Ryuichi Sakamoto - throat cancer

[Blemished]

Very sad news via David's facebook page that Ryuichi Sakamoto has been diagnosed with throat cancer. I really hope it's been caught early and wish him well for his treatment. Ryuichi's letter is posted on his site - link below.

http://www.sitesakamoto.com

[missouriman]

Survival rates are actually pretty good for this cancer.

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/oralcavity ... ival-rates

[karnsculpture]

About 10 years ago Ryuichi regularly made blog posts on his site covering pretty much every aspect of his life, and he's one of those people that looks after himself, with regular medical check-ups and health screenings and so on. As long as he hasn't changed these habits he's probably caught it early, and he's no doubt getting the best advice possible. I'm optimistic that he'll pull through. Not sure if it's the same form of cancer or not but look at Nile Rodgers - hale and hearty and touring extensively following successful treatment.

[natsume]

I imagine his prognosis is quite good, but I am happy to see that he is taking the time he needs to focus on his health.

[Quiet Visitor]

Some recent news about Ryuichi's state of health: https://www.brooklynvegan.com/ryuichi-s ... er-report/

[Quiet Visitor]

David reported that he will be on a Sakamoto-tribute album, to be released in December.
https://www.davidsylvian.net/news/lates ... ute-album/
https://twitter.com/davidsylviannet

[Quiet Visitor]

Note that the LP and CD have different track-orders.^^

[kitaj]

David reported that he will be on a Sakamoto-tribute album, to be released in December.
https://www.davidsylvian.net/news/lates ... ute-album/
https://twitter.com/davidsylviannet

And here he is.
He hasn't lost his voice in all this time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfiliu6-6ZA

[Blemished]

Just been listening to it now. A wonderful treat to have David singing again - and sounding so good! Love the music too - not much different from the original instrumental, so even more impressive that David has crafted a song around it.

[ob8]

Sorry for creating a new post regarding the YT video of Grains. I had not seen this one.

This is what i believe the lyrics to be but please chip in with any thoughts/corrections.

I sit beside his bed
brushing the weather from his hands
if i'm no longer making sense
i no longer think i can
there was snowfall in New York City
earthquakes down below
that put sunlight in vineyards
where nothing ever grows
take the earth out of his mouth
and the boot from off his chest
there is nothing more to ask of him
you've done better than his best
mark the day he was born
between kin and bone
between silk and flesh
on sweet paulownia wood
she found the tone
his body did the rest
she'd dust strings with cocaine
rubbed a finger on his lips
come on tell me what you see child
and i'll leave you with a kiss
put a crown upon his head please
let's anoint the one
celebrate his place in history
come sing along
they place their fingers upon his spine
99 until
back down upon the metal boy
my coloured confetti drifts for you
place a crown upon his head
count the days
again

[missouriman]

I hear it as "dappled sunlight" rather than "that put sunlight".

[ob8]

I hear it as "dappled sunlight" rather than "that put sunlight".

I did not hear that upon the first listen after reading your comment.
Subsequent listens however, lead me to believe that's a good spot. Dappled also fits in with the vineyards where nothing ever grows. I really like this track.

Maybe I was hungry (and i've been thrown a scrap)................

[Blemished]

On this section:

they place their fingers upon his spine
99 until
back down upon the metal boy

I think it's actually:

they place their fingers upon his spine
T9 and 2
bite down upon the metal boy

T2 and 9 is reference to the different vertebrae in the spine

[Quiet Visitor]

Bought the tribute-CD yesterday and gave it a few spins already.
Mostly quite moody pieces that are really "remodels" of Ryuichi's compositions.
Grains with David is a fine song, which I should listen with the headphones (much is happening).
I love the Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence-rework by Electric Youth, but can't hear any resemblances on Gabrial Wek's interpretation of Forbdden Colours with the original. It's a fine ambient track though.
Also worth listening is Hildur Gudnadótir singing World Citizen - I Won't Be Disappoited with Skúli Sverrisson on guitar and bass; both worked with Sylvian before.
The Cinematic Orchestra did a beautiful remodel of DNA.
One of the few tracks with a rhythm is Thunderdact's remodel of Thousand Knives, sung by Taylor Graves.

Finally a warning: carefully listen to Yoshide Otomo doing With Snow And Moonlight - Snow, Silence, Partially Sunny. There's a very high note in there, which is repeated a couple of times. The sound can give you the illusion you're dealing with tinnitus!