Ayu: Anything Goes [XXVII]

[Chibi-Chan]

Originally Posted by MKAyu

They're manipulating the narrative into a popular romance mold, the most famous example of which is probably Phantom of the Opera and Christine Daae. The older, driven, brilliant man with vision takes the young, inexperienced, naive, sweet girl with raw talent and molds her into a shining star. Max even says so directly in the drama: "Only if I mold her will she shine!" (From the opening scene in episode 2 where he's trying to get control of Ayu's career from her old company).

That Ayu was already making things herself would ruin that romance because it would mean she molded herself instead of being an object to mold (). That's also probably why they skipped Max first trying to get her lessons in Japan, which failed, before New York--it would reduce him from a genius with the brilliant understanding of Molding the Diamond that is Ayu to a guy trying to figure out what the hell he's doing.

This is a very good point, I think!

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by MKAyu

They're manipulating the narrative into a popular romance mold, the most famous example of which is probably Phantom of the Opera and Christine Daae. The older, driven, brilliant man with vision takes the young, inexperienced, naive, sweet girl with raw talent and molds her into a shining star. Max even says so directly in the drama: "Only if I mold her will she shine!" (From the opening scene in episode 2 where he's trying to get control of Ayu's career from her old company).

That Ayu was already making things herself would ruin that romance because it would mean she molded herself instead of being an object to mold (). That's also probably why they skipped Max first trying to get her lessons in Japan, which failed, before New York--it would reduce him from a genius with the brilliant understanding of Molding the Diamond that is Ayu to a guy trying to figure out what the hell he's doing.

Yeah, the second episode makes this even more apparent. Honestly, kind of disappointing for an Ayu fan. They are making her take a very non-active role in her own success at this point.

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

I've been listening to a lot of ayu today and I just realized something about my sacrilegious taste in ayu music. Obviously albums like Loveppears, Duty, I am... etc. are iconic, but I always gravitated toward Love Songs being my favorite album and A ONE a close second. When I looked into the details of the albums I noticed that I really like either Tetsuya Komuro compositions or Yuta Nakano arrangements and most often the combination of the two. I think they make the best ayu music together. I still feel swept away by the strings in crossroad for example and Virgin Road is still one of my all time favorite ayu ballads. Even with the album Love again, I don't like the album as a whole as much anymore (lack of TK probably lol), but I love Nakano's arrangements! (I mean come on, Sweet Scar!) I sincerely hope if she's working on a new album that it has them all over it.

I agree a lot with your taste. But we are very unlikely to see this pairing happen considering TK is in forced retirement due to scandal.

[pedronekoi]

ˆ I've seen people talking about NOTHING FROM NOTHING on Twitter after the release of the dorama. People were like: wasn't she already a singer back then? And posting the link for NFN.

Watching AT03 makes me so nostalgic. This tour is really amazing. I think it has one of her best costumes (fashion taste-like). Even the Britney fire outfit is amazing lol

Also crazy to see how her concerts became soooo long! AT2003 have 1h56min while AT2015 have 3h35min!!

[ExodusUK]

Timmy said on his IG live today that he hasn't watched the M drama. The first song he heard of Ayu's was Duty in 2000. The one song he wants to do an English version of is Forgiveness.

[~angel*ayumi~]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

Timmy said on his IG live today that he hasn't watched the M drama. The first song he heard of Ayu's was Duty in 2000. The one song he wants to do an English version of is Forgiveness.

awww my first song was Duty too xD

[mi|kshake]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

Timmy said on his IG live today that he hasn't watched the M drama. The first song he heard of Ayu's was Duty in 2000. The one song he wants to do an English version of is Forgiveness.

Thanks that's so interesting! I'd love to hear his version of Forgiveness!

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

Is Ayu warm toned, cool toned or neutral?

[YUKARI]

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan

Is Ayu warm toned, cool toned or neutral?

I think she's neutral or closer to warm toned than cool toned. but everything suits her anyways.

[ExodusUK]

Is it just me but has there been a big increase in Japanese comments on Ayu youtube videos? Looking at them through Google translate it seems like there's a lot of positive comments "even though I am anti now, i can't deny there will be never anyone who will surpass her", "I miss the time when Ayu's face would look down across Shibuya on a poster throughout the seasons when she released a new single"

or "The small girl with an untouchable aura that shaped Japanese popular culture at the turn of the millennium".

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

Is it just me but has there been a big increase in Japanese comments on Ayu youtube videos? Looking at them through Google translate it seems like there's a lot of positive comments "even though I am anti now, i can't deny there will be never anyone who will surpass her", "I miss the time when Ayu's face would look down across Shibuya on a poster throughout the seasons when she released a new single"

or "The small girl with an untouchable aura that shaped Japanese popular culture at the turn of the millennium".

I guess the tone of the comments on her videos changed a lot since Namie retired. Maybe because once that happened, there was less comparasion between them, and Ayu's work was once again seemed for what it is. I mean, they are just two completely different kind of performers, and Ayu will never be able to offer the singing-dancing focused experience Namie does (on the same way Namie couldn't really offer what Ayu excels at either).

It also has been like 20 years from her peak, so she is at that point she stop being "old", "something your mum would listen to" and starts being "vintage", "that cool seasoned artist".

And the strage times we are facing right now tend to make the cultural scene distance itself from simply escapism and focus more on self and societal reflection, the kind of work that made Ayu a star on the first place.

edit: Today really seemed to click with people on the comment session to AT2...

[ExodusUK]

also what happened here at 2:25? the guide track skipped? lol

[indigochild]

Totally random but I've been obsessed with LABYRINTH lately despite being only an interlude. There's just something so magical about it compared to her other ethereal-like interludes. I wish there was a longer version of it! If anyone has some random instrumental tracks they found on YT or something that has a similar vibe drop a link lol

[kaled kalil]

@ExodusUK Just a poorly done eccho effect. It was cut so it wouldn't overlay the live vocal for the next line, as it's a second audio channel which is a little louder than her mic.

[Aderianu]

Why M complete live was deleted? Instead of that all performances was uploaded separately

I love shows choice for A best track list live

[truehappiness]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0KPaBnYzws

This is the URL for it so it looks like they just stuck it on private. I guess they figured it would be better long term to leave all the clips up at her channel vs. taking it all down later on as the drama is still airing? Also the premiere is more of an event I guess so people can chat during the airing as its happening.

[Kacku]

I'm watching the A BEST track list live and I'm so happy they chose the DOME TOUR 2001 performance for A Song for xx. It's a huge favourite of mine, but I haven't rewatched it in a while. I cried watching it now, Ayu just exudes such power and delivers such a performance for the song.

[attractive nausea]

I found it disappointing how most of the performances chosen for A BEST compilation were from concert tour 2000. I understand that this allows good nostalgia vibes for the casual public but... They only chose lives pre-2009 which was a let down for me lol.

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by attractive nausea

I found it disappointing how most of the performances chosen for A BEST compilation were from concert tour 2000. I understand that this allows good nostalgia vibes for the casual public but... They only chose lives pre-2009 which was a let down for me lol.

I also wish there was more variety in the selections, too much 2000.

[hud]

oh okay avex you have AT2007 upscaled in your drive... now upload the full concert!

[ExodusUK]

In hindsight the Greatful Days PV sticks out like a sore thumb in Ayu's videography? Doesn't feel like Ayu at all, feels like a PV Hitomi Shimatani or BoA would have had at the time. IMO late 2002 Rainbow/2003 Memorial Address was such a weird identity crisis aesthetic/visual wise for Ayu.