REVIEW 4: "PEPPER KEIBU"- THE ALBUM
REVIEW BY VERNE INNHEL
It is an honor to be chosen to review Pink Lady’s first album. With the 30th anniversary of Pink Lady, their first album has finally been re-released on CD.
The album opens with the title track. This is the same version as the single that catapluted Mie and Kei into the spotlight. If you don’t know this song, you really should be ashamed of yourself as it’s required listening for anyone that even remotely considers themselves a fan of Japanese pop music. It’s almost anthemic, but the girls keep it firmly planted on the ground. Mie and Kei take turns during the bridge break to make their statements before launching into their trademark harmonies in the chorus. It still holds up today and is now a classic. After only one listen, it’s easy to understand how this one song made Mie and Kei overnight stars. Nothing like this was ever presented up to this time. They took the Japanese public by surprise and practically demanded attention.
We are then immediately treated to a melancholy song to ease things. By the sound of it, the second song “Inspiration,” is apparently inspired by songs of a by-gone age - I’d say early 1900s judging by the ragtime-like piano with a touch of the flapper era. A quaint song to stroll by. The charming vocals are provided by a solo Kei. This is followed by “Kampai Ojousan,” which could be considered the precursor to a later Pink Lady hit “Southpaw” since the song structure is basically the same – no surprise since it was written by the same person. It has the same sort of anthemic grandeur to it, especially in the chorus, that only Mie and Kei can deliver.
A big shift of the gears and we have an uplifting song, “Pink no Ringo,” which is heralded by a bright guitar and an galloping harpsichord accompanied by strings. The girls arrive singing in tandem and they switch immediately to a semi-falsetto harmony in the first part of the chorus. The way I describe sounds like it’s a bit much – but trust me, it all works very well. It’s one of the more memorable songs in the album (and I’m not exagerrating when I say that almost every song in this album is memorable). The pace is slowed down by the ballad “Yuutsu Hi” (Depressing Day)– and the song certainly lives up to it’s title with visions of loneliness, despair and heartbreak – all soulfully delivered by Mie – this is her solo spot. It’s a western-style ballad sprinkled with traditional enka-style breaks.
But we get picked up again by my favourite song on the album “SOS” which is introduced of course, by “S-O-S” tapped out on morse code. This is one of their signature songs and Pink Lady delivers it with gusto. Then we’re thrown into a dancing mood with a slightly discofied version of the old Dusty Springfield song “Futari dake no Date” (I Only Want to Be With You). We also get a couple Bay City Rollers songs in the form of “Money Honey” and “Keep On Dancing.” And we go back even further in time with a song by Rosie and the Originals “Angel Baby.” Pink Lady show that they can handle a doo-wop song with the best of them. Sent shivers down my spine. Now I want to sit in a 50s Caddy at a drive-in with my girl by my side. Pink Lady may be known for their disco hits, but they have their roots in rock & roll and folk music.
Back to the Bay City Rollers with “Rock and Roll Love Letter” - a false ending to this album. I say that because it sounds like an album closer, but the producer has a different vision – and it’s a good one. We end with Frankie Valli’s “Bye Bye Baby.” Pink Lady retain the rock and roll sound of the original and even recreate the semi-spoken intro. Mie and Kei are given a simple rock and roll song and they take it to new heights and make it their own. I dare say that this version soars above the original.
The album shows a very diverse range of music styles that showcases the abilities of Mie and Kei. Being able to succesfully tackle all the different genres is a daunting taskm but the girls show that they can handle anything thrown at them. For those that think that Pink Lady is only about disco, this album should silence them. And keep in mind that this was recorded in early 1977. And if you think they SOUND great – then you should SEE them! After first-timers get the obligatory Pink Lady “best of” album, they should get this one. Highest recommendations from your humble reviewer. 11 stars out of 10!
ABOVE: Your humble webmaster with the holy grail, Pink Lady's debut album