Enka
 

What the hell is this "Enka" music everyone keeps talking about?!
Is it very tradtional or somethin?

The most popular enka artist today seems to be kiyoshi hikawa, he even had a song topping the oricon pop chart:

氷川きよし - Kiyosi Hikawa official web page


Short definition:

Enka was Japanese popular music before and following WW2. Nowadays, enka music is most popular among the older generations. Many enka songs deal with topics such as unlucky love and nostalgia. Enka singers, especially women, usually perform wearing a kimono.

- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2114.html

Article on enka:


Article from www.j-fan.com

in the article at j-fan she calls it the equivalent of country music in america...so

country music:america as enka:japan

ahh!!analogies...i think thats a good explanation except that country music in america is popular among all age groups, whereas enka is more toward traditional people

is there anyone here that listens to enka?

I love Hikawa Kiyoshi, and I love watching Enka on TV, they perform with such meaning and sometimes it's really cute! It's pretty cool, I think it's awesome and more young people should give it a listen. (Especially Hikawa Kiyoshi, but he's mine sorry!)

My fav. Enka singer is Misora Hibari... She's Amazing.

I would recommend checking out
川の流れのように and 愛燦燦
Her vocals are so great... She's a forever Diva.

Nagayama Yoko is my favourite enka singer, she's really good. However it's so hard to find enka mp3's >< especially when searching for specific singers :(

If any of you are Chinese or have heard Chinese opera music, there's something about enka that reminds me of it. The way they sing is very affected sounding. The country music comparison is close but not quite. ^^;;

I listen to some enka, but not a lot. Mostly Kiyoshi Hikawa.

Cool! Thanks for the info ^_^
I'll have to try it sometime. ^_^

^ If you are familiar with Hello! Project and Morning Musume, one of the graduated members of MM (Nakazawa Yuko) had a short career in enka. ^^;; I think DL's of the Asayan eps featuring her campaign are still being seeded at Hello! Tracker.

Is Natsukawa Rimi Enka? I love her! Her live of 'Nada (Namida?!) Sou Sou' at last year's Kohaku was awesome. ^-^

Hitomi Shimatanis first singles is also enka. :yes Quite nice song actually.

Oh wow... I didn't know that. ^_^
It's pretty obvious though, she has such a nice traditional voice. ^_^