yeah that was so random Kevin :DD haha
Sorry Kyle…I had a “Mike Penny” moment back there. Seriously Love all the selections so far. A lot of interesting variety so far which is good but we could probably reach a little farther too. What I mean is it would be nice to engage this project as something so far beyond what one would expect from a group of Shamisen dudes that it could become a rare gem in the world of recorded music.
I still think Mekapsis Yitonisa would be cool and it is in fact a trad. Greek tune
(Dmitri knew it right away). It sucks that the only things that come up are my previous covers plus Estradasphere etc. but I swear we did not change a note when we covered it in the past. I was thinking… Mike Penny knows the bassline and if it works out, I was thinking he could send us files etc. and then maybe you, me and Masahiro could double/triple up on the melody. That was actually the thing I thought would be badass. Multiple players playing that tune in unison.
Can you imagine it? The elusive harmonic minor melody that winds around the
shifting odd meter pulse, all in unison!!! That would be so HOT!
Anyway, anybody else have any ideas for interesting music for us to consider?
Aaaaaah… that makes sense. For a second, I started to assume that maybe I remembered it 'cause I wrote it in the 14th century, but that seems a little far-fetched. After all, where did my accent go??
I see now! Well if it’s trad, then I’m all for it! (I had thought, “Man, he sure did a good job of making the piece sound really legit!” 
) Perhaps the reason you/Estradasphere are the only ones that pop up in google is because, well… maybe you are just that awesome?
Karl: Yes I did, but I don’t think it was in either of those.
Here one of my favorite pieces 
Wow… I really like that as well. The way the energy builds is really great!
Whaddaya say Kevin?
I’d be amazed to see the same clarity and dynamics as that spanish guitar with a couple of shamisen Prove me wrong, but I think it will be difficult.
If you want to add some Irish music I think this song could be pretty nice. It is usually played a bit faster when made as modern covers:
I’ve always wondered why no one’s done a version of “Misirlou” yet. I was telling Kyle about it, and I’d do it myself except, well, you know, hands. It totally works on the shamisen, and the sawari really adds a cool extra touch.
I’m not sure how well it would work, but what do you think about “Brasileirinho?” It’s a Brazilian standard, and you can see a fairly representative version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfIdOfeWK2A There are a lot of different covers, even one featuring Yo Yo Ma.
Anybody ever attempted any of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on Shamisen? Seems like a good ensemble piece.
Also, I second Irish music. I feel like I have seen it done before, but not enough. Some of my friends have already accused me of secretly passing off Irish tunes as Japanese ones (tsugaru jinku seems to get that a lot), so yes, more please. As far as specific tunes… uh… dunno. Might also be cool to cover a bodhrán with taiko. Something like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYO9jftkFBk&list=PL524B7F44DBDE05E7&index=1&feature=plpp_video
Or… Tetris theme, anyone? It’s technically Russian folk music, so it counts!
Or this, my new favorite video (also oddly similar to that Turkish one above):
Ooh! Right, we don’t have a Russian song yet!
Something with that feeling would be great. One military band song on the CD might be enough though. We should find a Russian folk song with that same feeling.
Hey everyone!
Thanks for all these posts and all these ideas. I just got back home after being out of town so I am going to start listening now to some of these links. Just wanted to say thanks in advance. I was really hoping to get some ideas from you guys so yeah! That`s awesome!
Sorry to keep throwing out tons of songs, but I can’t help myself…
There aren’t any Chinese suggestions yet, and I thought it might be interesting to see a Japanese take on a very closely related yet distinct musical style. “Horse races” might work:
That’s not a bad idea. I actually already arranged that one for solo shamisen a long time ago. I’ll try to remember it…
Oh, crap. None of my ideas are original. sigh Damn you internet!! shakes fist
Seriously, though, that was awesome. I dunno if you want to take up valuable album space if you’ve already done it, but a better recorded version might be nice.
Yes yes, I mean I have played it live before as part of the monsters of shami Japan tour but have never done it in a studio. Wonder what Kyle and Masahiro will think.
Kyle?
Umm… Well, having a Chinese song is a great idea, as it’s not in the set list. I’m just not a huge fan of Horse Races (as a song). I mean, I know that the speed and wild energy gives the feeling of horses racing, but I think a more melodic song would be more… er, nicer. (No offense, of course )
For a fast Chinese song, How about this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otRkLZy_sl0 (and I’d still think a little slower would be nicer )
For the Russian song - Кorobushka?
And, any thoughts for an African (which is wide ranging, I know) folk song?
Maybe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4soXy7rW-bk#t=187s ?
That’s the tetris song right? I think it may be a bit too famous, but it might give you hits if people search for the music and then find the shamisen version.
I love the link for the African song, but I don’t think it’s much of a song. It’s just african jamming and I don’t see how it would be better on the shamisen. Those percussion sounds can’t be beat
Oooh someone must make Game of Thrones main theme on shamisen!
It’s so goddamn epic! and youtube is full of covers of it with different instruments like Hurdy gurdy and basses and stuff go look 
we need shamisen cover among them!
Yeah I can see your point Kyle. Horse races is cool and all but would probably give the recording a sense that it is leaning towards the “let’s play the most cliche music from around the world” theme which I would be highly opposed to. In fact I am a bit shocked that Jamie would even suggest it. Shame on you Jamie. Now the only way for you to redeem yourself is to post another hundred song options for us! Haha. Kidding bro!
Wow! Another Russian tune. And African. Shucks, I can’t turn the volume up now cause I am here at work. Will listen later. Can’t wait!