pf
New member
I love this.
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1YbhpUmCv4
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGG48uFnJBg
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1YbhpUmCv4
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGG48uFnJBg
森(MORI/Forest) - J Jazz Fusion Band
- Thread starter pf
- Start date
pf
New member
This piece sounds like a makeup of the most alien notes coming together. But its awesome to me!
Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-LTMgQrYCI
Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-LTMgQrYCI
pf
New member
Here is a link to Mori's official website: http://www.morilive.com/
All of the band members play jazz. Jazz is obviously evident in their playing. The pianist most obviously. However, you can also hear their classical background (cello & bass). All of them come to piece together this fusion band, which is fabulous to me!
In their music, I find merticulous arrangements, played very precisely and exqusitely. I also love the tightness of the band. Their dynamics is really awesome in fast, complex songs or simple songs. The solos demonstrated in the DVDs are very facinating to watch (especially for the 2008 one). Solos are done by the pianist, the guitarist and the cellist. Most of the time, they will be accompanied with the drummer. Due to the drumming style of Hiroyuki (the drummer), the dynamics of the solos done by the various band members, especially Makoto, the pianist is greatly enhanced! I look forward to all the solos of Makoto because I think he's a really good pianist. His voicings gives the band the quirkiness I love. If you get the opportunity to watch the DVD, you can see that the other band members also enjoy his solos from their expressions.
Some of their songs are rather complex in chord structures and voicings, unlike the common pop tunes. So, it might take a while to get used to their songs. I remembered that when I only like Bosque Inmenso (composer is Toru, the bassist) at first. That's the song of theirs on youtube that I found that got my attention. But after a while of listening to their Mori Live CD, I grew to love them.
I realised that I never introduce them formally. Well, the band members are:
Piano/Sax/Pianica/Keyboard: 青柳誠 Aoyagi Makoto http://www.onlytune.com/
Guitar: 越田太郎丸 Koshida Taroma http://homepage3.nifty.com/imagem/
Cello: 柏木広樹 Kashiwagi Hiroki http://bluesofa.co.jp/casafeliz/
Bass: 西嶋徹 Nijishima Toru http://www.toru-cb.com/
All of the band members play jazz. Jazz is obviously evident in their playing. The pianist most obviously. However, you can also hear their classical background (cello & bass). All of them come to piece together this fusion band, which is fabulous to me!
In their music, I find merticulous arrangements, played very precisely and exqusitely. I also love the tightness of the band. Their dynamics is really awesome in fast, complex songs or simple songs. The solos demonstrated in the DVDs are very facinating to watch (especially for the 2008 one). Solos are done by the pianist, the guitarist and the cellist. Most of the time, they will be accompanied with the drummer. Due to the drumming style of Hiroyuki (the drummer), the dynamics of the solos done by the various band members, especially Makoto, the pianist is greatly enhanced! I look forward to all the solos of Makoto because I think he's a really good pianist. His voicings gives the band the quirkiness I love. If you get the opportunity to watch the DVD, you can see that the other band members also enjoy his solos from their expressions.
Some of their songs are rather complex in chord structures and voicings, unlike the common pop tunes. So, it might take a while to get used to their songs. I remembered that when I only like Bosque Inmenso (composer is Toru, the bassist) at first. That's the song of theirs on youtube that I found that got my attention. But after a while of listening to their Mori Live CD, I grew to love them.
I realised that I never introduce them formally. Well, the band members are:
Piano/Sax/Pianica/Keyboard: 青柳誠 Aoyagi Makoto http://www.onlytune.com/
Guitar: 越田太郎丸 Koshida Taroma http://homepage3.nifty.com/imagem/
Cello: 柏木広樹 Kashiwagi Hiroki http://bluesofa.co.jp/casafeliz/
Bass: 西嶋徹 Nijishima Toru http://www.toru-cb.com/
Last edited:
pf
New member
Mori Tour DVD
One more band member...
Drum: 則竹裕之 Noritake Hiroyuki http://dreamscango.cool.ne.jp/
And the whole band
I finally got my hands on the Mori Life of the Forest DVD (2008 tour). Yay!
Here's the track list from HMV Japan.
1 Al Aire 2 Fuga 3 Moninho 4 Bossa Nova High 5 Pucchin Princess 6 ﾄﾙｺ行進曲 7 Sora Kara Mitara 8 Ameixa 9 Bosque Inmenso 10 Morning Beans 11 Where Is The Forest? 12 Chokumen 13 Chocolate 14 Tokuten Eizou: : Tour Document
Some special highlights of the songs:
1. You can watch track 1 here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrvY_41jufM
2. Some of the songs are like track 1, quirky and unique which I love such as Pucchin Princess, Sora Kara Mitara, Bosque Inmenso, Chokumen and Chocolate. But there is also a strong bossa nova flavour, light hearted ones in tracks such as Moninho, Bossa Nova High http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-SWkE93piw, Ameixa and Morning Beans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wX6lTJAa8Q.
