Thank you for the wonderful memories. I am so sad to hear of his passing. This breaks my heart much like when I heard David Bowie died. I absolutely love Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence so much that when I left the movie theater in the 80’s I bought the soundtrack on vinyl.
What a lovely message. Thank you, Thomas. I’ve followed you both since the early 80s. I watched Sakamoto’s last virtual concert a few months ago and marveled at what a gift he was giving us at that time when he must’ve been so tired already. It was so sublime. I will deeply miss his presence on this earth. But gosh…what a legacy he’s left us! ❤
Thank you for your heart warming tribute for Ryuichi “Professor “ Sakamoto. I do remember the song “Fieldwork “ which you mentioned. His music will be remembered forever. R.I.P. 🙏🎹🎼
I've just heard of the passing of Sakamoto-san. His album 'Beauty ' was just as its title describes...beautiful. I lived in Japan in the 1980s and he reflected how influential Japanese culture and music became at that time. A true icon.
Ryuchi Sakamoto was a great composer, and a powerful actor in both Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and The Last Emperor. And those melancholy melodies of his... he composed beautiful melodies for The Sheltering Sky. He is already missed.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Although we all knew his passing was eminent, I am heartbroken none the less. I was lucky to have seen Ryuichi perform twice. In 1990 when he toured to support the "BTTB" album, and when he toured in 2001 with the incomporable Jaques and Paula Morelenbaum. Over the past 30 years I have averaged seeing 2 concerts every week, but those Sakamoto performances are in my top 5 concerts of all time
Thanks TMDR!- I am so terribly saddened hearing the news yesterday. Fieldwork was one of my favorites the SECOND I heard it. It still has it's own sprit and energy. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing this story! Incidentally Field Work was one of the first tracks that made me listen to Sakamoto, the whole Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia album is soo great!
Thank you for this, Thomas. I'm heartbroken like everyone is over this but seeing the outpouring of love from so many of the people who knew and admired him has been really lovely.
What a beautiful tribute to, and reminiscence about Ryuichi. I bought 'Field Work' as soon as I knew about it, and loved it immediately. Your collaboration was so natural, easy, and inevitable sounding that it was impossible for me to tell where his contribution ended and yours began. It's still such a beautiful, wistful song for me, filled with a kind of futuristic saudade, with machines and humans, memories and hopes for the future. It's still that for me. Thank you so much, Ryuichi and Thomas. Your work together and individually still moves me so deeply, and always will. Your biggest fan since your work on 'Waiting for a Girl Like You', Todd.
Thanks so much dear Thomas for this. Ryuichis don’t Bibo no Azora from Babel is breathtaking. One of my most favorite instrumental piano pieces of all time. ❤️❤️
Thanks Thomas for sharing this. I used to study aboard in the 80｀s and i had to let go of a bunch of my LP collections when i finished and return home. However , i still have you first LP ( and subsequently bought a few CDs ) in my collection. Thanks for the wonderful music and your priduction work on Prefab Sprout's Steve Mc Queen is lost gem.
Great reminiscing. I immediately knew you were speaking of the track "Radio Silence." That great vocal harmony by the Japanese woman has always stuck with me.
Great to hear your tribute to Ryuichi Thomas and your memories of working on Illustrated Musical Encyclopaedia with him. I was devastated by the news of his passing more than any other artist I’ve been a fan of. Amazing and unique and prolific musician.I’m 60 now and I been a fan of his since I was 16. I think I saw YMO in London the same year I saw you at Brixton Academy. Remember it well as I missed my train and slept on Euston station on my own with school the next morning.🙄. RIP Ryuichi.
Sorry to hear about your friend Thomas, I have never heard of him until now. Since he comes recommended by the great Thomas Dolby it looks like I'm going to have to check out his work.
Thank you so much for sharing your reminiscences about Sakamoto-san. His work on the Sega Dreamcast start up logo was an important gateway to ambient music for me.
Wonderful memories, Thomas, Thanks for sharing. I'm a very big fan of Mr Sakamoto's work since the YMO days in the late 70's nd Field Work remains one of my favorite songs from that 80's period when he was collaborating quite a lot . I still play it quite a lot, It is an incredible song.
Very sad to hear the passing of Sakamoto. He was an inspiration to me, his technique and writing was superb. I love field work it’s one of my favourite tracks
This was a wonderful tribute. Your story of how he played back that complicated harmony after hearing it reminded me of the scene in Amadeus when Mozart plays back Sallieri's march after hearing it, and more historically the account of how at a young age he'd transcribed a piece of music he heard performed in a concert. Such rare talent, but at least we can rejoice that he had the opportunity to use it and gain success from it.
