H!P Retro Review #4, Berryz!

Berryz Koubou Concert Tour 2006 Haru ~Nyoki Nyoki Champion!~

 

This is the first Hello! Project Concert DVD I ever purchased.  I'm not exactly sure why.  Berryz Koubou weren't my favorite H!P act at the time.  It was literally "Maybe I'll buy a concert DVD today...uuuhhhhhh, Berryz Koubou, that sounds good! (Click!)"  The two most coveted Berryz DVD's are probably "~Switch On~ 2005" (Maiha's graduation) and "Sakura Mankai 2007" (at Saitama Super Arena).  I've actually seen both concerts, but I have an unwritten rule about having to own a copy before I'll review it.

Nyoki Nyoki Champion! was the first concert tour after the graduation of Ishimura Maiha.  Although it isn't one of their most famous tours, it is a fun show with a couple of unique moments.  What's also interesting is that the girls were (and still are) at the age where they are growing up so quickly that they seem like virtually different people from one concert tour to the next.  This concert was less than two years ago, and compare how they looked from then to now. 

 

Completely different, with the exception of Momo.  Is she related to Dorian Gray?  I wonder what Maiha looks like now.

Opening/Berryz Koubou Koushinkyoku ~ Standard "Acorn into the Oak", "Jack and the Beanstalk" opening symbolism Berryz DVD's seem to be famous for.  Sorry for belaboring the point, but with the benefit of hindsight, it is amazing how much this group has grown professionally in a mere two years.  There is a certain "amateurishness" to this performance.  Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it.  This song sounds like it could be the intro to Sesame Street.

Gag 100 Kaibun Aishitekudasai ~ I love Momoko's vocals on this song.  A lot of fun, manic energy here.  And I love Chinami's famous "No Nyuu" line.  I love it!  But this is Momo's song, and she jams on it!

Koi no Jubaku ~ I'm watching this song wondering whether or not this is live or lip-synched.  I've seen the YouTube video of Risako sounding awful, but she sounds good enough here.  But none of them sound perfect...I'm confused.  This is followed by the opening intros.  "Yay!", I finally get to hear my two favs, Maasa and Captain Saki, say something!  I'm not sure if either one had used there microphone yet at this point.

Jiriri Kiteru ~ Berryz being sexy?  I don't know, it just feels wrong to me. (LOL)  This is a good opportunity to hear all of them deliver solo lines.  Miyabi is obviously their best natural singer, and Momo has the most interesting voice.  Chinami sounds good, and I love Saki's breathy and sexy voice.  But this is the second time in this show that I have cringed when Yurina's sings.

Himitsu no U.TA.HI.ME ~ Another song that seems to have a more even distribution of lines.  I'm always routing for Maasa.  First of all, she is my favorite Berry by far.  She's a great looking girl and doesn't have the traditional idol physique.  Her voice-over in the MiniMoni Movie, where she sounded like "Froggy" from the Little Rascals, was fabulous.  She has sounded good so far.  But the same can't be said about Risako...UGH, did she destory her solo line.  This is kind of a weird song.

21ji Made no Cinderella ~ One of my Berryz favs!  Even two years ago, Chinami's vocal talent is begging for her to be a lead singer in this group.  Risako is "croaking" her lines again.  Now I don't hate Risako at all, but it seems obvious that the only reason she is at the forefront of this group is because the Wotas have a "thing" for her.  If this is truly about the music, there are far more talented girls in the back!

Sabori ~ Finally a slow song, they are all sweating bullets!  Ahhh, youth (or Ahhh, Seishun!) They have put alot of energy into this performance.  They are even bouncing around on this relatively slow number.  Another thing to love about Maasa, that adorable bucktoothed smile, KAWAII!

Joshi basket bu ~Asaren Atta Hi no Kamigata~ This is the only time this song has been performed live.  Too bad, I love this song.  It made me want to buy their 2nd CD.  I remember doing skits like this in summer camp when I was ten!  This is great!  Saki on a basketball team, that's funny.  Good thing they have Yurina "The Ringer" Kumai!  The song itself is fun...

