The 2003 Japan music awards were aired a day or two ago (when Ayu won for Noway to say) and I felt so nostalgic haha

Wondering if I renew my TA membership or not... Any suggestions?

^ If u're not planning to go to her tour(s) next year it's totally not worth the money lol Unless you buy the TA editions of her CD's/DVD's?

Ayu ranked number 29 on Recochoku's top 100 artists of 2016!
A Best at number 55 of top 100 albums & A Complete at #74.

http://bit.ly/2h5fX5F

I think that the song "Me & my girls" from Selena Gomez really fits ayu's style. Like, she would nail it. I can't stop picturing her performing it in japanese, right after Ladies Night, doing some awkward dance lol

Hmm. I don't know. To me it sounds more like a Koda Kumi or Namie Amuro track, not Ayu.:think
I wouldn't want Ayu to do anything Selena Gomez related.:laugh

Who has someone in their life that reminds them of these lyrics?

Oh good god no. Sounds like I'm sitting at a child's birthday party and all them little shits won't stop blowing those damn party horns. This is exactly the stuff I never want ayu to make. It's just damn annoying.

If anything, ayu fits more with Selena's "Naturally," which, in direct opposition to everything on Revival, was an absolute smash, and an orgasmic pleasure to listen to.

I liked when Ayu had short hair in the 90s and 2000s but not this decade.:shrug
Power of Music is such a standout. Sadly it doesn't get appreciated because it isn't as flashy visually, as many other concerts. It is a shame.:(

Yep, I don't know why but the cut was just slightly off last time she had it. The evolution hair is so iconic and I love it. I take a picture of it to the hairdressers with me when I go for short hair!

Secret and GUILTY were releases what made me quite uninterested in ayu. I really didn't like them! I didn't like even booklets.

The first album I was there was I am... and then RAINBOW released. RAINBOW was also a dissappointment for me haha. But then MY STORY released and I totally loved it.

You too?! I did that the last time I got my hair cut short haha

https://s28.postimg.org/tt43qdg3h/ayu_hair.jpg

Kind of blurry but this was my hair! I'm growing my hair again to donate when I go for another big hair cut next year or the year after I think.

Your hair looks amazing! Very Evolution!

On another note the A7 Classical ver of No Future is soooo good! A7 is my favourite classical album of Ayu's despite the mixing issues.

I just can't get past the mixing issue unfortunately. I don't feel like "I'm there" when I listen to the tracks. It's quite disappointing and such a shame.

^I guess we're unlikely to ever get a remastered version huh? I'm one of those people who didn't really notice the mixing issues in the past but I really noticed it here!

Aw, so cute! Such a perfect Ayu-style cut haha

Also what are the mixing issues with A7 Classical? I haven't listened to it much so I haven't really noticed

Seriously. The mixing of that album is the worst she've ever had.

Thank you :) This was a few years ago, it's long again now!

Just popping in to remind people of this amazing performance. Damn, the anger on her face and in her voice, ayu was going through some shit at that time.

Angry ayu performances are the best. What's your guys' favorite?

A Song for XX from that concert is like...the BEST performance I have seen from her. That whole concert is gold. <3

Love this one. She looks very angry and full of feelings while singing this.

Angry Ayu is the best! I would even say that it is part of her watermark ... her attitude and strength. As he said in an interview, any song can be turned into rock just with the right attitude and energy :)

I've never seen this live before! Just found it randomly. Loving the hairstyle ♥

^ This live is very random hahah That styling is so weird! She looks like a Housewife of Beverly Hills! And the two fake back singers. But her beauty and hair is perfection!

Does someone know the date and TV show this performance originates from?

I love that live too. I agree, that concert was amazing :D

This is a good one too. She also looks beautiful in that performance <3.

This performance is probably my favorite out of all of hers. Her voice, emotion, her stage presence, the rain..


Lmao, I can't get over her awkward dancing, and then the camera zooms in on her legs, I laughed too hard at this lol

Remembering this iconic video of shade and resentment

Ayu looks pissed for the whole thing.

I regularly watch and laugh at the dancing in this video. Basically it's what I think of when I think of Ayu dancing xD

It's definitely MY STORY tour.

I know it's not the one you want but it's also Boys & Girls and a big water show!!!

Also 'lol' to the video of Ayu singing ourselves! xD
I agree with all who love ASFXX Dome Tour 2001 / a-nation '08.
The Dome Tour performance of ASFXX is just... wow... You can easily feel this little girl who is singing out her emotions *-*

I also really love the Who... performamce during ASIA TOUR 2008 or SEASONS from the Stadium Tour!!!

