Hanako Oku and the Forbidden Music

Hanako Oku and the forbidden music.

I sure wish I could have seen this video of Hanako Oku’s 2010 concert. I had this video in my YouTube “suggestions” list, but when I opened YouTube, the Record Industry Weasels at PonyCanyon Records have it region blocked (Of course the phrase “Record Industry Weasels at PonyCanyon” might actually be redundant.) As far as I know, the video is only blocked for American users, because of this year’s licensing changes at YouTube.

I know what you are going to ask: “Denny, What if you buy YouTube RED? … then is the video unblocked?”  The answer is a big NO. The licensing laws are still not congruent. The videos are still blocked.

I had seen one portion of this concert before. It was an outdoor concert. I think it was “First Love” she performed, but this was years ago. I remember that there was a lot of wind noise, but she still sang it with a lot of emotion, and I loved it. (No one sings unrequited love the way Hanako Oku does.) This was back when I was first out about Hanako Oku’s music, and before I was banned from Facebook. Someone on the Hanko Oku Discussion Group on Facebook had posted a portion of this performance.

I would love to see the entire performance. If you are one of my blog  followers outside of the US, could you please check this video out, and tell me what I am missing?

Oh look, there is a new Poll!

Hi, I’m Larry, this is my brother Darryl , and this is my other brother Darryl … and this here is Miss Hanako Oku

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 Only trust items in “bold.”

Please enjoy this outdoor “mini concert” from the Little Great One, posted in 2012.

On a whim, Ms. Oku held an impromptu concert for the opening of the new “Sears” at the Chiba City mall.  She is playing/singing off of this little balcony near the ancillary parking garage across the street.  It is still winter, so Oku-san is bundled up, and is wearing a cute ski hat.  I thought that she looked like one of the guys from the old “Newhart” show … hence my recycled joke.

The actual video performance does not start until about 35 seconds in.  That may have been how the YouTube user was trying to fool the Record Industry Weasels.  This is the song list, as best as I can copy and paste.

Time 2:00  やさしい花 (from 2005)
Time 8:34 恋（2007)
Time 15:41  笑って笑って（2009）
Time 21.58  愛を見つけた場所（2012)
Time 28:21  ガーネット（2007）
Time 37:51  積和不動産「MAST」（2007）
Time 38:30  初恋(2010)

Stop watching at 47:00 minutes, as the show is over at that point.  After that it is just ads for the Japanese “Fish Bulb” company.

Random Thoughts:

I am still very emotionally moved by this.   It is a real treat for fans.  I used to play this video, minimize it on my computer, and then listen to it as I sit at my desk at work.  Yes, listening to The Little Great One makes processing those agricultural chemical purchase request forms that much more enjoyable.

As usual, she talks and jokes with the audience.  If only I knew what she was saying.  The audience grows and grows, because people coming out of the mall are pointing to the roof next door and going “Its Hanako Oku– I thought they broke up!”.

The coolest part is when the police arrive at the roof and are about to step in and stop her, and she launches into “Get Back”.  Despite her imminent arrest for disturbing the peace, she keeps playing and sings “GET BACK LORETTA …”  just as the Bobby is going to confront her.

Starlight: I really do need to adjust this telescope, or at least point it in the correct direction.