 |
Title |
| Godzilla Song
Book |
| International Title |
| [Misc.] |
| Music By:
Various |
| Record Label:
VAP |
| |
 |
| Running Time: 76:28 |
Discs: 1 |
| Release: July 2001 |
CD Number: VPCD-81381 |
|
| Comments |
 |
Anthony
Romero |
 |
|
|
This
disc is a very large assortment of numerous 45 RPM
singles released by Toho Records to promote a lot
of the later day Showa Godzilla films. As the name
of the CD implies, almost all of these are songs,
alternate versions of those songs or or their corresponding
karaoke tracks. Its focus is extremely niche, even
within the fandom, but the quirky nature of its content
will probably still turn a head or two.
VAP's presentation style on this particular release
is commendable, as the CD itself is printed to look
like a traditional record while the booklet contains
the front covers to the previous LP releases along
with sheet music for some of the themes and some older
drawings of the kaiju (oddly enough, Gamera is present).
In terms of the CD itself, the disc starts off with
Akira Ifukube's
classic "Godzilla's Resurrection" theme
from King
Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) before moving into
the songs. The first one, "Monster Christmas",
is fairly well known for its Christmas tune set to
a duranguense (a type of music that originated in
Mexico) style beat. If a traditional Christmas song
done to trumpets, maracas and sung in Japanese seems
way over the top, well that's because it is and there
is an undeniable cheesy allure to the whole track.
In fact, a lot of the other tracks fall into this
area as well, including "The Bride of Godzilla"
and "Rock Rock Godzilla". It covers most
of the songs directly related to the films, such as
the "Godzilla March" from Godzilla
vs. Gigan (1972), from 1972 to 1974. Anything
related to the movies outside of that range is skipped
over, and was unavoidable given that this is a very
full disc as is.
Now with the release of the Godzilla Perfect Collection
box sets, people are probably wondering how the Godzilla
Song Book stacks up to all of the songs found
in boxes 3 and 4. In truth, there is very little that
is unique to this set in contrast. The few tracks
which aren't found there, but are on this release,
are the "Another Version · Karaoke"
ones. Still, as something to tout, the audio quality
is superior on this CD than the way Toho Music mastered
their sources for their own releases.
Bottom line, suffice to say, this stuff is certainly
not for everyone. If one enjoys "Godzilla and
Jet Jaguar Punch-Punch-Punch" from Godzilla
vs. Megalon (1973) then they should enjoy
this release as a majority of the music is done by
the same singer, Masato Shimon. More casual fans are
probably better off sticking with the Perfect Collection
box sets, as its a better investment. Audio aficionados
still might appreciate the Godzilla Song Book,
though, for its superior quality.
Rating:  |
|
| Tracks |
- Godzilla's Resurrection
Composer: Akira Ifukube
- Monster Christmas
By: Kenbow Kaminarimon
- Monster Game
By: Kenbow Kaminarimon
- Go! Go! Godzilla
By: Susumu Ishikawa
- Mothra Flying Strong
By: Sachiko Matsumura
- Godzilla March
By: Susumu Ishikawa, Composer:
Kunio Miyauchi
- Defeat Gigan
By: Susumu Ishikawa, Composer:
Kunio Miyauchi
- The Bride of Godzilla
By: Masato Shimon
- Rock Rock Godzilla
By: Masato Shimon
- Godzilla and Jet Jaguar Punch-Punch-Punch
By: Masato Shimon
- Defeat Megalon
By: Masato Shimon
- Miyarabi's Prayer
By: Beru-Bera Lin
- Defeat Mechagodzilla
By: Beru-Bera Lin
- Godzilla March (Chorus Cut Version)
By: Susumu Ishikawa, Composer:
Kunio Miyauchi
- Defeat Gigan (Chorus Cut Version)
By: Susumu Ishikawa, Composer:
Kunio Miyauchi
- The Bride of Godzilla (Another Version)
By: Masato Shimon
- Rock Rock Godzilla (Another Version)
By: Masato Shimon
- Godzilla March (Karaoke)
Composer: Kunio Miyauchi
- Defeat Gigan (Karaoke)
Composer: Kunio Miyauchi
- The Bride of Godzilla (Karaoke)
By: Masato Shimon
- Rock Rock Godzilla (Karaoke)
By: Masato Shimon
- The Bride of Godzilla (Another Version ·
Karaoke)
By: Masato Shimon
- Rock Rock Godzilla (Another Version ·
Karaoke)
By: Masato Shimon
- Godzilla and Jet Jaguar Punch-Punch-Punch (Karaoke)
By: Masato Shimon
- Defeat Megalon (Karaoke)
By: Masato Shimon
|
|
