Silly Shamisen: heartbreak, alcoholism, the gift of death, and other cheerful themes!

Mike Penny - Tsugaru shamisen, vocals

Tunes:

1. Sapphire Bullets of Love, They Might be Giants
2. Sake Rondo, Mike Penny (me)
3. Compensation, Nina Simone/Paul Lawrence Dunbar

Name of strange, mysterious asian instrument:

Tsugaru shamisen, a three-stringed fretless lute from Japan played with a large plectrum called a bachi.

Compensation (lyrics)

Because I have loved so deeply
Because I have loved so long
God in his great compassion
Gave me the gift of song

Because I had loved so vainly
Sung with such faltering breath
The master in his infinite mercy
Offers the boon of death

Category:

Music

Tags:

• they
• might
• be
• giants
• cover
• flood
• Tsugaru
• shamisen
• nina
• simone
• japanese
• sake
• bed
• intruder

[Cpachell1]

Ever since Incubus's "Aqueous Transmission" I have fell in love with the Shamisen. I must say that you certainly do the instrument justice. Marvelous music man. Keep it coming and I'll keep listening.

[NiTeMaReCuRe]

I listen to this everyday, keeps me going. :) You sir, make me happy.

[TheCaliger]

This makes me so happy every time I hear it. : D

[godwash]

man, i wish you were famous, so i could pirate your music from torrent sites.

[Tokushimaz]

I love the first music...

[girlfriendg]

@roy11231990 I'm still trying to figure out of this is a compliment or not...

[roy11231990]

this helps me sleep a lot

[ginypig2000]

You should do a full cover of sapphire bullets :)

[kiba8887]

boy what a big mouth!!! XD

[hasoli88]

so funny :D

[theslothmonkey]

This guy is so great. You need to see him do Auto-Tune the News #10 on the shamisen.  It's sooo good. look it up on youtube.

[TheCaliger]

Definitely want a mp3 for these.