Ohki Risa (大木理沙) - Final Fantasy Vocal Collection: PRAY

Released way back in 1994.  Absolutely fabulous covers of FF themes ranging from 1 to 6.  Ohki Risa's voice is slightly operatic, but very versatile, and she sings in French, English, Portuguese as well!
I'd recommend almost all the songs on here (Track 5 is probably the BEST rendition of "Theme of Love" from FF4 ever made).  I've been listening to this since I was a kid (and have been playing FF for just as long!), so this album is very dear to me.
It was re-released for it's 10th anniversary in 2004!  It was long out of print before that.  Pray @ amazon.co.jp

1.  Prelude - Final Fantasy Main Theme
2.  The Promised Land - Main Theme from Final Fantasy 2
3.  Mon P'tit Chat (My Little Cat) - "Music Box Memories" from Final Fantasy 5
4.  時の放浪者 (toki no hourousha) [Wanderer of Time] - "Tina/Terra's Theme" from Final Fantasy 6
5.  光の中へ (hikari no naka e) [Into The Light] - "Theme of Love" from Final Fantasy 4
6.  Esperança do Amor (Hope of Love) - "Dear Friends" from Final Fantasy 5
7.  Voyage - "Boundless Ocean" from Final Fantasy 3
8.  Au Palais de Verre (In The Glass Palace) - "Matoya's Cave" from Final Fantasy 1
9.  Once You Meet Her - "Water Priestess Aria" from Final Fantasy 3
10. Pray - Final Fantasy Main Theme
11. Não Chora Meniña (Don't Cry Little Girl) - "Kids Run Through The City Corner" from Final Fantasy 6


Enjoy!
PRAY

VA - Sakura Bossa

I know cherry blossom season is long past, but I just recently listened to this, and I absolutely love it!  All the singers are great, and the bossa style of these songs are so chill and relaxing.  I have been putting this on at work, and it really changes my mood.  Have cherry blossom time all year round with this one!  Buy it here.  Also, you can find the individual artists from the amazon page.  I am going to try and get my hands on some of there work, because this album was so impressive!

1.  桜 (sakura) by RUCO - Kawaguchi Kyogo (河口恭吾) cover
2.  桜色舞うころ (sakura-iro mau koro) [When Cherry Blossom Color Falls] by Ohinata Hiroko (大日方治子) - Nakashima Mika (中島美嘉) cover
3.  チェリー (CHERRY) by Seira (星羅) - SPITZ (スピッツ) cover
4.  桜坂 (sakura-zaka) [Cherry Blossom Hill] by Tammy - Fukuyama Masaharu (福山雅治) cover
5.  SAKURAドロップス (DROPS) by Kano Kaori (かの香織) - Utada HIKARU (宇多田ヒカル) cover
6.  桜の隠す別れ道 (sakura no kakusu wakare michi) [Parting Road Hidden by Cherry Blossoms] by Peach - Hirakawa-chi Icchoume (平川地一丁目) cover
7.  サクラ色 (SAKURA-iro) [Cherry Blossom Color] by Ohinata Hiroko (大日方治子) - Angela Aki cover
8.  sakura by RUCO - NIRGILIS (ニルギリス) cover
9.  さくら(独唱) (sakura dokushou) [Sakura: Solo] by Tammy - Moriyama Naotaro  (森山直太朗) cover
10. SAKURA by Kano Kaori (かの香織) - Ikimonogakari (いきものがかり) cover
11. 桜 (sakura) by RUCO - KOBUKURO (コブクロ) cover
12. チェリーブラッサム (CHERRY BLOSSOM) by Seira (星羅) - Matsuda Seiko (松田聖子) cover
13. 桜の木の下で (sakura no ki no shita de) [Under The Cherry Blossom Tree] by Peach - Tsuji Ayano (つじあやの) cover

Enjoy!
Sakura Bossa

VA - Disney Dream Pop: Tribute to Tokyo Disney Resort

Ah!  Sorry for the long wait!  I was playing too much this weekend!  Don't worry, I have a lot of new stuff I will try to get up!
Here is Disney Dream Pop, a J-pop tribute to some Disney standards, released in 2008.  Track 12 was an original song (to my knowledge), and track 9 was a remix of said track, so I won't be including them.
If you want to hear it, check it out...here!

