Album: Jazz Impressions of JapanAvg rating:
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Length: 3:00
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Hearing this always induces a mix of nostalgia and wonder in me... When I was in Kindergarten; must have been '66 or '67; a teacher from a 6th Grade class held in the same school building came and took us upstairs to see a documentary about life in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo was a modern miracle, having been rebuilt from a parking lot of ashes, the narrator said, and as the camera showed the milling crowds and chaotic intersections, added, "it is also the most densely populated place on the planet...yet the Japanese don't seem to mind being in such close quarters... Here, everything is the latest marvel of technology, from the new Bullet Train to the local commuter trains that run like clockwork..." Around the same time, my parents took us to a local Japanese restaurant. I was entranced. When I was 11, our house burned down one night while we were at The Circus, and we moved across town. When I was 16, I got my first job at a new restaurant that was owned by the same lady from Kobe who had owned the one we used to live near, with the same painting of Fuji-san on the wall. Also hanging on the wall was an exquisite kanji poem, "Ju Zan, Fuku Kai," or "Great Mountain, Happy Ocean," that is perhaps best translated as "The Mountain is Majestic, Proud, and Fortunate in its Great Height, while The Ocean is Happy and Content in its Vast Depth." It plays particularly well on the double meaning gained by interpreting Fuku for both its visual meaning of "happy," and its phonetic meaning of "deep." To me, this is rather like a kind of Quantum cerebration, and fully embodies and eloquently expresses the complex idea of Dao or the concept of Yin and Yang. When I was 18, leaving town for Engineering School, Emi took it off the wall and gave it to me, predicting that within ten years I would be in Japan, because it was my dream and destiny. Eight years later, I found myself presented with amazing views of Fuji-san from my windows, and began my 20-year stay there... Life is an often inscrutable mystery, woven in a tapestry not easily comprehended from any particular viewpoint along its path. May I always be a happy and content participant in its frenzied dance of infinite intricate flux!
Appreciate this comment was posted 6 years ago, but for those of you who also couldn't be bothered to digest the paragraph-less, seemingly rant-y mind dump, this is what ChatGPT gave me when I asked it to summarise (much better I think):
The writer reminisces about a series of life events that sparked their lifelong fascination with Japan. It began in kindergarten when they watched a documentary about Tokyo's post-war rebuilding and technological marvels. This interest deepened after dining at a Japanese restaurant as a child and later working at another restaurant owned by the same Japanese lady, where they were given a meaningful kanji poem. This poem, symbolizing the harmony of opposites, influenced their perception of life. Eventually, their dream of living in Japan came true, leading to a 20-year stay there. The writer reflects on the mysterious and interconnected nature of life, expressing a desire to remain content and engaged in its ever-changing journey.
Sure beats "Sounds like ..."
Hearing this always induces a mix of nostalgia and wonder in me... When I was in Kindergarten; must have been '66 or '67; a teacher from a 6th Grade class held in the same school building came and took us upstairs to see a documentary about life in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo was a modern miracle, having been rebuilt from a parking lot of ashes, the narrator said, and as the camera showed the milling crowds and chaotic intersections, added, "it is also the most densely populated place on the planet...yet the Japanese don't seem to mind being in such close quarters... Here, everything is the latest marvel of technology, from the new Bullet Train to the local commuter trains that run like clockwork..." Around the same time, my parents took us to a local Japanese restaurant. I was entranced. When I was 11, our house burned down one night while we were at The Circus, and we moved across town. When I was 16, I got my first job at a new restaurant that was owned by the same lady from Kobe who had owned the one we used to live near, with the same painting of Fuji-san on the wall. Also hanging on the wall was an exquisite kanji poem, "Ju Zan, Fuku Kai," or "Great Mountain, Happy Ocean," that is perhaps best translated as "The Mountain is Majestic, Proud, and Fortunate in its Great Height, while The Ocean is Happy and Content in its Vast Depth." It plays particularly well on the double meaning gained by interpreting Fuku for both its visual meaning of "happy," and its phonetic meaning of "deep." To me, this is rather like a kind of Quantum cerebration, and fully embodies and eloquently expresses the complex idea of Dao or the concept of Yin and Yang. When I was 18, leaving town for Engineering School, Emi took it off the wall and gave it to me, predicting that within ten years I would be in Japan, because it was my dream and destiny. Eight years later, I found myself presented with amazing views of Fuji-san from my windows, and began my 20-year stay there... Life is an often inscrutable mystery, woven in a tapestry not easily comprehended from any particular viewpoint along its path. May I always be a happy and content participant in its frenzied dance of infinite intricate flux!
