Ghost (band)
Encyclopedia
Ghost is an experimental rock group formed in Tokyo
, Japan
, in 1984.
ranging from Bob Dylan
and Pink Floyd
to the Velvet Underground and Japanese rock bands such as the Taj Mahal Travellers
and the Flower Travellin' Band
.
Later, Batoh formed Ghost with a large and often varying lineup. According to reports posted on Allmusic, the group lived a nomadic existence, drifting from ruins of ancient temples to disused subway stations around the Tokyo
area.
The band began releasing their work with the albums Ghost
and Second Time Around
, which were released, respectively, in 1990 and 1992. The American independent label Drag City
licensed each of the albums for distribution, and the Los Angeles The Now Sound label picked up two of Batoh's solo albums, released together as well under the title Collected Works. Two albums, Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet
and Snuffbox Immanence
, were released simultaneously in 1999.
As well as their own work, Ghost have recorded and performed with the ex-Galaxie 500
duo Damon and Naomi
. Five years after releasing both Snuffbox Immanence
and Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet
, Ghost returned with Hypnotic Underworld
, and there were some changes in the band. Cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto and percussionist Setsuko Furuya left and were replaced by a rhythm section of Takuyuki Moriya (electric bass guitar, double bass, and cello) and Junzo Tateiwa (drums, tabla, and percussion).
In January 2007, Ghost released a new album titled In Stormy Nights
.
2008 saw Batoh collaborating live and in the studio with cellist Helena Espvall, resulting in the album Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh.
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, in 1984.
History
Core-member Masaki Batoh grew up in Kyoto, Japan where he attended a private school. During this time, he became interested in American and British rock musicRock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
ranging from Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
and Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
to the Velvet Underground and Japanese rock bands such as the Taj Mahal Travellers
Taj Mahal Travellers
The Taj Mahal Travellers were a Japanese experimental music ensemble founded in 1969 by former Group Ongaku leader and Fluxus member Takehisa Kosugi. The rest of the group were several years younger than Kosugi, and were all inspired by the spirit of the day...
and the Flower Travellin' Band
Flower Travellin' Band
is a Japanese heavy psych outfit that was first active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They reunited in 2007. Vocalist Joe Yamanaka died on August 7, 2011 after a battle with lung cancer.-History:...
.
Later, Batoh formed Ghost with a large and often varying lineup. According to reports posted on Allmusic, the group lived a nomadic existence, drifting from ruins of ancient temples to disused subway stations around the Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
area.
The band began releasing their work with the albums Ghost
Ghost (Ghost album)
Ghost is the debut album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was originally released in 1990 and reissued by Drag City in 1997. The song Sun is Tangging also appeared on the compilation Tokyo Flashback Vol...
and Second Time Around
Second Time Around (album)
Second Time Around is the second album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was originally released in 1992 and reissued by Drag City in 1997.-Track listing:# "People Get Freedom" - 1:45# "Second Time Around" - 5:37# "Forthcoming From the Inside" - 6:11...
, which were released, respectively, in 1990 and 1992. The American independent label Drag City
Drag City (record label)
Drag City is a Chicago-based independent record label. It was established with a Royal Trux release in 1990 in Chicago, Illinois by Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn.Drag City specializes in experimental indie rock acts...
licensed each of the albums for distribution, and the Los Angeles The Now Sound label picked up two of Batoh's solo albums, released together as well under the title Collected Works. Two albums, Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet
Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet
Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet is an album by the band Ghost. It was released by Drag City originally in 1999. It was released as a companion album with Snuffbox Immanence.The album has one cover song of a Pearls Before Swine song.-Track listing:...
and Snuffbox Immanence
Snuffbox Immanence
Snuffbox Immanence is an album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was released by Drag City in 1999. The band also released Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet on the same day.The album features a cover version of "Live With Me", originally by The Rolling Stones....
, were released simultaneously in 1999.
As well as their own work, Ghost have recorded and performed with the ex-Galaxie 500
Galaxie 500
Galaxie 500 was an American alternative rock band that formed in 1987 and split up in 1991 after releasing three albums.-History:Guitarist Dean Wareham, drummer Damon Krukowski and bassist Naomi Yang had met at the Dalton School in New York City in 1981, but began playing together during their time...
duo Damon and Naomi
Damon and Naomi
Damon & Naomi are an American dream pop/folk-rock duo formed in 1991 by Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang, formerly of Galaxie 500.-History:After Galaxie 500 completed a tour of the US supporting The Cocteau Twins, guitarist and vocalist Dean Wareham quit the band, forcing the cancellation of an...
. Five years after releasing both Snuffbox Immanence
Snuffbox Immanence
Snuffbox Immanence is an album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was released by Drag City in 1999. The band also released Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet on the same day.The album features a cover version of "Live With Me", originally by The Rolling Stones....
and Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet
Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet
Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet is an album by the band Ghost. It was released by Drag City originally in 1999. It was released as a companion album with Snuffbox Immanence.The album has one cover song of a Pearls Before Swine song.-Track listing:...
