TOKYO HITS

It was last summer that I dropped into a nightclub named 'The Tiger a Go Go' when I arrived in San Francisco via Hawaii. As I was not trying to compare Japanese and American Music, but rather to investigate the lifestyle and customs of American Teenagers, I could visit any nightclub that was popular with them. The Tiger a Go Go was a club that I happened to find as I was walking around San Francisco. As soon as I entered, I was enraptured by the dynamic sounds of the electric guitar. I drank a beer called 'Mulla' and watched American youths dancing so energetically that, if they had been Japanese, they would have been down on the floor before the third tune. I thought that the style of dancing came naturally to them and was not posed, as it would be in Japan.

The music was played by a band featuring six electric guitars that emphasized the sound of the bass strings as much as possible. They played tunes like 'Nashville Stomp','Waltz of The Wind' and so on, in the key of D rather than E.

After an hour and a half, when the performance finished, I interviewed the band. I asked about their incomes, their girlfriends, their future plans, and to finish I asked 'who is the performer that you like most and respect? One of the vocalist replied 'Frank Sinatra', but they all agreed 'We like Duane Eddy best of all.' I asked the teenagers in the club the same question, and nearly all replied with Duane's name. I realized that I had got the normal reply that would be given at the home of guitar music.

As this record has now been issued by Japanese Victor, I would like to introduce Duane Eddy to you.

Duane Eddy was born in Corning New York, on 26th April 1938. During Duane's youth, the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona in the early fifties.

He was introduced to a well-known disc jockey at KCKY Radio, Lee Hazlewood (he is the composer of 'Far Away from the Sun' a hit for the Astronauts). He made his recording debut with Jamie Records. That was in March 1958. From then on, his career blossomed because of his ability and because Lee emphasized the melody of Duane Eddy's music. His name became famous throughout all America.

When Billboard named Duane Eddy as 'The favorite guitar player chosen by American disc jockeys in 1961' many companies wanted to sign the handsome guitarist and Lee. In the end, Chet Atkins who was a proficient producer at RCA Victor succeeded in signing them (May 1962). He developed Duane's style further and made him a world idol. Recently, Duane Eddy has left that record company and joined Reprise, for whom Hazlewood also works.

This record has been made by Duane Eddy for his Japanese fans. Although the majority of the tunes are Japanese, three new songs are included.

The electric guitar has become a permanent part of modern music and Duane Eddy established as the founder of the Twangy Guitar. In this record, we can feel his desire that his sound is not just dance music, but is music that must be listened to attentively. The message in the music is addressed to the fan of the electric guitar that loves the guitar and wants to feel the breath of its presence. Of course, this is not to imply that he is a musician who has not previously played music for listening to. I think there has been no musician like him who wants the sound to be heard and listened to and he brings the electric sound of a big night club of go go club right into the living room. It is a good idea to drink a cup of lemon tea or have a small party with friends along with the music, because that is the message from Duane Eddy.

Ginza Lights
A hit record for the Ventures, with words by R. Ei. Ken Yamauchi and Masako Izumi played and sang this in a movie of the same name. The technique used by Eddy, who is very romantic, shows beautifully a young couple who wants to protect themselves against the dangers of the night.

Wishing On A Star
This was the song title given to me when I asked the owner of 'The Folk Village' at Shinjuki, Tokyo which song was his favorite. It was composed by T. Sasaki whilst he was a student at Seijo University. This is the best interpretation of the tune that I have heard.

The Blue Stardust
A song from the Asahi Broadcasting Co. who has made many hit tunes. The duet is by T. Iwatani and K. Dan (K. Kayama). The playing is so beautiful that I want to sing.

One Lonely Girl
Duane Eddy plays this after reading the song that was written and composed by Henry Dorenan. The playing is very good especially the romantic playing of the piano and the vibes at the end.

Be My Bride
Duane Eddy plays this song with a southern mood; it also was a hit as a duet by T. Iwatani and K. Dan. The drum and Hammond organ are both used very effectively to complement the melody of the Twangy guitar.

If You Can't Hold Your Man
This was composed by Mrs. Eddy (Mirriam Eddy). Could it be that 'you' is Mirriam herself. We can imagine her feelings because her husband is one of the most famous stars in the world. Whatever, this is a song for adults, which sings of the mind of a woman who has been in love.

Blue Eyes
A hit song words by J. Hashimoto and music by T. Inoue. Originally, this was a song about a Japanese man who loved a foreign girl, but when Duane Eddy plays, the music becomes cheerful. This is like magic, as we do not feel the image of a rejected lover anymore.

Evening Glow
A new song by D. Suzuki. The song will be accepted by people who do not like popular songs and who cannot understand foreign music. Unusually, Duane Eddy plays with a very simple melody.

Crying Again
Rock 'n' Roll in a slow tempo, which Henry Dorenan made, The piano and Eddy's guitar are both played with great beauty. From the playing we can imagine the feelings of disappointed love that everyone feels at least once in their life.

Like A Rose
Words and music are by K. Hamaguchi. In this tune, the rose has completely bloomed in Eddy's guitar. The melody has been changed slightly from the original. Just as flowers or colors may change at different locations, the image of a song can be altered by a musician.

Monsoon
An original tune by Duane Eddy. His good technique creates the sound of the Indian musical instrument, the sitar, from his guitar. We can feel the monsoon, which flows across the Indian Sky.

Sunset Stripper
Last December, 'Time' wrote about a group of strippers who gathered around the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. It was an article about free sex and the abuse of sleeping pills. This tune is a warning against such corruption because after the dull introduction by the bass guitar, we can imagine the figure of a youth that is trying to escape to a more cheerful place.