Yumi Matsutoya Songs Special

The Legendary Yumi Matsutoya

I was in a bit of a Yuming Mood this weekend and had been listening to some of my favorite albums from her, when in a happy coincidence I discovered one of NHK's Year-End specials featured Yuming herself!!! The Special was called YUMI MATSUTOYA SONGS SPECIAL  and this was a “Documentary and Live “ Special following Yumi as she travels to visit various memorable locations.

Yuming In France

Homeland of the Little Prince

   Yuming was asked to record a song for the Japanese release of “The Little Prince”, and they followed Yumi as she visited the France homeland of Little Prince author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. 

The Little Prince film

I have to say, watching the magical animated images of planes swooping and gliding around made me think of the Studio Ghibli Movie Kiki’s Delivery Service, where they used Yumi’s “Yasashisa Ni Tsutsumareta Nara” as the ending credits  song against the backdrop of flying planes… and then Yuming came onstage with a orchestra…and began singing that VERY song!
The original 1976 version was a poppy, guitar-strumming toe tapper, here we have the older and wiser Yuming singing a very elegant version, with just her vocals accompanied by lush strings. Man, what an entrancing performance!

"Yasashisa Ni Tsutsumareta Nara”

  The second half of the special featured Yumi visiting Nagasaki Prefectural High School. Way back in 1974, she had been asked by a young girl student there if she could write a song for their School. The song she wrote ended up being the wonderful “Hitomi O Tojite”, which would of course go on to become one of her most popular and enduring songs.
  They showed this wonderful footage of Yuming visiting the school back in the 70’s where they dedicated a plaque and sculpture in her honor, and now in 2015, in celebration of the school’s 50th Anniversary,  she has gone back to visit, talk to the teachers and students, reminisce about the past and encourage the youths and their future. 

Yuming in the 70's

Nagasaki School Dedication

A Touched Yuming!

Visiting again in 2015

Arigato Matsutoya San!

The segments concludes with Yumi playing the piano and singing Hitomi o Tojite with the students, a VERY sweet and emotional performance,  and yep I got weepy eyed, that’s for sure…what a song, what an ARTIST!

"Hitomi O Tojite"

  The Special concluded with Yuming returning home to pen “Kizukazusugita Hatsukoi”, the beautiful song for the Little Prince Movie and then performing it with her band for the show’s closure. With its gentle tones and sleigh-bell background, this song not only captured the magic of the movie, but served as a perfect Christmas tune, as well! Yuming, still as amazing as she ever was!

Writing for "The Little Prince"

Performing “Kizukazusugita Hatsukoi”

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com