Joe Hisaishi – Songs of Hope The Essential Joe Hisaishi Vol. 2 (2021) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Songs of Hope: The Essential Joe Hisaish Vol. 2, features even more of Hisaishi’s greatest hits. From iconic films including Spirited Away and Porco Rosso to orchestral works and solo piano recordings, plus two brand-new recordings: “Kids Return” and “Hana-Bi.” Pitchfork proclaimed him, “The most acclaimed Japanese composer to have ever worked in film.” Out via Decca Gold and UMG Japan.

In order to fully satisfy the fans of some of the cult films with soundtracks by Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, this XXL compilation includes extracts of soundtracks from some feature films which were already released in a 2020 volume (Dream Songs). Thus, the Kids Return theme is offered here in a live version with a larger band than in the previous outing, and the main theme of the music from Kikujiro is played here on the marimba (Summer). In addition to these two Takeshi Kitano classics, the listener is treated to the haunting melody of Miyazaki’s iconic Porco Rosso cartoon-with a jazzy second half that echoes the Roaring Twenties, which form the backdrop to the film. Such a rich compilation is what is needed to really convey all the protean talent of an artist who can compose a rousing tango `a la Astor Piazzolla (Tango X.T.C.), as well as minimalist music in the style of Steve Reich (DA-MA-SHI-E), and a concertante piece with a vibrant neo-romanticism (View of Silence). The present album also highlights a number of pieces from the Piano Stories project-a collection of the Maestro’s records launched in 1988: the gravity of the Nocturne or the tender and mysterious Lost Sheep on the Bed. The album includes two unreleased tracks: a live version of Hana Bi and, as an opener, a new version of Kids Return (Angel Doll). – Nicolas Magenham

Tracklist:
01. Joe Hisaishi – ANGEL DOLL (From “Kids Return” Original Soundtrack)
02. Joe Hisaishi – la pioggia
03. Joe Hisaishi – il porco rosso
04. Joe Hisaishi – Lost Sheep on the bed
05. Joe Hisaishi – FOR YOU (from “Water Traveler – Samurai Kids”)
06. Joe Hisaishi – White Night
07. Joe Hisaishi – DA-MA-SHI-E
08. Joe Hisaishi – Departures -memory- (From “Departures” Soundtrack)
09. Joe Hisaishi Ensemble – TWO OF US
10. Joe Hisaishi – Rain Garden
11. Joe Hisaishi – Friends (Live)
12. Joe Hisaishi Ensemble – Summer
13. Joe Hisaishi – Les Aventuriers
14. Joe Hisaishi – Kids Return (Live)
15. Joe Hisaishi – Links
16. Joe Hisaishi – VIEW OF SILENCE
17. Joe Hisaishi – Nocturne
18. Joe Hisaishi – Silence
19. Joe Hisaishi – MKWAJU 1981-2009
20. Joe Hisaishi – Ashitaka and San (Live)
21. Joe Hisaishi – The Rain (From “Kikujiro” Soundtrack)
22. Joe Hisaishi – DEAD for Strings, Perc., Harpe and Piano: 1. D.e.a.d
23. Joe Hisaishi – Tango X.T.C. (Live)
24. Joe Hisaishi – The Little House (Live)
25. Joe Hisaishi – HANA-BI (Live)
26. Joe Hisaishi – Silencio de Parc G”uell
27. Joe Hisaishi – WAVE
28. Joe Hisaishi – World Dreams