I really like those bossa nova pieces where Makoto plays the pianica. He gives a light refreshing feel.
3. Fuga and Where is the Forest? is more towards pop. Nice and pleasing melody.
There is one part towards the ending of Fuga where the cello, guitar and piano are all playing different melodies...the arrangement is beautiful. Very orchastral like.
4. At ﾄﾙｺ行進曲, Mori forms a 5-part boy choir. Its very very funny to watch and really amazing! The arranger is Makoto, the pianist who is really wonderful.
5. Chocolate is the encore song. Makoto, Hiroki and Koshida all had their solos respectively. This one is totally cool. I don't want to give any spoilers...but well, to arouse interest...let's just say, this is the first time I saw a cellist capable of doing limbo rock while playing the cello.
Here's the track listing of Mori's 森 LIVE DVD (2005 tour) from Amazon Japan:
1. Voz da Floresta/柏木広樹 2. Eurostar/則竹裕之 3. Niwaka Ame/西嶋徹 4. Absurdity/青柳誠 5. Sobre as Nascencas/越田太郎丸 6. A Day In Blue/則竹裕之 7. bosque inmenso/西嶋徹 8. Only Tune/青柳誠 9. 7th Lock/越田太郎丸 10. Casa Feliz/柏木広樹 11. 航海記/柏木広樹
Just a quick comparison. The 2008 tour DVD consists of original songs of the band members for the band. In the 2005 DVD, most of the songs are original of the band members but for their own individual album or their other bands.
In 2005, the band probably have not really found their own voice yet. But in 2008, they did it. Their voice is unique, quirky and full of surprises! I think the first display of their voice should be in Bosque Inmenso. Well, this is the first song that I saw them play on Youtube and immediately love them because of this.
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1YbhpUmCv4
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGG48uFnJBg
They seemed to have much more chemistry in 2008. Sparks flying all over that kind. And they are all smiling while they play, which is good coz I like to watch musicians enjoy themseleves while they play.
Another good thing about the recent DVD is the editing is very well done. The eye contact between members, the facial expressions at certain moments, flying fingers are captured very nicely.
Ok...I shall stop here. Once I remember anything, I'll do an edit.
One more band member...
Drum: 則竹裕之 Noritake Hiroyuki http://dreamscango.cool.ne.jp/
And the whole band
I finally got my hands on the Mori Life of the Forest DVD (2008 tour). Yay!
Here's the track list from HMV Japan.
1 Al Aire 2 Fuga 3 Moninho 4 Bossa Nova High 5 Pucchin Princess 6 ﾄﾙｺ行進曲 7 Sora Kara Mitara 8 Ameixa 9 Bosque Inmenso 10 Morning Beans 11 Where Is The Forest? 12 Chokumen 13 Chocolate 14 Tokuten Eizou: : Tour Document
Some special highlights of the songs:
1. You can watch track 1 here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrvY_41jufM
2. Some of the songs are like track 1, quirky and unique which I love such as Pucchin Princess, Sora Kara Mitara, Bosque Inmenso, Chokumen and Chocolate. But there is also a strong bossa nova flavour, light hearted ones in tracks such as Moninho, Bossa Nova High http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-SWkE93piw, Ameixa and Morning Beans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wX6lTJAa8Q.
I really like those bossa nova pieces where Makoto plays the pianica. He gives a light refreshing feel.
3. Fuga and Where is the Forest? is more towards pop. Nice and pleasing melody.
There is one part towards the ending of Fuga where the cello, guitar and piano are all playing different melodies...the arrangement is beautiful. Very orchastral like.
4. At ﾄﾙｺ行進曲, Mori forms a 5-part boy choir. Its very very funny to watch and really amazing! The arranger is Makoto, the pianist who is really wonderful.
5. Chocolate is the encore song. Makoto, Hiroki and Koshida all had their solos respectively. This one is totally cool. I don't want to give any spoilers...but well, to arouse interest...let's just say, this is the first time I saw a cellist capable of doing limbo rock while playing the cello.