BUT I JUST LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE OF ENERGIZE!!! It just feels so "Japan / J-Pop" for me:



Ballad's performance is also a masterpiece imo:



AND the last performance I want to leave here is this awesome performance of Memorial Adress!!! Her vocals are just AMAZING here. One of her best performances ever imo:

It appears this is a compilation of different performances of Memorial address. However, it does feature clips from the best rendition she ever gave of it - that being her AT10 interpretation. I tend to lock into minute details of tracks when they are favorites of mine, and two of the parts I anticipate in her AT10 vocals are:

* How she says "度で; dode" near the end of the first refrain.
-- There's something so sublime about this. I think it's that she sounds so vulnerable here. Perhaps it's because it's very contrasting with the way she sings the lines leading into that small portion of that phrase; the former giving a sense of "THIS is what I wished!!" and the latter giving the impression that "... but alas, nothing can be done about it..." Like she uses all her might to shout how she felt at the time, and then crumbles to the floor at a loss and in agony for the fact that it's something she will never ever receive, no matter how loud she shouts it out now.

* The "whoa-oh" right before the guitars kick in.
-- I wish this was in the studio version. It's such a great tease and prelude to the anger that follows and takes the song into a completely different direction.

Honestly, this version is 1 million times better than the studio version. I actually don't think her vocals are all that pleasant on the album recording (at least in the chorus).

I totally agree with you!!! Tbh when I listen to the studio version (which I rarely do) I'm always like "ew... yea..." because as you said I don't think that the vocals are very pleasant on the album recording!

Also I changed the link because I pasted in the wrong one, I'm sorry >.<

I love the studio version. I think it best displays the fragility of everything right before the more rock part kicks in. Though this could be that more than anything I love the intro and outro of this song. I particularly like when songs begin and end with the same sound. SURREAL as well. It's a satisfying feeling for me lol.

Though I can't say I've ever been unhappy with a live version of it.

That Memorial address performance is so wonderful. Ayu really impressed me with that one. I think it is a highlight performance of her career.:yes
I too feel like that performance elevated the song from it's studio version.:heart

i don't think there will ever be a better live version of MA than the one from arena tour 2003-2004. It's probably my favourite live performance of hers. It's the performance that made me want to "get to know her". I don't think anything will ever beat it.

^ it's my favorite too. Everything after was trying to replicate that one IMO haha

Some excellent live choices here including a few of my favourites!

I think this Dearest live is pretty excellent too

This is my favorite Dearest live from her. It is perfection. I always watch it during the winter :love

I always have this special feeling for dearest, it feels like Im in the ancient era of inuyasha all over again xD <333333

yeah, i have to agree on that! Especially when she's doing these big dresses on stage.
I dont know what it is but it has something very genuine and raw about that one performance that i love so much, not to mention i love her vocals in it too.

Agreed; I feel like as soon as she messed up the lyrics the wall she was hiding behind just came tumbling down. There's a raw and vulnerable quality to that performance that I haven't seen from her in a long time.

Anyone else think this song would be a lot better if Ayu's verse vocals didn't sound they like were filtered through a low compression amp?

Well I would have loved to see that. Imagine her in a kimono revealing La Perla lingery :D Cliché Japanesy suits Ayu: the two looks on the ayu mix 4 cds, her outfit in Part of me plus that amazing I am... opening in which she sings the first two lines in a video. Even though a Japanese theme would have been so cliché for Made in Japan, Ayu can make something magical out of these themes. Something still very avant garde.

I actually really dislike this performance. For me, the quality of her voice is very low; and yes, she sounds defeated in it, which is good for a portion of the song, but she's missing the other half - strength. Unlike the later performances, I don't get a sense of conviction from her in the '04 performance. Nor does it feel slightly vindictive. It's like she's just completely alone, lost, and whining. However, in the later performances, she expresses a bit of anger on top of all that, and it's evident that there's more of a struggle between those two conflicting emotions in those interpretations than in the former. I prefer the "I've become hardened to those thoughts and feelings" type of emotion she portrays in the 2010 performance than the "I still want you to come back" emotion she portrays in the 2004. That's not to say that "want" is completely lost in the 2010, but it's obvious she's been able to construct a very strong mask to cover it up, from which she peeks out above from time to time, and the progress she's made since that day is more apparent. That sort of dichotomy just isn't present in the earlier performance of the track.

Also, the '04 mix is so damn noisy. Her vocals are overpowered by the band, where as in the '10, they are propped up by the instruments, and given support.

This is my favorite performance of her! Love everything about it. And the rain is the cherry on the top.

