From Ayuo's CD "AOI" (TZADIK 7260) released in November 2005. Composed by Ayuo using a text by the medieval Japanese playwright Zeami. based on an episode in "Genji Monogatari" (Romance of Genji"), written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, who finished writing it in 1004 AD. In this episode, Lady Rokujo becomes an angry living spirit that flies out of her body to haunt Lady Aoi, even though she herself is unaware of it. Ayuo's Electronic Guitar bgeins the piece. Ring Modulators, Pitch Shifters, Distortions and other electronic effects are applied to an open - tuning guitar. The acoustic instruments are the Sangen ( a 3-string plucked string instrument), a Biwa (a 4-string plucked string instrument with a ringing sound like the sitar) and a shakuhachi (bamboo flute). 2 female singers sing in a traditional Japanese style. The players are: Ayuo : Electronic Guitar Takada Kazuko: Sagen, Vocals Nagasu Tomoca: Biwa, Shakuhachi, Vocals Here are some of the reviews for the CD: Aoi Ayuo (Tzadik) Another exciting release from the other side of the world. Aoi mixes psychedelic sounds with the Japanese tradition of Noh theatre music. It's a combination that works really well and results in something that's tuneful, organic and possesses a foreboding sense of dignity and depth. A truly accomplished album of ingenious music. AYUO AOI AOI is a very interesting new record from one of Japan's most enigmatic composers, Ayuo. He was born in Japan in the early-'60s but spent a formative decade in ...