Here's the track listing of Mori's 森 LIVE DVD (2005 tour) from Amazon Japan:
1. Voz da Floresta/柏木広樹 2. Eurostar/則竹裕之 3. Niwaka Ame/西嶋徹 4. Absurdity/青柳誠 5. Sobre as Nascencas/越田太郎丸 6. A Day In Blue/則竹裕之 7. bosque inmenso/西嶋徹 8. Only Tune/青柳誠 9. 7th Lock/越田太郎丸 10. Casa Feliz/柏木広樹 11. 航海記/柏木広樹
Just a quick comparison. The 2008 tour DVD consists of original songs of the band members for the band. In the 2005 DVD, most of the songs are original of the band members but for their own individual album or their other bands.
In 2005, the band probably have not really found their own voice yet. But in 2008, they did it. Their voice is unique, quirky and full of surprises! I think the first display of their voice should be in Bosque Inmenso. Well, this is the first song that I saw them play on Youtube and immediately love them because of this.
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1YbhpUmCv4
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGG48uFnJBg
They seemed to have much more chemistry in 2008. Sparks flying all over that kind. And they are all smiling while they play, which is good coz I like to watch musicians enjoy themseleves while they play.
Another good thing about the recent DVD is the editing is very well done. The eye contact between members, the facial expressions at certain moments, flying fingers are captured very nicely.
Ok...I shall stop here. Once I remember anything, I'll do an edit.
Last edited:
pf
New member
If somebody knows what's going on in these clips, please enlighten me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFfO_tjpdi0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fjnPnrQs7Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFfO_tjpdi0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fjnPnrQs7Y
Last edited:
pf
New member
Up Close with Kashiwagi Hiroki
I went to Tokyo last month and attended several gigs. Most of the gigs are of course with Mori's members in them. I couldn't go on 31 March when they had their Thanksgiving gig at STB.
First gig first, is a bossa nova gig with Kashiwagi Hiroki.
The band's name is Sem Voce http://semvoce.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/. Check out this youtube clip of that night. Hiroki played the bass parts with the cello in this bossa nova band. He had a nice melodic solo in the middle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVqEMvWJX4
As you can see in the clip, its a really nice and cozy restaurant. Very relax feel.
In this clip, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rej_YgNkAAk Hiroki started off with a nice intro. The vocalist sings really fine...but makes me sleepy at times. hehe...This song reminds me of Disney cartoons. Maybe its how Hiroki played the cello.
I had a hard time locating the place and finding out how to make reservations for the ticket. Almost all the gigs in Tokyo (or those I went to) requires advance reservation. Thank God, my friend helped me to do some leg work in making the reservations.
Ok...then came the time for the gig. Its sooooo difficult to find that restaurant!!! I walked a lot! A LOT!!
And with aching and tired feet, I finally found Rakuya. Thankfully, the staff knows some English. They're able to direct me to Hiroki and lend me (a poorly prepared fan) a magic pen for his autograph.
When I approached Hiroki, he was talking to a gentleman at a table. I politely waited for a chance to speak and introduced myself in Japanese. Not bad, from my lessons 10 years ago.
His reaction was not what I expected of my "idol". He almost fainted. Yup!
He ran down to the basement and got his mobile. Checked his email and asked if it was me who emailed him. Did I email him? I forgot....Yeah, I emailed Hiroki! I thought he had a manager to read his emails and hopefully can enlighten me on the mystery of japanese gig reservation thingy. Then I remembered I got a polite email saying they're not in charge of ticket sales.
Anyways! He was shocked and happy that I went all the way from Singapore to watch his gig. He was nice and polite. Very glad to autograph for me. During the intermission, he came to my table and asked if I'm enjoying myself. He also appologised for his poor command of English and was not able to chat more. Nice and polite, typical of a Japanese.
I supposed Hiroki was not confident of his English, so he showed Steve Sacks (Sem Voce's band leader) my email. Then we got chatting for a while before the gig and during the intermission. He said its rare that he speaks English in Japan, so we got talking. I love talking to musicians. hehe...and he invited me to his Big Band gig the following day. Very nice of him to get me a free ticket! Yay! Another gig I went for...that another story though...
I enjoyed myself at the bossa gig and satisfied to watch Hiroki performed live. The music charge is 2,500 Yen. A very very decent price for the quality of music. The food is just so so, but the focus is on the music anyway.
Coming up next, up close with Nijishima Toru...
I went to Tokyo last month and attended several gigs. Most of the gigs are of course with Mori's members in them. I couldn't go on 31 March when they had their Thanksgiving gig at STB.
First gig first, is a bossa nova gig with Kashiwagi Hiroki.
The band's name is Sem Voce http://semvoce.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/. Check out this youtube clip of that night. Hiroki played the bass parts with the cello in this bossa nova band. He had a nice melodic solo in the middle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVqEMvWJX4
As you can see in the clip, its a really nice and cozy restaurant. Very relax feel.