1.  Under The Sea (The Little Mermaid) - by mihimaru GT
2.  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Mary Poppins) - by Nanba Shiho (南波志帆)
3.  Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (Lilo & Stitch) - by AAA
4.  Beauty & The Beast - by BRIGHT
5.  A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Cinderella) - by alan
6.  When You Wish Upon a Star (Pinocchio) - by Yuugin (遊吟)
7.  A Whole New World (Aladdin) - by Fukui Mai (ふくい舞)
8.  When She Loved Me (Toy Story 2) - by FREEWAY HIGH HIGH (フリーウェイハイハイ)
10. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride -Eurobeat Remix- (Lilo & Stitch) - by AAA
11. It's a Small World -House Remix- (New York World's Fair) - by Kouda Kumi (倖田來未) & Heartsdales

Enjoy!
Disney Dream Pop

UGH

I am trying to customize my blog... I was trying out blog templates but I haven't really found anything I like and that I think reflects what I'm uploading... and also figuring out every. single. little. detail....  It's more OCD-ish than I can handle, LOL.
I've found a pretty cute template site, but if anyone can suggest easy how-tos or blogger template sites for me, that'd be great. 
Ta-ta...

Candies (キャンディーズ) - CANDIES 1676 DAYS Disc 4

Disc 4 of Candies' "1676 DAYS" album was nothing but covers!  Joy!  This was a Best/Compilation album I think... if you want to find out more click here.
Originally released in 1977.  Track 1 is a beautiful French cover (in French!).  I'd love to know exactly which girl sang this.  I'll take a guess and say... Ran?  Please correct me!  Some of my other favorite tracks are the 8 and 11 disco covers, and the sexy track 9!  Track 5 was released as a single, and was featured on another album (they sure did love that Carpenters song).

1.  ISABELLE - Daniel Guichard cover
2.  LET IT SHINE - Olivia Newton-John cover
3.  SUGAR CANDY KISSES - Mac & Katie Kissoon cover
4.  IT'S GONNA BE A COLD COLD CHRISTMAS (恋のラストシーン) (koi no LAST SCENE) [Last Love Scene] - Dana cover
5.  ALL YOU GET FROM LOVE IS A LOVE SONG (ふたりのラヴ・ソング) (futari no LOVE SONG) [Our Love Song] - The Carpenters cover
6.  SE PIANGI, SE RIDI (君に涙とほほえみを) (kimi ni namida to hohoemi wo) [Tears and Smiles for You] - Bobby Solo cover
7.  DANCE, DANCE, DANCE - Bay City Rollers cover
8.  MIDNIGHT LOVE AFFAIR - Carol Douglas cover
9.  LOVE FEVER - Bay City Rollers cover
10. MASCULIN SINGULIER (あなたの瞳に) (anata no hitomi ni) [In Your Eyes] - Sylvie Vartan cover
11. STEEL WILLIE - Rosetta Stone cover
12. INSIDE A BROKEN DREAM (孤独の涙) (kodoku no namida) [Tears of Loneliness] - Bay City Rollers cover

Enjoy!
Candies 1676 Days Disc 4

VA - Yamaguchi Momoe Tribute Thank You For... part 2

Here is part 2 of the Momoe Yamaguchi (山口百恵) tribute album.  Buy it here: Thank You For @ amazon.co.jp
This one is not so amazing as the first one (judging from the reception it's gotten on amazon reviews), but I think the collection of artists is more eclectic sounding and is a nice angle to take on Momoe from.  Of note is the rarely covered "chipokke na kansho", acapella covered "Yokosuka Story", and heavy metal take on "Imitation Gold".  A great addition to any Momoe fan's collection if you ask me!


1.  さよならの向う側 (sayonara no mukou gawa) [Other Side of Goodbye] by Suzuki Masayuki (鈴木雅之)
2.  いい日旅立ち-Tribute version- (ii hi tabi-tachi) [A Good Day To Start A Journey] by I WiSH
3.  横須賀ストーリー (yokosuka STORY) by RAG FAIR
4.  曼珠沙華 (manjushaka) [Spider Lily] by Kudou Shizuka (工藤静香)
5.  ちっぽけな感傷 (chipokke na kanshou) [Little Sentiment] by SUNEOHAIR (スネオヘアー)
6.  パールカラーにゆれて (PEARL COLOR ni yurete) [Flickering in Pearl Color] by Harada Tomoyo (原田知世)
7.  美・サイレント (bi・SILENT) [Beauty・Silent] by Ohashi Junko (大橋純子)
8.  イミテーション・ゴールド (IMITATION GOLD) by ANN LEWIS (アン・ルイス)
9.  秋桜 (akizakura/COSMOS) by KEIKO LEE (ケイコ・リー)
10. 愛の嵐 (ai no arashi) [Love Storm] by Mihara Junko (三原じゅん子)
11. 夢先案内人 (yume saki annnaijin) [Dream Destination Guide] by Yanagi GEORGIE (柳ジョージ)


Enjoy!
Thank You For part 2

VA - Cover Morning Musume (カバー・モーニング娘。)