I also love this one:


The meaning and emotions behind this performance is so powerful. love love love

Agree! I have always imagined a Real Me or Ourselves performance with kind of a new beat and Ayu dancing next to her dancers wearing a short kimono (not necessarily too short, but enough for her to dance and show those legs) haha

I love her "No Way to Say" performance in the 15th anniversary.

I loved the dress, her vocals, the simplicity of the performance and the arrangements.

And though I like Shuya, I could have done without him.

Totally agree with you except the part with the vocals. But anyway, lovely dress!!!

I'm on the minority. I actually like her "new" voice better than her old one. :D

I'll never forget this "No way to say" live right here. It was the first time I saw Ayumi live. I remember I downloaded this performance in Kaaza a looong time ago lol



And I just realize she sing the wrong part during 1:07 hahah

^ I'm pretty sure that was the first time she performed it. She was listed as a guest for the show, but there was no song next to her name. NWTS was completely unannounced as a forthcoming single, and it was just like -- performance and new single announcement in one.

Actually I do prefer her new(er) voice too but I just can't stand all the autotune. But nothing is worse than PSC!!!

I love her mature voice so much more than her voice when she was young :yes

btw, guys does someone know like the specific performances where ayu did the actual countdown on the middle of a song? like forgiveness on CDL 14-15 or last year's Born to be? I've watched every CDL I think but I can't remember them all and I'm feeling nostalgic, I'd like to watch all the performances of songs with the countdown right now :laugh

I don't remember every count down performance at all, but the first one I immediately thought of was Rainbow from CDL 07-08! I think 'cause it's the first one I saw where she started counting down during the song itself, lol



Looked around a lil for you and found Who.. from Premium CDL!

Thank you so much!!! <33

The vocal and music combination at 4:30 and 4:35 is AMAZING. Its really hard to explain why but those 5 seconds are some of my favourite seconds of Ayu's music - its just PERFECT.

YES! Actually I just love the entire repetition of that final phrase. But yes, those 5 seconds are the peak which I look forward to every single time!

Yes...this! Mirrorcle World for me is the epitome of Ayu's "everything and the kitchen sink' songs in terms of production and arrangement, everything is just RIGHT and ADEQUATE ENOUGH. Return Road is her worst song for me in that regard, a song that could potentially and has every right to be brilliant is just the musical equivalent of someone letting an untied blown up balloon leave their grasp. But in an ART POP style twist, that could be fitting and right for the song's subject and inspiration.

I never felt that part of the song ever made any significant impact on me.
For me, it's the part where the sound of a mirror cracking and then Ayu comes back in.:yes

Also:
Ayu was mentioned here briefly, as well as Koda Kumi. http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/...0m/0na/007000c
The article seems to be saying that Avex is not paying it's artists what they deserve.:no

Does anyone know any good remixes for workouts? I'm getting bored of my current playlist so I want to revamp it. Ayu just has such a looong ass list of remixes that I can't possibly go through it all :dead2 Preferably something like Wake Me Up Remo-con remix or Beautiful Fighters MSTRKRFT remix. Just something that will really pump up my energy lol

Any of the eurobeat remixes/albums would be good at energizing you.:thumbsup
Ayu-mi-x Gold is pretty upbeat too.

^ I should probably mention that I'm also not a fan of any of the eurobeat remix albums at all lol

Lol, NONE of the songs??? Ayurobeat is like, my FAVORITE Ayu to listen to when I workout. Well, for high-energy stuff like abs. You don't even like the dreamland euromix of Heartplace from the third mix in the series? Omg it is heaven.

I guess you could throw in "Rule (80kidz's "No More Rule" mix)," that mix is fucking SIIIIIIIICK! I love how gritty it sounds, like the bass is being dragged across the floor. I think it's the most similar to that remix of Beautiful Fighters you mentioned.

Others:
Feel the love (Blasterjaxx remix)
snowy kiss (Shohei Matsumoto remix)
GREEN (CMJK Spring Storm mix)
Will (Wall5 Remix)
I am... (Night Clubbers Mix)
Ladies Night ~another night~
SEASONS "H-H remix"

Fan-mixes:
And Then (Ayu Is Soul Searching Edit) [AHS Remix Contest 2008]
Liar (Xelakad 2012 Remix Edit) [AHS Remix Contest 2012]

Originals:
Movin' On Without You
Lelio
Many Classic Moments

But in all honesty, you should check out Koda Kumi's Driving Hit's series. I listened to a playlist of tracks from that series + the Beach Mix remix album everyday when I worked out for like 2 years straight or more.

Also, I think Ayu's rock songs are great for working out. Probably better for lifting weights though.

Also, this is actually one of my favorite ayu remixes to kick off my workout to. I used to use it at the beginning of my cardio sessions. It's UK Hardcore style though, and if you don't like eurobeat you might not like this but never-the-less, it always pumps me up and keeps me feet moving when I feel I want to quit.

