For the vast majority of us Generation
Y kids, we most probably haven't heard of the legendary J-pop duo
Chage and Aska, let alone know about one half of the group: ASKA.
Though, you might have had Canto and Mando-pop covers of their
popular songs such as "Say Yes" and "Otoko to Onna" (literally
translated as, "Men and Women") earworm into your head in the 1990s.
So where have they gone? Well, we are not so sure about Chage, but Aska is certainly making himself SCENE by hooked!
 Born Miyazaki Shigeaki, ASKA debuted
as part of CHAGE and ASKA in 1979, after winning the Yamaha Popular Song
Festival with "Hitori saki". The duo toured Japan during the 80s,
performing a good number of songs penned by ASKA. It was only in the
late 1980s that ASKA decided to dabble in a solo project.
With his powerful and emotive vocals,
it was then no surprise that ASKA found success in his solo career,
with his single "Hajimari wa Itsumo Ame" selling over 1,160,000
copies on top of reaching second place on Oricon (Japan's hit music
chart).
ASKA's capabilities stretch further
beyond writing and singing his own songs, of course. We're talking
about one of the best music artistes to ever come out of Japan!
As mentioned
above, ASKA has written most of the songs for CHAGE and ASKA, as well
as his own career; and his songs have been extensively covered by Chinese
artistes. But did you know that ASKA has collaborated and produced songs
for the other side of the Pacific as well?
Notable collaborations include
Richard Marx, Chaka Khan and Michael Hutchence - though, you probably
don't recognize their names amidst the Backstreet Boys, Jay Z and
The Pussycat Dolls.
From 2005 to 2007, ASKA held a series
of concerts in Japan and Shanghai, melding together a unique blend of
orchestral music with the modern pop genre, including the "ASKA Symphonic
Concert 2007", and "My Game is ASKA", as well as an unplugged acoustic-styled
concert "Alive in Live" late last year.
In this same vein, ASKA's starting
his concert tour again in Asia, entitled "SCENE". Kicking off in
sunny Singapore, the tour will make its way to Jakarta, Bangkok and
China, with ASKA working with local philharmonic orchestras.
HOOKED had the chance to attend the
SCENE press conference where ASKA, along with his management, introduced
the concert tour proper.
While Singaporeans might be skeptical
of the beauty of the Esplanade, ASKA's manager Echizen Naoto cited
the "beautiful and excellent acoustic design" as one of the key
reasons to why Singapore was chosen, not only as a concert location, but
also as the opening venue.
Echizen also recalled the 10,000 strong
crowd in the previous Japan-only concerts.
"The limited number of
people who were able to come and see ASKA perform made us decide to
conduct an Asian leg of the tour," he explains, emphasizing how through
ASKA's music, cultural exchanges could be performed at a much more
accessible level.
 What does ASKA himself have to say
about the tour? Dressed in a smart suit with a very flattering skinny
tie, ASKA was evidently at ease with himself and the press.
"It's
a privilege to have a concert with the symphony orchestra," agreeing with his manager Echizen, ASKA noted that collaborating
with a symphonic orchestra is a kind of cultural exchange itself, mixing
different genres of music to produce something new.
Fans will be delighted to hear that
ASKA will be presenting a different side of himself in the Singapore
leg of the tour. In contrast to the performance he did in Shanghai previously,
ASKA also let in on how performing with an orchestra changes the feeling
of a concert totally.
"In this tour, I'm part
of the orchestra - my voice is an instrument. I discovered that in
Japan, the lyrics of a song are one of the important factors for a good
song, but overseas, it's the voice that conveys the message of the
song, since Japanese isn't understood."
ASKA is no stranger to Singapore, having
set foot here 12 years ago during a CHAGE and ASKA tour. Describing
Singapore as the "center of Asia", he said that it was only natural
that a concert should be held, and one with our philharmonic orchestra
no doubt.
His sense of humor was evident when he cheekily replied, "The
press (media) is different" when asked how Singapore has changed since
he last arrived. He quipped in a mock-conspiratorial tone that the other
half of his duo, CHAGE, is currently practicing the violin so that he
can join ASKA in the tour.
It's rather surprising to see a man
of his success be so down-to-earth and approachable. At times, it's
even unnerving! Nevertheless, you know you'll have a good time
at his concert when he tells you that "being nervous" is his specialty,
winking at the same time.
So who should attend this concert?
Well, if you've been a fan of CHAGE and ASKA, it's imperative that
you show up!
Otherwise, ignore the slightly pricey tickets. People who
enjoy good music, want to have a good time, and experience something
totally new, should by all means, not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to see the great ASKA in action.
Of course, everyone belongs in that
category, don't they? hooked
Concert Details: SCENE
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
Date: 26th and 27th
April 2008
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm (no intermission)
Ticket Price: $98, $128, $198,
and $238
SISTIC Ticket Sales: From 3rd
March 2008
Brought to you by Singapore Entertainment
Services PTE LTD
Photography by Alvin Zhang of the NUSSU Video and Photographic Society
|
ACK!!
Written by Guest on 2008-03-12 05:38:57
It would be a great opportunity, buty has it to be in the exam period...  | Written by Guest on 2008-03-28 23:57:14
 www.chageandaska.com
The CA Web in China. | Written by Guest on 2008-03-29 07:16:16
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/wWog_M0fTbY/
shanghai 2007 alive in live | Written by Guest on 2008-04-06 11:20:05
nice article!!! Aska, my favoriate singer, see you soon in Shanghai.. | Written by Guest on 2008-04-08 08:40:55
 enjoy ASKA's voice,the best instrument.^^ | Written by Guest on 2008-04-09 09:45:54
Tough I can not go to Singapore to enjoy his first two concerts...We will see you in Shanghai !!! | Written by Guest on 2008-04-28 22:28:04
Just enjoyed the concert in Singapore last weekend. His vocals are amazing as always! Truly a master, hope we will continue to see more of his concerts.. | Written by Guest on 2008-04-29 01:20:13
managed to caught the concert last week it was really great.. 
hope that he could sing more of his greatest hits the next time he comes | Sarifah
Written by Guest on 2008-04-29 01:36:12
Been a long-time fan of C&A, and truly enjoyed his concert last weekend. Aska's voice is still in tip-top form, and the orchestra backing complemented it perfectly. Hoping to see C&A perform again in Singapore! | getvarel
Written by Guest on 2008-09-16 02:58:57
coacvarb | trocalt
Written by Guest on 2008-10-02 19:28:17
varroercv |
|
