『Miyako Otsuki's Japanese Folk Song Latin Feeling』Vinyl Reissue Commemorative Interview (Part 1)
▪️'Miyako Otsuki's Japanese Folk Latin Feeling' released in 1973.
Miyako Otsuki, who has walked the royal road of popular songs and enka, took on this ambitious work early in her career, creating a masterpiece of a 'new folk groove' together with renowned musicians.
Now, after half a century, the long-awaited record reissue has been realized. To commemorate this, Miyako Otsuki herself talks about the production scene at that time. The atmosphere during production, interactions with the musicians, and even her own perspective as a singer. Along with these valuable testimonies, we hope you will once again savor the charm of this work carefully. (MAGICTOUCH)
In my mind, I was still very much a newcomer. I was simply devoted to singing.
- Thank you very much for your precious time today. Let's get right to the questions. First, could you share your impression of this work?
This recording was about 50 years ago, but I still remember it very well. Because it was very difficult. It was about 7 to 8 years after I started as a singer.
In my mind, I was still very much a newcomer. I was simply devoted to singing. Moreover, the genre was different. I started with popular songs, so I was worried whether I could sing folk songs when requested.
- The performers were also top-notch members, weren't they?
I knew that Mr. Segami, who appears on the jacket, was a top figure in the Latin world, and for some reason, he called out to me, 'Miyako-chan, Miyako-chan.' The studio musicians, including Mr. Segami, knew well that I was singing popular songs, not folk songs,but I think they still reached out to me. I had never done Latin before, but Mr. Segami told me that my way of singing was fine and that only Miyako Otsuki could do it. That made me happy, but when the recording started, it was tough (laughs).
- So you had difficulties during the recording. That's surprising (laughs).
I am the type to start from sheet music, but the sheet music only had numbers like 4 bars or 10 bars, no melody. So I didn't know what to use as a guide to get the notes and sing, which was very difficult.
- Indeed, the percussion seemed to be more prominent than the melody.
It was a so-called live recording (everyone recorded simultaneously), so I entered the studio with all the members. We could have recorded karaoke beforehand and then recorded the vocals while listening to it later, but that process was also difficult for me. As a result, the live recording was better, and I somehow managed to do it.
Then, happily, everyone praised me (laughs).
Everyone: Oh-
They were happy that it was Miyako Otsuki, not a folk singer, that was good.
- Had you released any folk song records before?
No, it was my first time singing folk songs. I have sung folk songs for a long time since then, but for this work, I was asked to sing as Miyako Otsuki of popular songs, not as a folk singer, which made me very happy. So folk song fans who listened to this album might think 'this is different,' but those who worked with me said, 'this atmosphere is good.'
- I see, maybe that new sensation was good.
When I listened to the completed sound source, I was surprised that it was properly finished.I remember feeling very, very good.
- Were there any re-recordings?
It was a live recording, so there were almost no re-recordings.
- Latin was a relatively new genre at the time, wasn't it?
Yes. Some of my popular song singles incorporated Latin rhythms, and it was the era when Latin arrangements entered popular songs. Maybe the Latin atmosphere was favored.
- This reissue was made because of the many dedicated folk song fans. How do you feel about that?
I have always worried about how folk song fans would actually feel.
- Yes, you mentioned that earlier.
Folk songs have intros and fixed developments. This work is completely different. So I think folk singers might criticize or get angry when they hear it. I felt that a little at the time.
But those who listened said it was really good!
- What kind of reactions did fans and people involved have when they heard this album at the time?
Actually, there were few chances for people to listen to this work. It was folk songs, not my original songs. But those who listened said it was really good!
Everyone: (laughs)
- I understand because it feels unexpected. By the way, this record reissue was realized by our offer this time, but have you or your label ever talked about reissuing before?
I have always thought about it. The impression of that time was too strong... Even now, I say it would be nice to sing with this kind of backing (performance).
- I'd love to hear that.
But I thought it couldn't be done the same way. I can still sing now, but I can't reproduce that backing performance and atmosphere. As a side note, there was a time when I performed for a month at Shinjuku Koma Theater. At that time, this Latin folk album left a strong impression on me, so I once said I wanted to do folk songs with arrangements like this in the show.
When I talked to arranger Masahito Maruyama*, he said, 'You can't sing like that,' and 'It's difficult on a live stage.' The players from this album were not there either. But since I wanted to do folk songs, I asked Mr. Maruyama to arrange something close to Latin folk. It was a stage with a play and singing show (lead role performance), and they made a folk song corner during the show.
'Please be my number one fan.'
- It was such an impressive work. Were there any folk singers who influenced you?
Well... Actually, I didn't have many opportunities to meet folk singers. But there was a folk singer named Kyoko Saito*, who passed away in 2022. She said she was my fan right after joining King Records.
Shortly after my debut, I had a chance to meet comedian Keiko Utsumi. She once said to me, 'Please be my number one fan.' At that time, Kyoko Saito, a folk singer and a friend of Keiko, was also there. Kyoko said she was a big fan too. I didn't learn songs from her, but she told me, 'I love your singing voice,' which made me very happy.
- Did Kyoko Saito influence you in any way?
Yes, she sang folk songs with a very beautiful voice.
She taught me happily. She was a very wonderful person.
- Thank you for the wonderful story. By the way, do you know the theme behind this lovely jacket?
I have no idea, but they said it was fine as Miyako Otsuki at that time.
- Judging from the scenery, was it taken after the studio recording?
I think it was on a different day. After all the recording work was done, a few days later, we casually decided to take it together.
- So it was a casual shoot. The composition with Mr. Segami playing percussion in front and you behind is wonderful and rare. What kind of person was Mr. Segami?
Yes. Mr. Segami loved Latin very much. He went to Africa and brought animal bones to the studio. He would hit them on the spot to make sounds. When I asked, 'What is this?' he would tap and happily tell me it was some kind of bone. He was a very wonderful person.
To be continued in the next part
You can purchase the record from below
FWRF-016 Miyako Otsuki Selected by MAGICTOUCH / Japanese Folk Latin Feeling (1LP W/OBI)
*Masahito Maruyama:Arranger (1943–2020). Winner of the 2014 Japan Record Award for Arrangement.Started activities under Tetsu Funamura, with many hit songs such as Saburo Kitajima's 'Fusetsu Nagare Tabi' and Ichiro Toba's 'Kyodai Fune.'In addition to elegant and impressive arrangements for Miyako Otsuki's representative songs like 'Onna no Minato,' 'Onna no Eki,' and 'Hoyo Kaikyo,' he also handled stage arrangements for theater performances.
*Kyoko Saito: Folk singer (1936–2022). Debuted in 1953, moved to King Records in 1956, and had a big hit duet with Michiya Mihashi called 'Ohana-chan.' Winner of the 1990 Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival Award.