Tag Archives: The Last Emperor

Ryuichi Sakamoto

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On March 28, 2023, Ryuichi Sakamoto died aged 71. He was musician (piano, keyboards, synthesizers), singer, composer, record producer and artist, who first came to prominence as member of Yellow Magic Orchestra, but was best known for his eclectic solo career, straddled experimentalism, electronic, pop and movie music. His work influenced a number of various electronic music genres. He collaborated with big number of musicians, including David Sylvian, David Byrne, Iggy Pop, Thomas Dolby, Adrian Belew, Robin Scott, Kiyoshiro Imawano, Arto Lindsay, Youssou N’Dor, Jill Jones, Robert Wyatt, Brian Wilson and Robbie Robertson. Sakamoto was an “Oscar” winner for “Best Original Score”, for the soundtrack of Bernardo Bertolucci’s movie “The Last Emperor”. As leader, he released 23 albums.  

Ryichi Sakamoto: Playing the Piano

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On September 23, 2009, “KAB America Inc” label released “Playing the Piano”, the 19th Ryuichi Sakamoto album. It was recorded in 2009 and was produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Personnel:

  • Ryuichi Sakamoto – piano

Track listing:

All tracks by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

  1. Amore
  2. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
  3. A Flower Is Not A Flower
  4. The Sheltering Sky
  5. Tamago 2004
  6. The Last Emperor
  7. Tibetan Dance
  8. Thousand Knives
  9. Riot in Lagos
  10. Reversing
  11. Mizu no Naka no Bagatelle
  12. Bolerish

Ryuichi Sakamoto: 1996

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On June 4, 1996, “Gut” label released “1996”, the twelve Ryuichi Sakamoto studio album. It was recorded in 1996, at “Right Track Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto. The album contains a selection of his popular songs and two new songs, arranged for piano trio.

Personnel:

  • Ryuichi Sakamoto– piano
  • Jaques Morelenbaum– cello
  • Everton Nelson – violin
  • David Nadien– violin
  • Barry Finclair – violin
  • Fernando Aponte – engineer, mixing
  • Ted Jensen– mastering
  • Joe Lizzi & Jason Goldstein – engineer assistant
  • Hideki Nakajima – art direction, design
  • Yoshinori Ochiai – design
  • Kazunari Tajima – photography
  • Clare de Graw, David Rubinson – production managers

Track listing:

All tracks by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

  1. A Day a Gorilla Gives a Banana
  2. Rain
  3. Bibo no Aozora
  4. The Last Emperor
  5. 1919
  6. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
  7. A.Y. in the Backyard
  8. The Sheltering Sky
  9. A Tribute to N.J.P.
  10. High Heels (main theme)
  11. Aoneko no Torso
  12. The Wuthering Heights
  13. Parolibre
  14. Acceptance (End Credit)
  15. Before Long
  16. Bring Them Home