2 posts tagged “elder club”

This has been an interesting six months...

October 2007:  Goto Maki suddenly graduates from Hello! Project.  Reasons:  Exhaustion and creative differences with UFA.  Dubious sub-reason:  The arrest of Goto Yuuki "Corleone"  This, along with Iida Kaori's pregnancy also contributes to the unceremonious disappearance of Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai after a fairly promising start.

 

January 2008:  v-u-den announces their coming disbandment this summer.  Reason:  None given.  Dubious sub-reason:  Latest album doesn't break 8,000 copies sold?

February 2008:  The cancellation of Uta Doki! Pop Classics  Reason:  To make room for Berikyuu.  Dubious sub-reason:  Was anyone watching?

March 2008:  Mano Erina graduates from H!P Eggs and more importantly Ongaku Gatas.  Reason: To pursue a solo career and be the best part of Berikyuu!  Dubious sub-reason:  Unsubstantiated rumours of friction within the Gatas.  By the way, I don't buy into that rumour for one second.  There is NO possible way Yossie and Rika would let some kid get away with being a Diva in that group!

 

 April 2008:  The graduation of Mutou Mika from Ongaku Gatas and Hello! Project.  Reason:  To focus on her education.  Dubious sub-reason:  She just wasn't cute or popular.  If this is true, I feel really badly for her.  It doesn't seem as if she got much of a shot beyond the Eggs.  She was merely a glorified backup dancer for Gatas who never (as far as I've seen) got a chance to prove her talent.  Whatever the "real" reason, I am sorry to see Mika go.

 

 April 2008:  The sudden graduation of Kimura Ayaka.  Reason:  To focus on her acting.  Dubious sub-reason:  What has she done lately other than one song per year every winter?  This one hits me the hardest because 1) Ayaka is such a huge part of the history of Hello! Project.  Not because of Coconuts Musume, but of her Surprise English Lessons.  And 2) Unlike Maki, who we now know and always suspected would resurface, this may be the last we hear from Ayaka for a long time.  What bothers me the most is how unceremonious her departure is.  Ayaka deserves SO MUCH better than this! (Friday edit: well this theory already seems to have been proven incorrect, as Ayaka "Nagate" has already signed with a new agency.  Awesome for her!!!  I never said I was related to Nostradamus.)

 

Question:  What do all of these events have in common???

 

Answer:  They all happened to and affected members of the Elder Club.

 

Obviously sales are not what they used to be.  And I've always wondered how UFA can afford to pay all of these artists to be associated with H!P when they seem to be generating limited revenue for the organization.  What I have long suspected is that UFA is beginning to "prune away" the excess baggage, and it is starting with most of the Elders.  But can you really blame them?  Based on current trends, it is obviously the right time for UFA to take a good, hard look at where they are, and where they want to be.  As hard as it is to say goodbye to people they surely care about as human beings.  It simply makes sense for them to evaluate what is going to keep them profitable and contemporary.  After all, nobody wants them to become a "nostalgia" act!

So now we have seen the first of some major changes.  Could the rest of the Elders be far behind???

 

 

Melon Kinen-bi:  As much as I hate to say it, their days must be numbered with H!P.  Their last single and album barely sold a copy.  There has been no tour in 2008, and they are usually good for 2-3 club tours per year.  I don't think they are going to survive the year.

Maeda Yuki:  She is a tremendous talent, but is being promoted to the wrong demographic.  Yuki in H!P is like a "fish on a bicycle".  I think she is going to move on.

 

Inaba Atsuko:  Now that Ayaka is gone, could Atsuko be too far behind?  They both currenly play the same role within Hello! Project, with the exception of her backing vocal work.  I still say I'd rather watch the H!P shows with she and Mari hosting, and instead be talking about the graduation of MC Makoto!!!

Yui and Erika:  I have no clue what they could possibly have in store for these two.  And I'll bet UFA doesn't have a clue either. 

 

This leaves us with...

Matsuura Aya:  She is still one of the best talents currently in Hello! Project, but I could see her eventually pulling a "Gomaki" and bolting for greener pastures.  Whatever she does, I will still adore her!

Ongaku Gatas:  Despite losing two members, I don't think Gatas is falling apart at all.  Mika was underutilized and expendable.  Manoeri, as popular as she is, wasn't the cornerstone of the group.  Si*Na is an unknown commodity, so we have no idea what Nocchi's future is yet.  I'm interested to see what the Gatas' next move is.

 

And then you have...