Lovely story! Luigi! I’ve been dying to see a proper tribute so thankyou. My sister was a HUGE fan and had the FIELDWORK 12 inch. I inherited her record collection but rather mysteriously, all her Roo and YMO was missing. This will forever puzzle me? 🤷🏻♀️🤔❤️
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I loved Ryuichi Sakamoto's music and was, in fact, listening to his film score for 'Little Buddha' the day of his passing (before finding out the sad news). He was brilliant!!! 💗💗💗
Just brought home the "Field Work" LP from my local record shop. The owner had just brought it back from a trip to Tokyo. Thank you for this tribute, Thomas - such a great origin story while I let the record spin. RIP Professor!
❤ you changed my perceived notions of music years ago. I'm 55. One our submarines is missing affected me. I looked into you. Playing keys on the train. That tought me much. Just play. Some may not like it. Too bad. I played the deep cuts for people year after year. Still. To show them dedication. 😊 just play. You'll meet cool 😎 people. I'm 💪 Strong Island 🏝 NYC 🗽 we are all into music. Art 🎨 mad respect Brother Thomas. 👍👌🤘💥💖
Thank you, Thomas! Love any anecdotes of Luigi/Ryuichi's genius--and am a particular fan of "Field Work". It's one of those jams that has never grown old for me and that I ALWAYS play as loud as my speakers can take it (and several pairs suffered miserably as a result).
Ryuichi was a "Renaissance Giant" whose "Eclectic Genius" will continue to be celebrated i'm sure!! This "Musical Scientists" experiments were always of the most "Ingenious and ultimately "Successful Kind"!!!
Thank you for this! I bought Field work and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence on when it first became available. He was one of my heroes as are you. Peaceful transition. ❤
![Luv Connection [SESSION] - Towa Tei & Ryuichi Sakamoto feat. Vivian Sessoms](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oWVU6T6PTQc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Luv Connection [SESSION] - Towa Tei & Ryuichi Sakamoto feat. Vivian Sessoms](/img/tr.png)
Forbidden Colours with David Sylvian is one of my favourite tracks ever. R.I.P. Mr Sakamoto.
So sad to hear another legend has passed away... But, his music will live on for generations to come! Lovely little tribute there, Thomas.
Thank you, Thomas for your tribute. „Field work“ has always been one of my absolute 80s favorites. RIP Ryuichi.
So, so sad. One of my all time favorite tunes is "Field Work" with you and him.
What a wonderful Tribute. Very moving indeed. Thank you
Thank you for the wonderful memories. I am so sad to hear of his passing. This breaks my heart much like when I heard David Bowie died. I absolutely love Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence so much that when I left the movie theater in the 80’s I bought the soundtrack on vinyl.
What a lovely message. Thank you, Thomas. I’ve followed you both since the early 80s. I watched Sakamoto’s last virtual concert a few months ago and marveled at what a gift he was giving us at that time when he must’ve been so tired already. It was so sublime. I will deeply miss his presence on this earth. But gosh…what a legacy he’s left us! ❤
Thank you for your heart warming tribute for Ryuichi “Professor “ Sakamoto. I do remember the song “Fieldwork “ which you mentioned. His music will be remembered forever. R.I.P. 🙏🎹🎼
Just recently discovered his work, truly heartbreaking news, what a legendary musician. RIP
You're a decent chap. I was only able to see you perform live once in my life at the Greek Theater in L.A. in 1984. So sad to hear about your loss.
“Good Heavens Miss Sakamoto-You’re Beautiful!!’
I've just heard of the passing of Sakamoto-san. His album 'Beauty ' was just as its title describes...beautiful. I lived in Japan in the 1980s and he reflected how influential Japanese culture and music became at that time. A true icon.
Lovely tribute ❤ Rest in peace Ryuichi Sakamoto ✨
Ryuchi Sakamoto was a great composer, and a powerful actor in both Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and The Last Emperor. And those melancholy melodies of his... he composed beautiful melodies for The Sheltering Sky. He is already missed.
You and Sakamoto are two of my favorite musicians. Still sad because Ryuichi passed. Love.
Absolutely loved Fieldwork. Great video too. RIP.
Fieldwork is probably my favorite song of all time. My two favorite artists coming together to create a masterpiece.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Although we all knew his passing was eminent, I am heartbroken none the less. I was lucky to have seen Ryuichi perform twice. In 1990 when he toured to support the "BTTB" album, and when he toured in 2001 with the incomporable Jaques and Paula Morelenbaum. Over the past 30 years I have averaged seeing 2 concerts every week, but those Sakamoto performances are in my top 5 concerts of all time
Thanks so much for this. Hearing nice stories about people we’ve lost is a very positive way to come to terms with their passing.