I'm not too big on Hello Project stuff, but I did like Morning Musume (モーニング娘。) at the time of this cover album (2001).  I think the 4th generation was really fun.  (I stopped listening to them around their 12th single, which is covered here.)
This album is very R&B, really changed up from the original hyper dancy versions.  Production is pretty good, but the translations/adaption to English are so-so IMO.  But I'd download this just for the "Endless Summer" song!
Buy it @ amazon.co.jp 

1.  DANCE SITE by Deniece Williams - 恋のダンスサイト (koi no DANCE SITE) cover
2.  HOLD ON ME! by Debbie French - 抱いてHOLD ON ME! (daite) cover
3.  PEACE! by Cindy Braggs (En Vogue) - ザ☆ピース (THE☆PEACE!) cover
4.  SUMMER RAINBOW by T.A.M.K - サマーれげぇ!レインボー (SUMMER reggae! RAINBOW) cover
5.  ENDLESS SUMMER by Tara McDonald - 真夏の光線 (manatsu no kousen) cover
6.  A RED DIARY by Kuk Harrell - 赤い日記帳 (akai nikichou) cover
7.  I WISH by Vanessa Williams - I WISH cover
8.  LOVE MACHINE by Debbie French - LOVEマシーン cover
9.  LOVE REVOLUTION 21 by Donna McAfee - 恋愛レボリューション21 (renai REVOLUTION21) cover
10. MORNING COFFEE by SHAKATAK - モーニングコーヒー cover
11. SUMMER NIGHT TOWN by Debbie French - サマーナイトタウン cover
12. MEMORIES by Tonya Kelly (Jade) - Memory 青春の光 (seishun no hikari) cover

Enjoy!
Cover Morning Musume

Wink Covers Part 4

My last Wink installment (for now).  I'm still missing a lot of their albums!  Gotta try to find...!
I hope you've enjoyed Wink's takes on 80s, disco, and some 60s stuff.  I sure do!  Some of my favorite songs of theirs are covers!  Wish they'd reunite and make some kind of self-cover album... sigh!


Part 4:
1.  12月の織姫 (juu-ni gatsu no orihime) [December Orihime] - Billie Hughes' "My World" cover
2.  Alone Again - Windham Hill Artists' "Nothing Means More To Me Than You" cover***
3.  Celebration - Vanessa Williams' "Save The Best For Last" cover
4.  Frou-Frou - Hot Chocolate's "Brother Louie" cover
5.  ふりむかないで (furimukanaide) [Don't Look Back] - THE PEANUTS (ザ・ピーナッツ) cover
6.  ロマンスの方舟 (ROMANCE no hakobune) [Ark of Romance] - MR. ZIVAGO's "Little Russian" cover
7.  時計をとめて (tokei o tomete) [Stop the Clock] - JACKS (ジャックス) cover
8.  無実のオブジェ (mujitsu no OBJECT) [False Object] - Pat Benatar's "Invincible" cover
9.  霧の楽園 ～THAT'S THE WAY (I Like It)～ (kiri no rakuen) [Mist Paradise] - KC & The Sunshine Band cover
10. JIVE INTO THE NIGHT ～野蛮な夜～ [HYPER EURO MIX] (~yaban na yoru~) [~Savage Night~] - Green Olives' cover
11. 悲しみよりもしたたかに ～MY TURN～ (kanashimi yorimo shitatakani) [More Severe Than Sadness] - Tasha cover
12. 永遠の恋人 ～AIN'T NOBODY～ (eien no koibito) [Eternal Lover] - Rufus & Chaka Khan cover


*Bonus Track*

想い出までそばにいて ～Welcome To The Edge～ (omoide made soba ni ite) [Stay Until We're Memories] - Billie Hughes

***Here is the conundrum for me.  Is it a cover or no?  Singer/songwriter Billie Hughes wrote this, and Wink recorded in 1990... but it became Billie's first single in 1991, and is called self-cover on Japanese Wiki.  Hmm... I'll let you decide.***

Billie Hughes is kinda obscure to me, so if anyone has any info on him that'd be great...

And just who are the Windham Hill Artists!?  Other than a Japanese website (which is pretty bare), I can't find anything on them!  I don't even know if the title of their song is the right one.

Enjoy!

Wink Covers Part 4

Wink Covers Part 3

Gotta get these Wink cover collections up and finished for you!  No, I'm not trying to get Wink out of the way, what are you Saying!?  They truly were the Queens of Covers, and they did it right: they totally owned their own lyrics and sound.  I've heard (and will upload) some pretty lukewarm covers; covers can go horribly wrong if they aren't handled like an individual's song, IMO.


