Biography
One of Japan's greatest vocalists, Takio Ito (伊藤多喜雄) was born in Hokkaido, the Northern island of Japan. He grew up listening to the singing of his fisherman father as he worked, including this song, a Hokkaido min'yo standard. A certified teacher at 18, he won the national min'yo championships three years running. However, he found the confines of belonging to the staid Min'yo association, stifling for his creativity and promptly quit. Ever since, Takio has been expanding the realms of min'yo further and further, incorporating jazz, rock and other Asian traditional elements. At the end of the 19th century the government tried to root out traditional min'yo, as it was not deemed suitable for a western-style nation, and is perhaps Japan's true 'popular' music. Takio's driving, powerful versions of 'Soran Bushi' have become the highlight of his recorded output and live shows. Pumping your fist in the air to the response calls is obligatory.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.