Songbird (Kokia album)
Encyclopedia
Songbird is Kokia
's debut album, released on . It is her only album released under Pony Canyon
, the rest being released with Victor Entertainment
or Wasabi Records.
The album was re-released in 2008, as Kokia Complete Collection 1998-1999, featuring the album as well bonus tracks from her Pony Canyon singles, "Aishiteiru Kara," "Tears in Love" and "Arigatō..."
Kokia considers the lead single from the album, "Arigatō...," to be one of her favourite songs. She wrote the song in the mid 1990s, about the death of her family's pet dog. She has re-recorded it three times: on her 2006 greatest album, Pearl: The Best Collection
, on the 2007 Japanese release of Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love
and on the limited edition of her 2009 second greatest hits album, Coquillage: The Best Collection II
.
In 2003, the songs "I Catch a Cold" and "Shiroi Yuki" were used in the soundtrack for the popular Chinese drama At the Dolphin Bay.
's (one of the biggest hits of 1997). Both "Aishiteiru Kara" and "You" were used as songs in scenes of the popular drama Brothers, starring SMAP
's Masahiro Nakai
. It was the only single released before the album to chart on Oricon
's singles charts, reaching #99.
Kokia released three other singles before her album: , "Tears in Love" and "Arigatō...". "Ai no Field" was the anime Brain Powerd
's ending theme song, and was produced by Yoko Kanno
(however, it was released through Victor Entertainment
and not Pony Canyon). "Tears in Love" was released in November. The B-side from this single, "Blue Night," was played as a theme song for a radio show Kokia had on FM Hokkaido, Kokia Innocent Time. This is the first release Kokia worked on personally, as she wrote the lyrics on both tracks. Seven months later in June 1999, the final single, "Arigatō...," was released.
The album did not chart on the Japanese Oricon
albums charts.
The album was released in Asia (Taiwan
, Hong Kong
, etc.) in October. In Hong Kong, the album saw much more success. It was released simultaneously with Sammi Cheng
's album "Arigatou," which featured a cover of the lead single. Cheng's cover was a hit in Hong Kong. Kokia's version of the song was later awarded third in the 1999 Hong Kong International Popular Song Award (香港國際流行音樂大赏).
Reception by critics was positive. Music critic Shunta Tanizaki praised the album for Kokia's clear voice, and described the songs as "kind" and "tearing down the everyday." CDJournal praised the album for its beautiful melodies, and felt that producer Toshifumi Hinata's production fitted well with Kokia's music. Special note was taken of her falsetto
vocals, which were described as elegant, impressive and "overflowing with clarity."
for eight years, Pony Canyon re-released the album for her 10th anniversary. It was retitled Kokia Complete Collection 1998-1999, and featured three tracks not present on the original disc, but on Pony Canyon singles: "Blue Night," "Tears in Love" and the original version of "Aishiteiru Kara." Also featured was a DVD that included the music videos for "Aishiteiru Kara" and "Tears in Love."
The re-release charted at #254 on Oricon's album charts.
Kokia (singer)
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, who performs under the stage name Kokia . She is best known for her songs and "The Power of Smile." She is also recognised for her numerous contributions to anime/game soundtracks, the most notable being "Ai no Melody/Chōwa Oto " for the film...
's debut album, released on . It is her only album released under Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon
is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:...
, the rest being released with Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
or Wasabi Records.
The album was re-released in 2008, as Kokia Complete Collection 1998-1999, featuring the album as well bonus tracks from her Pony Canyon singles, "Aishiteiru Kara," "Tears in Love" and "Arigatō..."
Kokia considers the lead single from the album, "Arigatō...," to be one of her favourite songs. She wrote the song in the mid 1990s, about the death of her family's pet dog. She has re-recorded it three times: on her 2006 greatest album, Pearl: The Best Collection
Pearl: The Best Collection
Pearl: The Best Collection is Kokia's first greatest hits album, released on December 2, 2009. It was released simultaneously with her first video clips collection, Jewel: The Best Video Collection....
, on the 2007 Japanese release of Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love
Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love
Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love is Kokia's fifth album. It was originally released under Wasabi Records in France in November 2006, however was eventually released in Japan six months later...
and on the limited edition of her 2009 second greatest hits album, Coquillage: The Best Collection II
Coquillage: The Best Collection II
Coquillage: The Best Collection II is Kokia's second greatest hits album, released on December 2, 2009.-Background:...
.
In 2003, the songs "I Catch a Cold" and "Shiroi Yuki" were used in the soundtrack for the popular Chinese drama At the Dolphin Bay.
Background
Her debut single, "Aishiteiru Kara" in April 1998, was written by Yukiyo Mizuno and Toshifumi Hinata, the team behind Le CoupleLe Couple
was a Japanese band consisting of Emi Fujita and Ryuji Fujita .The band's debut single was Umi no Soko de Utau Uta released in July, 1994...