In this clip, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rej_YgNkAAk Hiroki started off with a nice intro. The vocalist sings really fine...but makes me sleepy at times. hehe...This song reminds me of Disney cartoons. Maybe its how Hiroki played the cello.
I had a hard time locating the place and finding out how to make reservations for the ticket. Almost all the gigs in Tokyo (or those I went to) requires advance reservation. Thank God, my friend helped me to do some leg work in making the reservations.
Ok...then came the time for the gig. Its sooooo difficult to find that restaurant!!! I walked a lot! A LOT!!
And with aching and tired feet, I finally found Rakuya. Thankfully, the staff knows some English. They're able to direct me to Hiroki and lend me (a poorly prepared fan) a magic pen for his autograph.
When I approached Hiroki, he was talking to a gentleman at a table. I politely waited for a chance to speak and introduced myself in Japanese. Not bad, from my lessons 10 years ago.
His reaction was not what I expected of my "idol". He almost fainted. Yup!
He ran down to the basement and got his mobile. Checked his email and asked if it was me who emailed him. Did I email him? I forgot....Yeah, I emailed Hiroki! I thought he had a manager to read his emails and hopefully can enlighten me on the mystery of japanese gig reservation thingy. Then I remembered I got a polite email saying they're not in charge of ticket sales.
Anyways! He was shocked and happy that I went all the way from Singapore to watch his gig. He was nice and polite. Very glad to autograph for me. During the intermission, he came to my table and asked if I'm enjoying myself. He also appologised for his poor command of English and was not able to chat more. Nice and polite, typical of a Japanese.
I supposed Hiroki was not confident of his English, so he showed Steve Sacks (Sem Voce's band leader) my email. Then we got chatting for a while before the gig and during the intermission. He said its rare that he speaks English in Japan, so we got talking. I love talking to musicians. hehe...and he invited me to his Big Band gig the following day. Very nice of him to get me a free ticket! Yay! Another gig I went for...that another story though...
I enjoyed myself at the bossa gig and satisfied to watch Hiroki performed live. The music charge is 2,500 Yen. A very very decent price for the quality of music. The food is just so so, but the focus is on the music anyway.
Coming up next, up close with Nijishima Toru...
Last edited:
pf
New member
Up Close with Nijishima Toru
If you had paid attention to my posts up there, you would have noticed that the song I'm so crazy about, Bosque Inmenso, is written by Nijishima Toru. This makes me so wanna meet him and tell him how much I like his composition!!
Well, that night, he played at the Ginza Swing City (translated an expensive Jazz Club) with 青木カレン (Awesome vox!), 井上 ゆかり(piano and pianica - excellent player!) 藤井 伸昭(drums).
I went for the 2nd half of the gig because I was at Steve Sack's big band gig earlier. Yes, I was at 2 gigs that night...whew!
As usual, this Ginza Swing City is at a small hidden place which keeps me circling the blocks for a while before a nice lady passerby took me there herself. When I was at the door, immediately, I was told that the music charge was 3,000 over Yen + I had to order a meal. Well, that's Ginza for you.
Boy was I intimidated when I got in. This place is one serious jazz club. Among the audience, I see mostly males in their 40s to 50s all tapping their fingers or clapping to the swingy beat. There were less than 5 ladies among them. And that includes 2 madames to men in suits who looks like they are from Yakuza.
The tiny little club was full. They squeezed me into a seat on a grand piano. Yes. The club has 2 grand pianos. 1 was played by the pianist and the other was seated with audience. And I ate a yummy pasta on it!
Good gosh! The pasta was good! The music was good too! In between mouthfuls of pasta, I had to stop and clap my hands heartily and shout my appreciations.
As the audience was mostly male, it is quite rowdy. They seemed to be very knowledgeable audience. They clap in synchronized manner to the syncopated swing, suggest titles for the band to play, etc. Impressive! I bet the band enjoyed playing for such appreciative audience.
As the place is very small, the audience was seated right in front of the band. It was fabulously up close and personal.
The band played really well. Of course, Toru did not disappoint me. He belted out melodic bass solos for a couple of songs. I like his style very much, considering I was terribly impressed just a few days before I watched Mark Johnson with Eliane Elias at the Esplanade. It was the first time I heard a bassist played such a melodic solo. Then in Japan, I get the chance to hear Toru do it. I was very happy.
After the gig, I went up to Toru for his autograph. It's a good thing the Japanese waitresses are always prepared with a magic pen for fans like me.
