Three and Two / Off Course
A folk band Off Course was formed in 1969, and until they broke up in 1989, while members and formation changed several times, they influenced various musicians and pop music scene in Japan.When they made a release of this album "Three and Two", their popularity was rising rapidly with songs "Ai wo tomenaide" (don't stop love), "Sayonara"(farewell), "Yes-No".It was after their single "Sayonara" made a great hit when they decided to make a release of a single "Umarekuru kodomotachino tameni" (for children coming to the world) from this album.Reportedly, record company side opposed because this song was too restrained and political message was contained, so it wouldn't be accepted by general public.But Kazumasa Oda, the songwriter, stuck to his own will and belief.Unfortunately, compared to "Sayonara", this single didn't make a big hit.But later, members of Sing Like Talking, who were listening to Off Course with friends during high school days, learned a lot from Oda's belief.With the lapse of time...Chikuzen Satou from Sing Like Talking has worked on cover songs.After the terrorist attack in September 11, 2001, one of the songs he thought of first of all was "Umarekuru kodomotachino tameni".Superficially, the series of battle is between America and al-Qaeda, but in essence, adults are impregnating children with stereotype about the world and trampling on them. It's always children who are sacrificed in the end -that's the very thing still going on even now.He decided to cover this song as his work and contacted Oda, then Oda readily consented and offered to produce, and also took part in chorus recording.Besides, Toots Thielemans performed harmonica.When Chikuzen performed this song at a concert I went, Chikuzen talked an inside story back then; When he contacted Toots and explained the concept, Toots approved, and sent more than a dozen of performance data.As a result, Chikuzen's single, on sale on November 2002, was recorded by members from wide generation; Toots Thielemans was around eighty, Kazumasa Oda was in his fifties, Chikuzen was just before forty. (Back then)Narration before chorus was by Takako Matsu (mentioned below), in her twenties back then.Superfluously: According to Chikuzen, it's a tendency only in Japan that original songs and cover works are not equal; original songs are worshipped and cover works are underestimated -is that so?In the musical animation movie "Frozen", heroine's song of Japanese version was performed by Takako Matsu.It's true that her song is appreciated highly worldwide.On the other hand, in Japanese version of this movie, a singer May J. sang this song as its theme song, but there are people who abuse that she is just benefitted from the efforts and popularity of Matsu and Disney bland.Chikuzen was indignant that that such people don't understand what is to express in singing.-Me? Back then, I wondered only how general public reacted if other singers were in charge of theme song,And then, whether such people would also abuse "Go The Distance" by Fumiya Fujii or even Eric Clapton’s "Change The World" or Whitney Huston's "I Will Always Love You".As for this, I suppose it was just Matsu was too adequate for the casting in this movie.Excuse me for sidetracking.After Toots Thielemans was called to Heaven at the age of 94, Chikuzen dedicated a eulogy for him: Toots offered his talent and performance with no stint to anybody whom he thought he was good regardless of fame or social status, and he had tolerance and broad mind that cannot be praised enough with the word "friendly"; these are the reasons Chikuzen respects Toots a lot.Today, I'd like to take this occasion to place a condolence for Toots Thielemans, too.October 20, 1979(Translation: Unable-to-think-up-Handle)Who is 191,919 th visitor!?◇:Ready to place translation if asked