FictionJunction YUUKA

FictionJunction YUUKA: Yuki Kajiura LIVE vol.#4

This DVD and Blu-ray set, also known as the "Everlasting Songs Tour 2009," captures a live concert featuring FictionJunction YUUKA and composer Yuki Kajiura. The concert, released in Japan, primarily showcases songs from the album Everlasting Songs.

YUUKA Nanri performed lead vocals, and was joined Kaida Yuriko, HIKARU providing backing vocals, and the main members of FictionJunction: KAORI, KEIKO, and WAKANA at the end.

The full concert experience was released in two parts: #4 PART 1 and #4 PART 2. The event was part of the broader "FictionJunction Project," a series of collaborations and solo works built around Yuki Kajiura’s distinctive musical style. The release highlights the powerful combination of YUUKA's vocal talents and Kajiura's musical direction.

FictionJunction YUUKA ~Yuki Kajiura Live Vol. 4 Part 1 - 1 hr 36 mins

Let's focus on 5 songs from this performance. Thanks to ing for sharing this on YouTube.

circus

"circus" is a pop song recorded by FictionJunction YUUKA found on circus as track #1. "Circus" is a song by FictionJunction YUUKA. It was featured as a B-side track on their fifth single, "Silly-Go-Round," which was released in 2006.

    Vocals: YUUKA's vocals are a central element, delivered with her characteristic blend of strength and melodic grace. The song allows her to showcase her range and emotional delivery.

    Musical Style & Composition: "Circus" is a track that moves between a sense of grand spectacle and a more intimate, melancholic feel, befitting its title. It features a lush, dynamic composition with layered instrumentals. The song's arrangement often includes dramatic strings, a driving rhythm, and the ethereal, signature vocal harmonies of Yuki Kajiura's work. The music can evoke a sense of a surreal, enchanting, and slightly unsettling atmosphere, much like a circus itself.

    Overall Feel: The song has a cinematic quality to it, making it feel like it could be part of a movie or anime soundtrack. It's a prime example of the creative synergy between YUUKA's vocals and Yuki Kajiura's unique and intricate musical direction.

Aikoi

"Aikoi" is a song by FictionJunction YUUKA, a collaboration between acclaimed Japanese composer Yuki Kajiura and vocalist Yuuka Nanri. It's a significant track for fans of both artists, known for its powerful and emotional delivery.

    Anime Tie-in: "Aikoi" was used as an insert song for the anime series Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. It can be found on the Tsubasa Chronicle Original Soundtrack Future Soundscape IV and the album Circus.

    Lyrical Theme: The lyrics of "Aikoi" explore a complex and intense feeling of love. The word "aikoi" itself can be translated to "love" or "romance." The song delves into the emotional turmoil and conviction of loving someone, even amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the world. It conveys a desire to change the "unchanging days" with this pure, overflowing love, and a feeling of searching for a love that can become one, deeper than dreams.

    Musical Style: The song features Yuki Kajiura's signature style, characterized by a blend of soaring melodies, dramatic orchestration, and a touch of folk or world music influence. Yuuka Nanri's vocals are a key component, known for their powerful yet tender quality, which perfectly captures the song's emotional depth.

The song's connection to Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle adds another layer of meaning, as the lyrics are often interpreted in the context of the series' themes of fate, parallel worlds, and the enduring bonds between the characters, particularly Syaoran and Sakura. The song's sentiment of a love that can overcome any obstacle resonates deeply with the narrative of the anime.

Silly-Go-Round

"Silly-Go-Round," the fifth single from FictionJunction YUUKA, served as the opening theme for the anime * .hack//Roots*. The song was a commercial success, reaching #12 on the Oricon charts and charting for a total of ten weeks. In the live performance, erhu was replaced with violin.

"Silly-Go-Round" is a song by FictionJunction Yuuka, primarily known for being the opening theme of the anime series ".hack//Roots". The song is composed by Yuki Kajiura, who also wrote the lyrics and arranged the song. It features the vocals of Yuuka Nanri, with backing vocals provided by Yuriko Kaida and Hikaru. The song also includes instrumental contributions from various musicians, including violin, drums, guitar, bass, keyboard, and flute.