Of course, another chance for me to practice my Japanese. I introduced myself and told him his composition was great. He was very surprised and asked me where I got Mori's DVD from. The DVD is not sold anywhere outside Japan. I told him that I had to order from HMV and got them to deliver to the place I stayed in Tokyo.
Toru spoke fluent English (although kinda rusty, who can blame him?). I told him how I found Mori played Bosque Inmenso on youtube and immediately like them. I suggested to him to put more vids on but he explained that they have a contract with the record company and couldn't do that.
He was nice and pleasant as well. Hiroki told him that I'm learning the piano, so he wished me all the best!
NEXT! Up close with Noritake Hiroyuki...
If you had paid attention to my posts up there, you would have noticed that the song I'm so crazy about, Bosque Inmenso, is written by Nijishima Toru. This makes me so wanna meet him and tell him how much I like his composition!!
Well, that night, he played at the Ginza Swing City (translated an expensive Jazz Club) with 青木カレン (Awesome vox!), 井上 ゆかり(piano and pianica - excellent player!) 藤井 伸昭(drums).
I went for the 2nd half of the gig because I was at Steve Sack's big band gig earlier. Yes, I was at 2 gigs that night...whew!
As usual, this Ginza Swing City is at a small hidden place which keeps me circling the blocks for a while before a nice lady passerby took me there herself. When I was at the door, immediately, I was told that the music charge was 3,000 over Yen + I had to order a meal. Well, that's Ginza for you.
Boy was I intimidated when I got in. This place is one serious jazz club. Among the audience, I see mostly males in their 40s to 50s all tapping their fingers or clapping to the swingy beat. There were less than 5 ladies among them. And that includes 2 madames to men in suits who looks like they are from Yakuza.
The tiny little club was full. They squeezed me into a seat on a grand piano. Yes. The club has 2 grand pianos. 1 was played by the pianist and the other was seated with audience. And I ate a yummy pasta on it!
Good gosh! The pasta was good! The music was good too! In between mouthfuls of pasta, I had to stop and clap my hands heartily and shout my appreciations.
As the audience was mostly male, it is quite rowdy. They seemed to be very knowledgeable audience. They clap in synchronized manner to the syncopated swing, suggest titles for the band to play, etc. Impressive! I bet the band enjoyed playing for such appreciative audience.
As the place is very small, the audience was seated right in front of the band. It was fabulously up close and personal.
The band played really well. Of course, Toru did not disappoint me. He belted out melodic bass solos for a couple of songs. I like his style very much, considering I was terribly impressed just a few days before I watched Mark Johnson with Eliane Elias at the Esplanade. It was the first time I heard a bassist played such a melodic solo. Then in Japan, I get the chance to hear Toru do it. I was very happy.
After the gig, I went up to Toru for his autograph. It's a good thing the Japanese waitresses are always prepared with a magic pen for fans like me.
Of course, another chance for me to practice my Japanese. I introduced myself and told him his composition was great. He was very surprised and asked me where I got Mori's DVD from. The DVD is not sold anywhere outside Japan. I told him that I had to order from HMV and got them to deliver to the place I stayed in Tokyo.
Toru spoke fluent English (although kinda rusty, who can blame him?). I told him how I found Mori played Bosque Inmenso on youtube and immediately like them. I suggested to him to put more vids on but he explained that they have a contract with the record company and couldn't do that.
He was nice and pleasant as well. Hiroki told him that I'm learning the piano, so he wished me all the best!
NEXT! Up close with Noritake Hiroyuki...
Last edited:
pf
New member
Up close with Noritake Hiroyuki
I found out that Hiroyuki was gonna play with Dimension at Blues Alley during the time I was in Tokyo, so I asked my friend to help me make reservations as well. However, there was some misunderstanding and I ended up getting a standing ticket instead of a seat. Can you imagine??!! I stood more than 3 hours for the gig!! I repeatedly asked if there's anymore seats but there was none. It was a sold out gig.
The concept of the standing ticket is really quite weird. They have lines drawn with tape to tape the places where people can stand for the gig. The price is 20% cheaper. I don't enjoy the standing part very much. Much prefer to have a seat and eat some dinner.
The music was groovy and the band had a lot of energy. The audience, surprisingly, was mostly ladies. It impressed me a lot on the discipline and politeness that comes from the audience. They would wait untilt the whole song was finished, down to the last note and last cymbal crash, before they start clapping. No loud noises, no shouting, etc....except for this girl who keeps jumping up and down like an energizer bunny...weird...