Part 3!
1.  Sexy Music - The Nolans' cover
2.  あの夏のシーガル ～Cherish～ (ano natsu no SEAGULL) [That Summer's Seagull] - Kool & the Gang cover
3.  哀しい枯葉 ～I Can't Deny A Broken Heart～ (kanashii kareha) [Sad Dried Leaves] - Annika Burman cover
4.  夏服のジュリエット ～Dos Hombres～ (natsufuku no JULIET) [Summer-clothed Juliet] - Carmin cover***
5.  夜にはぐれて ～Where Were You Last Night～ (yoru ni hagurete) [Stray In The Night] - Ankie Bagger cover
6.  悪い夢 ～I Was Made For Lovin' You～ (warui yume) [Bad Dream] - Kiss cover
7.  水の星座 (mizu no seiza) [Water Constellation] - Tricia Leigh Fisher's "Let An Angel" cover
8.  銀星倶楽部 ～I'm In Mood For Dancing～ (ginsei kurabu) [Silver Star Club] - The Nolans' cover
9.  雨に消えた初恋 (ame ni kieta hatsukoi) [First Love Disappeared In The Rain] - The Cowsills' "The Rain, the Park, & Other Things" cover
10. Fun Fun Fun - The Beach Boys' cover
11. Mighty Mighty Love - Zager & Evans' "In the Year 2525" cover
12. 夜の月、昼の月 (yoru no tsuki, hiru no tsuki) [Night Moon, Day Moon] - Bette Midler's "Night & Day" cover


***Can anyone give me more info on the Spanish-language singer Carmin?  I'm guessing she's an 80s star.  I could barely find anything on her when I looked up the song.


Enjoy!
Wink Covers Part 3

VA - Yamaguchi Momoe Tribute Thank You For...

The great Momoe Yamaguchi (山口百恵) started out in 1973 as a 70s idol and by her late teens had successfully transitioned to an utahime, or "song princess", the Japanese equivalent of diva.
While not having many number one hits, the combination of her mature beauty, sultry voice, and mystique has captivated singers and fans alike for 30+ years.
Retiring in 1980 at the age of 20 to marry fellow actor Tomokazu Miura (三浦友和), she has never come back into public life; fans, including me, still dream of a comeback someday.
In the meantime, her two sons are in showbiz, the oldest as the lead singer of now defunct band PEAKY SALT, and the younger just starting to act in movies.
Luckily for us, she is one of the most covered artists, and her later singles have become classics in Japanese culture.
Momoe Tribute @ amazon.co.jp

1.  ロックンロール・ウィドウ (ROCK 'N ROLL WIDOW) by Fujii FUMIYA (藤井フミヤ)
2.  秋桜 (akizakura/COSMOS) by Fukuyama Masaharu (福山雅治)
3.  さよならの向う側 (sayonara no mukou gawa) [Other Side of Goodbye] by Tsunku (つんく♂)
4.  パールカラーにゆれて (PEARL COLOR ni yurete) [Flickering in Pearl Color] by Sowelu
5.  愛染橋 (aizen-bashi) [Aizen Bridge] by Nakamori Akina (中森明菜)
6.  ひと夏の経験 (hito natsu no keiken) [One Summer's Experience] by PUFFY
7.  夢先案内人 (yume saki annaijin) [Dream Destination Guide] by bird
8.  プレイバック part2 (PLAYBACK) by Karashima Midori (辛島美登里)
9.  しなやかに歌って (shinayaka ni utatte) [Sing Freely] by CIRCUS (サーカス)
10. ロックンロール・ウィドウ (ROCK 'N ROLL WIDOW) by SAKURA
11. 乙女座 宮 (otomeza-kyu) [Virgo] by Iwasaki Hiromi (岩崎宏美) 


Enjoy!
Thank You For...

VA - KiraKira Majokko Cluv (キラキラ♥魔女ッ娘♥Cluv)

Electro/Techno renditions of classic (and a few modern) magical girl series themes.
The singers are all idol-type artists (ex Morning Musume Ai Kago (加護亜依) for example), gravia idols, models, and the remixers are all pretty recent right now, on this electro-themed wave that's been happening in pop music.  
Buy it at amazon.co.jp