This has got the most 'Likes' I've ever seen on an RP post. It's gone up another one now.
Hearing this always induces a mix of nostalgia and wonder in me... When I was in Kindergarten; must have been '66 or '67; a teacher from a 6th Grade class held in the same school building came and took us upstairs to see a documentary about life in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo was a modern miracle, having been rebuilt from a parking lot of ashes, the narrator said, and as the camera showed the milling crowds and chaotic intersections, added, "it is also the most densely populated place on the planet...yet the Japanese don't seem to mind being in such close quarters... Here, everything is the latest marvel of technology, from the new Bullet Train to the local commuter trains that run like clockwork..." Around the same time, my parents took us to a local Japanese restaurant. I was entranced. When I was 11, our house burned down one night while we were at The Circus, and we moved across town. When I was 16, I got my first job at a new restaurant that was owned by the same lady from Kobe who had owned the one we used to live near, with the same painting of Fuji-san on the wall. Also hanging on the wall was an exquisite kanji poem, "Ju Zan, Fuku Kai," or "Great Mountain, Happy Ocean," that is perhaps best translated as "The Mountain is Majestic, Proud, and Fortunate in its Great Height, while The Ocean is Happy and Content in its Vast Depth." It plays particularly well on the double meaning gained by interpreting Fuku for both its visual meaning of "happy," and its phonetic meaning of "deep." To me, this is rather like a kind of Quantum cerebration, and fully embodies and eloquently expresses the complex idea of Dao or the concept of Yin and Yang. When I was 18, leaving town for Engineering School, Emi took it off the wall and gave it to me, predicting that within ten years I would be in Japan, because it was my dream and destiny. Eight years later, I found myself presented with amazing views of Fuji-san from my windows, and began my 20-year stay there... Life is an often inscrutable mystery, woven in a tapestry not easily comprehended from any particular viewpoint along its path. May I always be a happy and content participant in its frenzied dance of infinite intricate flux!
Wonderful!
Beautiful. Haunting. These guys could do no wrong....
I agree!!
Just recently purchased this LP used, the whole LP is spectacular.
I did the exact same thing a few weeks ago! Re-foamed my Advents, got the stereo running, and this was the first thing I played on it.
He loves all music but somehow Brubeck is the soundtrack that I hear when I see his naughty, smiley face. He has even taken to hugging me on arrival in place of that cheery "Oh hello" from behind my mother.
He contracted a viral infection in the 1950´s from somewhere in China while in the merchant navy and it has plagued him all his life leaving him with that half a lung.
I wonder what song he hears when he sees me fight my way past my family for another hug?
Finally have the guts to upgrade 9 -> 10
TeeCee33 wrote:
Following Brexit and Trump, this reflects my everyday state of mind :(
Look at this EU with all its incompetence and unable figures and f***ing Merkel de facto ruling it. Brexit is, at least for me, very understandable. And Trump is certainly an egomaniac a******, but far from being the quasi-dictator western media want us to believe he is.
Far, far worse is the suspension of our democratic rights due to a virus - and surprise, surprise, not executed by evil right wings!
guntherkraft376 wrote:
Das stimmt!
Aus Mülheim kommen gute Leute! 
Well isn't this appropriate for RP?
TeeCee33 wrote:
Following Brexit and Trump, this reflects my everyday state of mind :(
Look at this EU with all its incompetence and unable figures and f***ing Merkel de facto ruling it. Brexit is, at least for me, very understandable. And Trump is certainly an egomaniac a******, but far from being the quasi-dictator western media want us to believe he is.
