do I express my mind
my loneliness that travels alone

--- oOo ---

中文翻译：特鹿之歌

夕阳彩云之间
总有一双翅膀 在那里徘徊
那头鹰 一定很悲伤吧

迎着风 听不到一丝声音
这双翅膀 紧紧地抓住天空
一刻都不能休憩

要将心比作什么？
好似那鹰一般的 这颗心
要将心比作什么？
那飘舞在空中的悲伤

雨淅淅沥沥地下
躲在岩石背后 总是静静的绽放
那朵小小的花 一定很苦恼吧

在雨中 所有的颜色都变得朦胧
又有谁会来欣赏
它淡粉色的花瓣呢？

要将心比作什么？
好似那花一般的 这颗心
要将心比作什么？
在雨中摇摆的苦恼

在这无人的 野外小路
和我一起的你
也一定 很寂寞吧

连虫子都在草丛中低吟
同行的人 却一声不吭

要将心比作什么？
形单影只的 这颗心
要将心比作什么？
孤单一人的那份寂寞

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a rock group out of New York. I've been following ever since they came out with their first full album, Fever to Tell. Although their first album is more of the garage punk/alternative variety, their music is pretty eclectic in general. Their sound is kind of hard to pin down sometimes. Some people say it sounds like that, some people say it sounds like this...etc.... All I know is that Fever to Tell it was the first time I've heard a fake orgasm incorporated into rock music (see: Black Tounge). Miss O's voice ranges from loud, brash, and thrashy to sweet as in the song Maps. Versitality is the key with this band.

Their first album didn't sell that great worldwide (only 750,000 copies...good, but not superstardom by any means), which was probably a good thing as far as how the band operates in making music and keeping their heads level.

The band consists of three personages, singer Karen O, guitarist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase.

The half-Korean and half-Polish Karen O is the charistmatic lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and she's probably also the most spastic. She has an awesome stage presence and combines strange fashion with outrageous stage antics. She's done things like spit beer, fruit, and other assorted items at the crowd, swallowed a microphone, danced off a stage, and generally makes herself out to be a loveable nutcase like such singers as Iggy Pop. She really is a stage entertainer, and makes their live shows really entertaining. Sometimes she can really overshadow the other two band members...but really, the band probably wouldn't be where it is without her.

Nick Zinner is the guitarist for the band and an accomplished photographer, his photos ending up on their website. He's also published a photo book and served as the guitarist for another band on top of that. He's also a vegan and a member of PETA, and animal rights organization. He's responsible for some of the most catchy guitar riffs in recent rock memory.

Brian Chase is the drummer for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. He obviously keeps to himself, since there's not much that can be found about him online. He spends most of his time drumming...yeah.... But this guy can really beat the crap out of the drums, he knows what he's doing.

Recently the band let their fans make the video for their current single, Cheated Hearts. Now that takes guts.....

The Yeah Yeah Yeah's second album, Show Your Bones is probably much more accessible than their first album, and showcases their wider array of musical tastes while still remaining true to their own sound. I bought it right when it was released, and I definitely think it's the better of the two albums.

I short, I really like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's sound, and their live shows are definitely not to be missed for me.


Ah, that's where my case of Corona beer went....



So hard to find a pic of the band playing together