(Songs that share the same title as the anime won't have the title again... it's a little repetitive.  :P )
Disc 1:
1.  魔法使いチャッピー (mahou tsukai CHAPPY) - Takeguchi MIRA (滝口ミラ) & SEXY-SYNTHESIZER
2.  ラムのラブソング (LUM no LOVE SONG) from Urusei Yatsura (うる星やつら) - Kago Ai (加護亜依) & Mr. Hardgroove (Public Enemy)
3.  魔女っ子メグちゃん (majokko MEG-chan) - chiaki & Electrocute
4.  ときめきトゥナイト (tokimeki TONIGHT) - Kyan Chiaki (喜屋武ちあき) & Carlos Aoki (Pan Pacific Playa)
5.  テレポーテーション -恋の未確認- (TELEPORTATION -koi no mikakunin-) from ESPER Mami (エスパー魔美) - Marin (真凛) & Maho☆THAIDISCO (真保☆タイディスコ)
6.  おジャ魔女カーニバル!! (oJA majo CARNIVAL) from OJA Majo Doremi (おジャ魔女どれみ) - Satomi Akane (里見茜) & BOOTSY COLLINS
7.  Loveさりげなく (sarigenaku) from Mahou no Tenshi CREAMY MAMI (魔法の天使クリィミーマミ) - Shinohara Tomoe (篠原ともえ) & CHRISTOPHER JUST
8.  ふしぎなメルモ (fushigi na MELMO) - Anzu Sayuri (杏さゆり) & bymski
9.  不思議色ハピネス (fushigi-iro HAPPINESS) from Mahou no STAR MAGICAL EMI (魔法のスター マジカルエミ) - VANILLA BEANS (バニラビーンズ) & Ishii MASAYUKI (石井マサユキ) (TICA)
10. すきすきソング (suki suki SONG) from Himitsu no AKKO-chan (ひみつのアッコちゃん) - Tashiro Sayaka (田代さやか) & dj scotch egg
11. BIN♥KANルージュ (ROUGE) from Mahou no Tenshi CREAMY MAMI (魔法の天使クリィミーマミ) - Suzuki Rin (鈴木凛) & CHERRYBOY FUNCTION
12. OVER THE FUTURE from Zettai Karen CHILDREN (絶対可憐チルドレン) - Miyaji Mao (宮地真緒) & PLASTIC OPERATOR
13. innocent starter from Mahou Shojyo RIRIKARU nanoha (魔法少女リリカルなのは) - NO COLOR & Lightaman Jr
14. Catch You Catch Me from CARD CAPTOR Sakura (カードキャプターさくら) - Sugimoto Yumi (杉本有美) & Yano Hiroyasu (矢野博康)
15. 見知らぬ国のトリッパー (mishiranu kuni no TRIPPER) from Mahou no Yosei PERSIA (魔法の妖精ペルシャ) - Isoyama Sayaka (磯山さやか) & STRINGS BURN (Pan Pacific Playa)


Disc 2:
1.  ひみつのアッコちゃん (himitsu no AKKO-chan) - Kago Ai (加護亜依) & Paolo Scotti
2.  ときめきトゥナイト (tokimeki TONIGHT) - chiaki & PLASTIC OPERATOR
3.  デリケートに好きして (DELICATE ni sukishite) from Mahou no Tenshi CREAMY MAMI (魔法の天使クリィミーマミ) - Shinohara Tomoe (篠原ともえ) & CHRISTOPHER JUST
4.  ラブラブミンキーモモ (LOVE LOVE MINKY MOMO) from Mahou no PRINCESS MINKY MOMO (魔法のプリンセスミンキーモモ) - Komine Rena (小嶺麗奈) & BOOTSY COLLINS
5.  Super Love Lotion from Tokimeki TONIGHT (ときめきトゥナイト) - Anzu Sayuri (杏さゆり) & Mr. Hardgroove (Public Enemy)
6.  LaLaLa～くちびるに願いをこめて～ (~kuchibiru ni negai o komete~) from Mahou no STAGE FANCY LALA (魔法のステージ ファンシーララ) - VANILLA BEANS (バニラビーンズ) & SEXY-SYNTHESIZER
7.  キューティーハニー (CUTEY HONEY) - Sugimoto Yumi (杉本有美) & bymski
8.  魔法使いサリー (mahou tsukai SALLY) - Kyan Chiaki (喜屋武ちあき) & dj scotch egg
9.  スキ? キライ!? スキ!!! (SUKI? KIRAI!? SUKI!!!) from ZERO no tsukaima~futatsuki no kishi~ (ゼロの使い魔～双月の騎士～) - Asakura Erika (朝倉えりか) & Karate SAIKO (空手サイコ)
10. ルージュの伝言 (ROUGE no dengon) from Majou no Takkyubin (魔女の宅急便) - Tashiro Sayaka (田代さやか) & Maho☆THAIDISCO (真保☆タイディスコ)
11. ムーンライト伝説 (MOONLIGHT densetsu) from Bishojyo Senshi SAILOR MOON (美少女戦士セーラームーン) - La Pafait☆Princess & B-Club
12. DANZEN! ふたりはプリキュア (futari ha PURI CURE) - (Yamamoto Azusa) 山本梓 & Lightaman Jr
13. ひとりぼっちのメグ (hitori-bocchi no MEG) from Majokko MEG-chan (魔女っ子メグちゃん) - Yokota Miki (横田美紀) & Electrocute
14. デリケートに好きして (DELICATE ni sukishite) from Mahou no Tenshi CREAMY MAMI (魔法の天使クリィミーマミ) - Shinohara Tomoe (篠原ともえ) & Shinohara Tomoe (篠原ともえ)
15. 花の子ルンルン (hana no ko RUN RUN) - Marin (真凛) & Paolo Scotti