All of the Momusu graduates:  This is the hardest for me to predict.  How do you tell the likes of Yuko, Nacchi, Kaorin, Nono, Kei-chan, Yaguchi, and Mikitty "see ya later"?  I don't think you do.  And even if I believe that last January was the last we'll hear of the "Elder" concept, it doesn't mean I think UFA will show every last one of them "the door".  Next to Ayaya, Morning Musume "OG" is the best part of the Elders' show, AND was the best part of the ENTIRE Summer 2007 concert!  Could some of them eventually say goodbye?  Yes, but it would be on their own terms.  I have to believe that H!P would always leave an open door for any of them.

 

Now what is working???

 

Berryz Koubou:  Dschinghis Khan is their best selling single...ever!

C-ute:  Namida no Iro...ditto!!!

Morning Musume:  Resonant Blue, Tsunku and Momusu do a retooling of style and BAM!  We have one of their best selling singles in over two years!

Buono!:  Is a resounding success!

 

Koharu Kusumi:  Every single and album sells well!  Great buzz around Milky Way.  Which begs the question...  What do Koharu and Pornography have in common???

 

Nobody claims to be a fan of either one, but they both generate monstrous revenue! 

CK in California

   

Installment #3, the Elder Club, with a few "not so elderly" elders.  This is going to be an interesting concert.  It is no accident that this is the third disc I am reviewing.  It is the one I was the least excited to see, compared with Wonderful Hearts and Haru Pro Award.  I sorta feel badly about that because I am one who always trumpets that the elders don't get enough respect, should be featured more, are more talented than they are given credit for, etcetera etcetera.  The cast of characters doesn't make it any easier to figure out...

Matsuura Aya, arguably the most talented singer in the history of Hello! Project.

Abe Natsumi, No one had a bigger fanbase at Haru Pro than Nacchi.

Morning Musume OG, haven't we all been clamoring for this?

Ongaku Gatas, judging by what I read on IW, they should be a big draw.

Melon Kinen-bi, I am a big fan (even if that is a lonely club) so that should be an enticement, at least for me.

So there are five good reasons why I would think more people would be interested.  I know I left a few out, but I am trying illustrate why they would be a good draw.  It is no reflection of how I personally feel about v-u-den, Yuki, Atsuko or Ayaka.  My point is "on paper", this looks like it should be a great show.  But if I go by last years' Elder Club show, I should expect a few great moments, surrounded by a bunch of the same performances we see at the H!P Big Show.  I'm going into this one "cold", let's see how it goes...

Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari ~ I've already seen (and commented on) this when it previewed on Dohhhup.  I love this song, so I was excited to see an "Elder" version.  Nice start to the show, my favorites were Yuko (very sexy and cool), MKB (very cute), and Kei-chan (also cute).  I was most disappointed by Ayaka (c'mon, give her a cooler "English" line than that!)  How about, "I wanna strive to have Tsunku know who I am"  or "I wanna bring back my old English Lessons"  Those would have been cooler lines.  Also, Gatas kinda ruin the mood at the end.   But I am still happy that they performed this, it was pretty cool!

The Peace! ~  To me, Ayaya and Yossie are the stars here.  Aya can make anything sound awesome, and Yossie just gets better with age.  I like the fact that they took someone who isn't known for this song and gave them a lead part.  I think it would've been even cooler to give a big part to someone unexpected, like Ayaka.  But it was another good performance.

So far the Elder Club has gotten off to a promising start

Yattarouze!/Narihajimeta Koi no BELL ~  I've already reviewed these for H!P Awards 2008.  On the first song we got a couple of closeups of Miki and Minami, that's nice.  Mika Mutou spent most of this performance dancing far "off-camera left"  Then why is Mika in this group if she barely gets a chance to participate?  Does she score a lot of goals?

Ai Ai Daiko ~ I loved how Gatas cleared a path for Yuki like she was an Empress.  After watching disc 3, I was excited to hear this again.  So kakkoii!  Yuki does not disappoint.  I am "this" close to buying my first Maeda Yuki CD!

Onegai Miwaku no Target ~  The main difference here is the use of stationary microphones.  Not as energetic as the other performance.  But I guess it's better than performing in a tent at the car show.  But look how excited the Wota are!  MKB seem well liked!

Jaja Uma Paradise ~  Watching this reminds me of "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" for obvious reasons. (Just trying to come up with an even more obscure Russ Meyer reference)  I've always liked v-u-den, so I'm sure I would've enjoyed this in person.  It is the same routine as the other show.

Progress report:  So far the show has been pretty good.  Not spectacular yet, but not bad at all!