It keeps them alive!
Sad and a lovely memory of him. Absolutely love your work Thomas, fieldwork is a great song 👍😎
Thanks TMDR!- I am so terribly saddened hearing the news yesterday. Fieldwork was one of my favorites the SECOND I heard it. It still has it's own sprit and energy. Thanks for sharing.
R.I.P. Mr. Sakamoto
The song Akiko Yano sings backing vocals on is Radio Silence.
May the grief of Ryuichi's passing soon turn to joy of his memory.
Rest in Peace R.S
Thank you so much for sharing this story! Incidentally Field Work was one of the first tracks that made me listen to Sakamoto, the whole Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia album is soo great!
Thank you for such a heartfelt tribute.
Great reminiscence
Thank you Thomas for sharing those personal stories. Indeed, a lovely tribute to a wonderful musician and your friend. Peace.
Lovely tribute and sad to hear he's passed away.
Thank you for this, Thomas. I'm heartbroken like everyone is over this but seeing the outpouring of love from so many of the people who knew and admired him has been really lovely.
ありがとう
Thanks for that! You are very pleasant to listen to!
I loved fieldwork.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing! from a fan of Ruyichi Sakamoto
Lots of love to you ♥
Nicely
RIP Ryuichi. so soon after Yukihiro Takahashi as well - we were always big fans of YMO, our thoughts with Harry
thanks so much.TD🙏
Very sweet...
Terrific video tribute. Well done Mr D!
Very lovely, thank you. 💜💜💜
Thank you Thomas x
Such a beautiful anecdote. What a treat for us fans of both of you masters. I thank you both for spreading joy through your musical genius. RIP,
Thanks Thomas, it is good to hear Ryuchi's peers and collaborators talk of him.
Thank you Thomas ❤
What a beautiful tribute to, and reminiscence about Ryuichi. I bought 'Field Work' as soon as I knew about it, and loved it immediately. Your collaboration was so natural, easy, and inevitable sounding that it was impossible for me to tell where his contribution ended and yours began. It's still such a beautiful, wistful song for me, filled with a kind of futuristic saudade, with machines and humans, memories and hopes for the future. It's still that for me. Thank you so much, Ryuichi and Thomas. Your work together and individually still moves me so deeply, and always will. Your biggest fan since your work on 'Waiting for a Girl Like You', Todd.
Thanks so much dear Thomas for this. Ryuichis don’t Bibo no Azora from Babel is breathtaking. One of my most favorite instrumental piano pieces of all time. ❤️❤️
Thanks Thomas for sharing this. I used to study aboard in the 80｀s and i had to let go of a bunch of my LP collections when i finished and return home. However , i still have you first LP ( and subsequently bought a few CDs ) in my collection. Thanks for the wonderful music and your priduction work on Prefab Sprout's Steve Mc Queen is lost gem.
My love and respect, good bye Mr Lawrence
This is so incredible. Thank you for sharing this!❤
Great reminiscing. I immediately knew you were speaking of the track "Radio Silence." That great vocal harmony by the Japanese woman has always stuck with me.
Salute
Great to hear your tribute to Ryuichi Thomas and your memories of working on Illustrated Musical Encyclopaedia with him. I was devastated by the news of his passing more than any other artist I’ve been a fan of. Amazing and unique and prolific musician.I’m 60 now and I been a fan of his since I was 16. I think I saw YMO in London the same year I saw you at Brixton Academy. Remember it well as I missed my train and slept on Euston station on my own with school the next morning.🙄. RIP Ryuichi.
A beautiful story beautifully told. Thank you Thomas.
Well done Thomas ... RIP 坂本 龍一
Learned so much from this thank you. Had no idea about the influence or career of Ryuichi Sakamoto
So happy to be connected with you here
'bridge' by sakamoto is really ultimate
I forgot to add that I was so thrilled when I found the 12” of Field Work as a teenager in the 80s since it combined two of my favorites!
Sorry to hear about your friend Thomas, I have never heard of him until now. Since he comes recommended by the great Thomas Dolby it looks like I'm going to have to check out his work.
Finally got the full "Akiko and Luigi" story. Thank You!
Thank you so much for sharing your reminiscences about Sakamoto-san. His work on the Sega Dreamcast start up logo was an important gateway to ambient music for me.
🌀🎶♥️
thank you,thomas.
I love you man!