This place is not as casual as Rakuya. The waitress I spoke to refused to help me get Hiroyuki. When the time for the gig was near, I saw some people with wearing tags. I reckon that they must be the band's staff. I saw a young girl with a lady carrying a Gucci bag. She must be it! Probably the band's manager or someone influential!
So, I introduced myself as a big fan and asked her if she could help me. And she gladly agreed. Hehehe...
While waiting for Hiroyuki, I saw the guitarist (band leader of Dimension I suppose) and he asked if I enjoyed the gig. I said of course! Totally! He went to the Gucci bag lady and some westerners. Looks like they're discussing gigs or contracts.
After the gig, she got someone to get Hiroyuki to meet me. He was very polite and said "Kombanwa". I enthusiatically introduced myself in Japanese again. But when he replied in Japanese, I had to tell him I couldn't understand. He was very nice and spoke in fluent English.
He asked if I had been to his Unit Asia gig in Singapore a couple of months ago. Of course I had! I told him that I'm very thankful that he autographed the stack of DVDs I passed to him. hehehe...and asked him for more autograph.
I told him that I got Mori's latest DVD and he was surprised as Toru that I had gone through the trouble and expense to get it. Well, he should really feedback to his record company on how expensive the DVD is...
Anyway, I told him I love T-Square and Mori, blah blah blah...hope that he can come to Singapore to perform. After that, I realised that I forgot to tell Hiroyuki that I love Eurostar, one of his composition.
Well, hopefully I can meet him again another time.
I found out that Hiroyuki was gonna play with Dimension at Blues Alley during the time I was in Tokyo, so I asked my friend to help me make reservations as well. However, there was some misunderstanding and I ended up getting a standing ticket instead of a seat. Can you imagine??!! I stood more than 3 hours for the gig!! I repeatedly asked if there's anymore seats but there was none. It was a sold out gig.
The concept of the standing ticket is really quite weird. They have lines drawn with tape to tape the places where people can stand for the gig. The price is 20% cheaper. I don't enjoy the standing part very much. Much prefer to have a seat and eat some dinner.
The music was groovy and the band had a lot of energy. The audience, surprisingly, was mostly ladies. It impressed me a lot on the discipline and politeness that comes from the audience. They would wait untilt the whole song was finished, down to the last note and last cymbal crash, before they start clapping. No loud noises, no shouting, etc....except for this girl who keeps jumping up and down like an energizer bunny...weird...
This place is not as casual as Rakuya. The waitress I spoke to refused to help me get Hiroyuki. When the time for the gig was near, I saw some people with wearing tags. I reckon that they must be the band's staff. I saw a young girl with a lady carrying a Gucci bag. She must be it! Probably the band's manager or someone influential!
So, I introduced myself as a big fan and asked her if she could help me. And she gladly agreed. Hehehe...
While waiting for Hiroyuki, I saw the guitarist (band leader of Dimension I suppose) and he asked if I enjoyed the gig. I said of course! Totally! He went to the Gucci bag lady and some westerners. Looks like they're discussing gigs or contracts.
After the gig, she got someone to get Hiroyuki to meet me. He was very polite and said "Kombanwa". I enthusiatically introduced myself in Japanese again. But when he replied in Japanese, I had to tell him I couldn't understand. He was very nice and spoke in fluent English.
He asked if I had been to his Unit Asia gig in Singapore a couple of months ago. Of course I had! I told him that I'm very thankful that he autographed the stack of DVDs I passed to him. hehehe...and asked him for more autograph.
I told him that I got Mori's latest DVD and he was surprised as Toru that I had gone through the trouble and expense to get it. Well, he should really feedback to his record company on how expensive the DVD is...
Anyway, I told him I love T-Square and Mori, blah blah blah...hope that he can come to Singapore to perform. After that, I realised that I forgot to tell Hiroyuki that I love Eurostar, one of his composition.
Well, hopefully I can meet him again another time.
hi im really intrigued by ur experiences with all these musicians! x) i was surprised to find out that the sound of the cello can blend in well into the jazz music as this concept is kinda new to me. so i guess this makes up the unique sound of mori hehh. i think it was even more delightful to listen to how both the saxophone and the cello complement each other really well for 'bossa nova high'.
anw i went searching for videos featuring aoyagi makoto's pianica playing but can't find any (recently i grow to having a liking for pianicas heh!). but i found this! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCizr_awpNg -- just you just me by pianica maeda. hope u'll enjoy it as i do!
anw i went searching for videos featuring aoyagi makoto's pianica playing but can't find any (recently i grow to having a liking for pianicas heh!). but i found this! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCizr_awpNg -- just you just me by pianica maeda. hope u'll enjoy it as i do!
pf
New member
Normally, I will go and talk to the musicians after their gig. To show my appreciation for their music.
