What the ....?

[dblbss]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwhDe56O9f8

[Brent Nussey]

This is a telling of the story of Momotaro, a Japanese folk/fairy tale. It's the story of an old farmer and his wife. One day she finds a giant peach floating down the river, which she brings home to her husband, who loves peaches. When they open it to eat it, there's a little boy inside, who grows up as their son. When he's a young man, an Oni (devil/demon) from a nearby island is terrorizing the surrounding villages. Momotaro (the boy) goes to the island accompanied by a bird, a monkey and a dog, where he defeats the Oni and everything is wonderful again. Odd sounding I guess, but no odder than the Superman story.

Thanks for the link, this was fun to see. The old lady, and later the bird, are played by Tamori, a famous TV show host and comedian, who is a rabid jazz fan, was a trumpeter in his youth, and has done a lot for jazz in Japan. He has a club called "J" in Shinjuku. I assume he used his media power to get this made. Momotaro is actually played by a girl, Marlene. She was a famous pop idol in the 80's, but always hung out at jazz clubs, and gradually morphed in to a (quite good) jazz singer. I've played for her, consider her a friend, and will defiinitely ask her about it the next time I see her. She's quite a beautiful woman, BTW: http://www.marlenejazz.com/

Based on everyone's approx age, I'd guess this was done in the late 80's/early 90's or so. I assure you, this is not typical Japanese TV, I'm guessing it was Tamori's pet project. The lyrics are just a pretty straight retelling of the story. There are no jokes, but the costumes and atmosphere have a little bit of a whimsical feeling to me. Some of the lines, while not jokes per se, are quite funny. Maybe that helps hold some of the audience who might not quite dig it otherwise. Anyway, it was fun to watch, thanks.

Brent

[dblbss]

Thanks for describing that . Had no idea what it was all about.

[dmusic148]

Couldn't handle it- had to turn it off. Almost fell over.

[Brent Nussey]

whoa! Checking it out again, I just realized one of the guys in there is Seichi Nakamura, who I'm playing with tonight and tomorrow night! Maybe I'll know something more by tomorrow....

[hdiddy]

wow that's wild. I like it!

[JoZac21]

Strangely reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjX3o...C01B3E&index=0

Btw... EASILY the greatest piece of music ever written.

[JAGGL3S]

Originally Posted by Brent Nussey

This is a telling of the story of Momotaro, a Japanese folk/fairy tale. It's the story of an old farmer and his wife. One day she finds a giant peach floating down the river, which she brings home to her husband, who loves peaches. When they open it to eat it, there's a little boy inside, who grows up as their son. When he's a young man, an Oni (devil/demon) from a nearby island is terrorizing the surrounding villages. Momotaro (the boy) goes to the island accompanied by a bird, a monkey and a dog, where he defeats the Oni and everything is wonderful again. Odd sounding I guess, but no odder than the Superman story.

Thanks for the link, this was fun to see. The old lady, and later the bird, are played by Tamori, a famous TV show host and comedian, who is a rabid jazz fan, was a trumpeter in his youth, and has done a lot for jazz in Japan. He has a club called "J" in Shinjuku. I assume he used his media power to get this made. Momotaro is actually played by a girl, Marlene. She was a famous pop idol in the 80's, but always hung out at jazz clubs, and gradually morphed in to a (quite good) jazz singer. I've played for her, consider her a friend, and will defiinitely ask her about it the next time I see her. She's quite a beautiful woman, BTW: http://www.marlenejazz.com/

Based on everyone's approx age, I'd guess this was done in the late 80's/early 90's or so. I assure you, this is not typical Japanese TV, I'm guessing it was Tamori's pet project. The lyrics are just a pretty straight retelling of the story. There are no jokes, but the costumes and atmosphere have a little bit of a whimsical feeling to me. Some of the lines, while not jokes per se, are quite funny. Maybe that helps hold some of the audience who might not quite dig it otherwise. Anyway, it was fun to watch, thanks.

Brent

HOW??? Or Even Better WHY?? would you know that?

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by JAGGL3S

HOW??? Or Even Better WHY?? would you know that?

It's a classic. If you have kids, they've read it.

[hdiddy]

Originally Posted by JAGGL3S

HOW??? Or Even Better WHY?? would you know that?

If you simply looked at his location, you would know the answer yourself.

[Brent Nussey]

Originally Posted by JAGGL3S

HOW??? Or Even Better WHY?? would you know that?

As hdiddy pointed out, I live in Japan. I understand Japanese and personally know some of the people in the video. And the story of Momotaro is as famous here as the story of Little Red Riding Hood is where you live. So it's no big deal, really. The strangest things you see on youtube can make sense if you know the context.

I had a chance to talk with the guy who plays the dog in the video last night. He was the music director for Tamori's late night show, which ran 1982-1989. He sort brushed it off as just another sketch they did, but that must have taken a lot of work to put together. Anyway, not the sort of thing you're going to see on Letterman any time soon...

[Marcus Johnson]

It's very common here as well, since Hawai'i has very strong cultural links to Japan.

[Feral Feline]

Can't believe nobody's mentioned "James and the Giant Peach" yet. Momotaro's probably where ol' Roald Dahl got the idea from.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Feral Feline

Can't believe nobody's mentioned "James and the Giant Peach" yet. Momotaro's probably where ol' Roald Dahl got the idea from.

'James and the Giant Peach' and Momotaro were both pretty popular with my boys way back when they would listen when their Dad spoke!

[bejoyous]

This a great example of OH NO Theatre!