© 2025 Lawrence Tuczynski
All information courtesy of Sam Scali
| Title: | The Contrabass Howls: Japanese Suite & Godzilla for C.b. |
| CD Label: | BKM |
| CD Number: | G.R.CB-01 |
| Music Performed by: | Jun Kawarada and the Weird Double Bass Orchestra (Arrangements by Takeo Yahiro) |
| Music Composed by: | Akira Ifukube |
| Number of tracks: | 14 |
| Running time: | 42:49 |
| Number of discs: | 1 |
| Year of release/manufacture: | August 11, 2024 |
| REVIEW |
November 10, 2025 (Written November 04, 2025 by Sam Scali) This recording was created with Godzilla's voice. Please allow me to explain. For the past 30 years, Takeo Yahiro and the Bukimisha male chorus have used their remarkable vocal talents to interpret the music of Akira Ifukube, and Takeo has also arranged the maestro's compositions for numerous instrumental releases. This recording, however, is very different, as the music is played entirely on the contrabass (aka, double bass). It is no exaggeration to say that this formidable orchestral instrument played a major role in the original GODZILLA film. Not only were its deep, resonant tones omnipresent in Ifukube's musical score, but as many devoted fans know, its loosened strings were cleverly manipulated to create the sound of the monster's roar. Nevertheless, this low-pitched, physically-demanding instrument is rarely presented in a solo context, which is what makes this CD so interesting. The featured virtuoso is Jun Kawarada, an acclaimed contrabass player who has performed in numerous Japanese orchestras and chamber ensembles. The album begins with a rendition of Ifukube's "Japanese Suite", originally composed in 1933 for piano, and rearranged for orchestra in 1991. Kawarada delivers a fine interpretation of this stately, four-movement work, and despite the absence of orchestral support, it is rendered with considerable power and tonality. Equally impressive is a selection of key themes from GODZILLA (1954). "Prayer for Peace" (Track 5) sounds even more despairing here than in its original vocal incarnation, and "Ritual Music of Odo Island" (Track 7) has an unusually low-key, introspective feel. "Storm on Odo Island" (Track 8) and "Godzilla Comes Ashore" (Track 10) are appropriately ominous, as the original film cues were similarly dominated by contrabass. Despite the lack of squealing violin strings at the beginning of "Oxygen Destroyer" (Track 11), the theme descends into familiar hopelessness, and "Godzilla Under the Sea" (Track 13) is letter-perfect in its resolute solemnity. Overall, the contrabass arrangements of these cues retain the forlorn mood of the original film score, and are arguably more chilling in their sparseness and atonality. Hearing such complex music performed entirely on contrabass is unusual to say the least, but Takeo Yahiro's arrangements are inventive and dynamic, and Kawarada delivers an assured, commanding performance. THE ROAR OF THE DOUBLE BASS is a unique and unexpected treat that fans will most certainly enjoy. Bukimisha CDs are available to non-Japanese buyers through BOOTH (The International Indie Art Marketplace) by using a proxy service or other intermediary: https://bukimisya-maal.booth.pm/ |
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The Contrabass Howls: Japanese Suite & Godzilla for C.b. (G.R.CB-01)
Japanese Suite (1933-1991) / Double Bass Ensemble Godzilla (1954) / Double Bass Ensemble |