's (one of the biggest hits of 1997). Both "Aishiteiru Kara" and "You" were used as songs in scenes of the popular drama Brothers, starring SMAP
SMAP
SMAP is a Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates. While originally consisting of six members, the current group members are Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori...
's Masahiro Nakai
Masahiro Nakai
is a singer, actor and host for music events and variety shows such as the long-running music show Utaban. He is the leader of the Japanese idol group SMAP.-Early life:...
. It was the only single released before the album to chart on Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
's singles charts, reaching #99.
Kokia released three other singles before her album: , "Tears in Love" and "Arigatō...". "Ai no Field" was the anime Brain Powerd
Brain Powerd
is a Japanese anime television series created by Sunrise. The series is set on a future, decimated Earth after the discovery of a mysterious, alien spacecraft dubbed "Orphan". A group of researchers scour the planet for Orphan's disc plates using mecha called "Antibodies" in order to revive the...
's ending theme song, and was produced by Yoko Kanno
Yoko Kanno
is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements...
(however, it was released through Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
and not Pony Canyon). "Tears in Love" was released in November. The B-side from this single, "Blue Night," was played as a theme song for a radio show Kokia had on FM Hokkaido, Kokia Innocent Time. This is the first release Kokia worked on personally, as she wrote the lyrics on both tracks. Seven months later in June 1999, the final single, "Arigatō...," was released.
Reception
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The album did not chart on the Japanese Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
albums charts.
The album was released in Asia (Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, etc.) in October. In Hong Kong, the album saw much more success. It was released simultaneously with Sammi Cheng
Sammi Cheng
Sammi Cheng Sau-Man is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Having enjoyed much success in the Hong Kong music industry, Sammi has been known as a diva and has been one of the most successful female singer in Hong Kong since the 1990s. Her albums have sold more than 25 million copies through...
's album "Arigatou," which featured a cover of the lead single. Cheng's cover was a hit in Hong Kong. Kokia's version of the song was later awarded third in the 1999 Hong Kong International Popular Song Award (香港國際流行音樂大赏).
Reception by critics was positive. Music critic Shunta Tanizaki praised the album for Kokia's clear voice, and described the songs as "kind" and "tearing down the everyday." CDJournal praised the album for its beautiful melodies, and felt that producer Toshifumi Hinata's production fitted well with Kokia's music. Special note was taken of her falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
vocals, which were described as elegant, impressive and "overflowing with clarity."
Re-release
In 2008, after Kokia had focused working with her new label Victor EntertainmentVictor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
for eight years, Pony Canyon re-released the album for her 10th anniversary. It was retitled Kokia Complete Collection 1998-1999, and featured three tracks not present on the original disc, but on Pony Canyon singles: "Blue Night," "Tears in Love" and the original version of "Aishiteiru Kara." Also featured was a DVD that included the music videos for "Aishiteiru Kara" and "Tears in Love."
The re-release charted at #254 on Oricon's album charts.
Track listing
All songs arranged by Toshifumi Hinata.Personnel
- Yoshihiro Arita - acoustic guitar ("Arigatō...," "River," "Soyokaze ga Sōgen o Naderu Yō ni")
- Kaoru Arō - artist management, Yui Ongaku Kōbō
- Masaaki Fukushi - art director, 294 inc.
- Toshifumi Hinata - programming, producer, arranger
- Yōichi Honda - Yui Ongaku Kōbō management executive producer
- Miki Horihito - artist management, Yui Ongaku Kōbō
- Yūichirō Iida - disc promoter, Pony Canyon
- Natsuko Kawai - designer, 294 inc.
- Shinichi Kikuchi - recording, mixing (at Studio AVR)
- KokiaKokia (singer)is a Japanese singer-songwriter, who performs under the stage name Kokia . She is best known for her songs and "The Power of Smile." She is also recognised for her numerous contributions to anime/game soundtracks, the most notable being "Ai no Melody/Chōwa Oto " for the film...
- vocal, background vocals, piano ("Watashi wa Utau Kotori Desu") - Ariaki Kumazawa - sales promoter, Pony Canyon
- Harumi Masuda - hair & make-up, M-Flags
- Yōsuke Miyake - Pony Canyon label executive producer
- Seishū Murakami - acoustic guitar, electric guitar ("Arigatō...," "Live Alone," "River," "Shiroi Yuki," "Soyokaze ga Sōgen o Naderu Yō ni," "You")
- Kazuki Nagano - product management desk, Pony Canyon
- Katsuhito Nakanishi - director, Pony Canyon
- Toshihiro Nakanishi Orchestra with Kuwano Strings - strings arrangement ("You")
- Teruhiko Takenaka - mastering (at Heart best Recording Studio)
- Jin Tamura - photographer
- Ichiko Yasui - stylist, Aim
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
Pony Canyon Pony Canyon is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:... |
CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... |
PCCA-1351 | |
| Asia Asia Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population... |
Pony Canyon (HK) | CD | ||
| Japan re-release | Pony Canyon | CD+DVD DVD A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions.... |
PCCA-2748 | |