Romances Sans Paroles ~bande originale du film~

15th Album

Bearforest Records XQHD-1001 (BECD-002)

Released 7.15.2009

Track listing

1. *I'll Get What I Want (Chou Tsuyoki na On'na) (words & music: Shoko Suzuki)
2. Kaze ni Orenai Hana (Live/21 Dec. 2008) (words: Masumi Kawamura/music: Shoko Suzuki)
3. *I'll Get What I Want (Chou Tsuyoki na On'na) #piano solo (Shoko Suzuki)
4. Mizu no Kanmuri (Live/21 Dec. 2008) (words: Masumi Kawamura/music: Shoko Suzuki)
5. My love, my love (Live/21 Dec. 2008) (words: Mariko Okabe/music: Shoko Suzuki)
6. *The Goldberg Variations Theme: Aria (J.S. Bach)
7. *Tribute to Izumi Shikibu (Live/22 Mar. 2009) (words & music: Shoko Suzuki)
8. Boukyaku (Live/21 Dec. 2008) (words & music: Shoko Suzuki)
9. Love Child (Live/14 Feb. 2009) (words: Yasuo Sugibayashi/music: Hiroaki Sugawara)
10. *Do You Still Remember Me? (words & music: Shoko Suzuki)
11. I say a little prayer (Live/22 Mar. 2009) (words & music: Burt Bacharach & Hal David)
12. Braun-kan no Kokuhaku (Live/22 Mar. 2009) (words & music: Masami Tsuchiya)
13. I'll Get What I Want (Chou Tsuyoki na On'na) (Live/22 Mar. 2009) (words & music: Shoko Suzuki)
14. *Mugonka (Shoko Suzuki)

* - From the soundtrack of Suzuki Syoko Documentary film Romances sans paroles.

A mixture of newly-recorded tracks and live versions of older songs. The new tracks come from the soundtrack of the Haruo Inoue-produced documentary on Shoko, Romances sans paroles. "I'll Get What I Want" is undoubtedly the highlight, and was released on vinyl and cassette single in advance of the album. The song is an easygoing, catchy pop number driven by Shoko's piano and vocals, and also a simple drum machine (though live drums come in after the first chorus). "Do You Still Remember Me?" is a gorgeous, orchestrated song that reminds me somewhat of Bridge Over Troubled Water-era Simon and Garfunkel. Several tracks are instrumental, including a version of "I'll Get What I Want," showcasing Shoko's piano playing, and are pleasant to listen to. Additionally, the track "Braun-kan no Kokuhaku" is a cover of a song by Ippu-Do, whose drummer was Shoji Fujii -- Shoko's mentor who died during the filming of the documentary. The live tracks are generally stripped down, with either just Shoko, or minimal additional keyboard and orchestration; of these live tracks, "Kaze ni Orenai Hana" (with some never-before released English lyrics) is my favorite, featuring just Shoko and her Wurtlizer.

Romances Sans Paroles -Bande Originale Du Film- / Shoko Suzuki - Purchase album at CDJapan

Favorite songs:
I'll Get What I Want (Chou Tsuyoki na On'na)
Kaze ni Orenai Hana
Boukyaku
Do You Still Remember Me?
Brown Kuda no Kokuhaku

Credits:
Shoko Suzuki: vocals, background vocals, electric guitar, acoustic piano, Wurlitzer, drums
Larry Fujimoto: bass
Masahiro Takekawa: violin, trumpet, mandonlin, chorus
Takeshi Shibuya: piano, Wurlitzer

Produced by Shoko Suzuki
Co-produced by Naotaka Hiwasawa