Comments on: MORNING MUSUME IN AMERICA: So Far, So Good… Now What? http://thegroovemusiclife.com/2009/06/14/morning-musume-in-america-so-far-so-good-now-what/ Musical criticism from a J-Pop-obsessed punk rocker. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: CJ Marsicano http://thegroovemusiclife.com/2009/06/14/morning-musume-in-america-so-far-so-good-now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-84 CJ Marsicano Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:37:50 +0000 http://thegroovemusiclife.com/?p=435#comment-84 It bears repeating as I have said so many times every time you bring up the Sony "conspiracy": Sony Japan's only role in the existence of Morning Musume music is as a licensee and contracted distributor/manufacturer of their records; Up-Front Works still hold the master rights. Other than that, thanks for the comments. It bears repeating as I have said so many times every time you bring up the Sony “conspiracy”: Sony Japan’s only role in the existence of Morning Musume music is as a licensee and contracted distributor/manufacturer of their records; Up-Front Works still hold the master rights. Other than that, thanks for the comments.

]]> By: Rad http://thegroovemusiclife.com/2009/06/14/morning-musume-in-america-so-far-so-good-now-what/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Rad Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:24:40 +0000 http://thegroovemusiclife.com/?p=435#comment-83 A lot can happen in 18 months. Indeed, this subject has had more than its fair share of opinions, but there is no doubt how pivotal a moment in music history this really is. And the July 3 performance, a matinee as it might be, won't be the most critical part of this. The press conference the day before (right now I think it's right around 2:30 p.m. as well) will be monumental. It will be the Beatles 1963 all over again. Rumored, also, is another Morning Musume-related event on Saturday, July 4. It's scheduled, yes, around 2 p.m. Could this be a second show? Has AX 2009 underestimated the response to Morning Musume? Don't forget about Yossie. She's also joining the group in L.A., from what I've heard. Wouldn't it be staggering to see Yossie perform "Love Machine" in L.A. with her old gang? Damn. In the end, CJ, you were right all along. I got sidetracked in 2008 (and in 2009 for that matter), making the mistake of attending these concerts "live" in Yokohama and being so stunned by them that I swore up and down it could never happen here. But it will. I deserve the exile from IW but woudl come back in a heartbeat, because some things are bigger than just the individual person. Morning Musume is bigger than all of us, period, and the cross-cultural exchange has been well worth any suffering and broken fellowship. I can defend my position since January 2008's debacle by predicting, through nonstop blogging and lobbying of UFA, that this very event, Anime Expo, as the only viable entry point for Morning Musume into this country. UFA has made its move. Will Sony now get in the way as they have with Puffy AmiYumi and SCANDAL? Will quality Japanese music forever be a forbidden fruit, at least from a mainstream industry standpoint, in this country? Maybe, maybe not. You are correct in pointing out that UFA (of UFW, whatever the proper nomenclature might be) is not going through all this trouble for a one-shot deal. There has to be a long-term plan, but it will have to involve a full-scale assault on Sony's chokehold on international music distribution. As for the afternoon concert slot, keep in mind the time change between L.A. and Tokyo -- about 17 hours. That means Momusu will crank it up about 7:30 a.m. Tokyo time Friday, when the ensemble will be at its energy peak for that day. That's why the press conference is also at that time the day before, and that's the rationale for Saturday's second show (let's all hope) or even a fan session; that would be a nice touch. Tsunku leaves nothing to chance. Hope this comment is allowed to stand. Great essay, CJ. Hope to see you in L.A. Peace always and best regards/Rad A lot can happen in 18 months. Indeed, this subject has had more than its fair share of opinions, but there is no doubt how pivotal a moment in music history this really is.

And the July 3 performance, a matinee as it might be, won’t be the most critical part of this. The press conference the day before (right now I think it’s right around 2:30 p.m. as well) will be monumental. It will be the Beatles 1963 all over again.

Rumored, also, is another Morning Musume-related event on Saturday, July 4. It’s scheduled, yes, around 2 p.m. Could this be a second show? Has AX 2009 underestimated the response to Morning Musume?

Don’t forget about Yossie. She’s also joining the group in L.A., from what I’ve heard. Wouldn’t it be staggering to see Yossie perform “Love Machine” in L.A. with her old gang? Damn.

In the end, CJ, you were right all along. I got sidetracked in 2008 (and in 2009 for that matter), making the mistake of attending these concerts “live” in Yokohama and being so stunned by them that I swore up and down it could never happen here. But it will. I deserve the exile from IW but woudl come back in a heartbeat, because some things are bigger than just the individual person. Morning Musume is bigger than all of us, period, and the cross-cultural exchange has been well worth any suffering and broken fellowship.

I can defend my position since January 2008′s debacle by predicting, through nonstop blogging and lobbying of UFA, that this very event, Anime Expo, as the only viable entry point for Morning Musume into this country. UFA has made its move. Will Sony now get in the way as they have with Puffy AmiYumi and SCANDAL? Will quality Japanese music forever be a forbidden fruit, at least from a mainstream industry standpoint, in this country? Maybe, maybe not.

You are correct in pointing out that UFA (of UFW, whatever the proper nomenclature might be) is not going through all this trouble for a one-shot deal. There has to be a long-term plan, but it will have to involve a full-scale assault on Sony’s chokehold on international music distribution.

As for the afternoon concert slot, keep in mind the time change between L.A. and Tokyo — about 17 hours. That means Momusu will crank it up about 7:30 a.m. Tokyo time Friday, when the ensemble will be at its energy peak for that day. That’s why the press conference is also at that time the day before, and that’s the rationale for Saturday’s second show (let’s all hope) or even a fan session; that would be a nice touch.

Tsunku leaves nothing to chance.

Hope this comment is allowed to stand.

Great essay, CJ. Hope to see you in L.A.

Peace always and best regards/Rad

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