Enjoy!
Disc 1 
Disc 2

Wink Covers Part 2

Hey guys!  Sorry for being away, the holiday weekend and work this past week got to me.  But now I'm back with more groovy 80s Wink covers!  Here is part 2!  Always remember to check out Wink @ amazon.co.jp


Part 2 consists of:
1.  Only Lonely - The Dooleys' "Body Language" cover
2.  SPECIAL TO ME - Bobby Caldwell cover
3.  Take Me To Heaven - Annika Burman cover
4.  おしゃれ泥棒 (oshare dorobou) [Fashionable Thief] -  Connie Francis' "I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter" cover
5.  ひきとめないで (hikitomenaide) [Don't Hold Me Back] - Debbie Harry's "You Got Me In Trouble" cover
6.  優しく愛して・・・ (yasashiku aishite) [Love Me Gently] - The Nolans' "Let's Make Love" cover
7.  夜間飛行 ～Never Marry A Railroad Man～ (yakan hikou) [Night Flight] - The Shocking Blue cover
8.  涙をみせないで ～Boys Don't Cry～ (namida wo misenaide) [Don't Show Your Tears] - Moulin Rouge cover
9.  硝子の心 ～Heart Of Glass～ (garasu no kokoro) - Blondie cover
10. 背中まで500マイル (senaka made 500 MILE) [500 Miles To Your Back] - Hedy West's "Five Hundred Miles" cover
11. I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door - Eddie Hodges cover***


***I think The Isley Brothers originally sang this song in 1959, but Eddie Hodges' single was a big teen hit...


Enjoy!
Wink Covers Part 2

Wink Covers Part 1

Wink was a late 80s early 90s pop duo, with nearly half of their work being covers, from obscure Euro 80s hits to oldies.  While their first single, "Sugar Baby Love" was a cover, they didn't get put on the map until their 3rd single, a cover of Kylie Minogue's "Turn It Into Love" which had just come out the same year.

Consisting of Shoko Aida (相田翔子) and Sachiko Suzuki (鈴木早智子), they lasted till 1996 and had to quit from failing sales.  They were really a product of late 80s idol groups and I guess couldn't keep up with the times.

While Shoko is still on talk shows and acting, Sachiko has had a bit of scandal with releasing a soft porn movie and cheating with a married actor!  But... check out their Wink work... ahem... Wink @ amazon.co.jp 

Included in part 1 of my Wink cover selection (sorry, I don't have all their albums... yet!  There are more covers out there!  I want them too!  >_< )


1.  BYE BYE BABY - The Four Seasons cover
2.  DANCE WITH ME - Orleans cover
3.  DING DING 〜恋から始まるふたりのトレイン〜 (~koi kara hajimaru futari no TRAIN~) [Our Train Starting From Love] - Annika Burman's "I en ding ding värld" cover
4.  NAVY BLUE - Diane Renay cover
5.  Sugar Baby Love - Rubettes cover
6.  愛が止まらない ～Turn It Into Love～ (ai ga tomaranai) [Love Doesn't Stop] - Kylie Minogue cover
7.  Baby Me - Holly Knight cover
8.  Especially For You ～優しさにつつまれて～ (~yasashisa ni tsutsumarete~) [Wrap Me In Tenderness] - Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan cover
9.  IN YOUR LETTER - REO Speedwagon cover
10. JOANNA - Kool & the Gang cover
11. OH MY LOVE - John Lennon cover


Enjoy!
Wink Covers Part 1

Candies (キャンディーズ) - Early Covers (1974-1976)

Candies!  キャンディーズ!  The idol trio from the early 70s had great harmonies and sang everything from folk pop, to bubblegum idol songs, to disco.  And lots of covers, in Japanese, English, even French!

I'm not that sharp of a Candies fan to distinguish which girl sang which song (Su, Miki, or Ran), but they all have wonderful voices. Find out more about their work!  Candies @ amazon.co.jp

Sadly, Su passed away from breast cancer in April of this year.  Ran and Miki were by her side until the end.  Truly friends forever.  She will live on in her music, for sure.  One of her last wishes was to be "helpful in heaven to the people who died in the earthquake".  What a sincere wish.