Far, far worse is the suspension of our democratic rights due to a virus - and surprise, surprise, not executed by evil right wings!
guntherkraft376 wrote:
Das stimmt!
Aus Mülheim kommen gute Leute! Timely. Thank you!
Oh yeah, that other thing about RP. Insightful comments from other listeners, like coloradojohn below. This is compelling reading for me, and there are a few others here that are brilliant wordsmiths, making me envious of their writing skills. Between Bill's music selection making me listen, and comments making me read, I CAN'T GET SHIT DONE WITH MY WORK. Give a guy a break...
I just came here to say the same thing -- haven't heard it. Love it.
Thanks, all_ears, for writing this so I don't have to. Now I can get back to work.
Oh yeah, that other thing about RP. Insightful comments from other listeners, like coloradojohn below. This is compelling reading for me, and there are a few others here that are brilliant wordsmiths, making me envious of their writing skills. Between Bill's music selection making me listen, and comments making me read, I CAN'T GET SHIT DONE WITH MY WORK. Give a guy a break...
Funny! And 100% agreed about BillG and CoJo...and I feel the same about NOT being able to get shit done. Oh well....can't complain too much, eh? Long Live RP!! Oh...I rated this track as a 9...it's sublime!
Oh yeah, that other thing about RP. Insightful comments from other listeners, like coloradojohn below. This is compelling reading for me, and there are a few others here that are brilliant wordsmiths, making me envious of their writing skills. Between Bill's music selection making me listen, and comments making me read, I CAN'T GET SHIT DONE WITH MY WORK. Give a guy a break...
Don't think this has been answered yet - he's be using tympani mallets on the tom-toms. You sort of had the answer all along ;-)
Magnificent
Really don't understand why I never joined there years ago
TL;DR: evocative 
This about the drummer, Joe Morello:
Morello suffered from partial vision from birth, and devoted himself to indoor activities. At six years old, he began studying the violin. Three years later, he was a featured soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, playing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, and again three years later.
At the age of 15, Morello met the violinist Jascha Heifetz and decided that he would never be able to equal Heifetz's "sound". Therefore, he switched to drumming, first studying with a show drummer named Joe Sefcik and then George Lawrence Stone, author of the noted drum textbook Stick Control for the Snare Drummer. Stone was so impressed with Morello's ideas that he incorporated them into his next book, Accents & Rebounds, which is dedicated to Morello. Later, Morello studied with Radio City Music Hall percussionist Billy Gladstone.
ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Morello
Interesting. Thanks for posting this.
This about the drummer, Joe Morello:
Morello suffered from partial vision from birth, and devoted himself to indoor activities. At six years old, he began studying the violin. Three years later, he was a featured soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, playing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, and again three years later.
At the age of 15, Morello met the violinist Jascha Heifetz and decided that he would never be able to equal Heifetz's "sound". Therefore, he switched to drumming, first studying with a show drummer named Joe Sefcik and then George Lawrence Stone, author of the noted drum textbook Stick Control for the Snare Drummer. Stone was so impressed with Morello's ideas that he incorporated them into his next book, Accents & Rebounds, which is dedicated to Morello. Later, Morello studied with Radio City Music Hall percussionist Billy Gladstone.
ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Morello
I'm reminded what it is like to hear true masters of koto — and I have seen and heard some on the BASS koto, too; a truly tatami mat-sized beast of a stringed instrument, and when you get a koto ensemble really going, and add a shakuhachi, or bamboo flute, and a shamisen (Japanese banjo) or two, it sets up some mighty primeval resonances in the heart, soul, mind and body. Transcendent Zen!
I am sorry, but I don't agree with your comment. I can accept that you don't like it, don't respect it, or whatever, but you cannot determine for the rest of the world's population what sucks and what doesn't.
And for the record, I think this is terrific.
Respectfully suggest that you mute this till it ends.
caseyspaos wrote:
Such a grand-écart ! That why I love RP, too!
