Mikami Kan - 三上寛の世界 (1971)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Mikami Kan - ひらく夢などあるじゃなし 三上寛怨歌集 (1972)

Sparse, goosebump-inspiring Japanese folk rock. Kan's first solo album, 三上寛の世界 (which I believe translates to "The World of Mikami Kan") consists almost entirely of Kan's remarkable, expressive singing accompanied by a lone, plaintive acoustic guitar. It's a true testament to the power of Kan's voice that someone who does not understand Japanese can find his music so emotionally compelling.

Track listing:
1. 馬鹿ぶし
2. ものな子守歌
3. カラス
4. 数珠の玉切れる日に
5. おど
6. なぜ
7. ピストル魔の少年
8. 木
9. 黒い小さな貨物列車
10. 小便だらけの湖
11. 夢は夜ひらく

I was watching on the day she died

You should also listen to:

Tim Hollier -
Tim Hollier (1970)

Loren Mazzacane & Kath Bloom -
Sing the Children Over (1982)

Mikami Kan - ひらく夢などあるじゃなし 三上寛怨歌集 (1972)

Japanese folk rock. Pretty sure he's a bit of an underground legend in Japan, but I know virtually nothing about Mikami Kan, and given that he sings solely in Japanese, I don't even know what he's singing about. His vocals, however, are awesome, ranging from a near-whisper to a quavering wail to (most often) a hoarse scream juxtaposed against a driving but generally 'nice-sounding,' simple musical backdrop of acoustic guitar, piano, bass, and drums.

Track listing:
1. あなたもスターになれる
2. ひびけ電気釜！！
3. 痴漢になった少年
4. 股の下を通りすぎるとそこは紅い海だった
5. パンティストッキングのような空
6. 一人の女のフィナーレ
7. 昭和の大飢饉予告編
8. 誰を怨めばいいのでございましょうか
9. 夢は夜ひらく
10. 故郷へ帰ったら
11. 気狂い
12. 夜中の2時
13. 五所川原の日々
14. 青森県北津軽郡東京村
15. 葬式

Blood of the lamb