Monday, February 28, 2011

Previous covers on iTunes

Because it seems some of you have been interested by my post about the Hello Cover part 3, here is a list of previous covers which have been already released through iTunes.

The price is 0.99$ for each song.

Manatsu no Kousen (cover of Morning Musume。) by:
Eri Kamei
Reina Tanaka
Risa Niigaki
Chisato Okai

Furusato (cover the Morning Musume。) by:
Eri Kamei
Risa Niigaki

Koi wo Shichaimashita! (cover of Tanpopo) by:
Eri Kamei
Risa Niigaki
Ai Takahashi

Seinaru Kane Ga Hibiku Yoru (cover of Tanpopo) by:
Eri Kamei
Reina Tanaka
Risa Niigaki
Momoko Tsugunaga
Maimi Yajima
Airi Suzuki

Egao ni Namida〜THANK YOU! DEAR MY FRIENDS〜 (cover of Aya Matsuura) by:
Eri Kamei
Risa Niigaki
Chisato Okai

Love Namida Iro (cover of Aya Matsuura) by:
Eri Kamei
Risa Niigaki
Chisato Okai

Koi no Hana (cover of Natsumi Abe) by:
Eri Kamei
Risa Niigaki

Onegai Miwaku no Target (cover of Melon Kinenbi) by:
Eri Kamei
Risa Niigaki

Kousui (cover of Melon Kinenbi) by:
Eri Kamei
Risa Niigaki

Romantique Ukare Mode (cover of Miki Fujimoto) by:
Chisato Okai

PS: the links are for the American iTunes Store, so you can change for the iTunes of your country!
PS2: I hope you will enjoy the new design ;)

Friday, February 25, 2011

Hanabatakebokujō and the animals

This time I will introduce you the animals of the ranch. The ranch of Hanabatakebokujō has an area of 23 hectares. Inside this big ranch, there are many animals who are living peacefully together.

Hanabatakebokujō is practicing animal husbandry with Jersey cattle, a light brown race cattle. And thanks to this cattle and the grass of the pasture, Hanabatakebokujō produces a really good milk's cow.

Jersey cattle

Moreover, horses and miniature horses, pigs, dogs, rabbits and many other animals are living in the ranch.

Miniature horses

You can even see Llama ! From the family of the camel, their physical characteristics are a long head and the fiber is extremely delicate. You have to be careful because they can suddenly spit. But inside the Hanabatakebokujō' staff, this is the favorite animal.

Llama

Usually the weather of Hokkaidō is quite cold but in summer, the flowers are in bloom and during the whole season the pasture is green. So if you can go to Hokkaidō in the summer, you will keep a beautiful memory of it !

Pasture

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Takao Horiuchi: profile and live-report's concert

Up-Front is not just working for Hello! Project artists and producing food with Hanabatakebokujō. This is why this time I will introduce you a famous and really talented artist, Takao Horiuchi.


Biography

Takao Horiuchi (堀内孝雄) is born in 1949 in Abeno (one of the 24 wards of Ōsaka) from two parents who owned a restaurant. In this restaurant, there was a radio from which it was possible to hear old popular songs. While his parents were busy in the kitchen, Takao memorized and sang many songs. And thanks to his nice voice, his grand-mother was always saying he would become a singer.

His older sister was usually listening to western music. Then, one day, thanks to this, he had like an electric choc while listening a song from the Beatles. Takao was in grammar school during this revelation.

Thanks to his older brother, they borrowed many albums of the Beatles. Her older sister bought him a guitar and he learnt how to play by himself. After this the boom of the electric guitar came. Takao entered a club of music during college as singer.

During the university, Takao created a band called Peace Makers Foolish Brothers Foot. Some times after, he met Chinpei in Kobe and both had the opportunity of becoming professional. In 1971 they began their own band, Alice. To make a living from a band was not easy, but it was their own decision to live from music carrier. So the group Alice began in the Kansai (Kyōto and Ōsaka area). For some years they had difficult times but after, it became a huge and famous band all over Japan which stopped their activities in 1981 (even if they had some activities after).

In 1986 Takao wrote a song for the theme song of a television show for TV Asahi and worked for it. Alice area is still present with Takao but now he has his own carrier, full of folk, pop and rock songs with a touch of melancholy. He has released many albums and singles and is still active!


