CHRIS' QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DAY (5/5/20): THE REAL FOLK BLUES 2020

CHRIS' QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DAY (5/5/20): 

THE REAL FOLK BLUES 2020

By Chris La Vigna (@Chris_LaVigna)

From left: Úyanga Bold, Shihori, & Faye Valentine, AKA the original waifu for life-u.

COWBOY BEBOP is hands down one of the most beloved anime of all time. For many of us weebs who grew up in the late 90s/early 2000s, it was one our formative experiences with the Japan's take on the medium of animation, second only to DRAGONBALL Z in terms of its ubiquity and influence. We'll probably never see a Spike Spiegel balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving's Day Parade, but one can hope...

Anyways, if you're one of the countless fans this show claims, then you know that it boasts two of anime's most iconic themes, "Tank!",  and "The Real Folk Blues", the show's moody and bittersweet song that plays over the closing credits. It's a tune that instantly conjures up images of doomed lovers, gun fights, and tears lost in the rain. It never fails to hit you with the same level of emotional devastation every time it plays, no matter how many times you've heard it.

On May Day, Funimation, the distribution label responsible for bringing COWBOY BEBOP and so, so many other anime other shows stateside,  released a new recording of the song in an effort to raise funds for COVID-19 relief. This new version is a remotely-constructed group effort that features a variety of vocalists, musicians (including the OG band The Seatbelts!), and voice actors who have a long history within world of anime, including some legends from the U.S. Dub like Beau Billingslea and Steve Blum! The song also features some new verses from a few rapper/producers, none of whom I'm heard of before, but all of whom are on my radar now, because they each kill it and manage to both bring something new and lovingly paying tribute to the original song.

It's also important to note that the song is for sale digitally on bandcamp, can be streamed on Spotify, and can also be purchased on vinyl here. If you're in a position where you can donate while also indulging your anime fandom, I strongly encourage it. Either way, I'll leave the video at the bottom here, and I hope you'll take a a few minutes to sit and listen, to let the song wash over you and help you release all the melancholy building up in your heart during these troubled times.

And one last thing:

... See you Space Cowboy