, Ghost returned with Hypnotic Underworld
Hypnotic Underworld
-Ghost:*Masaki Batoh – acoustic guitar, vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar*Michio Kurihara – electric guitar*Takuyuki Moriya - Electric Bass, Double Bass, Cello*Kazuo Ogino – organ, piano, lute, Mellotron, Korg synthesizer, Celtic harp...
, and there were some changes in the band. Cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto and percussionist Setsuko Furuya left and were replaced by a rhythm section of Takuyuki Moriya (electric bass guitar, double bass, and cello) and Junzo Tateiwa (drums, tabla, and percussion).
In January 2007, Ghost released a new album titled In Stormy Nights
In Stormy Nights
In Stormy Nights is an album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was released by Drag City in 2007.-Track listing:The CD and LP releases of the album have slightly different track listings...
.
2008 saw Batoh collaborating live and in the studio with cellist Helena Espvall, resulting in the album Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh.
Members
- Masaki Batoh (馬頭將噐): vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound... - Kazuo Ogino (荻野和夫): pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, electronicsElectronic musical instrumentAn electronic musical instrument is a musical instrument that produces its sounds using electronics. Such an instrument sounds by outputting an electrical audio signal that ultimately drives a loudspeaker.... - Michio Kurihara (栗原道夫): electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Junzo Tateiwa (立岩潤三): drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Takuyuki Moriya (守屋拓之): bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Taishi Takizawa (瀧澤大志, also known as Giant): thereminThereminThe theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
, fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
Albums
- GhostGhost (Ghost album)Ghost is the debut album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was originally released in 1990 and reissued by Drag City in 1997. The song Sun is Tangging also appeared on the compilation Tokyo Flashback Vol...
(1990) - Second Time Around (1992)
- Temple StoneTemple StoneTemple Stone is a live album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was originally released in 1994 then reissued by Drag City in 1997.The album features a performance of the traditional folk song Blood Red River.-Track listing:...
(1994) - Lama Rabi RabiLama Rabi RabiLama Rabi Rabi is an album by the band Ghost. Drag City released the album on December 10, 1996.-Track listing:# "Masttillah" - 8:03# "RabiRabi" - 7:32# "Into the Alley" - 4:37# "Marrakech" - 5:18# "Who Found a Lost Rose in the Warship?" - 3:11...
(1996) - Snuffbox ImmanenceSnuffbox ImmanenceSnuffbox Immanence is an album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was released by Drag City in 1999. The band also released Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet on the same day.The album features a cover version of "Live With Me", originally by The Rolling Stones....
(1999) - Tune In, Turn On, Free TibetTune In, Turn On, Free TibetTune In, Turn On, Free Tibet is an album by the band Ghost. It was released by Drag City originally in 1999. It was released as a companion album with Snuffbox Immanence.The album has one cover song of a Pearls Before Swine song.-Track listing:...
(1999) - Hypnotic UnderworldHypnotic Underworld-Ghost:*Masaki Batoh – acoustic guitar, vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar*Michio Kurihara – electric guitar*Takuyuki Moriya - Electric Bass, Double Bass, Cello*Kazuo Ogino – organ, piano, lute, Mellotron, Korg synthesizer, Celtic harp...
(2004) - Metamorphosis: Ghost Chronicles 1984–-2004 (2005)
- In Stormy NightsIn Stormy NightsIn Stormy Nights is an album by the Japanese band Ghost. It was released by Drag City in 2007.-Track listing:The CD and LP releases of the album have slightly different track listings...
(2007) - Overture: Live in Nippon Yusen Soko 2006Overture: Live in Nippon Yusen Soko 2006Overture: Live in Nippon Yusen Soko 2006 is a live improvisation album by Japanese band Ghost. It was recorded in a former warehouse space. The audience was not permitted to leave the venue until the performance was complete. The band members were hidden from each other and only able to hear each...
(2007)
Singles
- Moungod Air Cave b/w Guru in the Echo (1995) Both tracks recorded live in 1989 and 1994 respectively.
- Holy High b/w Filament (2003)
Compilation Appearances
- Tama Yura on Tokyo Flashback Vol. 1 (1991)
- Sun is Tangging on Tokyo Flashback Vol. 2 (1992)
- Suspect Tells of Dog Under the Sun on Tokyo Flashback Vol. 3 (1993)
- Way to Coimbula on ALMS: A benefit for Ptolemaic TerrascopePtolemaic TerrascopePtolemaic Terrascope is a magazine covering old and new music, usually of a psychedelic nature. It has been published irregularly since 1989...
(1997)
Masaki Batoh solo
- A Ghost from the Darkened Sea (1995) Total Album Length: 23min & 39sec
- Kikaokubeshi (1996) Total Album Length: 31min & 42sec
- Collected Works 95-96Collected Works 95-96Collected Works 95-96 is a collection of recordings by Masaki Batoh from the albums A Ghost From The Darkened Sea and Kikaokubeshi ....
(2004) Above two albums on one CD.
External links
- [ Ghost] at Allmusic
- Official Site (Japanese)