Live-report

So to introduce you his own musical world, I made a report for you about his concert on saturday.

The concert of Takao Horiuchi was in the culture's center of Nerima, a beautiful live house. Of course many people were there and bought many goodies.

When the concert began, the public became crazy!! He directly sang and the fans applauded enthusiastically. Just after, Takao introduced himself and talked a bit. He said many funny jokes and welcomed the late people with a big smile. It is easy to see his charisma on stage, he knows how to talk with the public.

Takao Horiuchi

He sang some pop and folk songs, full of melancholy. Then he took his guitar to play a medley of some Alice' songs. Takao played pop but also rock songs, the public stood up, he was a real eclectic showman!! Of course he is really talented to play the guitar as well and he made nice solos.
The lights were also magnificent. Following this, he sang some songs of his last album, like "Sayonara ha Iwanai", who just thrilled me so much!!!

Takao Horiuchi

He surprised his whole public while asking to record the voice of the audience singing a song. So he made the public repeat with his musical director, surely for a nice surprise in the future!!

But it was not the end, Takao gave a show of almost 3 hours, singing and giving so much pleasure to his fans. They all felt happy to be part of a live like this.


Seriously, it would be a mess to not try to listen to his last album, "Thank You~Aisubeki Otokotachi~". Personally, I felt in love with "<Kimikyoku>Akogare Asobi~Harukana Wadachi~Itoshiki Hibi('99 Remake Version)" for example.

And on April 27th, Takao will have a new single "Omokage Bashi", do not miss it!

As usual, here is a special picture of this great and nice artist just before the show.

Takao Horiuchi
Official website

Edit: Because some of you requested it (I always read all the comments ;) ), here is his last PV, Aisubeki Otokotachi:

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Berryz Kobo new PV Heroine ni narou ka !

Many of you were expecting to see it soon, Berryz Kobo has launched their new promotion video on their official YouTube channel. I am sure lots of you will be quite surprised, aren't you? ;)




So be ready for Sakura-Con in April. Are you all coming for this great event???

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

You Kikkawa: Kikka Channel 3

Here is the new video of Kikka Channel !

This time the video introduced her recording for the single with Michitomo (music director, arranger, sound mixer, etc.).

He is the one who will conduct You and give her advices for the recording, so he asked her to sing 4 songs to check how it goes.
Then he indicate her how to pronounce or when she had to change some emotions in her way of singing. But after some tests, he hasn't feel what he was expecting, just like if someone was singing and it was all. So the concept of Kikkake wa YOU! (the "opportunity" thanks to You) has no meaning. So he asks her to think about it. This is how the first day of recording stops...

You gives her impressions after the rude words of the music director, about her possibility to really become a solo artist. In the past she was part of a group, the Hello! Project Egg, so this is not the same now. She has to face something new. And this is the end of this video...

Monday, February 21, 2011

Hello Cover 3rd part

Last week the 3rd part of Hello Cover has been released on iTunes. If you own an account, you can buy the new songs with the following links:
1. Reina Tanaka - Egao ni Namida~THANK YOU! DEAR MY FRIENDS~ (cover of Aya Matsuura from her album, First Kiss)
2. Reina Tanaka - Koi no Hana (cover of Natsumi Abe from her album 2nd ~ Shimi Wataru Omoi ~)
3. Airi SuzukiFurusato (cover of Morning Musume。 from the album Second Morning)

You can buy each song for 0.99$.

PS: the links are for the American iTunes Store, so you can change for the iTunes of your country!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Morning Musume。 new single Maji desu ka suka!

The Morning Musume。 will release their 45th single on March, 23th.

Morning Musume。

The single's title is "Maji desu ka suka!" and will surely surprised you!! Of course it will be the first single with the new members of the 9th generation and besides, there will be 4 special versions with for each the interview of one of the new member and a PV in an alternate version.

Limited version A includes the interview of Mizuki Fukumura.
Limited version B includes the interview of Erina Ikuta.
Limited version C includes the interview of Riho Sayashi.
Limited version D includes the interview of Kanon Suzuki.

There is a special card in each limited version and in the first press of the regular version, but it is only for people living in Japan, to be part of a lottery to win an access to an event.

Anyway, to not miss this opportunity to discover Morning Musume。 with their new members!!


