GARNET CROW: Flying Gone

MSN chat
Me: Jady, am I allowed to...
Me: post a new entry?
J: on?
Me: GARNET CROW
J: NO
Me: Whhhy not?
J: YOU ALREADY HAVE A BLOODY SITE DEDICATED TO GARNET CROW!
...
(anyway in the end I get a 300words max permission ^^ from Jady)

I probably know the general response from the rest of ukulele since I've been ranting about GC like forever. The last time I attempt to promoto GC to ET-sama, 50% of the tracks I sent over received a 'fail!' evaluation. Well, the thing about GC's music is, it's almost 'never' catchy and pleasant to ear on first listening. Plus, the lead vocal, Yuri Nakamura's voice is rather special. Unlike typical (or stereotypical) female Japanese singers who have high-pitched squeaky voices, hers is very alto and neutral sounding. I'm not sure how that will affect listeners' choices but as far as I know, GC has a well balanced ratio of male vs female fans.

I'm just going to recommend one song. (Tears, if only you know how difficult it is to pick the RIGHT song to recommend. The wrong choice can easily lose a potential fan) It's their 6th maxi single - flying, which is chosen as the theme song for playstation game 'tales of eternia'. I was dozing off on my desk last night (with earphones on and music playing), but when I heard the chorus of this song, I was almost instantly awake. The elation and excitement was really incredible no matter how many times I hear it. The opening beats have a strong sense of urgency and everything seems calm for a while, until you hear this sudden take-off, as if holding your breath before a blood boiling bungee jump. This song is about the turning wheel of fate, about destinies, uncertainty and assurance. So be patient and give it a try! If you want to know more about GC, you might as well visit my fansite ^^ (advert time here), which I assure you is 100 times more comprehensive than Wikipedia entry.

I actually tailor picked a couple of GC songs (3 tracks in each genre) . Choose whichever you prefer:
-> soft rock & hip-hop
-> soothing & melancholic
-> happy, high & jazzy
-> my personal favourites

Flying
-> YSI link (I've also included a live concert version of this song)
-> Also Flying's c/w song 'cried a little' (a very sad song)



Composed by Yuri Nakamura
Lyrics by AZUKI Nana
Arranged by Hirohito Furui
English translations from Ryuichi's GC soundscope, modified by me

季節きせつはずれのbeach side
(the out of season beachside)
夜よるに隠かくれた
(your face hidden in the dark)
君きみの横顔よこがおは何なにをみつめてるの？
(what are you looking at?)

人ひとは誰だれもが皆みな
(everybody...)
何なにかを背負せおってる
(is carrying something)
だけど　ふとよぎる不安ふあん
(the anxiety that suddenly crosses my mind)
消けせやしないよ
(won't be erased so easily)

僕ぼくらは何一なにひとつ
(we, for the sake of something,)
知しることない未来みらいの為ために
(for an unknown future)
手てに入いれたり投なげ出だしたりして
(cast off what's held in our hands)
儚はかなく誘さそう行方ゆくえめざして
(and it leads you on to a foreign path)

flying gone
夢見ゆめみる様ように　墜おちてゆくの
(falling as if dreaming)
君きみの中なかへ
(into your embrace)
恐おそれないで傷きずついたら
(without fear, if i get hurt)
きっと　切せつない優やさしさを抱だいている
(I'm sure a bitter gentleness will envelop me)

flying fall down
羽はばたきながら　墜おちてゆくの
(flapping my wings, falling)
君きみの傍そばへ
(to your side)
何なにも　ナイ　明日あすがくる瞬間ときは
(before the coming of that empty instance in the future)
君きみに出会であえた奇跡きせき胸むねの中なか
(I'll hold to my heart this miracle that I've met you)
ネムラセテ...
(and fall into a deep slumber)

君きみを信しんじる程ほどに　ねぇ
(the trust i've placed in you)
傷きずは深ふかくて...
(is as deep as my wounds have been)
私わたし以外いがいのもの　すべて
(how i wish that everything, except my own presence)
消けし去さりたいよ
(could be erased without a trace)

気きづいた時ときには　もう
(by the time I realized it)
ただ走はしり続つづけることに
(there was no other choice but to go on)
安やすらぎさえ感かんじていたなんて...
(strange that I even felt peace)
イミジキアスヲ　飛とび越こえてゆけ
(together, let's cross this imaginery space)

flying fall down
旅立たびだつならば
(if we are to set out on a journey)
朝あさも昼ひるも夜よるもなくて
(no matter if it's morning, noon or night)
君きみのめぐる輪廻りんねの果はてへ
(to that place where your endless cycle of reincarnation ends)
二度にどと帰かえらぬ(三途の川)かわのほとりまで
(to the River of Styx where there's no return)
飛とび出だすの
(let's fly)

flying gone
もつれてゆくよ
(getting tangled up forever)
君きみの　アイ life すべて求もとめ
(I want your love, life and everything)
you and me
もう別べつの生活ひを灯ともす
(starting a new life)
君きみのいない明日あしたなんていらなくても...
(I don't want a tomorrow without your presence)

flying fall down
羽はばたきながら　墜おちてゆくの
(flapping my wings, falling)
君きみの傍そばへ
(to your side)
何なにも　ナイ　明日あすがくる瞬間ときは
(before the coming of that empty instance in the future)
君きみに出会であえた奇跡きせき胸むねの中なか
(I'll hold to my heart this miracle that I've met you)
ネムラセテ...
(and fall into a deep slumber)

