Search - Ryuichi Sakamoto :: Coda

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence"--Collect the Whole Set

A. Rue | Kansas City, KS USA | 09/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ryuichi Sakamoto is not only a composer, but an arranger. I must own six versions of the "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence/Forbidden Colours" theme alone. This fondness for arranging and rearranging has perhaps reached it's pinnacle with his soundtrack release "Henkaku no Seiki," which has seven versions of a single theme for various instruments--very sweet. I bought "Coda" when I was craving more piano music from Ryuichi Sakamoto and was already familiar with his brilliant electronic score for the film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." And that kind of fan is precisely who this album is for. Although "Coda" is certainly no "Back to the Basics." Most of the piano arrangements (due to the physical restricitions of the instrument, of course) I find a little over-simplified, and do sound like music arranged for the piano rather than written for it. Not to mention anything of the album's length, bonus tracks included. But keep in mind this album was originally released with a sheet music booklet, obviously recorded for and meant to be enjoyed by pianists. Be that as it may, this album still gets five stars because, damn it, the music of "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" is just that good."

STATELY, BEAUTIFUL

L. S. Slaughter | Chapel Hill, NC | 12/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I much prefer this LP to the synthetic "Mr Lawrence" score on Virgin released in '83. Sakamoto's acoustic piano is just darn lovely, and the simplicity of the compositions shines through better than it does with synths and sequencers. Gosh, this is expensive, but if you're an avid Sakamoto or film music fan, I suppose it is worth it. The version of the title theme here (Cut 1) is, actually, worth the price of admission."

For all those who loves his Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence

L. S. Slaughter | 12/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best piano Album which ever been sold in this world!! Worth your money!! Ryuichi Sakamoto plays the sound track of "Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence" on piano. And this CD includes the bonus tracks written by Ryuichi Sakamoto with David Sylvian who sings on them. If you have been amased with his music, you MUST check this CD out!! PLEASE!!!"