Helblinde - Flying higher (I♥Ayu bootleg)
https://soundcloud.com/helblinde/hel...g-higher-i-ayu

^ I had a feeling that it would be you Zeke who would really give me recommendations haha you're awesome :thumbsup truth be told, the remixes I have listened to of the ayurobeats I didn't enjoy. Perhaps I need to just delve into more of the other tracks :P I'm definitely going to check out those other specific remixes though!

I hate listening to remixes of Ayu's songs lol The only one I really enjoy is Greatful Days (Para One Remix) cuz I hate the original song so the remix made it better haha



Avex really sucks! I'm pretty sure they don't pay the artists' teams properly. I always wondered how much money Ayu's dancers receive monthly...

^ I think Maro said he was one of top 3 best-paid dancers in Japan

^^ I wouldn't be surprised if Ayu's staff is very well paid, and even less surprised if it has more to do with Ayu than with Avex.

I get the impression that Ayu considers her dancers/staff as friends... that's why she works so much, just so she won't be alone. At least working she has an excuse to hang out with them.

So she must pay them well. She knows that if they go work elsewhere she won't see them anymore.

It's a bit like the feeling of having classmate "friends" in college. You hang out with them in classes and breaks but otherwise you go your separate ways. Like the friendship only lasts inside campus.

Why on Earth did Ayu perform Duty in a track suit at CDL 00-01?

cause she could lol

I'm sure they are well paid. Ayu's dancers work so hard. Without enough money they will just leave

Nah, she probably just doesn't force her friends into her public life. She probably is just woraholic as hell.

LOL as if this is about artists and royalties, the article is likely about office, management and creative workers at Avex.

Ahh, so that's why we've got so many typos and such things...

Okay, sorry!!! I couldn't refuse to write this :S It's sad though for those people to not get paid right...

Gackt going to release MV for ayu's song SEASONS

his message


working process



Article at barks: https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000136294

Video will appear at Nestle youtube channel 1st January 2017 at the midnight.

So it's for a CM? That's quite the random combo.

"In celebration of the cumulative sales of "Nescafe Dolce Gusto" exceeding 2 million units, GACKT will release a music video covering "SEASONS" by Ayumi Hamasaki on the Nestle official channel. At the video "Nescafe Dolce Gusto" connecting the present and the past."

I wish he'd picked another song. Preferably one of my favorite ones. Hah

maybe because he sang it once at his live



I'm so happy that we finally get studio version

That's sooooo unexpected! :O Maybe it will be released in a "20th anniversary Tribute Album"?? I'm getting excited!

Good to have something to look forward to on NYE, apart from the CDL setlist of course!

Words cannot express.
:inlove:inlove:inlove:inlove:inlove:inlove

Its a shame its so tainted now but the dress/hair/look Ayu has in Virgin Road, Return Road and the ending of Last Angel is probably the most beautiful she has ever looked. I love that smokey brown hair on her.

I guess I might be the only person who cringes when I listen to GACKT.

^i am sure you're not lol People on here either like him or don't.

I personally like it, but his vibrato is a bit too much for me.. So after a few songs I'm done lol

he does overdo it a bit sometimes, but he's a vocalist so. A vibrato just gives more flavour to the voice. It is a personal preference though. Not everyone is fond of it.

His voice is beautiful, but his vibratto sounds like a sheep

I usually like vibratos (even Ayu's, which most people find annoying), but I'm not a huge fan of GACKT's vibrato here. But that's just my preference :)

One of my friends who's been learning vocal techniques for a good decade said that he has a really strong voice with beautiful lower notes but he sounds a lot like a folk singer and his vibrato is exactly what reflects that too. The thing with his vibrato is that it comes from his throat rather than his chest as she explain which i think isn't giving that three dimensional feel to it, it just sort of hits you in the face rather than surrounding you whole. GACKT actually has been trained in enka singing, and that explains why he sounds the way he does. His vibrato is lovely when used in a balanced way, especially with lower notes, but he tends to go to extremes a lot, especially lately.

I don't know anything about vocal techniques tbh (in fact, i tend to like singers that aren't good vocalists technically) and I'm personally not criticising his vocal abilities ^^

Actually I don't even mind his vocals generally, I just don't like them in this cover in particular. Possibly because I'm biased and no one can top Ayu for me :laugh

I don't hate SEASONS as a song, but in the studio version I think ayu sounds awful and way too nasally. She's had a few lives where she sounds a lot better that I've liked. I actually think GACKT sounds better than her in that clip of his studio version.

oh, so it will some kind of story inside, not only Gackt and Nescafe