Dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, newcomers to Hideki Togi’s work might expect an entirely traditional Japanese musical performance. In fact, while Hideki’s work is rooted in the traditional Japanese court music style known as Gagaku, he takes a completely unique approach, having made a name for himself by blending traditional Japanese music with modern Western styles. This time, he was taking on Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven.’
Music Man fans will be blown away when they see how Hideki has completely transformed the classic rock hit, using traditional Gagaku instruments such as the shô, hichiriki, and ryuteki to give it a whole new sound. He blends his playing of these with the shredding of an electric guitar, which he performs in true Led Zep style. One online viewer even joked in the comments, “I really enjoyed this, my favourite traditional Japanese instrument being the Gibson Les Paul.”
I wasn’t sure whether to be more impressed by Hideki’s composition or his performance of the piece. The composition and blending of the two different musical styles were astonishing in and of themselves, exemplifying Hideki’s creative approach to his work. However, the fact that he can play all of these instruments himself with such skill and talent truly blew me away. I felt that his cover stood as an example of what can be achieved through a combination of creativity and disciplined practice.
Another of Hideki’s fusion pieces that has made waves among fans is his version of ‘Highway Star’ by Deep Purple. With the most famous version of this song appearing on the Made in Japan live album, Hideki’s rendition feels like a tribute to two eras of music in Japan. Not only does this version combine the sounds of Gagaku and Western classic rock, but it also incorporates Baroque elements, with Ritchie Blackmore’s Bach-inspired guitar composition still featured in Hideki’s arrangement.
Here at The Music Man, we know our readers love to see unique takes on popular songs, and Hideki Togi’s work stands out as some of the most impressive. Not only is it wonderfully creative, but it also gives us an insight into the artist’s own musical heritage. With Hideki’s ancestors being Gagaku musicians, his work combines his cultural and familial artistic heritage with the music that was hitting the global charts during his youth. The result is an art form that weaves multiple threads into a style that is uniquely Hideki Togi.
Hideki Togi is a remarkable bridge between tradition and rock, and his ‘Stairway’ cover proves his inventive musicianship and virtuosity. If you want to explore more of his work and performances, there are useful links to find out more below this paragraph.