I'm hooked on Stardust Revue

Lately, I've been completely hooked on Stardust Revue, also known as "Sta-Revi".

I've owned a few of their albums for a long time and knew their signature songs reasonably well, but now that I'm picking up the guitar and approaching them from a performer's perspective, I'm constantly amazed by the depth of their appeal.

The catalyst was a fellow "Sta-Revist"

My passion for Sta-Revi was reignited after meeting a beautiful pianist living in Kobe. She was a devoted Stardust Revue fan. When she requested a song for me to sing, I thought, "Maybe I'll give it a try," and challenged myself to play and sing it. From there, I started getting more and more into them, and before I knew it, I was spending my days glued to YouTube and chord charts.

I also got my hands on a new weapon, an ENYA smart guitar, and with my guitar life accelerating all at once, I'm having a wonderful time.

Songs I've learned to play

First, here are the seven songs I've recently learned to play and sing.

1. Nantokanaru no Monogatari

2. 1% no Monogatari

3. Meguriaete Yokatta

4. Mou Ichido Harbor Light

5. Michi

6. Tsuioku

7. Futari

I find myself humming along, intoxicated by the chord progressions that make me tear up. The structure of the A-melody, B-melody, and chorus has many variations, so it takes time to memorize the melodies, but once they're in my head, I rotate through them while I'm out for a walk.

Every song changes its expression depending on how much emotion you put into it, and the depth of Sta-Revi lies in the fact that you can enjoy them with different arrangements.

Six songs I want to work on next

Here are the six songs I've listed that I want to challenge next. They are all masterpieces.

1. Mokuren no Namida

2. Twilight Avenue

3. Yume Densetsu

4. Northern Lights

5. Be My Lady

6. Konya Dake Kitto

I know these melodies, so I think I can manage to play them somehow. "Mokuren no Namida" is the ballad that symbolizes the band. I intend to try singing those tear-jerking lyrics and melody simply with my own voice and guitar.

What's so amazing about Stardust Revue

There are so many charms to Stardust Revue.

<Harmony>
The harmony is beautiful. The chorus performed by the members is truly wonderful. Not only the vocals of Kaname-san, but the way the other members layer their voices is exquisite, and the depth of the sound is like an orchestra.

<Lyrics>
And the lyrics are overflowing with poetry and humanity. Love, parting, life's crossroads, and more are woven into the lyrics. Stardust Revue's lyrics are packed with "life's scenery" that anyone can relate to. They feel somewhat nostalgic and warm. Personally, I also love the Showa-era essence they have.

<Vocals>
The charm of Kaname-san's vocals is outstanding. Honestly, until now, I thought they were for listening only, not songs to sing. They stretch endlessly, have a core, and are lustrous. Yet, the singing style doesn't get too heated and gently snuggles up to the listener's heart. I am especially smitten by Kaname-san's voice in ballads. Even when I'm playing and singing, my heart feels like it's being carried away.

<Musical Style>
The musical style and chord progressions are less J-POP and more City Pop, AOR (Adult Oriented Rock), and sometimes have jazz-like elements. The M7th (major seventh) and m7♭5 (minor seventh flat five) chords create a mature atmosphere. While playing the guitar, I can become a "cool middle-aged guy" in the city, and it feels great.

A small worry too...

My only worry is that Stardust Revue isn't very famous. Therefore, I can't find chord charts or tutorial videos for their minor songs. Even for quite obscure songs by Southern All Stars, someone has covered them, so they serve as a reference for how to play, but I can't even get chord charts for Stardust Revue's minor songs.

Even though they have wonderful intros, there are many songs where I don't know the pitch even if I want to play them as a guitar solo. If there is someone playing and singing on YouTube, I can usually pick up the notes by watching their hand movements, but there are too few videos of Stardust Revue.

But conversely, that also means there are still a mountain of "untouched masterpieces." Since I live a time-rich life, the joy of transcribing the sheet music myself might be something unique to Stardust Revue.

Having said that, transcribing sheet music takes too much time, so I bought one music book secondhand.

35th Anniversary Guitar Score Stardust Revue / Guitar Vocal Songbook Sheet Music.

Do what you want to do!

It is often difficult for people to learn things they don't know or to take action on things they think they can't do. However, if the answer to the question 'Is that something you want to do?' is 'YES!', then all that's left is to take action. If it's something I want to do, I've tried to be honest and faithful to those feelings, challenging myself even with things I didn't know or couldn't do.

When you become able to do things you thought you couldn't, you feel the joy of living. As I challenge myself with Stardust Revue songs I didn't know, I am experiencing exactly that feeling.

Instead of giving up without even trying, thinking there's no way I could hit high notes like Kaname-san, I've found that if I take action, there are things I can do that I didn't expect. It's easy to decide 'it's impossible anyway.' But by thinking 'maybe I'll give it a try' and taking that first step, your world expands all at once.

I was able to attend three venues for the popular band Southern All Stars: Okinawa Arena, Sapporo Dome, and a Tokyo Dome live viewing. Next, I want to go to a Stardust Revue concert too!

Keisuke Kuwata is 69, and Kaname Nemoto is 68. Hard-working older men are shining.

In life, things 'somehow work out' (nantoka naru).

'Nantoka naru' means that you can improve a situation through your own efforts and ingenuity.

'Dounika naru' expresses a feeling of relying on external forces or chance rather than your own efforts.

In other words,while 'nantoka naru' expects an active solution, 'dounika naru' expects a passive oneis what you could say.

I felt that while singing Stardust Revue's 'The Story of Nanto and Kanaru' 🎵

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