pieces for films. I need a computer. First of all, I calculate the differ- , ences between film ’ rates and musical tempo — there are calculations all over the place. In his films, Bertolucci wants a real orchestra, but when the orchestra recording is done. it’s very hard to change the length of the music. I write on the computer. then play the music to him, convince him he likes it and then. if there are any changes, I can change the length on the computer and so I don’t have to make changes with the orchestra.’
Such technological wizardry obviously served Sakamoto well in his years with the Yellow Magic Orchestra, which he formed with Yukihiro Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono in 1978. After albums and tours that made them the first Japanese group to achieve international fame, YMO split up in 1983, but re-formed last year to record the Tee/motion CD and perform two sell-out concerts at Tokyo Dome.
‘The most enjoyable part of doing that was to discover that we had grown up.’ hejokes. ‘For years we hadn’t had any time to work with each other. although we would hear what the others were doing; so when we got together, we discovered we were adults who had got over the big ego- fighting of ten years ago. Techno has changed over those ten years. Then, it was more pop; now. it is more abstract. I think this new YMO was in between then and now.’
Although Sakamoto
Acting In Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence . . .
plays down YMO’s influence on new techno acts, it’s
obvious that the band, along with Kraftwerk. blazed an east-west trail in the early days of the form. Their legacy is well enough respected for four of their tracks — ‘Firecracker’. ‘Light In Darkness‘, ‘Multiplies’ and ‘Tong Poo’ - to have been remixed with slavish reverence on a 12in by The Shamen, 808 States. Altern-8 and The Orb.
After YMO split up first time around. Sakamoto became much sought after as an arranger and producer, while pursuing his own solo career. His collaborative partners have ranged from Iggy Pop to dancer Molissa Fenley and Aztec Camera (as producer oftheir I993 album Dreamland). His latest solo LP. Sweet Revenge, calls on the talents of Roddy Frame. as well as Holly Johnson. Paul Alexander and unknown rappers J-me and Latasha Diggs. Most of the tracks trudge along a tired path towards soul- steeped funk. with the odd detour into cocktail lounge jazz, but the second side picks up with the cool rap groove of ‘7 Seconds’ and Frame’s laidback vocal contribution on ‘Same Dream. Same Destination’. For once. Sakamoto’s diverse interests seem at odds with each other. It’s clear that the title track had its origins elsewhere (being originally written for the Little Buddha soundtrack), as its delicate piano harmonies seem out of place with the chunkier electronic keyboard sounds placed elsewhere.
Fortunately. Sakamoto’s forthcoming concert at the Edinburgh
Playhouse — his first in Britain for three years — will concentrate more on the instrumental compositions and follow the format of the piano concerts he has performed in Tokyo every December for the last five years. accompanied by a cellist and violinist. ‘l’ll probably be doing five or six themes from the film subjects and maybe ten or twelve pieces from my pop side.’ he predicts. ‘And I’ll be using a midi piano which can send immediate information to other synthesisers and computers on the stage. so I can have different sounds than just a plain piano.’ C] Ryuichi Sakamoto, Edinburgh Playhouse, 557 2590, Tue 30 Aug, £l3/£l 1; Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Film Festival), Film/rouse 1, Sun 28 Aug, Ilam, £3 (£2.50); The Sheltering Sky (Film Festival), Filmhouse I , Sun 28 Aug, 3.30pm, £3 (£2.50); The Last Emperor (Film Festival ), Film/rouse 1, Sun 28 Aug, 6.30pm, £3 (£2.50); Rvuichi Sakamoto Audience Discussion, (Film Festival), Filmhouse I, Sun 28 Aug, 2.15pm, £5 (£3). Sweet Revenge is released on Elektra Records on Mon 29 Aug.
. . . and In The Last Emperor
if FREELO ‘3? ON THE
if FESTIVAL if
Your chance to see some of the best shows in this year's Fringe! You may claim as many different offers as you wish, but only one pair of tickets per voucher, on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis. Please take the whole magazine along with you each time. All offers are subject to availability and the individual management's decision is final. Tickets should be picked up on the day of the performance in each case. ENJOY THE SHOW!
THEATRE YBY
Two tickets for the price of one
to see THE POOL on Thurs 25, Fri 26 & Sat 27 Aug (3.30pm).
Tickets should be picked up from the
a Theatre Workshop box office from10am. -‘ Five pairs of tickets per night.
THE STARLA SHOW
Two tickets for the price of one to see The hilarious STARLA MURAZ on
Mon 29 Aug (6pm). Tickets should be picked up from the Randolph Studio box office from 10am.
Five pairs of tickets available.
FJAERE
Two tickets for the price of one to see singer/songwriter FJAERE on
Sun 28 & Mon 29 Aug (9.15pm). Tickets should be picked up from the Fringe box office from 10am.
Five pairs of tickets available.
CLYDE UNITY THEATRE Two tickets for the price of one to see '~ \. . John Binnie's BACKGREEN BELTER
\ on Thurs 25, Fri 26 & Sat 27 Aug (5.30pm). Tickets should be picked up from the Theatre Workshop
. 4 box office from 10am. ' 'LA‘ Five pairs of tickets available.
PENDRAGON
Two tickets for the price of one to see NYMT's PENDRAGON on Mon 29 Aug (3pm). Tickets should be picked up from George Square Theatre box office from 10.15am.
Five pairs of tickets available.
CAN'T STAND UP FOR FALLING DOWN
Free tickets available to see the award- winning CAN'T STAND UP FOR FALLING DOWN on Tues 30 Aug (6.15pm). Tickets should be picked up from
Venue 123 box office from 9.30am.
Five pairs of tickets available.
The List 26 August—8 September I994 11