Takeshi Terauchi & Blue Jeans / Bunnys
I was especially attracted to this release because I heard how some original Japanese folk with a certain sensibility of melody as a theme that is more often used in Korea too during the 50s and early 60s here is appearing too in a variation which enriches the whole tradition, with the recognisable electric guitar lead and it’s organ melodic elements, here it shows an adventurous electric guitar style, an element of blues improvisation and a direction towards psych, with a bit more freedom of expression, but with a total control and respect towards it’s tradition too, an attitude which brings the Japanese often further in expression.
Takeshi Terauchi is an adventurous, talented guitarist who puts his foundations in the surf music of the Ventures. We hear lots of instrumentals, which direct from surf to freakbeat, with a bit of blues-rock for more improvisation. The Japanese folk tradition is enriched with electric guitar improvisation. I explained already how it fits with some Korean Pop from the early 60s (track 7,8,9,12,13,16-21 especially). This has an Edo-period Japanese folk reference, a use which wasn’t always appreciated by traditionalists, but which is a modern version, spontaneous contemporary workout with a now feeling in the making that is interesting to the Korean/Japanese pop tradition too. Later tracks more and more add wilder / more adventurous, creatively interpreted electric and also organ improvisations. There’s an odd second electric picking instrument heard in track 17.
Besides being a guitarist in these bands, according to the booklet, Takeshi Terauchi is a karate and Zen master and businessman too.
