Search - Takehiro Honda :: Furusato: On My Mind - Unreleased Takes

Recommendation to All Jazz Piano Fans!

Yasuo Izumi | Tokyo, Japan | 01/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Japanese traditional songs and songs for children are played by a jazz pianist. I recommend this album internationally. Honda's plays in "Akatonbo (Red Dragonfly)", "Furusato (My Country)", "Nanatsu no Ko (Seven chicks)" are very orthodox and not limited in the genre of jazz. "Akai Kutsu (Red Shoes)" starts surrealistic and improvises with enormous creativity. This play may be best. However, Honda's heart is warm behind this play. Japanese chords in "Kojo no Tsuki (Moon behind Old Castle)" and "Sakura Sakura (Cherry Trees)" are fascinating to listen.



The grooving "Yuyake Koyake (Sunset)" reminds happy feeing with friends when I was very little. "Aogegeba Totoshi" is often sung on Graduation Days at School. Honda's play starts obeying the original tune but improvise to be major on second movement. The disk 2 includes another, longer takes. His piano solo is more spiritual and nice compared to the play in trio. "Ma Vlast" composed by Smetana is listened and played in worldwide. Therefore, why don't you enjoy this album based on Japanese traditional songs? If you love piano ballad and jazz piano, I recommend this album."