 

Nanchuu Koi wo Yatteruu YOU KNOW? ~  The more I pay attention to Miyabi, the sorrier I am that I ranked her fifth of seven on Paul's Hello!Blog ranker.  But it really is a testament to how much I like most of the girls in Berryz Koubou.  I like this song as well, it has a certain edge and maturity to it.  It definitely sounds like something Morning Musume would do.  This is one of the better performances of this show.

Aisuru hito no Namae wo Nikki ni (VTR) ~  Kumai redeems herself here.  This is such a sweet moment...

 

BERRY FIELDS ~ This might be my all time favorite Berryz song.  It has been done with great effect in every concert.  It was so sad during Maiha's graduation, and so magical during Sakura Mankai.  This is a looser version.  It is such a pretty song...

Kacchoee! ~ This song always sounds great live!  It is just so much fun!  It was absolutely fabulous as a duet with C-ute during 2007 Winter Wonderful Hearts.  Oh yeah, they are definitely singing live.  You can hear them panting on some of the lines.  None of them sound bad either, and Chinami is working the crowd!  Another notable performance.

Anata Nashi de wa Ikite Yukenai ~ Well, Risako "looks" good...I think she needs to stay in her higher range.  But Saki steals the show with her superior dancing skills.  I knew I loved that girl for a reason!

Anshinkan ~  In keeping with the basketball theme..."Kumai-san down the lane, she can redeem herself if she just makes this shot, 20-footer from the top of the key...NOOOOOOOO!"  Listen, I like her too.  I like them all...really, I do!  Yurina seems like she has a very sweet disposition.  She'll be a fantastic model or Olympian, either one.  But as far as her singing, I'm just not "feelin' it"  But she looks good in her "Kirarin Revolution" dress.

Yume de Do Up ~ My "dream" trio, Maasa, Chinami and Momoko.  Another very pretty song.  And the three of them look so cute up there.  Very good performance.

Koishiterutoki wa Itsumo ~ For some reason I find the melody of this song to be obnoxious.  I have to admit, Captain doesn't sound too good on it either.  And they all sound like they are screaming on the chorus.  Next.

Piriri to Yukou ~  This song (and it's Momusu companion, Sukiyaki) always sound great!  It has a pretty chorus, and the dance is cute.  And I love the Caribbean flavor of the music.  The multicolored short skirts and bellyshirts are my favorite costumes so far.

Happiness ~Kofuku Kangei!~  Am I the only one that thought they were saying "We welcome the sadness tonight?".  I still think that's what they are saying.  I love this song.  But it's just another glaring lesson on who should be singing lead in this group.  Well...two out of three ain't bad.  Risako sounded okay on some of it, and her tight shorts sorta make up for it.

Special Generation ~  The eternal Berryz crowd pleaser.  I know it's the favorite of a lot of people.  And the Wotas definitely get into it.  They get to jump around and chant.  A good, high-energy song to end the main set.  Lets just say I don't seek it out when I am scanning "Dai ni Seichouki"

Encore/Yuujou Junjou oh Seishun ~ One of the best songs in the H!P catalog.  They bring the same energy to it here as all of Hello! Project last year.  A smoking performance, and a perfect "almost" ending.  Arigatou! Otomodachi sweetly ends the show.  Saki getting emotional at the end, awww.

So Kids, what did we learn here today.  Miyabi and Momoko are the leaders of this group for good reason.  It's the same reason why Buono! is currently succeeding.  The third lead singer, without a doubt, should be Chinami.  She's past her tomboy period, and is a superior singer.  I don't understand why Risako gets so many lines if she is going to blow them all.  Here's an idea, find an anime show, call it "Whatever" Revolution starring Sugaya Risako, and have her do "cutesy" videos.  Then pre-record her for every live event.  I wouldn't change anything about the Captain.  Saki, like Kaori Iida, is a perfect "silent" and supportive leader.  And her dancing is far superior to her singing.  She might be the best dancer in Hello! Project!  I love Maasa, but she is not as strong a singer as the top three.  Anyway, I enjoy her "underdog" persona.  And would be deeply saddened if she left Berryz.  Yurina plays a vital role in the image of Berryz Koubou.  She has the look, but she blows as many lines as Risako.

This is a fun little concert from the less-sophisticated period of Berryz Koubou.

CK in California