Transitioning from an actress to a JAZZ singer, the beloved "Taeko-neesan" was celebrated as the "Idol of the necktie crowd" in the 80s. Her seventh album, "Night Line" released in 1983, was supposedly the reason she was chosen as the host of the TV show "Oshare 30・30" Regardless, the album features top-notch musicians such as Kenji Takamizu and Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami in the rhythm section, Tsunehide Matsuki on guitar, and background vocals from Eve among others. However, its sound is far from JAZZ; it's more of a laid-back AOR with a pop sensibility. The title track, which was used in a copier company's commercial at the time, is a standout. There's also a cover of Billy Joel's "Cross to Bear" and B2 "Bye Bye" with lyrics and composition credited to him. This seems to be an original piece he wrote for the album. Personally, my favorite is B4 "Maybe" written by Don Grusin (the brother of Dave Grusin). I wonder if this one is an original composition as well. --- If you need any adjustments or additional details, feel free to ask!
女優から
JAZZシンガーに転身、80年代は「ネクタイ族のアイドル」などと持て囃された
泰子姉さんの通算7枚目となる83年作「ナイト・ライン」
TV番組「オシャレ30・30」の司会に抜擢される理由になったアルバムとかそうでないとか。はさておき、参加ミュージシャンはリズム隊に
高水健司、
村上秀一、ギターに
松木恒秀、コーラスでイヴ等、一流どころを召集するもそのサウンドはJAZZに非(あら)ず。POPSというかいなたいAORというか。
当時、某コピー機の会社の
CMで起用されたタイトル曲をはじめ、
ビリー・ジョエル「Cross To Bear」カバー、B2「Bye Bye」の作詞曲も彼の名がクレジットされていますがこちらは書き下ろしでしょうか。
個人的にはドン・グルージン(
デイブ・グルージンの兄ちゃん)のライティングによる(この曲も書き下ろしか?)B4「Maybe」が特にお気に入りでス。
Yasuko Agawa – Night Line ’83 InvitationA1.
Night LineA2.
Never Wanna Say Goodnight ※ライブ映像です
A3. Inside Out
A4. Fly Away
A5.
Tokyo ※ライブ映像です
A6. When Love Is Gone
B1. The Risk
B2. Bye Bye
B3. The Right To Love
B4. Maybe
B5. Canadian Star
B6.
Cross To BearCredit;
Alto & Tenor Saxophone – Seiichi Nakamura
Bass – Kenji Takamizu
Chorus – Eve
Drums, Percussion – Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami
Guitar – Tsunehide Matsuki
Harp – Keiko Yamakawa
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Soichi Noriki
Produced By – Tetsu Hoshika
Strings – Joe Strings
Trumpet – Shin Kazuhara
Trombone – Yasuo Hirauchi
- その他の阿川泰子作品 -・
Yasuko (阿川泰子)「Love Bird」(’78 JVC)