Sorry dude, but your comment sucks BIG TIME. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'
coloradojohn wrote:
From Google Translate:
When ã , ko Full ã¡ zip ã ㌠ã Center cloth ã§, red deer na ko 㚠㧠ã But, more than Kei, ne. . . ! Case ã ã°, the tendency toward ã Full Full squirrel Suites Ongaku But, co ã ㌠㚠sites Books su Suites su ru. . . Na san ã§? Red Deer! World Full of ã§, red deer na But, many people ã Other u ã expands Kei Kei. . . Cannian na ko 㚠㧠ã, ne. Ka ka wa ã ã, ko song with ã¯, prime Partly ã expands Kei 㧠ã. ã© u ã!
unclehud: Of course! I feel the same way!
Also from Google translate:
Sometimes, in this message board itself, that it is stupid, are many. . . ! For example, a list of all music is copy and paste. . . Why? Fool! In the world, stupid people seems to be so many. . . It is unfortunate. Regardless, this song is great. Very much!
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coloradojohn wrote:
pontfarrer wrote:
From Google Translate:
When ã , ko Full ã¡ zip ã ㌠ã Center cloth ã§, red deer na ko 㚠㧠ã But, more than Kei, ne. . . ! Case ã ã°, the tendency toward ã Full Full squirrel Suites Ongaku But, co ã ㌠㚠sites Books su Suites su ru. . . Na san ã§? Red Deer! World Full of ã§, red deer na But, many people ã Other u ã expands Kei Kei. . . Cannian na ko 㚠㧠ã, ne. Ka ka wa ã ã, ko song with ã¯, prime Partly ã expands Kei 㧠ã. ã© u ã!
unclehud: Of course! I feel the same way!
coloradojohn wrote:
Translated: Sometimes people write stupid things on this message board. For example, saying that all of the music lists have been copied and pasted... why? Idiotic! Unfortunate, but there are a lot of silly people in this world, don't you think? Anyways, this song is wonderful. Thanks!
Good to know! Thanks for posting this information!
I'll have to borrow Spock's universal translator. He left it on Google somewhere during a Star Trek time travel episode.
This is one of those tunes that really grabbed my attention — it's the kind that makes me yearn to hear more from this particular album. My finger is drifting to the Amazon button....
lemmoth wrote:
| Dave Brubeck Koto Song |   Jazz Impressions of Japan (1962) | 8 | |
| 1:51 pm | I Am Kloot Loch |  Natural History (2001) | 6.8 |
| 1:48 pm | Portishead Glory Box |  Dummy (1994) | 8.3 |
| 1:42 pm | Peter Gabriel I Have The Touch |  Phenomenon Soundtrack (1997) | 7.1 |
| 1:36 pm | Paul Pena Jet Airliner |  New Train (1973) | 6.7 |
| 1:33 pm | Steve Miller Band Serenade |  Greatest Hits | 6.5 |
| 1:30 pm | Patti Smith Frederick |  Land (1975-2002) (2002) | 6 |
| 1:20 pm | Grateful Dead China-Rider |  Europe 72 (1972) | 7.2 |
| 1:16 pm | Love and Rockets No New Tale To Tell |  Earth · Sun · Moon (1987) | 6.2 |
| 1:12 pm | Great Lake Swimmers New Wild Everywhere |  New Wild Everywhere (2012) | 7.5 |
| 1:09 pm | Duke Ellington Stormy Weather |  Mood Indigo (1933) | 9 |
| 1:05 pm | The Real Tuesday Weld I Believe |  The London Book of the Dead (2007) | 5.8 |
| 1:01 pm | Taj Mahal Queen Bee | ||
| Dave Brubeck Koto Song | Jazz Impressions of Japan (1962) | 8 | |
| 1:51 pm | I Am Kloot Loch | Natural History (2001) | 6.8 |
| 1:48 pm | Portishead Glory Box | Dummy (1994) | 8.3 |
| 1:42 pm | Peter Gabriel I Have The Touch | Phenomenon Soundtrack (1997) | 7.1 |
| 1:36 pm | Paul Pena Jet Airliner | New Train (1973) | 6.7 |
| 1:33 pm | Steve Miller Band Serenade | Greatest Hits | 6.5 |
| 1:30 pm | Patti Smith Frederick | Land (1975-2002) (2002) | 6 |
| 1:20 pm | Grateful Dead China-Rider | Europe 72 (1972) | 7.2 |
| 1:16 pm | Love and Rockets No New Tale To Tell | Earth · Sun · Moon (1987) | 6.2 |
| 1:12 pm | Great Lake Swimmers New Wild Everywhere | New Wild Everywhere (2012) | 7.5 |
| 1:09 pm | Duke Ellington Stormy Weather | Mood Indigo (1933) | 9 |
| 1:05 pm | The Real Tuesday Weld I Believe | The London Book of the Dead (2007) | 5.8 |
| 1:01 pm | Taj Mahal Queen Bee | ||
Got to agree . For once I can't bitch about him playing all the same songs to death.I may not have loved every tune in the mix, but at least there is a HUGE variation of styles/ genres ..MERCI' RP
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Wow, cool, huh... To play koto scales and styles on other instruments — and what's more, DO IT WELL! AMAZING!