So far, all the musicians I talked to has been very nice.
You can check out these threads if you like to read more about my interactions with musicians.
Switzerland: http://soft.com.sg/forum/music-kopi-tiam/71375-music-other-festivals-switzerland.html
Seoul: http://soft.com.sg/forum/music-kopi-tiam/76256-seoul-fringe-festival-2008-a.html
Btw, thanks for the yt link! I love it!
So far, all the musicians I talked to has been very nice.
You can check out these threads if you like to read more about my interactions with musicians.
Switzerland: http://soft.com.sg/forum/music-kopi-tiam/71375-music-other-festivals-switzerland.html
Seoul: http://soft.com.sg/forum/music-kopi-tiam/76256-seoul-fringe-festival-2008-a.html
Btw, thanks for the yt link! I love it!
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haha oh ya i forgot to mention in the last post that i like eurostar alot! the song feels really uplifting =) hehh. yup ive read those threads last yr when i was searching for more info on jazz, etc. they really open my eyes to many jazz happenings around the world...how i wish i can be there! anw do u often travel around the world to attend gigs? x)
teraslasch
New member
mori released a new album, ambitious!.. haha.. i tink i'm gonna order this along with their dvd, last time i ordered the cd for mori live... wah.. gona burn a big hole in my wallet haha..
pf
New member
Mori Ambitious CD is in the Mori box. I just haven't got around to introducing it yet. hehe...The box also has the DVD which is FABULOUS (intro in the posts earlier). The individual DVD of the 2008 tour would be out later 10 June.
Do you like Mori Live cd? The Ambitious CD is rather mild and cute compared to Mori Live. The songs lean towards classical, pop and bossa nova.
Mori's Ambition CD
1. Big News
Composer: Makoto
Upbeat, pop sounding, very nice piano and guitar solo.
2. ゆうらん船
Composer: Makoto
Waltz, pianica, sounds like going for a boat ride on a sunny day, cute.
3. ARIGATO
Composer: Makoto and Taroma
Pop, ballard, very sentimental
4. Red Sprite
Composer: Toru
Upbeat, funky. As can be expected from the bassist.
5. Focus↑
Composer: Makoto
Upbeat, funky, pleasant sounding.
6. Function
Composer: Taroma
Most funky song of the album, sounds like Donald Duck singing the song. hehe....weird sax solo and vocal (*growl*), but totally mind blowing!
7. 平行移動
Composer: Toru
Funky, classy.
8. 半開
Composer: Taroma
Deep, serious.
9. 曇りのち晴れ
Composer: Hiroki
Sweet! Classical, love the double bass solo and duet with the cello.
Love how the song turned into an upbeat tune. Good to listen while commuting to work in the morning. My personal wake up tune. hehe...
10. 10月のスパイラル
Composer: Taroma
Clean, fresh.
11. Passeio
Composer: Makoto
Refreshing, pianica, light bossa...lovely. Makes me wanna go to the beach and enjoy the summer breeze.
12. 直面
Composer: Taroma
This was in Mori Live. Fun, funky and wacky.
13. ARIGATO~未来を信じて
I don't know about this. This is not in the CD that comes with the Mori Box.
In general, you can still expect the beautiful, meticulous arrangements. They still retain the usual quirkiness. But do expect this CD to be more mellow and tone down. Even the funky stuff are not too fast. I was kinda disappointed in this when I first hear this CD, but then later...their music just grew on me. I love it as much as the Mori Live CD.
Yes. Jap CDs and DVDs are so ex!! Burnt a big hole in my pockets too. But like what I told Hiroyuki, Mori's totally worth it.
Which DVD do you intend to get? If you would just get 1, get the 2008 tour instead of the 2005 one. The 2005 one does not really represent them as the band they are now and what they are meant to be. They seem like session players put together. But their in 2008 DVD, they totally rock as a band!!! Very very tight and the tone is just awesome!
However, if you can hang on for a couple of more months, you might like to get all the stuff together. They're gonna hold their Ambitious tour in June. I think their DVD should be out by the end of this year as well.
If the experience of the 2008 DVD (Mori Live CD tour) holds true, you will not be shortchanged if you wait for the Ambitious DVD. The arrangement of the music would be very very similar on the DVD as the CD (because they really do hard work on the arrangements to make them precise). So, if you wanna save $$, you might wanna just wait for the DVD release.
Btw, HMV jpn generally offers better shipping rates than Amazon jpn and sometimes the stuff can be slightly cheaper as well. I got mine thru HMV the last time round.