PS: do not hesitate do become a follower of this blog, proove the foreigners are there and like Up-Front's artists!!
Spread the link of this blog ;)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Hanabatakebokujō and the ice-cream

In 2009, Hanabatakebokujō began to produce in its own factory handmade ice-creams for children and also adults.

When we use a lot of Hokkaidō's milk cow, then it becomes really dense but as soon as you put it in the mouth, in a blink of an eye, it completely melt.

Ice cream

For the Premium Caramel ice cream, inside the vanilla ice cream, it is full of grains which makes it really special. This is the characteristic of Hanabatakebokujō.

Nama caramel ice cream premium

After the ice cream melt in the mouth, the caramel itself takes its time to melt.


In 2010, Hanabatakebokujō began to sell the Caramel Potato ice cream. So of course inside you have the caramel taste but above you have a special type of potato. In fact it can surprise you to have caramel and potato altogether but there is a real affinity between those two flavors and thanks to the crunchy potato touch, it is much more amplified.

Caramel and potato ice cream

To conclude this article, if you come to Japan, by all means you have to try to eat those products from the factory of Hanabatakebokujō!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

You Kikkawa and her pre-debut event

Last week You Kikkawa held an event for her pre-debut just before Valentine's Day.
The whole place was overcrowded!!

You Kikkawa
As soon as she began to sing, the fans became really crazy, because it was also the first time to see her dancing the choreography for each song. There was even a woman in the public who came with the same clothes as You during her press conference, and of course You saw her and thanked her.
You Kikkawa

She sang several songs and talked to introduce her future single.

You Kikkawa
You Kikkawa

Following this, a handshake event took place. She was really smiling to her fans and the fans as well were really happy.

We can all expect a promising debut with her single Kikkake ha YOU! on March 30th. To all the readers of this blog, all over the world, you have to show that the foreigners also like You Kikkawa!!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

You Kikkawa: Kikka Channel 2

Here is the new episode of the Kikka Channel!!
So this time I will make a short translation of the video.

On November, 29th, You Kikkawa introduced herself to the staff of Universal Music (this is really important for Japanese people to introduce themselves to the whole staff).

Then, she met a famous Japanese band called ET-KING and introduced herself, saying she is singing cheerful songs like idols, so a member just replied they are doing the same thing and everyone laughed!
ET-KING's members told her to do her best and You wondered if she was going to meet other famous artists.

Following this you can see some videos of the press conference of January, 26th, I introduced you some days ago and her comment just at the end of it, saying the press conference is finished, etc.

To be continued...

Monday, February 14, 2011

UP-FRONT CHANNEL

The last time I talked about the YouTube channel UP-FRONT TUNES. This time I will introduce you the main Youtube channel of UP-FRONT, UP-FRONT CHANNEL.
This channel has really lots of videos with many artists. You have of course some videos of Hello!Project artists but also about artists like The Possible (THE ポッシボー), SI☆NA, Arisa Noto (能登有沙), Tsunku♂, etc.
I'm sure you can discover many interesting videos, so do not hesitate to give a try!! :)


Official YouTube UP-FRONT CHANNEL

Friday, February 11, 2011

Hanabatakebokujō and the cheeses

In fact Hanabatakebokujō is not just producing caramels. If there's a ranch, this is also because of the handmade cheeses.
Among the famous cheeses, there is the Caciocavallo (カチョカヴァロ).

Caciocavallo
Originally, the Caciocavallo is from Italia but Hanabatakebokujō uses its own Tokachi's milk cow, really famous, to create this cheese.
Once again the passionate workers take their time to create those cheeses with this special form.

Preparation of the caciocavallo
We can recommand you to eat it grilled and then cut it in slice. Then, put them on toasts.
Like this, the exterior will become crunchy and the inside will melt, so delicious!!

Recommanded preparation
Moreover, Hanabatakebokujō also produces mozarella (モッツァレラ), raclette (ラクレット), scamorza (スカモルツァ), etc.

In Japan many people love cheese so if you come in Japan try the ones made by Hanabatakebokujō!!


Official website of the Hanabatakebokujō.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

You Kikkawa: Kikka Channel 1

As I said in a previous post, there will be a documentary about the debut of You Kikkawa which will be released during the Golden Week (end of April, early May).

