The Dark Ducks - The Dark Ducks S(w)ing Japanese Folk Songs 1966

Personal rip of rare 1966 American release by Japanese boy band The Dark Ducks.

Mild processing in izotope.
SIDE. ONE
I. KAGOSHIMA OHARI-BUSHI
Though this is originally a folk song from Kagoshima province (in Kyushu Island), people throughout Japan love to sing it. The verse is about the local scenery.
2. DONPAN-BUSHI
This is a folk song of Akita province. People sing this at gay parties, and sometimes when they work. There is a merry folk dance that accompanies this song.
3. TAIRYO-BUSHI (Fishermen's Song)
Folk song of Chiba province. This is a fishermen's song to celebrate a good haul. They also sing this song when they work on a fishing boat to the rhythm of the rolling of a boat.
People sing this song at any type of celebration with an amusing form or dance
accompaniment.
4. OKOSA-BUSHI
Folk song of AkIta area. comic fOlk song generally sung at a gay party, also with an
accompanying folk dance
5. HANAGASA ONDO
Folk song of Yamagata province. This is the most popular folk song in Japan, regardless o the season. but especially at Bon Festival season. In mid-summer people get together in a party or town square to enjoy a Bon dance to to this song. They dance in a circle around a turrel bum al the center or a park or square which is decorated with flowers and lanterns.
The Bon-Festival Dance is a traditional summer event, observed throughout Japan. Some of the Bon-dance songs are of festive nature celebrating a good harvest and others are of a religious nature.
6. MAMURO-GAWA ONDO
Folk song of Yamagata area. This is a recently composed Bon-dance song which later became a hit as a popular song


SIDE TWO

I. SADO OKESA
Folk song of Niigata Prefecture. This is a representative Japanese folk song well known even in foreign countries. Especially, a graceful dance that goes with this song has a peculiarly Japanese atmosphere. In Sado Island, where this song was born, a number of people clad in the same "yukata"*, dance on the seashore. Sightseers have a wonderful time watching it.
a summer, cotton kimono
2. KUSATSU YUMOMI-UTA
Folk song of Gunma Prefecture. This was born in Kusatsu which is ramous for its hot spring. The water flowing out from the spring in Kusatsu is so hot that those who are going to take a bath have to stir the hot water in a bath tub to cool the temperature of the water. This song is sung by the people at that time.
3. KUWANA NO TONOSAMA
(Lord of Kuwana)
Folk song of Mie Prefecture.
4. KUSHIMOTO-BUSHI
Folk song of Wakayama Prefecture. The song, which is in the rhythm of a rolling boat, was born in a town near the port.
5. HIETSUKI-BUSHI
Folk song of Miyazaki Prefecture. This is an elegiac folk song which poor farmers sing when they hull grains to refine.
6. KONPIRO FUNE FUNE
Folk song of Kagawa Prefecture. This song is sung to accompany a comic dance. This is one of the very few Japanese folk songs in quick rhythm. The song is about people sailing a boat on their way to visit a shrine to worship.
_________
The History of Japanese folk songs can be traced back at least 1000 years, for the Japanese people, like most others, expressed their every day experiences in songs and dances
Geographically, Japan is a country composed of four islands which stretch from Kagoshima at the southern extreme to Hokkaido, at the northern extreme, (see map). Accordingly, its folk songs are as full of variety as the different climates and social mores and customs of the various islands.
The original form of Japanese folk songs usually consisted of a vocal part, solo or unison and an instrumental part played by shamisen, flute, drum and other instruments. Most Japanese folk songs are accompaniments to folk dances. Recorded here are the representative songs selected from among the most popular throughout Japan. These have been adapted to a modern performing stye and the vocal parts are arranged for chorus in today's rhythm, while preserving the original melody.
The "Dark Ducks" is a four-man choral aroun which eniovs one of the highest reputations in Japan as a singing group. They first met and got together to begin their musical activities when they were college students. Besides making numerous tours in Japan. they have performed throughout Europe on two occasions. Their concerts abroad were very successful and added to their already considerable popularity at home. In addition to their nation-wide concert tours, thev are frequentlv heard on radio and television.