Masayoshi Takanaka: True Guitar Madness

Takanaka's music always brings a smile to my face. I want more people to experience his legendary songs, hence why I made this video. Please enjoy! What's your favourite song or album by Takanaka?

This is episode 3 of my ongoing series "Japanese Music Discoveries". Subtitles are available.

Proofreading and support by my lovely partner, @Tofusama.

Thanks for watching the video! If you enjoyed it, please consider supporting the channel by commenting, liking and subscribing. Cheers!

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:39 The Takanaka style
05:10 History & discography
15:11 Present day
16:54 Outro

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STATISTICS:
This is my 201st YouTube video of all-time and the 4th video in 2022.

[matthewwilson]

I’ll be completely honest. I came to see the surfboard guitar, watched the documentary, and ended up buying an album.

[Kaons]

I love Takanaka. He's my music teacher, skydiving instructor, running coach, and sometimes at the end of the day we just chill on the beach together facing the opposite side of the ocean. He's truly a blessing.

[thetroyal]

I remember the day, when a smiling skydiving japanese was flying through my youtube recommendations. Truly one of the best days in my life...

[fleshmotorcycle]

Nobody on earth is having more fun than Takanaka

[oiiawah]

Masayoshi Takanaka is nowhere to be found on Rolling Stone's top 250 guitar players of all time list, which tells you all you need to know about the credibility of that publication.

[ArtianSetS]

If he had more generic album covers, I would've never found him. Like so many others, seeing a man in a yellow jumpsuit skydiving over an island, with the happiest smile on his face, and a thumbs-up. He made me feel like everything was gonna be okay, which I desperately needed due to my awful, seemingly never-ending depression. While he didn't cure me, he made life a bit better, even if just for a little bit. I still listen to him basically every single time I draw. This man is such an inspiration to me.

[Nikoladragon]

Just bought a ticket to go see him in I AM BEYOND STOKED!! I saw him last year in Sendai and it was the best concert I've ever been to. I actually cried. The timing of me moving to Japan and him touring again is extremely lucky. My dreams just keep coming true!

[PHemidall]

Brazilian fans of Takanaka unite! The man did a crazy samba/jazz/rock/pop album with one of the best covers of all time.

[deeznutz]

He is one of the only artists that I will listen to every single song by him. Does not matter my mood or anything if it comes on I'm jamming.

[ConnorPriola]

There is no genre better than 80's Japanese fusion, and Takanaka is easily one of the best artists in the genre!

[JonathanAlmazanMusic]

"The goblins were awakened when it began to thunder in the distance. "Great! A wild storm, " they said. Knowing that the most wonderful rainbows spring from biggest thunderstorms, they began to dance."

[brandonbeckius]

I first discovered Japanese jazz fusion back when Covid lockdown first started. It was just by chance that I first stumbled upon his album “All of me, ” and I just fell in love. It was a tough time, and I honestly attribute his music and the music of all artists that I found due to him for me getting through everything in one piece. Masayoshi Takanaka is a legend, and his music has impacted my life more than anything else I’ve listened to.

[Californiaaa]

seen a comment on one of his album uploads on youtube from like 5 years ago. it said "you dont set out to find his music, it finds you when you need it most" most real thing i ever read

[dylancoleman]

i love the huge smile on his face when he walked out with the surfboard

[alb]

It’s easy to hear that he was initially heavily influenced by Santana, but evolved into a far more musical musician. A wonderful musician.

[chiro]

I'm a 16 old Brazilian living in US and I discovered Takanaka by this video. I also am a musician and I love samba and bossa nova that are brazilian styles. I loved how he was fully inspired in my country and all the vibes from it.

[akiko]

The surfboard guitar is so legendary I’m so happy more people are discovering and enjoying his music

[Gustoberg]

Masayoshi's music really is... BELEZA PURA!

[christopherbonadio-cappiel]

I stumbled across his music one day and I became obsessed. E.S.P. is a favorite of mine for sure.

[jimmymastina]

I’m with Takanaka since the 80s, just watched his 50th anniversary concert in Fukuoka, it’s never too late to enjoy, his music is timeless.