Wonderful memories, Thomas, Thanks for sharing. I'm a very big fan of Mr Sakamoto's work since the YMO days in the late 70's nd Field Work remains one of my favorite songs from that 80's period when he was collaborating quite a lot . I still play it quite a lot, It is an incredible song.
Illustrated musical encyclopedia is pne of my favourite records. So classy... Thank you
Very sad to hear the passing of Sakamoto. He was an inspiration to me, his technique and writing was superb. I love field work it’s one of my favourite tracks
✨🎶💖🎶✨
I recently discovered you’re music and now you’re my most favorite ❤
Thank you Thomas from Santiago de Chile.
I ALWAYS wanted to know this story. Thank you so much Thomas. RIP Ryuichi.
Also Yukihiro Takahashi who was the band mate in yellow magic orchestra.
Fieldwork is a brilliant track.
thank you for sharing this tribute❤️ “field work” is one of the most moving releases in my life and i thank u both for your music❤️❤️❤️❤️ RIP
This was a wonderful tribute. Your story of how he played back that complicated harmony after hearing it reminded me of the scene in Amadeus when Mozart plays back Sallieri's march after hearing it, and more historically the account of how at a young age he'd transcribed a piece of music he heard performed in a concert. Such rare talent, but at least we can rejoice that he had the opportunity to use it and gain success from it.
Wonderful tribute. I absolutely loved the track field work. One of the first songs I listened to after I heard the news.
Lovely story! Luigi! I’ve been dying to see a proper tribute so thankyou. My sister was a HUGE fan and had the FIELDWORK 12 inch. I inherited her record collection but rather mysteriously, all her Roo and YMO was missing. This will forever puzzle me? 🤷🏻♀️🤔❤️
R.I.P. Sweet Prince Sakamoto san.
Thank you for this. He lives in my heart. An amazing artist and composer.
This fond remembrance is much appreciated. Thank you!
ありがとう、トーマス。あなたのアルバムは今でも愛聴してるよ。彼との刺激的なコラボシングル、フィールドワークも勿論ね。レデｨオサイレンスにはアッコちゃんがコーラスで参加していたね。どうか彼との思い出を大切にしてほしい。
I really adore your guy's work on field work, really a favorite song, Sakamoto really great artist
Thank you from Australia.
Loved Luigi's (haha) movie soundtrack work & loved his Brazilian music period with Jaques Morelenbaum. Take care
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I loved Ryuichi Sakamoto's music and was, in fact, listening to his film score for 'Little Buddha' the day of his passing (before finding out the sad news). He was brilliant!!! 💗💗💗
Fieldwork ❤
Really good to see you and hear this story. I love Field Work but never knew the background. So glad you're still with us TD.
SEEN Mr Dolby live a few times, huge inspiration musically & electronically , wonderful song writing
Thank you so much for sharing this story, I am a big fan of both you and Ryuichi - so lovely to hear this back story. ❤️
Just brought home the "Field Work" LP from my local record shop. The owner had just brought it back from a trip to Tokyo. Thank you for this tribute, Thomas - such a great origin story while I let the record spin. RIP Professor!
Thank you for the reminisces, it's always wonderful to hear these stories. May he rest in peace.
❤ you changed my perceived notions of music years ago. I'm 55. One our submarines is missing affected me. I looked into you. Playing keys on the train. That tought me much. Just play. Some may not like it. Too bad. I played the deep cuts for people year after year. Still. To show them dedication. 😊 just play. You'll meet cool 😎 people. I'm 💪 Strong Island 🏝 NYC 🗽 we are all into music. Art 🎨 mad respect Brother Thomas. 👍👌🤘💥💖
The song he's referencing is "Radio Silence"
Thanks for this, another legend that will be sadly missed.
🙏🎶😎👍
Thank you, Thomas! Love any anecdotes of Luigi/Ryuichi's genius--and am a particular fan of "Field Work". It's one of those jams that has never grown old for me and that I ALWAYS play as loud as my speakers can take it (and several pairs suffered miserably as a result).
Ryuichi was a "Renaissance Giant" whose "Eclectic Genius" will continue to be celebrated i'm sure!! This "Musical Scientists" experiments were always of the most "Ingenious and ultimately "Successful Kind"!!!
Thank you for sharing! Field Work has always been a favorite, I watched the video moments after I'd learned that Ryuichi had crossed over. 🌹
Thank you for this! I bought Field work and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence on when it first became available. He was one of my heroes as are you. Peaceful transition. ❤
Thank you, a fit tribute to one of the Greatest.
Beautifully said.
I'd not thought of him for a long time, but I really appreciated his work.