Artists
Album Info
Release Date: 2022-01-26Label: いぬん堂
Compilation Album (New Mix)Obi, Insert, DL code.
A1 from Hit Tune
A2, from Migoku
A3 from Hey Hey
A4 from Kabura
A5 from Pukun
A6 from Album Yamaimoboogie
A7 from Album Modbog
A8 from Album す
B1 from Pitaro
B2, from とうさんは兵曹長
B3 from よいこディズ
B4 from おぶぅさん
B5 from なめたおれ
B6 from わんぱく絵留
B7 from Caramel Drum = キャラメル・ドラム
B8 from びど
If I were asked what color he is, I’d say colorless. If I were asked who does he look like, I’d say, maybe somebody I’ve never met. If I were asked if there were something similar that was not human, I’d say spirit or sprite.
As Kun Youri, as Hiroshi, as Hiroshi Na or Hiroshi Nar, as Narazaki Hiroshi, there was even a short time when he was just Hiroshi (different kanji), all were the same musician, prolifically making music. He’s still making music. There are 16 albums using the name Kun Youri. Before those, he was involved in music by the Niplets, Portcuss, Jokers, and several under the name Molls. In various places on earth and in space, he played with former members of Zuno Keisatsu in the transcendant Datetenryu and even played widely respected bass on Les Rallizes Denudes’ legendary ’77 Live. Kun Youri was not limited to just bass, however. He is a rock ‘n’ roller. He is constantly accelerating poet. Since rock ‘n’ rollers never rest, obviously there are lots of releases, as his activities attest to. Rock ‘n’ roll is not one single style, of course. While it has destructive power, it also has power to bestow grace in various ways. Though it may include many emotions, it may not include many acts of sympathy. That’s what we should think of Kun Youri, maybe.
He wrote several songs about his father. Some older style ones can be found on his masterpiece album, Father was a Chief Petty Officer, one of which, “Shonen (Boy)” includes the following lines:
Dreams swim heartily away
Catching up to them, overtaking them,
Maybe the boy has gotten a little bigger
It is the “a little” in the last line that gives birth to the music. Having “a little” more desire, words become sounds with rhythms and come out of the body. Everybody has a wellspring of music like this somewhere in their body. People all have different shapes. Some people spend their whole lives never noticing the wellspring of music inside them. Kun’s musical wellspring is particularly wide. And big. It may be better not to venture too near to it. Soaking in it, Kun calls to us, “come in, come in.” By the time you notice how interesting it seems to be, you’re already up to your waist. It’s a spirit. Rock ‘n’ roll may feel good, but it’s also a little scary, Kun teaches us. If you put your heart into it, and shout it to your listener(s), it will have an impact, not least critically, and there are laughs here, too, as you become more accustomed to the water. Maybe this is something forgotten in daily life.
In the 2021 album Bido, we find a song called “Fuantei (unsteady)” which goes right to the heart of human nature. Here are the lyrics:
You’d better eat while it’s possible to eat
When it becomes impossible, you can’t.
Searching for pungent, shocking words,
All will be lost if you’re shocked by them.
I’m completely unsteady
Intentionally mean-spirited
You’ve taught me important things
I feel our connection when I remember them
I’m a little jealous of nice people
I’ll try to do my best
And I’ll eat while it’s possible to eat.
Only God knows when it‘ll be possible again.
You have your fiscal difficulties
Just tell me without getting mad.
Kun Youri’s rock ‘n’ roll will never fade away. Even if he dies, it won’t die
December 2021
Yuasa Manabu
Translated by Kato David Hopkins