You can see more about her in the video previously posted on YouTube under the name "Kikka Channel 1".


Leave your comments about this teaser after this post!!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Rika Ishikawa, her birthday concert

After celebrating her birthday on Ustream (with Sayumi Michishige as a surprise guest), Rika Ishikawa held two special concerts in the live house STB139.
Many fans were waiting even if it was freezing cold outside!


STB139
As soon as the public sat, they began to eat and then Rika came on stage with a support band, really talented. The music style was jazzy, funky and even rock!!!

She introduced herself to the fans and made a "kanpai (= cheers) pyon".

About the concert itself, she sang some covers of Morning Musume。like Morning Coffee (モーニングコーヒー) but she surprised everyone with many covers of Chara, My Little Lover and... "Rusty Nail" of X Japan!! I think nobody thought Rika was able to sing this song, but it was explosive and everyone was amazed by her voice and charisma!
Some fans made the famous X with their arms, really crazy moment ;)

She answered some fans questions during MCs and talked about the Dream Morning Musume。, her new photobook, etc.

Rika gave to her fans a really nice present with those special birthday shows and succeeded by mixing lots of styles. She was not just a singer, but also an entertainer, a pianist (she took some lessons), etc.
Well, if you have the possibility to see one of her concert, do not miss this chance \o/

Of course, I couldn't finish this article like this, here is a picture as usual just for the blog!!
Rika Ishikawa

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Videos of the new Morning Musume。 members

On the official YouTube channel of the Morning Musume。, the 4 new members let a comment to the fans. They introduce themselves and talk about their first impressions as being part of the Morning Musume。.

Video of Riho Sayashi:



Video of Kanon Suzuki:



Video of Erina Ikuta:



Video of Mizuki Fukumura:



Do not hesitate to write your feelings about the videos here ;)

Monday, February 7, 2011

Release of Shortcut for S/mileage on wednesday

The idols with the "shortest skirts in Japan" will release their new single "Shortcut" (the 4th) on wednesday. So be sure to order it!

S/mileage

You can see the MV here:

Friday, February 4, 2011

℃-ute new PV Kiss me Aishiteru

After Buono!, ℃-ute also updated their YouTube channel with their new song which set the stage on fire during the Hello! Project Winter 2011!!!

"Kiss me Aishiteru" is already their 15th single and will be released this month on the 23th.

Covers of the single

So it's time to dance now ;)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Buono! new PV JUICY HE@RT and the Yebisu Garden Place

After "Zassou no Uta", Buono! has updated their YouTube channel with a new PV, "JUICY HE@RT".

Lots of you probably saw the castle behind them, and in fact this is a famous restaurant in Tōkyō from the French chef Joël Robuchon.
So if you come to Tōkyō, you can easily see this restaurant which looks like a French Castle, like a "Château de la Loire". To go there, you just have to follow the direction of "Yebisu Garden Place" through the "Yebisu Skywalk" at the Ebisu station.

Anyway, here is the PV :)


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Hanabatakebokujō

Hanabatakebokujō, what a difficult name for a title...
In fact, I think few people know that Up-Front is a group not only working with great artists, but there are many other activities!!


So Hanabatakebokujō is a branch of Up-Front Group.
Hanabatake (花畑) means flower fields and bokujō (牧場) means ranch.
The ranch of Hanabatakebokujō is based in Hokkaidō (more precisely in Tokachi) and includes many animals like cattles, horses, pigs, etc., everything to prepare handmade sweets, cheeses, ice-creams, etc.

Entrance of the ranch
Cattle

Among all of those productions, there are the caramels (”nama caramel”): as soon as you put them in the mouth, they instantaneously melt and you can feel a whole new sensation.

Caramels

To prepare those caramels, you need a lot of fresh cream and Tokachi's milk cow. And the passionnate workers take their time to prepare them in the copper saucepan.

Preparation in the copper saucepan

If you have the opportunity to eat them, do not hesitate, this is really delicious, believe me!!

Official website of the Hanabatakebokujō.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

New blog for Buono!

We know that many of you really love Buono!, so I think it was important to tell you they have just opened their official blog on the Japanese blogging platform "ameblo".

As usual, be sure to check it! Here is the link:
http://ameblo.jp/viva-buono/

Buono!


PS: it has not been decided yet if the members will update themselves or not.