NEWS FROM 2006
2006 Dinner Show ScheduleTuesday, October 17, 2006Akina will once again be performing a series of dinner shows during the month of December. Faithway has announced the schedule, as follows:
* Ticket reservations for the shows held at Yokohama Royal Park, New Otani, and Rhiga Royal should be made in the following manner:
Utahime BestSunday, October 1, 2006On November 22, 2006, Universal Music Japan will release a new compilation album entitled "Utahime Best," which will include a selection of Akina's best covers of popular songs from the 1970's and 1980's that were originally released on her "Utahime" series of albums. The CD will feature fully re-mastered audio. The highlight of the new CD will be Akina's newest rendition of Yamaguchi Momoe's hit song, "Iihi Tabidachi." Akina's cover of the song will also serve as the theme to the upcoming movie, "Tabi no Okurimono 0:00 Hatsu," which will be in theatres on October 7. The CD will be available in two versions: a regular edition (UMCK-1215) and a limited edition (UMCK-9152) that includes a bonus DVD featuring footage recorded for music videos.
Primadam Released on DVDWednesday, September 27, 2006On September 27, VAP released "Primadam" on DVD. The TV series, which originally aired from April 12 to June 21, 2006, starred Akina and Kuroki Hitomi as two women whose lives take very different turns following their childhood friendship, but are re-united years later through their shared love of ballet. The series is comprised of eleven episodes on 4 DVDs, which may be purchased individually or together as a boxed set. For more details, please refer to the videography.
Best III Re-releasedWednesday, September 6, 2006Warner Music Japan issued a limited re-release of "Best III" on September 6. The best album was originally released in 1992. Combined with "Akina Box," which was released in June, the CD completes a set of re-released Warner albums commemorating Akina's 25th year. Please refer to the discography for more information.
Happy Birthday, Akina!Wednesday, July 12, 2006The special day is just around the corner. Akina will turn 41 on July 13, 2006. Once again, she will be celebrating her birthday with a concert performance--in Osaka this year. Akina, you've come a long way in 25 years. Happy Birthday!!!
Concert Tour UpdateTuesday, July 11, 2006Akina is currently in the midst of her summer concert tour. Entitled "The Last Destination," the tour comprises 8 shows in 7 cities and runs from late June to early August. The program for the first concert in Hiroshima on July 24 was as follows:
New Album & Box Set Now On SaleWednesday, June 21, 2006Akina's much anticipated new original album "Destination" is now on sale. Also in stores is the Warner special box set "Akina Box" featuring 17 of Akina's original albums (1982 to 1989) plus the bonus CD "Seventeen." Click on the links for additional details.
DVDs Re-releasedWednesday, June 21, 2006On June 21, 2006, Warner Music Japan re-released the following 8 DVD titles:
* Features Dolby Digital 5.1 Channel Surround
Akina-Themed Machines to Hit Pachinko ParlorsThursday, June 1, 2006Daiichi Shokai, a major pachinko vendor, will be releasing a brand new line of machines featuring Akina as the theme. CR Nakamori Akina Utahime Densetsu is expected to arrive in pachinko parlors in late June. The company held an exhibition for the new pachinko machines at Tokyo Dome Hotel on May 15. Akina performed two "mini live" shows especially for the promotional event. The program included Kazarijanainoyo Namidawa, TANGO NOIR, Kita Wing, Shojo A, and DESIRE. The new machines will feature five of Akina's hits from the 1980's [Shojo A, 1/2 no Shinwa, Kita Wing, Jukkai (1984), and DESIRE] which will be paired with animated characters modeled after Akina's image for each song. Players who master the game will also enjoy winning sequences featuring video of Akina's original Top 10 performances from the 1980's.
Happy Anniversary, Akina!Monday, May 1, 2006Today marks another anniversary for Akina. She made her debut 24 years ago today, with the single "Slow Motion" on May 1, 1982. With a starring role in the currently airing NTV series "Primadam," an upcoming summer concert tour, and new single and album on the way, Akina is still going strong in her 25th year. With a lot to look forward to, Akina fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate! Congratulations, Akina!
New Album ReleaseThursday, April 13, 2006More fabulous news!! Akina will be releasing a new original album entitled "Destination" (UMCK-1290) on June 21, 2006. Warner's release of the "AKINA BOX" album boxset (see below) will occur on the same day. Stay tuned for more details.
New Single ReleaseWednesday, April 12, 2006On May 17, 2006, Akina will release a new single entitled "Hana yo Odore" (UMCK-5143). The song is the ending theme for the current NTV drama series "Primadam," starring Akina and Kuroki Hitomi. Track List:
Warner to Release Commemorative BoxsetWednesday, April 12, 2006On June 21, 2006, Warner Music will release a limited edition boxset entitled "AKINA BOX" (WPCL-10293~10310; ¥37,000) to commemorate Akina's 25th anniversary. The 18-CD set includes the albums released by Warner (Reprise Records) from 1982 to 1989, along with a special bonus disc of "Seventeen" (first time on CD). All of the CDs are 24-bit digitally remastered and will come housed in a hard box with original LP replica paper jackets, labeling and materials. Warner will also be making the 17 albums available individually (¥2,200 each) in the same paper jacket packaging. "Seventeen" can only be obtained by purchasing the boxset, however.
2006 Concert TourWednesday, March 15, 2006Akina's 2006 Concert Tour begins in June and will run until August. Eight dates have been confirmed thus far, and fan club priority reservations may be made now. Ticket sales for Faithway fan club members are being handled by telephone ONLY. The above number (0570-084-639) is an automated ticketing service in Japanese only - operated by the Lawson convenience store chain. Ticket orders will be processed by 'lottery' and fans MUST go to a Lawson store (in Japan) between March 21st and 26th and use the "LOPPI" ticket machine to find out if they were successful in obtaining seats and to pay.
Akina to Co-Star in NTV Drama SeriesSunday, February 26, 2006Here's some great news for all you Akina fans who've been wanting to see her do some more acting! It's been awhile--her last effort was 1998's "Border." Akina will co-star with Kuroki Hitomi in the NTV drama series "Primadam" which will air in the 10:00 pm slot on Wednesday nights. Shooting is scheduled to begin in March. The story centers on two women who have shared a passion for ballet since their childhood and the contrasting ways in which their lives have turned out--one has gone on to become a prima ballerina; the other, your basic housewife. Having studied classical ballet herself as a child, this role seems tailor-made for Akina, and that fact was no doubt a major casting consideration. Be sure to tune in!
New CD and DVD Now On SaleWednesday, January 11, 2006Akina's new compilation album "BEST FINGER ~ 25th Anniversary Selection" (UMCK-1200) and live DVD "Akina Nakamori Special Live 2005 ~ Empress at Club eX" (AVBC-22458) are now on sale. Click on the links for additional details.
Akina on Music Fair 21Saturday, January 7, 2006Akina will make a guest appearance on Fuji TV's Music Fair 21. The show will air on January 14 from 6:00~6:30pm. Akina is slated to perform a pair of medleys featuring past hits, in addition to her latest single, "Rakka Ryusui." The program will include:
M1 Medley:
M2 Medley:
M3 Rakka Ryusui
CJ's Akina Nakamori Page - http://geocities.datacellar.net/akina_fan.geo/ |