Sub directory: Japanese Artists

First 'real' post so to speak. We'll add on.

In alphabetical order (ongoing)

:: Arai Akino(新居昭乃) ::


Very limited knowledge. I only have this one album, which's produced by Yoko Kanno, one of my favourite composers.

Album: Sora no uta
-> Official Site


:: Ayano Tsuji(过亚弥乃) ::


Theme song performer of Ghibli animation film 'The cat returns'. Our ukulele lady!! She said she wanted to play guitar but her hands were too small, so she ended up choosing a very special Hawaiian instrument - ukulele. Her style is a combination of pop and folk singing and it's always very light and comfortable.

Album:
Balanco | CALENDAR CALENDAR | 春蜜柑(Haru mikan) | 春は遠き夢の果てに | Cover Girl | 恋恋风歌(Renrenfuka) | 恋爱眼镜(Koi suru megane)

Single:
桜の木の下で | 雨音 | パレード | 幻化成风 (Kaze ni Naru) | Yubikiri/Hoshi Furu Yoru no Christmas

-> emule library link


:: Chara ::


Most people recognize Chara as the singer and actress from Shunji Iwai's film 'Swallowtail Butterfly' & 'Picnic'. Her singing is very very emotional. Despite the unconventional voice which may at first sound discomforting (like a child's whining), her passion will pull you right into her world.

Album: A senery like me | Chara best | Montage

-> Official Web


:: Do As Infinity ::


Do As Infinity (DAI) is a great Jpop rock band. They officially disbanded in late September 2005. DAI is probably one of the rare Jpop groups who perform live just as great as studio recordings, if not better. The lead vocal Van Tomiko's working on her solo career and the guitarist Ryo formed a new group called Missile Innovation.

Album:
Break of dawn | New world | Deep forest | True song | Gates of heaven | Need your love
Do the live | Live in Japan | Do the B-side | Do the A-side

-> Official Site


:: GARNET CROW ::


GARNET CROW, my favourite Jpop group ever. They certainly don't blend into the conventional 'Jpop' genre, and surely shouldn't be categorised so. They performed a couple of well known songs used in the anime series 'Detective Conan'. Some of them are 'Mysterious Eyes', 'Natsu no Maboroshi' (summer illusion), 'Yume mita ato do'(after waking up from a dream).

Albums: 1st Kaleidscope | 1st Soundscope | Sparkle | Crystallize | I'm waiting 4 you
BEST album| Remix album|

Singles: 1-20

-> Official Site

Here's my fansite (Seven Seas) dedicated to them, in both Chinese and English.



:: The Gospellers ::


The Gospellers, much like a small ensemble of talented choir boys who perform in a wide range of styles. Unfortunately they're no longer active.

Albums: Soul serenade | Love notes | FRENZY | A capella | Dressed up to the nines

-> Official Site


:: Love Psychedelico ::


A two-membered Japanese band with the style of the 60s' rock n blues. The lead vocal (Kumi) sings in a mixture of Japanese and English (perfect English!). Her voice is very powerful and versatile.

Albums: The Greatest Hits | Love Pschedelic Orchestra | LP III | Early Times

-> Official Site


:: Maaya Sakamoto(坂本真綾) ::

Grapefruit | DIVE | Lucy | Easy listening | Shonen Alice | Yunagi Loop
Hotchpotch | Nikopachi | 23-ji no ongaku (23h music)


:: Namie Amuro(安室 奈美恵) ::
181920 | Love enhanced | STYLE


:: Rie Fu ::


A talented solo artist who writes her own songs and she sings in English most of the time. Her style is a blend of pop and country music . Most well-known song is 'Life is like a boat'.

Album: Rie Fu
Singles: 1 - 3

-> Official Site


:: Salyu ::


Salyu's most often known as 'lily chou' from Shunji Iwai's movie. She collaborates with the famous music composer Takeshi Kobayashi and she's still considered a new comer in J music. She has a very unique 'ethery' voice.

Albums: Kokyu (breathe) | Landmark
Singles: 1-6

-> Official Site


:: Utada Hikaru (宇多田ヒカル) ::
First love | Distance | Deep river | Exodus