As I related in an earlier post, I’d been a fan of Arisa Mizuki since seeing her performing on an episode of Music Fair, and after that totally got into her singles both new and older, so when I rented my regular j-pop music shows back in 1997 and saw that Arisa was a guest on an episode on MUSIC STATION I excitedly thought,” Whoa, Arisa’s got a new single out! Huh, I didn’t know anything about it…wonder if I’ll like it!” WOULD I EVER!
As soon as She appeared, I was expecting something fun-Arisa appeared on stage in this cheery sunny outfit set up against a bright tropical backdrop, and MAN! As soon as the opening horns kicked in, I instantly fell in LOVE this song! Called “Forever Love”, the notes of the song reminded me of the Young Rascals or Dusty Springfield, and it immediately brought forth memories of my childhood in the 70’s playing chase-master in the park or fishing down by the stream- such a soothing, relaxing vibe!
Naturally, I ran right out and picked up that single the very next day, and on my next j-pop mix tape, I placed it as the “Side One Closer”, a lofty slot I always save for my favorite tracks…not that that means anything (or has any weight) to anyone out there other than me, but the point is: I fricking loved this song!
The capper of what could only be called a boffo Arisa Mizuki year was when she released FIORE II- Arisa’s wonderful SINGLES COLLECTION!!! Oh My GOSH, all of her singles from “Happy Wake Up” (1994) thru til “Days” (1997), which was basically as long as I’d been a fan! Why, this was almost like a celebration intended especially for ME! LOL!
PS: Not that this really has anything to do with anything, but just around the time Forever Love came out, she began to be referred to as “aLIsa” instead of “aRIsa”, and though it’s probably more correct if you’re going for the “English” slant of things, I’ve NEVER warmed up to it, and as you can see, continue to call her aRIsa as I have for all these years…(They did this too in MAX, going from calling Rina “Lina”…meh, I let that one slide, what you gonna do…)