I am not imagining this

[gurdymonkey]

OK, taiko fans - you know who you are. This Ethan Allen spot sounds very, VERY familiar.

For comparison, a version of "Matsuri Daiko"  performed by Soh Daiko.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ANu6hAYXCS8

and one by San Jose Taiko.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=n4aqKsnl-Ts

Comments

[marymont.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is some similarity. However, drums are drums. I've heard timpani played in western orchestral pieces that sound a lot like that, too.

I like taiko. Thanks for the links.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Errol, baby! Nice icon!!!!

Yeah, but I bet if I banged out a Bo Diddley beat on a tabletop with two pens you'd recognize it.

Given the history of modern taiko in this country and Japan, which is only about 50 years old, I hear jazz drumming influences in certain rhythms - but not in "Matsuri".

Granted, it's a piece I've been working on in class so the beat is velcroed into my head pretty solidly these days.

There's a section of the soundtrack of "Master and Commander" which you mostly can't hear during the movie over the cannon fire in the final battle between the Surprise and the Acheron. However, if you listen to it on the soundtrack, it's SO taiko-sounding it's not funny, right down to the wailing flute and the way the cymbals are played.

[karisu-sama.livejournal.com]

That is definitely the distinctive 1st two lines of Matsuri, and will be universally recognized as such by Taiko players worldwide, to whom Matsuri is as memorable as "Happy Birthday". :)