'69 J-Folk MP3: Andore Kandore, aka Inoue Yousui

Our good pal Joe McGasko graduates WFMU Finishing School next week, so to fortify him for the struggle ahead, I present this mp3, at Joe's request:

Andore Kandore "Kandore Mandore" (mp3, 6megs)

Here's a vintage slab of Japanese folk-pop with a la-la chorus that'll haunt your waking hours as much as your dreams.  It made my 2006 list of New Favorite Songs That're 37 years old.

Andore Kandore was very briefly the stage name for Inoue Yousui, who first hit the consciousness of Japanese listeners in 1969, with this song.  Becoming the most requested song on an overnight radio show, soon CBS/Sony came a'knockin' (Stan understands), and a record deal ensued.  By 1972, he'd reverted back to his given name, began touring with bands like Haruomi Hosono's Happy End, and has since produced a record with Jack Nitzsche (Nishoku no Koma, pictured above), dueted with Jane Birkin (on her 2004 release Rendez-Vous), and released Japan's equivalent to "Rumours".  He's currently just another international mega-star with zero name recognition in the US.

Speaking of 37-year-old things, here's a great piece of existential dread-core from The Macs: "I'm 37" (mp3, 4megs)

Comments

[Dale Hazelton]

I could have sworn I was hearing something from Magna Carta's Seasons album, but that came a year later. Nice song!

[Joe M.]

Thanks for the shout-out, Scott, and for the incredible song. It's now one of MY favorites of 2007 as well! I can think of no better "graduation" song.