2 posts tagged “niigaki risa”

Every once in a while I am introduced to a song out of the realm of Hello! Project that really catches my attention.  A few months ago Henkka posted an Uta Doki Pop Classics episode where Yaguchi Mari covered the Juicy Fruits' Jenny Wa Gokigen Naname.  I love that tune!.  And Mari is so cute doing it.  But what I really fell in love with was Perfume's version of the same song, which was the c/w track of their Sweet Donuts single.  It is a lot of fun, and the lyrics are great.

Last week Berryz Kobo International did a post about a recent Berikyuu episode where members of Berryz Koubou and C-ute did a cover of Natsu Matsuri.  The song was originally done by Jitterin' Jinn and more recently covered by a really cool J-rock group called Whiteberry.  I really love this song too, especially Whiteberry's version.  And the original is pretty good as well.

Whiteberry

CJ, formerly of Stuck in a Pagoda (check out his great new blog here) commented on IW that Niigaki Risa recently covered that song on Uta Doki too.  That prompted me to search You Tube for more versions, as Japanese pop classics tend to be redone by multiple artists.  I had seen some of the Uta Doki episodes of that week with GakiKame, but somehow this performance slid under my radar...

Now I really like Gaki's version as well.  Risa looks adorable with that haircut!  And the ending is great with Kamei joining in on the fun!  I had commented once before that Gakisan has what it takes to be a popular solo artist.  And this performance doesn't change that opinion at all.  But the "best" thing that came out of my search was the discovery that the relatively new J-pop group Idoling!!! also did a cover of Natsu Matsuri.  I've never heard the girls in Idoling!!! sing before.  Let's see how they do, shall we...

Uggh!!!  Doesn't Idoling!!! have any girls that can sing?  That was a disaster!  Japan's version of The Monkees has got to do better than this if they think they are going to make a dent in the music industry.  In fact, the members of The Monkees all had musical talent.  The girls of Idoling!!! are cute, but what else do they have to offer?  It should also be noted that Idoling!!! also covered Pucchi Moni's BABY! Koi ni KNOCK OUT!  And that was slightly...slightly better.  To borrow one of my favorite pics form Morning Berryz blog...

Simon

I can only imagine what our good friend Simon would have to say.  I would really like to become a fan of Idoling!!!  But what I have seen so far just hasn't impressed me.  Perhaps they sound better on some of their original material.  So I won't write them off just yet.  In any case, Natsu Matsuri is an amazing song.  And thank you to Pengie (this might be a record for references to other bloggers) for turning me on to Whiteberry!

CK in California

Here is another survey from the IW Blogosphere.  This is from Celestia of Bikkuri Project, who is lucky enough to be teaching English in Japan this year.  I am green with envy!  Well, here goes!

1. You have found a magical J-pop genie who will grant you one J-pop related wish (so no wishing for a million dollars or world peace or anything like that). It can be virtually anything as long as it’s directly related to J-pop, and don’t worry, because this is the nice sort of genie, not the kind who will try to find a loop-hole and screw up your wish. So, what do you wish for???

I would love to have the ability to attend every Hello! Project concert and event.  Perhaps even work for H!P, maybe I could be their accountant!!!

2. Is there any J-pop artist or group who seriously pisses you off? If yes, who, and why?

I can't think of anyone who "pisses me off".  Granted, there are some artists I don't particularly care for, but that's as bad as it gets.  Now if you asked me about American artists who annoy me, I'd need many pages for that list!

3. Who do you think is the sexiest japanese singer out there?

After watching those recent episodes of AKB０じ５９ふん, it has to be Team K's Ohori Megumi.  Koda Kumi is pretty hot too, but I am not a big fan of her material, so Megumi wins!

Ohori Megumi 2

4. How about the cutest?

Tanaka Reina with a bullet!  And she almost wins the "sexy" category too!

Sexy Reina

5. Best personality?

Niigaki Risa, she has the most cheerful disposition!  And she is another "sexy" candidate!

Risa

6. If given the opportunity, would you rather date person 3, person 4, or person 5?

Total package-wise, if I could date any J-pop singer I would probably choose Abe Natsumi or Matsuura Aya.  But of the three choices above, I would pick #3, Ohori Megumi from AKB48 because 1) she's the oldest of the three, and 2) With Megumi I would probably have the best chance of getting to "first base"!  And yes, I am re-embedding the video from my last post because it was too damn sexy/funny!

7. You work for a Japanese music magazine, and you have the opportunity to interview your favorite artist or group. What are a couple of the questions you want to ask them?

I had almost abandoned the idea of going to Japan next month (for various reasons), then I read that Kago Ai is having some sort of interview/event in Osaka on August 10th!  And the tickets are for sale to the public???  Wow, I could attend that!!!  But Kago's life has been an open book lately, so I wouldn't know what to ask her that we don't seem to already know!  But I guess I would ask any idol "If you had the chance to go back in time, would you do it all again?"  "What would you do differently?"  And "If your own daughter came to you and said that she wanted to try and become an idol, what would you say and do"?  

8. What’s the best (J-pop) song to listen to when you are really sad?

W's "Shiroi Iro wa Koibito no Iro" is so beautiful, and it reminds me of the passing of my mother.

9. When you’re really happy?

W sweeps the category with Ai no Imi wo Oshiete!  Although ironically the first time I saw the PV and heard the song, I loved it so much I almost cried!

10. Do you often sing along to your favorite songs?

Sure, it helps me with my learning of the language!

11. How about dance?

If I am drinking while I am watching a DVD, I will practice my Wota-gei!!!

12. Artistic integrity question!! If someone offerrered to pay you for blogging, but they were allowed to censor some of your opinions or veto some of your blogging ideas, would you do it?

That depends on who is asking, and how much they are paying me.  If someone wanted to pay me as a writer, but wanted to have creative input on the content, I would probably do it.  But it also depends on the extent of the control.  Writing is a creative expression.  If I felt I was being suppressed too much, I would probably abandon it!

And Celestia, I would be happy to see a show with you when I (eventually) get to Japan, and that might be in October/November.

CK in California