The song is characterized by its distinctive musical style, often described as a blend of J-Pop and Kajiura's signature sound, which incorporates elements of classical and cinematic music. The lyrics, particularly the "Kajiuran" sections, are known for their ethereal and evocative quality, often leaving room for interpretation and sparking discussions among fans.

"Silly-Go-Round" is featured on a single CD along with the song "angel gate," which is also composed by Yuki Kajiura and was the theme song for the musical "Angel Gate: Haru no Yokan," where Yuuka Nanri also starred.Kajiura's signature sound, which incorporates elements of classical and cinematic music. The lyrics, particularly the "Kajiuran" sections, are known for their ethereal and evocative quality, often leaving room for interpretation and sparking discussions among fans.
"Silly-Go-Round" is featured on a single CD along with the song "angel gate," which is also composed by Yuki Kajiura and was the theme song for the musical "Angel Gate: Haru no Yokan," where Yuuka Nanri also starred.
 

Yakusoku

 "Yakusoku" (約束), which translates to "Promise" in English, is a track from FictionJunction YUUKA that truly embodies the emotional depth and distinctive style of the duo. While it was not a single, it's a fan-favorite and a powerful example of their work.

    Composer & Lyricist: As with all FictionJunction YUUKA songs, "Yakusoku" was written, composed, and arranged by the renowned Yuki Kajiura.

    Release: The song first appeared as a B-side on the "Romanesque" single, released on April 18, 2007. It's also featured on several live albums, including FictionJunction 2008-2010 The BEST of Yuki Kajiura LIVE.

    Lyrical Theme: The lyrics of "Yakusoku" center on the idea of a distant and perhaps unfulfilled promise. It speaks of a turbulent past and a future yet to come, and the path that the protagonists are walking. The song's sentiment is one of holding onto a sweet belief in a better tomorrow, even in the face of sadness and misunderstanding. The central theme of a "distant promise" is a powerful and poignant one that resonates with many listeners.

    Musical Style: Musically, "Yakusoku" is a prime example of Kajiura's cinematic and dramatic sound. It often features a driving, almost folkloric rhythm, with a powerful melody carried by Yuuka Nanri's expressive vocals. The song builds in intensity, incorporating a mix of acoustic and electronic elements, and often includes a strong chorus that adds a sense of grandeur and emotional weight. It's a song that feels both epic and deeply personal at the same time.

    Vocal Performance: Yuuka Nanri's performance on "Yakusoku" is particularly noteworthy. She conveys the song's a mix of despair and hope with a powerful and clear voice. The emotional arc of the song is perfectly mirrored in her vocal delivery, making it a moving and memorable piece.

In short, "Yakusoku" is a beautiful and emotional song that showcases the best of FictionJunction YUUKA, with Yuki Kajiura's masterful composition and Yuuka Nanri's compelling vocal performance combining to create a truly impactful listening experience.

Nostalgia

 In the vol. #4 live performance, the flute solo was replaced partly by violin and partly by Yuuka’s vocals.

DVD Title - FictionJunction YUUKA ~Yuki Kajiura Live Vol. 4 Part I~ Everlasting Songs Tour 2009 Released - 2009.10.21
Catalog Number -  VTBL-7
Price - ¥3,800

Music: Yuki Kajiura
Lyrics: Yuki Kajiura
Arrangement: Yuki Kajiura
Vocals: FictionJunction YUUKA
Chorus: Yuriko Kaida, HIKARU
Musicians: Koichi Korenaga (guitar), Takahashi “Jr” Tomoharu (bass), Shinsuke Nozaki (drums), Hitoshi Konno (violin)
Manipulator： Oohira Yoshio

Full Tracklist

    circus
    aikoi
    Silly-Go-Round
    MC1
    Honoo no Tobira
    Yorokobi
    nostalgia
    Kouya Ruten
    MC2
    Piano
    Akatsuki no Kuruma
    cazador del amor
    Kioku no Mori
    nowhere
    MC3
    Yakusoku
    inside your heart
    nostalgia PV