Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu

[lightbreeze]

Largely unknown until she became involved in Studio Ghibli's Gedo Senki (adapted from Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea novels), Teshima Aoi is the voice of Therru in the movie. She also sings the song which can be heard both trailers. That song, Teru no Uta (or Therru's Song), became her first single and was released in June this year. Its lyrics are based on a poem by Hagiwara Sakutaro (named Kokoro if I'm not mistaken). The song feels like a Ghibli song, uninformative as that statement might sound. There is an understated beauty in it that speaks to the heart. It begins a cappella and remains so for the first verse, then the instrumentals swell in to carry the song onwards and through to the chorus. While I haven't yet seen the movie for obvious reasons, I have watched the trailers, and each time, I was struck as much by the song as by the gorgeous animation Ghibli is famous for.

Earlier this month, Teshima released an album named Gedo Senki Kashuu, which also serves as the image album for the upcoming movie. Some might say this debut album lacks variety. They won't necessarily be wrong; Gedo Senki Kashuu features ten soothing songs in the vein of Teru no Uta, calling to mind lullabyes and other songs in similar styles. I don't quite think this album qualifies as elevator music, though. Teshima's voice has a quality which makes you want to listen to her, and even to hold your breath as you do so. I don't doubt she'll be able to hold her own in the jpop industry as a vocalist. Her voice isn't perfect, especially when evaluated from a more classical singing perspective, but a certain youthful honesty - rawness? - shines through and works wonderfully for both Teru no Uta and the other songs in this album. I can't say too much more, having never heard her sing anything else, but this album is definitely worth a listen (especially if you're like me and have been looking for a bit of a change after listening to rock for a week).

Download links can be found here.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 01
[3.1 MB] Kazoe Uta.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 02
[6.5 MB] Ryuu.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 03
[8.5 MB] Tasogare.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 04
[5.2 MB] Betsuno Nin.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 05
[5 MB] Tabibito.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 06
[4.3 MB] Nanakamado.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 07
[3.8 MB] Sora no Shuuten.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 08
[6.3 MB] Haru no Yoru ni.
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 09
[6.2 MB] Teru no Uta (Kashuu version).
(Japanese) Teshima Aoi - Gedo Senki Kashuu - Track 10
[7 MB] Toki no Uta (Kashuu version).

All comments appreciated.

Last updated on 20/07/06.