"Fuyu no Tori" - Takabayashi Kou Kono Sekai wo Utau -

[Machine Translation] In 1994, he began working as a unit with poet Koko Takabayashi, and in the space of 25 years, they have created more than 100 songs together. He has released an album of his own covers of some of his most memorable works, "Winter Crow," which is a song about the world of Koko Takabayashi. The album is beautifully staged, as if the space and lighting of the stage are given a wonderful touch by the sound world created by Naoki Sugiyama, who is an indispensable arranger for this team. My favorites are the title track "Winter Raven" and "Gojozaka" and "Burusu". 1. Winter Raven / "If you fly, fly high, fly far, fly strong..." A raven was looking up at the freezing sky and trying to fly as high as it could. It overlapped with the image of a woman who is trying to find tomorrow by releasing herself from the spell of love. A raven in winter, this is a story spun out of a melody. 2. I had no doubts in my mind that this was who I was, and I spent all my time working. Then, I had a rare moment of free time and went on a small trip. A little stopover in life, and it was good! I was completely revitalized, you say? Well, listen to this great song. 3. Gojozaka/Kyoto Gojozaka is a long-established pottery store in the middle of Chawan-zaka, which is separated from Gojozaka. I was born under the fate of being the only daughter of this place. Protecting the goodwill and tradition is the most important thing, but I am also a woman.... Even if people say that we don't match, even if they know that she is a kamagure, we will never forget her...'" Kamagure, a craftsman who travels to kilns all over Japan to hone his skills as a potter, and nowadays such craftsmen are few and far between. 4. They were happy for two years, happy enough, so I won't cry..." "But why? So why not? Looking back, I knew that we were happy at the same time as the feeling of good-bye. So at least end it in style, like me! Kobe Mercure / It's cold in Kobe in winter! But you want to walk around the seaside in a strangely fashionable way. There are lovers in the midst of their youth, and some people make you think, "Hey, what's this couple? Some people make you think, "Hey, what's this couple doing here? I wish all the people rubbing shoulders were happy. Oh, you two sad-looking people, be the stars of a wonderful fairy tale in the magic wand I wave. Winter fireworks for you, and a little love wine too, my dear.

1994年から作詩家高林こうこ氏とのユニット作品を創りはじめ、あっという間に25周年、100曲を超える作品を作り上げた。その中から思い出深い作品を自らがカバーして「冬の烏」～高林こうこの世界を歌うアルバムをリリースした。そしてこのアルバムに素晴らしい舞台空間と照明を与えるかのように、見事な演出を加えたのはこのチームに欠かせない編曲の杉山直樹氏の作るサウンドの世界である。イチオシはタイトル曲の「冬の烏」そして「五条坂」「ぶるうす」1.冬の烏/「飛ぶなら高く、飛ぶなら遠く、飛ぶなら強く・・・」凍りつくような空を見上げ精一杯高く飛ぼうとしている烏がいた。それは愛 の呪縛を自ら解き放ち明日を見つけようとしているたおやかに強い女性の姿と重なった。冬の烏、これはメロディから紡ぎ出されたストーリーである。2.途中下車/とにかく、働いた、ひたすら働いた。それが自分なのだと、仕事に明け暮れる日々に何の疑念もなかった。そんな中、珍し くオフの時間がありフラリと小さな旅に出た。ちょっとした人生の途中下車、これが良かったんだよ!僕は完全に活性化したんだからって?まあ、この名曲を聴いてくれ。3.五条坂/京都五条坂から分かれて茶碗坂の中ほどにある老舗の陶芸店。「うちは此処の一人娘と言う運命の元に生まれて来ました。のれん、伝統を護るのが何より大切、そやけど、うちも女どす・・・。釣り合いが取れへん、あかんと言われても、そのお方が釜ぐれと知っててもこれからずうっと忘れることは出来ません・・・」。釜ぐれ、陶芸の技を磨くため全国の窯元を渡り歩く職人、昨今はそんな職人も数少なくなっている。4.大阪ララバイ: 天保山にあるお洒落なプチシーサイドホテル・・・白い部屋が二人のラストシーンの場所。「2年も幸せだったから、充分幸せだったからわたしは泣かない・・・」。「そやのに何で?思えばさよならの予感と 背中合わせの幸せだった判っていたの。だからせめて終わりは格好よく、わたしらしくね!」5.神戸メルヘン/冬の神戸はとにかく寒い!なのに妙に洒落て歩きたくなる海岸辺り。青春真っ只中の恋人同士が居て、「あれっ、このカップルは何?」思わせる人も居る。「肩を寄せ合う人達も総てがハッピーなら良いのにね。あっそこの哀しそうなお二人さん私が振る魔法の杖の中で素敵なメルヘンの主役におなりなさいな。冬花火を貴方達に、恋の美酒もどうぞ貴