Now and then there's a fool such as I...

April 13, 2020 2:43 AM

Takeshi Terauchi (寺内タケシ) is a Japanese instrumental rock guitarist. He started his career playing rhythm guitar for the Country and Western act "Jimmie Tokita and The Mountain Playboys".
Here he sings Fool such as I.
Here they sing Blue moon of Kentucky
Tennessee Waltz
Tumbling tumbleweeds
Amazing Grace
- More songs
Credit

Extra: Mr. Hyunh Sings "The Simple Things"

posted by growabrain (16 comments total)

Previously, but I thought I saw him here in a clip with a train.
Now thinking about the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.
posted by MtDewd at 5:40 AM on April 13, 2020 [2 favorites]

Samurais of the Pioneers...
posted by jim in austin at 6:43 AM on April 13, 2020 [1 favorite]

I was thinking the other day about how unique Roy Orbison's voice is, but this guy has a very similar sound. He sings one note, and you get these fabulous low and high frequencies at the same time. His guitar playing in the linked videos is so restrained compared to his usual style!
posted by jabah at 6:48 AM on April 13, 2020

Love him! There's some mp3s with his first band Takeshi Terauchi and the Bunnys here.

And an amazing album of classical tunes with a Japanese surf-rock vibe here.
posted by horopter at 6:49 AM on April 13, 2020 [4 favorites]

Wow. I was expecting that to be painful. It was really good!
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 7:04 AM on April 13, 2020

Omg, I was looking for something to pick me up on a sad monday morning and that‘s very much it. Thanks for sharing
posted by The Toad at 7:59 AM on April 13, 2020 [2 favorites]

Rad! I've dug the Bunnys but didn't know about this.
posted by rodlymight at 8:19 AM on April 13, 2020

TT & Blue Jeans also did many really cool albums of Japanese folk music. Bonus: guitar vs. shamisen battle!
posted by Bektashi at 8:26 AM on April 13, 2020 [7 favorites]

Loved this, thanks.
posted by Orlop at 9:21 AM on April 13, 2020

Man, I'd forgotten about him in one of my many music library moves. Stoked to be reminded! This will be my soundtrack for the day!
posted by sleeping bear at 10:09 AM on April 13, 2020 [1 favorite]

There is a real organic feel to Terauchi's singing, and he and his band have that old school country western grace. Nice voice too!
posted by Oyéah at 11:53 AM on April 13, 2020 [1 favorite]

This made me smile, thanks
posted by ferret branca at 1:18 PM on April 13, 2020 [2 favorites]

From the bastard child of a grand-generation that was country western crooners, amature to semi-pro, and a parental generation that included some of that but with more Willie, Waylon, and Commander Cody influence: this is amazing.
posted by RolandOfEld at 5:05 PM on April 13, 2020

Petty Booka, my favorite Japanese female duo -- next to Pink Lady of course -- did some sweet country western music before they found their ultimate wheelhouse with "feeling of Hawaii music" ... their studio audience, both of them, loved it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnYfq6rkjGw
posted by Droll Lord at 10:13 PM on April 13, 2020

I picked up a couple of his early surf albums at a thrift store 20 years ago. Loved them ever since, but this is the first time I've ever heard or read his name other than on those album covers. Thanks for the background!
posted by acroyear at 10:37 PM on April 13, 2020 [1 favorite]

This is so cool. I, too, know him from his surf rock with the Bunnys. I had no idea he had done country too.
posted by Glier's Goetta at 7:27 AM on April 14, 2020 [1 favorite]