Cool stuff from Japan

[zontar]

I saw this on a guitar blog & kept forgetting to post a link.
It's by the Yoshida Brothers, and features them on shamisens. (Go to this link (http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/far_east.htm#japan) and click on Japan for more on shamisens.)
They also have bass, guitar, keyboards, and drums backing them up.
But the technique and sound here is quite cool.
It makes me wish I had time to learn the instrument.

Just real cool technique.

The main riff is reminiscent of a certain theme song that used to be heard on CBC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RERXiliJfdI

And here's another video of the same song-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmuTEfho-2o

[Greenbacker]

With the opening chords, I thought it was going to be a Hockey Night In Canada cover. Ha ha!

[zontar]

With the opening chords, I thought it was going to be a Hockey Night In Canada cover. Ha ha!

I think that's part of the reason I like it.

But the playing is incredible.

Those plectra look like small ice scrapers--that could take a while to get used to.

[djdeacon]

My daughter is HUGELY into Japanese music, and it's because of her I got into Miyavi -

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=YMsq9qH-4xs

My whoah, where did THIS come from? investigation led me to Masa Sumide -

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=eF6bG8vU6Qg

[Vincent]

Basically sounds like american music with the additon of some Japanese intruments...nothing spectacular or anything...maybe it can be used for the japanese olympics if they ever host it...For me it was a bit boring and sounded like a not so great sports anthem/theme.

[zontar]

Well, that's a matter of taste, I guess. I've always loved the HNIC theme--ever since I was a kid. On my old cell phone it was my ring tone.

But I really like the song Rising--beyond the similarity. When the Yoshida brothers get picking quickly and their left hands are flying all over--it sounds great. I've also checked out some of their other stuff, some of which is more traditional. I'm impressed, and I like the music.