Do you like Mori Live cd? The Ambitious CD is rather mild and cute compared to Mori Live. The songs lean towards classical, pop and bossa nova.
Mori's Ambition CD
1. Big News
Composer: Makoto
Upbeat, pop sounding, very nice piano and guitar solo.
2. ゆうらん船
Composer: Makoto
Waltz, pianica, sounds like going for a boat ride on a sunny day, cute.
3. ARIGATO
Composer: Makoto and Taroma
Pop, ballard, very sentimental
4. Red Sprite
Composer: Toru
Upbeat, funky. As can be expected from the bassist.
5. Focus↑
Composer: Makoto
Upbeat, funky, pleasant sounding.
6. Function
Composer: Taroma
Most funky song of the album, sounds like Donald Duck singing the song. hehe....weird sax solo and vocal (*growl*), but totally mind blowing!
7. 平行移動
Composer: Toru
Funky, classy.
8. 半開
Composer: Taroma
Deep, serious.
9. 曇りのち晴れ
Composer: Hiroki
Sweet! Classical, love the double bass solo and duet with the cello.
Love how the song turned into an upbeat tune. Good to listen while commuting to work in the morning. My personal wake up tune. hehe...
10. 10月のスパイラル
Composer: Taroma
Clean, fresh.
11. Passeio
Composer: Makoto
Refreshing, pianica, light bossa...lovely. Makes me wanna go to the beach and enjoy the summer breeze.
12. 直面
Composer: Taroma
This was in Mori Live. Fun, funky and wacky.
13. ARIGATO~未来を信じて
I don't know about this. This is not in the CD that comes with the Mori Box.
In general, you can still expect the beautiful, meticulous arrangements. They still retain the usual quirkiness. But do expect this CD to be more mellow and tone down. Even the funky stuff are not too fast. I was kinda disappointed in this when I first hear this CD, but then later...their music just grew on me. I love it as much as the Mori Live CD.
Yes. Jap CDs and DVDs are so ex!! Burnt a big hole in my pockets too. But like what I told Hiroyuki, Mori's totally worth it.
Which DVD do you intend to get? If you would just get 1, get the 2008 tour instead of the 2005 one. The 2005 one does not really represent them as the band they are now and what they are meant to be. They seem like session players put together. But their in 2008 DVD, they totally rock as a band!!! Very very tight and the tone is just awesome!
However, if you can hang on for a couple of more months, you might like to get all the stuff together. They're gonna hold their Ambitious tour in June. I think their DVD should be out by the end of this year as well.
If the experience of the 2008 DVD (Mori Live CD tour) holds true, you will not be shortchanged if you wait for the Ambitious DVD. The arrangement of the music would be very very similar on the DVD as the CD (because they really do hard work on the arrangements to make them precise). So, if you wanna save $$, you might wanna just wait for the DVD release.
Btw, HMV jpn generally offers better shipping rates than Amazon jpn and sometimes the stuff can be slightly cheaper as well. I got mine thru HMV the last time round.
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teraslasch
New member
haha ok thanks!... i tink i'll wait a little ..
..
pf
New member
Aoyagi Makoto's Solo in Bosque Inmenso
I love it when Aoyagi Makoto solo. I think Mori's band mates all do too.
Here's another version of his solo in Bosque Inmenso, played in 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Cb9ZUwiwA
I think its fab. I prefer the 2005 one...but this one is good too.
I didn't really like the 2008 version because he tried something very new and I probably had his old stuff stuck to me in my mind.
I love it when Aoyagi Makoto solo. I think Mori's band mates all do too.
Here's another version of his solo in Bosque Inmenso, played in 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Cb9ZUwiwA
I think its fab. I prefer the 2005 one...but this one is good too.
I didn't really like the 2008 version because he tried something very new and I probably had his old stuff stuck to me in my mind.
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pf
New member
Hiroki Kashiwagi's Solo in Chocolate
Hiroki is the only cellist whom I ever saw playing cello standing up and pulling stunts. hehe...
This is a really entertaining one. 2007 tour; the song: Chocolate. He pulled a similar one in 2008. But I think this one is funnier!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBLOvrFFFww
Hiroki is the only cellist whom I ever saw playing cello standing up and pulling stunts. hehe...
This is a really entertaining one. 2007 tour; the song: Chocolate. He pulled a similar one in 2008. But I think this one is funnier!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBLOvrFFFww
pf
New member
Just watched this vid again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wX6lTJAa8Q
Love the way they guys play music and have fun. I enjoy watching them enjoy themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wX6lTJAa8Q
Love the way they guys play music and have fun. I enjoy watching them enjoy themselves.
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