Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence – Ryuichi Sakamoto

[Geoff]

This is one I started on last year and never finished because I could never get it quite as I wanted. A few weeks back Sakamoto passed away after a long struggle with cancer so, on encouragement from Helen, I thought it fitting that I should work through this again. In my mind Ryuichi was a brilliant composer and actor – he made the music and played the starring role in this brilliant movie “Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence”. I can’t do this piece Justice but I tried:

For those who like ‘Art Movies’, and not seen this one, I would highly recommend it. This was a great scene where Ryuichi plays the crazed Samurai commander of a British POW camp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AALrrgEOlvU

[Garry]

You’re underselling yourself on this piece Geoff. I’m not familiar with this (or the movie) but you seem to have this under your fingertips and under control for sure. A beautiful piece played beautifully. Thanks for sharing your playing and the above information. Keep on pickin’ and all the best! 🥸🎸🥸

[Geoff]

Thanks Garry. I had to throw a lot into this one.

[” Slappy”]

Man I wish I could pick half as good as you. amazing Job!

[Geoff]

Classical training.

[Ken]

Thanks Geoff. I don’t know this piece, but I felt the emotion in your playing. I think this is the most important part when playing a piece.
Well done my friend.

Ken F

[Richard W]

Very very nice, Geoff. That’s a beautiful piece of music.

[Rene A]

I love this classic tune, and I really appreciate this tribute.
Rest in Peace, Ryuichi Sakamoty!
Very emotional playing, and I can hear some Japanese tone in your guitar playing.
Lovely!

[Geoff]

I feel the same way about Ryuichi Sakamoto. I hope that he can be as much of Samurai in heaven as he was in life. A truly brilliant and multi-talented man. You are right, the piece really does sound Japanese. So glad you liked this Rene.

[David L]

Geoff, you most definitely did justice to this beautiful music. Your playing always demonstrates deep-felt emotion and masterful technique. Thank you,as always, for sharing this lovely rendition with us. And thank you for the info on Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence – I had not seen it but I will check it out.

[Geoff]

Thanks David, if you are interested in Japan and the Japanese culture this is an absolutely brilliant movie and I highly recommend it. I think I first watched it when I was about 16 and I thought it was all about the brutality of the Japanese to POW’s during the war. It does not gloss over that and it is really true that prisoners were treated appallingly but, after watching it a few times since I realized it about so much more than that, and you will see it from a different perspective every time you watch it.

Interestingly, this movie is based on the experiences for Sir Lawrence Van der Post who was taken prisoner by the Japanese during the war but, unlike many, he was someone who tried to understand why it was the way it was. He wrote a fascinating book on the subject and the movie comes out of that book.

[Laurel C]

Geoff, you truly gave this piece justice and a lovely tribute and admiration shown for this talented man. Well played. You can hear a Japanese vibe in its repetitive motif, hauntingly beautiful. Have heard of the movie (in name only), had to look at the link, did not realise Jack Thompson (Aussie actor was in it). To think Sakamoto acted and composed the music speaks volumes why it won Grammy and Golden Globe awards. It does have words also, done by Sylvian & Sakamoto – Forbidden Colours.

[Geoff]

Thanks Laurel, I am so glad you enjoyed this. Like the movie, this is a piece I hear differently every time I play it. I ended up recording this countless times before I got anything close to what I was hoping to out of it – this is a very beautiful piece of music.

[James B]

Very nice, Geoff. I listened to Mr. Sakamoto play it on the piano. Another sophisticated piano piece you’ve worked up on guitar. Like the Scott Joplin song you did recently, quite challenging.

James

[Geoff]

Thanks James. It is probably better suited to piano but works pretty well on guitar too I think.

[Clarke]

Geoff,

That’s another good one, keep ’em coming.

Clarke

[Helen Lazaridou]

I keep listening to it Geoff and I will say once more that it’s magical!!!!I kind of watched the learning process and I truly admire your perseverance 😍😍😍I understand how challenging it must have been but the outcome is absolutely Worth your effort 💖💕💖💖💖💖💖

[Geoff]

Thanks Helen, it was worth the effort. I just wish I could remember the stuff I played.

[Manfred M]

This is such a magical piece of music, Geoff. And you make it shine with your playing. Wonderful work!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup is expected to take place in November 2025

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Geoff]

Thanks Manfred. I am so glad you enjoyed this 🙂

[Author]

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