alan – 群青の谷 (Gunjou no Tani) (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

September 7, 2009 by Dennis Amith 

“alan’s 8th CD single features a collaboration with artist/musician Cocco but also a dedication to the people of the Sichuan province who suffered during the 2008 earthquake and a beautifully filmed music video of alan returning to her home province.  The CD+DVD version of ‘Gunjou no Tani’ is definitely recommended for alan fans!“

ARTIST: alan

CD SINGLE: 群青の谷 (Gunjou no Tani)

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31584/B

DURATION: 21:15

RELEASE DATE:  February 4, 2009

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1. 群青の谷 (Gunjou no Tani)
2. 群青の谷 Acoustic Version
3. 群青の谷 (Instrumental)
4. 群青の谷 Acoustic Version (Instrumental)

DVD: Region 2, 16:9 LB, Duration:

1. 群青の谷 – Music Clip -

In February 2009, popular Tibetan/J-Pop singer alan collaborated with music artist Cocco for her 8th CD single “Gunjou no Tani”, a song used as the ending theme for Yomiuri TV’s “Miyaneya TV”.

The English translation of “Gunjou no Tani” means Ultramarine Valley and is a song written for the people who survived the Sichuan Earthquake in 2008, an area where alan is originally from in China.

The main track features a rock-based track that manages to incorporate a bit of Chinese traditional instruments in the background but for the most part is a rock song.  In a way, the single is quite interesting since each single release has been either pop or orchestral-based and although you do hear that orchestral-style of music in the background, the song is an upbeat rock track.  Cocco is responsible for the lyrics and the music for the song.

The second track is an acoustic version of “Gunjou no Tani” featuring alan playing her erhu and a musician playing the acoustic guitar.

The remaining two tracks are the instrumental versions of the first two songs.

As for the DVD, the DVD version features a music video of “Gunjou no Tani” shot at her home province in the Sichuan Province.  The video starts off with alan performing with her Erhu outdoors in front of a few children with the mountains and village in the background.  The intro transitions to the main song featuring alan walking through the Sichuan province and performing in the beautiful area and showing us images of the villagers and their homes.  An absolutely beautiful video.

The CD insert is a bi-fold which includes the lyrics and production credits for the song and a flier promoting alan’s first album.

alan is one of my favorite performers in Asia and with each CD single that she has released through avex has been quite solid.  This single is probably her most personal, as it is a song in dedication to the people in the Sichuan province and the area where she is originally from.

The collaboration with Cocco is quite surprising but at the same time pretty cool.  The track is more rock-based but for the most part, manages to capture that orchestral side of her music and of course, her beautiful vocals.  Also, included is an acoustic version where people can hear her perform the Erhu and that was great to find that track included on this single.

As for the CD+DVD version, I highly recommend the DVD as the music video is just absolutely beautiful.  The shots of her walking through the Sichuan province and seeing the mountains, the rivers, the villages and for the most part, beautiful cinematography to go along with the music.

If you are an alan fan, this CD single is another one from this talented artist that is highly recommended!

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