岡本真夜

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Mayo debuted in 1995 as a singer/songwriter. Her debut single Tomorrow became a mainstay in the pop charts for a good part of the year.

After she released her 2nd single Forever, I finally cracked and bought it. Liked it so much I went down to the local Kinokuniya and special ordered "Tomorrow". Now I'm a loyal fan :)

Her music is mostly light. First track on her Pureness album is titled 元気でいますか. I was particularly taken by this little gem. It conveys an air of quiet elegance that also moves me at the same time.

Alone is also a good single. For some reason I like the 2nd track better. Perhaps it's because I like Mayo's livelier songs. - Bo

3/14/1997: Saw Smile down at Kinokuniya. I had to get it of course. She hasn't failed to disappoint me yet. Another $36 hard-earned American greenbacks well spent :) I especially like ANNIVERSARY. The backing chorus is very good, thought that's attributed to the arranger. Still there's something about it I can't quite put my finger on. - Bo

6/6/1998: Got Hello. I'm not as impressed with this one as with Smile. Unlike with Smile there is no particular song that comes out to grab me. I don't know what is missing. If I do find out I'll let you know. - Bo

9/27/1999: 魔法のリングにKissをして. This one is a definite improvement over Hello. Money well spent. - Bo

10/25/1999: Got Mayo Clips Vol.1 and Mayo Clips Vol.2. For Mayo fans this is a must get. I just wish they'd start using DVD's instead of VHS. - Bo


Album collection

SUN & MOON

  1. TOMORROW
  2. 置き去りの約束
  3. あなたがいるから
  4. 制服の夏
  5. DANGLE AFTER
  6. すずめとジェラシー
  7. 忘れないで…
  8. BLUE STAR
  9. これからだよ
  10. プリズム
プリズム: This song just feels right. My favorite one on the album.

Pureness

  1. 元気でいますか
  2. FOREVER
  3. SECRET LOVE
  4. 星の夜
  5. DREAM
  6. 花瓶
  7. 世界で一つしかない手袋
  8. TWILIGHT
  9. サヨナラなんて言えないから
  10. 銀色の週末
銀色の週末: Very beautiful winter song.

Smile

  1. そのままの君でいて
  2. Smile
  3. 泣けちゃうほど せつないけど
  4. Will…~未来へのプレゼント~
  5. おやすみダーリン
  6. 別れたいなら そう言えばいいじゃない
  7. Alone
  8. もう一度だけキスしたかった
  9. また会おうね また会えるよね
  10. ANNIVERSARY
ANNIVERSARY: Another beautiful song. Seems like she's been putting some of her best stuff at the end of each album. At first they don't seem like much, but after a while (maybe even a year or two) they grew on me and became my favorite on each album. It's not just the music but also the lyrics that made them special.

Hello

  1. 大丈夫だよ
  2. 大スキ！
  3. ゆらゆら
  4. ピクニック
  5. 十七歳の天使
  6. Help me
  7. サヨナラ
  8. 悩んでないでLet's GO!デス
  9. 思い出にできなくて
  10. With you
サヨナラ: Don't like the programmed drumbeats here.

魔法のリングにkissをして

  1. 魔法のリングにKISSをして~Prologue~
  2. Help me II
  3. 宝物
  4. 会いたくて
  5. この街は止まらない
  6. Everlasting
  7. 海へLet's go!
  8. そんなの嘘
  9. この星空の彼方
  10. 明日へ
  11. 魔法のリングにkissをして
海へLet's go!: This song is surprisingly catchy. Very nice!
明日へ: I heard Hirosue Ryoko's version of this. But I like Mayo's better.
魔法のリングにkissをして: As expected, a very good song bought up the end of the album. But the whole album is so good that this one does not stand out as much as other end tracks.

Video collection

Mayo Clips Vol.1

  1. TOMORROW
  2. FOREVER
  3. サヨナラなんて言えないから
  4. Alone
  5. そのままの君でいて
  6. 泣けちゃうほど せつないけど

Mayo Clips Vol.2

  1. サヨナラ
  2. 大丈夫だよ
  3. 思い出にできなくて
  4. Everlasting
  5. ANNIVERSARY
  6. 宝物
  7. この星空の彼方