 Covers from their second album, 危ない土曜日～キャンディーズの世界～ (abunai doyoubi~CANDIES no sekai~) [Dangerous Saturday~Candies' World~]:

7.  まぬけなキューピット (manukena CUPID) [STUPID CUPID] - Connie Francis cover
8.  涙の乗車券 (namida no joushaken) [Ticket of Tears] - The Beatles' "Ticket To Ride" cover
9.  イエスタディ・ワンス・モア [YESTERDAY ONCE MORE] - The Carpenters cover
10. 夢のカリフォルニア (yume no CALIFORNIA) [CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'] - The Mamas & the Papas cover
11. バス・ストップ [BUS STOP] - The Hollies cover
12. 小さな悪魔 (chisana akuma) [LITTLE DEVIL] - Neil Sedaka cover

 Covers from their third album, なみだの季節 (namida no kisetsu) [Season of Tears]:

3.  シュガー・ベイビー・ラブ [SUGAR BABY LOVE] - Rubettes cover
8.  思い出のグリーン・グラス (omoide no GREEN GRASS) [Green Grass of Memories] - Porter Wagoner's "Green Green Grass of Home" cover
9.  コットン・フィールズ [COTTON FIELDS] - The Highwaymen cover
10. グリーン・グリーン [GREEN, GREEN] - The New Christy Minstrels cover

And finally, from Candies' Best Album:

プラウド・メアリー (Live Ver) [PROUD MARY] - Creedence Clearwater Revival cover


Enjoy!
Candies Early Covers

Iwasaki Hiromi (岩崎宏美) - koibito-tachi (恋人たち)

Wow wow wow, an OLD cover album from 1979!  That means all the covers are from late 60s early 70s!  Obscure!  Great!  Love it!

Hiromi Iwasaki (岩崎宏美) was a 70s idol, and had many number one singles.  She is the older sister of 80s idol Yoshimi Iwasaki (岩崎良美).  

Many of these covers are from European sources, so I myself didn't know them too well, but Hiromi's beautiful singing voice is always great to listen to.

Track 1 was an original song for the album, so I will not be including that... sorry, but if you really want to hear it, please buy the album!  Hiromi is still singing and so... still appreciates our support.  :)  Iwasaki Hiromi @ amazon.co.jp

2.  白いばら (shiroi bara) [White Rose] - Cat Stevens' "Lady D'Arbanville" cover
3.  シェルブールの雨傘 (CHERBOURG no amagasa) [Umbrellas of Cherbourg] - Theme from French musical "Les Parapluies de Cherbourg"
4.  ラ・ボエーム [LA BOHEME] - Charles Aznavour cover
5.  黒いオルフェ (kuroi ORPHEUS) [Black Orpheus] - Luiz Bonfa cover
6.  この想いをあなただけに (kono omoi o anata dake ni) [These Feelings Just For You] -  Orietta Berti's "Tu Sei Quello" cover
7.  行かないで (ikanaide) [Don't Go] - Jacques Brel's "Ne me quitte pas" cover
8.  禁じられた遊び (kinjirareta asobi) [Forbidden Games] - Theme from French movie "Jeux interdits" 
9.  マイ・ラブ [MY LOVE] - Paul McCartney & Wings' cover
10. 白い恋人たち (shiroi koibito-tachi) [White Lovers] - Theme from French movie "13 Jours en France"
11. 思い出さないで (omoidasanaide) [Don't Remember] - Shimasaki Keiko (島崎恵子) cover***
12. 甘い生活 (amai seikatsu) [Sweet Life] -  Noguchi Goro (野口五郎) cover
13. 再 会 (saikai) [Reunion] - Matsuo Kazuko (松尾和子) cover
14. ジョニイへの伝言 (JOANIE e no dengon) [Message to Joanie] - PEDRO & CAPRICIOUS (ペドロ＆カプリシャス) cover
15. 五番街のマリーへ (gobangai no MARIE e) [To Marie of Gobangai] - PEDRO & CAPRICIOUS (ペドロ＆カプリシャス) cover
16. ブーツをぬいで朝食を (BOOTS wo nuite choushoku o) [Take Off Your Boots And Have Breakfast] - Saijou Hideki (西城秀樹) cover
17. 憎みきれないろくでなし (nikumikirenai rokudenashi) [Can't Hate This Bum] - Sawada Kenji (沢田研二) cover
18. 立ちどまるなふりむくな (tachidomaruna furimukuna) [Don't Stop, Don't Look Back] - Sawada Kenji (沢田研二) cover

***It seems Shimasaki Keiko's original is obscure, and I have seen info that the original was done by someone else, an actress named Utsumi Midori (うつみ宮土理).  Iwasaki Hiromi would later release the song again as a single in 1982.


Enjoy!
koibito-tachi 

My Basic Rules

I thought I'd make some basic rules and guidelines so you could be aware of what I'm doing.  

1.  Unless it's a cover, I'm not uploading it.  If a B-side single is a cover, I will upload it, NOT the original A-side song.  If it's one track on an album that is a cover, I'd upload it... NOT the whole original album.