| Dave Brubeck Koto Song | Jazz Impressions of Japan (1962) | 8 | |
| 1:51 pm | I Am Kloot Loch | Natural History (2001) | 6.8 |
| 1:48 pm | Portishead Glory Box | Dummy (1994) | 8.3 |
| 1:42 pm | Peter Gabriel I Have The Touch | Phenomenon Soundtrack (1997) | 7.1 |
| 1:36 pm | Paul Pena Jet Airliner | New Train (1973) | 6.7 |
| 1:33 pm | Steve Miller Band Serenade | Greatest Hits | 6.5 |
| 1:30 pm | Patti Smith Frederick | Land (1975-2002) (2002) | 6 |
| 1:20 pm | Grateful Dead China-Rider | Europe 72 (1972) | 7.2 |
| 1:16 pm | Love and Rockets No New Tale To Tell | Earth · Sun · Moon (1987) | 6.2 |
| 1:12 pm | Great Lake Swimmers New Wild Everywhere | New Wild Everywhere (2012) | 7.5 |
| 1:09 pm | Duke Ellington Stormy Weather | Mood Indigo (1933) | 9 |
| 1:05 pm | The Real Tuesday Weld I Believe | The London Book of the Dead (2007) | 5.8 |
| 1:01 pm | Taj Mahal Queen Bee | ||
First time I hear the studio version.
There's a great live version on: "We're all together Again (for the first time)" with Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond.
Also a 16 mins long rendition of "Take Five". Amazing album.
Me too. Wonderful.
Table thump.
Is a table thump like a CaPuk? His "Daveness", ilt..?
Table thump.
Is a table thump like a CaPuk? His "Daveness"?
Table thump.
And Bill, as much as I love Brubeck, would be nice to see you mix up the jazz choices, say a little Lester Young or some Bossa Nova from Getz
Appreciate this comment was posted 6 years ago, but for those of you who also couldn't be bothered to digest the paragraph-less, seemingly rant-y mind dump, this is what ChatGPT gave me when I asked it to summarise (much better I think):
The writer reminisces about a series of life events that sparked their lifelong fascination with Japan. It began in kindergarten when they watched a documentary about Tokyo's post-war rebuilding and technological marvels. This interest deepened after dining at a Japanese restaurant as a child and later working at another restaurant owned by the same Japanese lady, where they were given a meaningful kanji poem. This poem, symbolizing the harmony of opposites, influenced their perception of life. Eventually, their dream of living in Japan came true, leading to a 20-year stay there. The writer reflects on the mysterious and interconnected nature of life, expressing a desire to remain content and engaged in its ever-changing journey.
Further condensed but I think it's definitely lost something:
The writer's fascination with Japan began with a kindergarten documentary on Tokyo's recovery, deepened by experiences at a Japanese restaurant and a kanji poem about harmony. After living in Japan for 20 years, they reflect on life's connections and seek contentment in their journey.