HAPPY TO GO!/Watarasebashi ~  It is nice that Aya did completely different songs for the two different programs.  As much as I like Aya, I still don't own a copy of Double Rainbow.  So this is a new song to me.  Not bad, HAPPY is a very mature sounding song.  Kinda "jazzy".  My guess is that they adapted Aya's setlist to the program.  More mature for Elders, more fun "pop" songs with the younger groups.  She does both formats very well, which is why I think she is so special.  Even if I prefer her "less mature" material.

ENDLESS LOVE ~I Love You More~  This is the first of the four Elder "mashup" songs, which aren't as plentiful as in Wonderful Hearts.  Peeking down the setlist, Atsuko and Ayaka get to be in TWO songs apiece, WOW!  I hope Yui and Erika's future with H!P is more than an annual T&C Bomber cover every January.  Next...

WOW WOW WOW ~  Alright, it's an impromptu Pucchi Moni reunion!  I wonder if they would be interested in bringing this sub-unit back?  Ayaka, Kei-chan, and maybe Erika?  That might be cool.  It's nice to see Yasuda front and center for a change.  The three of them make for a strong trio!  Good performance, gives the energy a good shot in the arm!

Iki wo Kasanemashou/Datte Ikitekanakucha ~  Okay, I will give Kasanemashou another chance since Andra gave me a hard time about not liking it.  It's pretty, I'm just not running out to buy the single.  Believe it or not, I want to like Nacchi's work.  I am a fan!  I prefer the second song.  That "Thank You" at the end was adorable.  She is just too cute!

Danna Sama ~  Nothing remarkably different from the Haru Pro performance, which I liked alot.

Hitoshirezu Mune wo Kunaderu Yoru no Aki ~  Look out!  It's the attack of the Yasuda sub-units!  They did this song last year too.  The one part I really like is when Atsuko hits the high notes.  It's a pretty song, but...whatever.

Two-thirds of the way through, the show is losing steam.  I'm still hopeful for a big finish...

SEXY NIGHT ~   ROMANS are our final sub-unit of the night.  This does nothing for me either.  Lets call this one the "warmup" song for Mari and her appearance with Momusu OG.

Akai Freesia ~  As much as I love this song (it is one of the few I can actually sing along to), I had never heard a live version before.  So I was excited to see it on the setlist.  Ayumi looks very cute.  My favorite has always been Masae, but has she always been built like a Linebacker?  They are like the "Blue Collar Idols".  I actually like that about them.  Decent performance.

Koisuru Angel Heart ~  It's one of my favorites of theirs, as I've said on Haru Pro, and Bon Kyu! Bomb.  The version on Haru Pro is more like a tribute, with the entire cast singing in parts.  I prefer that version to this one.

Morning Musume OG Medley ~  They are wearing a less-revealing version of the Momusu's red "caped crusader" outfits that I love so much!  Now the Summer medley of The Peace! and Mr. Moonlight was excellent!  This one is not quite as exciting.  But it improved as it progressed.  Daite HOLD ON ME! is okay, they quickly get into Happy Summer Wedding.  This is much cuter.  And they all seem to be having alot of fun performing it!  There are so many cute parts to this song.  I love Nacchi's little "whisper" part near the end.  But my favorite part of the medley is Happy Night.  The song is so cool.  I remember how much I like it on Asuka's graduation DVD! 

Renai Revolution 21 ~   Once again I request giving someone other than Momusu and Ayaya a bigger part in these "chorus" songs.  I wonder how Ayaka, Yuki, and Atsuko feel about it?  You can't go wrong with this song.  I've never seen it not performed well.  And I will again sing the praises of Kei-chan!  She is more-talented AND sexier than many give her credit for.  She is just as exciting as Rika and Nacchi during this performance.

Final MC, I have to give props to Yuko and that sensational "kiss" the threw at the audience!!!

Michi Naru Mirai e ~  This is very cool for so many reasons.  First of all, it's a great tune.  And second, it's a new song to end the show with.  The middle of this setlist was pretty bumpy, but they ended the show as they started, with a bang! 

Overall the Elder Club is just missing some of the "fun" that the other two concerts possess.  Individually they are all great artists.  But it is just too big a concentration of mid to low tempo songs.  And the result is a show that sounds like it would be perfect for a Vegas dinner theater.  They probably need to be marketed differently, and completely seperate from C-ute/Berryz/Momusu.  But exactly what that would look like I am not sure of. 

There ya go!  All three discs reviewed.  I can't believe I spent my entire weekend doing this!  I haven't decided whether or not I will review the fourth disc.  How do you review 45 minutes of backstage footage?

CK in California