Track Listing

1. Spring Banquet
2. Yoshitsune
3. Dannoura

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #847709 in Music
• Released on: 1996-01-03

Customer Reviews

Tsuruta Kinshi: a wonderful listening experience
This recording, like much of traditional Japanese music, is not something that is probably not immediately accessible and appreciable without some prior listening experience. Ms. Tsuruta Kinshi was a performer held in extraordinarily high esteem, both as a biwa player and vocalist. Without a doubt it is certainly possible to have a positive reaction to music that is far removed from our usual cultural experience, a resounding yes that comes straight from the guts; however, the more common reaction by far is to recoil from something that seems *too* strange.

I came across Tsuruta Kinshi - fortunately - only after having attended performances of traditional Japanese drama (kabuki, noh, bunraku) in which music is an indispensable part. In addition, I had acquired a small number of recordings of traditional Japanese music, and done a little reading on the subject as well. If that preparation was what was needed to keep me listening on my first exposure to her music, then I'm grateful for I have enjoyed a very deep pleasure listening to her perform ever since that first time. Consequently, I would hate to think of anyone dismissing her music as bizarre after a brief sampling, and missing a wonderful pleasure that gets richer each time you return to it. I am not trying to push some elitist point of view, but a little time spent exploring the range of traditional Japanese music would not be wasted. This woman was a powerful and subtle performer and coming to her art with some preparation will, I think, only increase your enjoyment of these fine performances.