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The second album (CD and LP) of PoiL Ueda is released. After releasing the debut record in 2023, the story continues with the epic story of Yoshitsune.You can order the CD and LP at PoiL - Bandcamp.
About the album Yoshitsune
The Heike-Monogatari depicts the epic tale of the hero Yoshitsune, who brought victory to his Genji clan in its epic war with the Heike clan. After years of war, the Heike clan was finally defeated at the naval battle at Dan-no-Ura bay. The Genji assumed power in Kamakura, south of modern day Tokyo, and ruled Japan from 1192 to 1333, establishing what is now known as the Kamakura period. Minamoto-no-Yoritomo was the general of Genji and the older brother of Yoshitsune, who swore his loyalty to Yoritomo. Despite Yoshitsune’s heroic service and solemn oath, Yoritomo still suspected that he secretly intended to take over the government, and ordered his assassination. Yoshitsune was forced into exile.
1. Kumo
(Scene 1: Funa-Benkei)
Yoshitsune and his faithful vassal Benkei are sailing at Daimotsu-no-Ura, a bay near Osaka in the Seto Inland Sea. As a storm forms around their boat, ghosts of the Heike clan appear. The ghost of Taira-no-Tomomori, the Heike commander who Yoshitsune killed in the Dan-no-Ura battle, tries to pull down Yoshitsune and Benkei to the bottom of the sea. Benkei takes out his beads and recites prayers, and the ghost retreats.
2. Ômine-san
(Scene 2: Yoshino-Shizuka)
Yoshitsune, at long last, arrives at Yoshino (today’s Nara prefecture) to reunite with his mistress, Shizuka. Yoshitsune tells her about the terrible situation he is facing, and must ask her to endure their separation once more.
3. Yoshino
(Poem by Yoshino-Shizuka)
4. Solo Ataka
(Scene 3: Ataka)
Yoshitsune, Benkei and their porters arrive at the Ataka border crossing (today’s Ishikawa prefecture) disguised as Buddhist monks. The head guard Togashi suspects that one monk (who is actually Yoshitsune) may not be who he seems. Benkei creates a distraction by shouting to his master Yoshitsune, "Go on porter, you loafer, get through there!" and beats him with a heavy stick. Although Togashi sees through the ruse, he is so moved by Benkei's faithful heart that he allows them to cross the border.
5. Kokô
Just after crossing at Ataka, Yoshitsune grabs Benkei's hand, thanks him for saving his life, and apologizes for forcing him into a difficult situation. Benkei is moved to tears. They continue their travel towards Michinoku (in the Tôhoku-area, in northern Japan) on a cold, rainy winter day, just before dawn.
EU Tour:
J.R. Moores of the British experimental music magazine “The Wire” interviewed Junko Ueda and Antoine Arnera about their PoiL Ueda project. Below you can read the article or download the PDF here.
Click here to read the Fifteen Questions Interview by this internet music platform to Junko Ueda and in relation with the PoiL Ueda project, in which she joins with Lyonnaise contemporary rock group PoiL in the the PoiL Ueda project.
Click here to listen to the one hour interview with Junko Ueda by Charlie Crooijmans of the Dutch Radio Wira Wiri (in English).
On the 3rd March 2023, the first album (CD and LP) of PoiL Ueda will be released. You can order the CD and LP at poil.bandcamp.com.
About the Album ‘PoiL Ueda’: Unexpected encounter between Junko Ueda, eminent figure of the Japanese medieval epic storytelling, whose warm and profound voice summons the terrestrial energies and the organic madness of the monster PoiL practicing with cosmic rock without net. Poil Ueda detonates the limits of rock and world music. By the magic and respect of the "Ma (間)," the two universes mesh and converge in perfect osmosis. The album opens with Kujô-Shakujô, a Buddhist shômyô chant practiced by monks to ward off evil spirits. The second part of the album plunges us into the naval battle of Dan no Ura and the grievous decline of the imperial Heike clan facing the Genji clan. Junko's stories surf freely on PoiL’s tumultuous wave pulsing with brashness and precision.
PoiL Ueda appears in the showcase of the WOMEX 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal.
- 20 October 2022 at 23:15 in Capitólio Stage.
More info: www.womex.com
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