Brenda Wong Aoki

An interesting, immersive, experience of fairy tales, hauntings, and love gone wrong for all involved. The artist/storyteller uses a variety of musical instruments from drums to her hands to her voice a Koto to bring her stories to life.

All have an element of grief, but the saddest one is "Dancing in California" about a young woman who used to dance in a ballet before she and her father get taken to a Japanese Internment Camp in Arizona. The stress of her loss is too much and she ends up in an institution for her mental health.

"Mermaid Meat" is the fairy tale, in which a young woman's greed brings her, and the mermaid in question, much grief.

"The Bells of Dojoji" is about a young woman who chases after a monk who has sworn to celibacy and comes an unhappy end.

"Black Hair" sees an unfaithful Samuri run off after wealth and a pretty, but shallow, young woman, leaving behind his loving wife who sacrificed not only her possessions, but her hair, in an attempt to keep a roof over their heads and her husband fed. When he finally realized his mistake, it's too late.

A rather memorable set of tales worth listening to and reading. The CD also includes excerpted music to enhance the listening experience.… (mer)