2.  I won't take requests for ANY original albums/singles.

3.  If the original cover artist, their company, their producers, etc contact me and complain I will take down the content that is theirs and will not upload again.

There is the basics... if anything comes up more complicated I will add it later... *huff, puff*

Tak Matsumoto & VA - THE HIT PARADE

Didn't want to leave you hanging (who???) too long for something, so I thought that this album would be a good starter/sampler for a cover blog.  Rock, but not too heavy, energetic and fun.  Released in 2003.  If you enjoy it, buy it!  Better sound and all the booklet info.  (THE HIT PARADE @ amazon.co.jp)

Tak Matsumoto of B'z and various artists collaborated for a rock-inspired cover album!


Basically this is the format I will be posting in... it's a lot of info for one track, but with the art of copy-pasting the Japanese text, you can easily find discographies of the artist covering, and the artist covered.  Japan Wikipedia, YouTube will have something featured of the artists below.
 
So, this is the key to the track list:


1.  Song Name in Japanese (romaji of song title) [Translation of Song Title] - Covered artist's name (Covered artist's name in Japanese)

Got it!?  Booyaka!  Enjoy!

1.  勝手にしやがれ (katte ni shiyagare) [Do What You Want] with Inaba Koushi (稲葉浩志) - Sawada Kenji (沢田研二) cover
2.  異邦人 (ihoujin) [Foreigner] with ZARD - Kubota Saki (久保田早紀) cover
3.  涙の太陽 (namida no taiyou) [Sun of Tears] with Aiuchi Rina (愛内里菜) - Anzai MARIYA (安西マリア) cover
4.  その気にさせないで (sono ki ni sasenaide) [Don't Turn Me On] with Saegusa Yuuka, Kitahara Aiko, Takaoka Ai (三枝夕夏・北原愛子・高岡亜衣) - CANDIES (キャンディーズ) cover
5.  イミテイション・ゴールド (IMITATION GOLD) with Kuraki Mai (倉木麻衣) - Yamaguchi Momoe (山口百恵) cover
6.  渚のヨーコ・ヨコハマ・ヨコスカ (nagisa no YOKO YOKOHAMA YOKOSUKA) [Bay Side Yokohama Yokosuka] - DOWNTOWN BOOGIE OOGIE BAND (ダウンタウン・ブギウギ・バンド) cover
7.  雨の街を (ame no machi wo) [In A Rainy Town] with Matsuda Akiko (松田明子) - Matsutoya Yumi (松任谷由実) cover
8.  Paper Doll with Fayray - Yamashita Tatsuro (山下達郎) cover
9.  「いちご白書」をもう一度 ("ichigo hakusho" wo mou ichido) ["Strawberry Statement" Once Again] with Sugazaki Akane (菅崎茜) - BANBAN (バンバン) cover
10.  Foggy Night with Suzukusa Yumi (滴草由実) - Ozaki Ami (尾崎亜美) cover
11.  少女A (shojo A) [Girl A] with Uehara Azumi (上原あずみ) - Nakamori Akina (中森明菜) cover
12.  ビュン・ビュン (BYUN BYUN) [Zoom Zoom] with Kawashima Daria (川島だりあ) - Gedou (外道) cover
13.  パープル・タウン You Oughta Know By Now (PURPLE TOWN) with Takei Shiori (竹井詩織里) - Yagami Junko (八神純子) cover
14.  時に愛は (toki ni ai wa) [Occasionally Love Is...] with Utoku Keiko (宇徳敬子) - OFF COURSE (オフコース) cover
15.  Spinning Toe-Hold - CREATION (クリエイション) cover
16.  一人 I Stand Alone (hitori) [Alone] with Jeffrey Quest - Inoue Takayuki (井上堯之) cover
17.  私は風 (watashi wa kaze) [I Am The Wind] with Nakamura Yuri (中村由利) - CARMEN MAKI & Oz (カルメン・マキ＆Oz) cover

THE HIT PARADE
(It seems only the Megaupload link works, so from now on I think I will only use Megaupload... )

First Post!

Hi everyone!  Welcome to my blog, where I hope to dedicate to my passion for covers of Japanese (J-pop) songs!  This is my first foray into blogging, thus the basic templates and shaky start (I'm sure!).  But my urge to share J-pop covers with the world, and hopefully meet other J-pop cover enthusiasts just can't wait anymore!  

Also, I am SO frustrated searching for cover albums.  Unless it's a big name album or something, it's literally impossible to find (from my experience).  So I broke down and actually bought some REALLY hard-to-find CDs recently.  And I am ready and willing to share!

Plus, I like to be OCD about where the covers come from and who first sang them.  So maybe then you can find more artists to love (and support)!

I have a lot of free time lately, so I am hoping to get some stuff up and raring to go!  So hopefully see you VERY soon!  ^_^