© 2024 Lawrence Tuczynski
All info courtesy of David Hirsch and BSX Records
| Title | BUKIMISHA: Varan the Unbelievable Daikaijü |
| CD Label | BSX Records |
| CD Number | BSXCD9235 |
| Music Composed By: | Akira Ifukube |
| Music Performed by: | Bukimisha |
| Number of tracks | 31 |
| Running time | 74:08 |
| Number of discs | 1 |
| Year of release/manufacture | November 29, 2024 |
| REVIEW |
December 17, 2024 courtesy of BSX Records BSX Records present Bukimisha's latest "a Capella" recreation, Akira Ifukube's magnificent music for one of Toho Studio's lesser known daikaijü, VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE. Beloved by a few, forgotten by most, VARAN was born as the result of a co-production deal with an American television network as a planned 3-part mini-series broadcast. Originally entitled BARAN, MONSTER OF THE EAST, it was shot in monochrome and framed for the TV screen. At some point, a decision was made to create a theatrical version instead, now called DAIKAIJÜ BARAN. Akira Ifukube didn't hold back when he first scored the TV version. He was motivated to create one of his most powerful motifs, which served as both a prayer by the isolated villagers and a primary theme for the monster, based on the Ainu melodies he enjoyed in his youth. This primary theme was famously repurposed by the maestro to musically represent Rodan upon his return in GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1964). When the TV mini-series morphed into a theatrical feature, a majority of the film was rescored. The employment of a larger orchestra enriched and expanded scope of the movie, resulting in one of Ifukube's best scores. Regrettably, his stirring efforts were almost completely jettisoned thanks to the heavy recutting made for the "Americanized" VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (1962). Bukimisha has recreated both the complete original TV and film scores, plus our album also includes two symphonic bonus tracks Ifukube originally composed in 1944, during the war. "Prélude du Soldat" and "Obertura Festiva: Sa Bago Filipinas" (Overture to the Philippines) are relics of the international hostilities, and the composer more or less "retired" them. Eventually, he adapted these martial melodies into monster film scores like VARAN since they frequently featured numerous military scenes. Bukimisha the Weird Secret Society is a self-proclaimed 'secret society' (pronounced "Boo-key-may-sha" and roughly translating into "Creepy Company") and have enthralled Japanese audiences over several decades. They have transformed their love of music into a unique art form, building an impressive catalog currently nearing 200 albums! Many of these feature selections from Akira Ifukube's vast output of classical compositions and complete film scores. Bukimisha was even given the opportunity to perform before the legendary composer at one of his final birthday celebrations. This CD set is a limited run. |
BUKIMISHA: Varan the Unbelievable Daikaijü (BSXCD9235)
VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (1958 Theatrical Score) *Originally composed for TV Version BARAN, MONSTER FROM THE EAST (1958 TV Score) BONUS TRACKS |