The Best Track

Amazon review

There are probably very few Japanese people who have never heard Taro Hakase play the violin. We listen to his music without even realizing it, mainly through television. This CD, Hakase's first best-of album, has a varied composition, centering around the familiar melodies that have been used as theme songs for programs such as ``Jonetsu Tairiku'' and ``Gekisei! Sports Today'', as well as songs co-starred with a gorgeous guest lineup including Clementine, Basia, Jiang Zhenhua, Yukie Nishimura, and Ryota Komatsu. This is the perfect content to get a general picture of Hakase. In some of the songs that have delicate melodies, Hakase plays each note with care, allowing us to hear the beauty of the violin's tone. However, it is the up-tempo songs like <1> and <15> where he truly shows his true potential. It gives a sense of scale, as if characters are being written speedily with a thick brush filled with ink, or as if Pegasus were soaring through the sky. His style is to sing dynamically and loudly, even if it gets a little rough. When playing this kind of performance, it is best to keep the melody easy-going and clear. Hakase knows this too, and many of his own compositions are familiar, such as nostalgic songs like elementary school songs, or openly happy songs that could have been written by Yuzo Kayama. (Taiki Matsumoto)

Media coverage reviews, etc.

A best album compiled of violinist Taro Hakase's best tracks, including unrecorded songs. Includes the ending theme song for MBS/TBS's ``Jonetsu Tairiku'', ``Etopirika'', the main theme for the same, ``Walking with You'', and the theme song for TBS's ``Golf Broadcast''.