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Yoshida Brothers - III
- The distinct percussive sound of the three-stringed Japanese shamisen remains the centerpiece of Tsugari-shamisen, an ancient musical genre originating in the northern Japanese island of Honshu. Today, over five hundred years since its conception, tsugari-shamisen continues to evolve as young musicians meld the tradition into more commercial music platforms. More so than any of their peers, the Yoshida Brothers’ respect for the art form has attributed not only to their mastery of the shamisen but also to their successful experimentation with jazz, rock, pop, folk and blues influences.
Bona fide megastars and cultural revolutionists in their native Japan, brothers Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida have just launched III, their third release in the U.S. Under the direction of famous rock-pop producer/musician, Tony Berg, recognized for his production of Lisa Loeb, Van Morrison, and Pete Yorn, the Yoshida Brothers perform beautifully arranged covers and collaborate with an impressive roster of musicians. From the powerful drums, bold bass and strings of the cinematic “Erghen Diado,” composed by Peter Lionder, to the tender delivery of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Oh My Love,” each track is more impressive than the next. While “Overland Blues” showcases the brothers’ command of blues elements; “Passion” featuring Latin guitarist Oscar Castro Neves is a lavishly executed, exciting assortment of strings and percussion; and the playful, up tempo “Hit Song” demonstrates the Yoshida Brothers’ rock and roll flare like no other track.
“By This River” originally performed by Brian Eno is another remarkable cover on III. Standing out as the only track with vocals, Remy Zero’s Cinjun Tate melancholy voice perfectly complements the quiet, hypnotic instrumental. In the end, the Yoshida Brothers have broadened, to a greater extent, the definition of tsugari-shamisen, a feat best heard to be understood.
Reviewer: C. Lizaire
new
Reviewer's Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
Added: 7-Apr-2006
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