So begins the title track of Marianne Faithfull's latest release, Vagabond Ways. Her best, since the 1979 release "Broken English," this collection of originals and covers, autobiographical in nature, reminisce and try to come to terms with the past. Well produced, though some of the covers lack the intensity of her own, original compositions. Melancholic vocals are accompanied by sparse arrangements that are well suited to this material. The lyrics are honest and probing, searching for a meaning to her life, though in the end, the only answer she can find is to just "File It Under Fun From the Past." Well worth a listen.

     Tracy Chapman on her latest, Telling Stories, also brings us the strongest release to date, since her self-titled debut release 12 years ago. Her first in over four years, this collection has Chapman opening up to us with sincere lyrics and strong melodies. Simple arrangements only add to the message that she is "... still thinking and hoping there's an opportunity for people to have better lives and that significant change can occur." Stories of love and lies, deceit and delusion reveal the strength and honesty that catapulted her to fame 12 years ago. As she explains, "I think I was less self-conscious writing these songs that I have been at other times. Maybe it's a little closer to the way I was writing songs when I was younger, when I first started." After the success of her first release, she fell into the continuous recording and touring cycle under which she lost her initial motivation for making music. She came to the conclusion "...to do whatever I could to make sure the business side of the music didn't intrude on the creative part. There's a time and place for everything, and my focus is music." Encouraged by the strong reviews of her latest effort, though this has not turned as yet, into chart success, she is still leery about falling back into the trap that stifled her for so long. "I am taking it one phase at a time," she concludes.

     The Tokyo music scene hosts a wide variety of creative and exciting foreign musicians and bands. On band that is building a deserved solid and loyal following, is the group Orangey. Their energetic live performances, led by singer, Stephen Deg, with Rei Nonoshita, (guitar), Akemi Aizawa (Bass) and Takuro Harima (drums) are a thrill to watch. Their first self-titled CD provides us with another view of this creative group. From the opening tracks "Let's Screw Johnny Too" and Kiss Me Saturday," we are treated to strong danceable rhythms accentuated by tasteful guitar and synthesizers that provide a wonderful and sensitive background for Deg's strong vocals. Catchy melodies that continue to run around the brain after subsequent listenings are matched with striking lyrics that only add to the strength of these compositions. A well produced release that will only help to attract more fans. Check local listings for performances and try to get down and catch this band. CD's are available from the band or by contacting miwa@gvm.co.jp.

     The 22-year-old Japanese classical guitarist, Kaori Muraji, has just released her 6th CD, with a recording of J. Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Immensely popular with the Japanese media and the public, this young musician has provided us with a very enjoyable interpretation of this classic. This well recorded CD captures the wonderful tone of Muraji's touch and technique, with an interpretation that will stand up to any of those presently available. Taken at a slightly more leisurely pace than usual, this performance only helps to bring out the wonderful Spanish qualities of this piece. Her interpretation of the most well known slow movement sings, and is carefully balanced by the New Japan Philharmonic, under the direction of Kazefumi Yamashita. On her earlier recordings, I feel, she lacked a maturity in her playing, but here we find Muraji beginning to play with her own voice, as she comes into her own right as a musician. This recording also contains Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's "Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra," as well as the rarely recorded "Serenade for Guitar Strings" by Malcolm Arnold. The CD ends with a wonderful arrangement for guitar and orchestra of Roland Dyens's "Tango en Skai."