You know, it’s songs like this that truly inspire me. Sure, I love the popular Jpop songs and artists such as Ayumi Hamasaki and Namie Amuro, but at the same time, so many of these Jpop singers lack something. I really can’t explain it. All I can say is that a lot of these songs seem to be so much about love and relationships, and yet none of them have the ability to pull some strong emotional response from me. Luckily, I FINALLY found a song that has truly done it’s job.
Nada Sou Sou is possibly one of the most amazing songs I have ever heard.
I really think all of us need to just step away from the overproduced technology advanced techno songs we all listen to. Nada sou sou is such an inspiring song and I just can’t get enough of it. For the most part, this song is purely real and organic. No fancy vocal distortions, no electronic instruments, none of that. All it is a GORGEOUS song consisting of guitars, strings, and a traditional Japanese instrument whose name I do not know (I think it’s the shamisen?), but it adds SO MUCH to the song. It’s something totally different from anything I have ever listened to before. It’s so much more laid back and traditional with an Okinawan flavor.
Now, there are two versions I have listened to that have become my favorites.
The version by Rimi Natsukawa is definitely more traditional and laidback, and of course, with that wonderful Okinawan flavor. What I absolutely love about her is her different type of voice. No, her voice definitely isn’t “young and fresh”, but that’s what I love about it! I guess you could say she has a more “aged” and “matured” voice, and it just adds so much to the song. What makes her voice more interesting is the fact that she sings in the “shima uta” style. Her voice here sounds like it’s cracking and wavering, and it’s MEANT to be like that (I’m hoping everything I’m saying is true), and it’s definitely something new and interesting for me.
The other version I enjoy is alans version. Now, compared to Rimi, alan has a much more “young fresh” voice, and sadly no, she doesn’t sing in the shima uta style. However, if Rimis style was a bit too awkward for you, alans might satisfy you. I absolutely LOVE the full strong tone of her voice. It’s just so nice and clear to listen to, even when she reaches those high notes. Of course, the highlight of alans version is the ehru that she plays. Surprisingly, it works extremely well, and it’s a nice little touch from alan that is “out there” but still feels very well in place.
