A couple of years ago, right after we got the TiVo, I was in the habit of watching Adult Swim cartoons. One of them was this stylish, eye-catching Japanese anime import called Cowboy Bebop. I’ve always been interested in anime, but found most of the few imports I ran across to be too coldly Mr. Roboto-Gundam-Warrior for my taste. And no, never could get the whole idea of why winsome girl “heroines” all have to be dressed like pervo dreamgirlz.

But Bebop was different. It had incredible music, eye-popping visuals, evocative direction and editing, and fascinating characters. It sucked you in, because the mystery of Spike was.. who was he, before? And who did he think he was going to be, if his life was over after Julia?

There’s music to be heard out there, good music. Some awesome jazz, some great rock, some pretty weird stuff that’s interesting too – and the music for this cartoon series fills at least 4 CDs, and is avidly sought by truefen.

I doubt I’ll ever pony up the $85 or so to buy a packaged set of Blue and/or the import version of the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack off of Amazon, but I’m glad that there are a few options. Check around, you’ll find them – but be sure you’re listening to full-length versions, not samples.

Anyway, take this song below. It’s a great “sing” song, by which I mean, when it comes on, you start singing with all your heart. The singer is a guy named Steve Conte, It’s hard to categorize – it’s got a rock base, but there’s an anthemic orchestral wave that keeps building. And, like other Bebop music, it’s coming from the point of view of someone who’s alone and alienated, but it doesn’t bring you down… it reminds you that you’re alive.

Good stuff. Check it out. I’m really glad I stumbled across it watching TV that night.

Call me, call me,
Let me know you are there.
Call me, call me,
I wanna know you still care.

C’mon now won’t you…

Ease my mind?
Reasons for me to find you
Peace of mind
What can I do…
…to get me to you?

C’mon now won’t you…

EASE MY MIND?
REASONS FOR ME TO FIND YOU (For me to find…)
PEACE OF MIND (Ease…)
REASONS… FOR LIVING MY LIFE.

Ease my mind…
Reasons… for me to know you.
Peace of mind
What can I do…
…to get me to you?

iTunes: Yoko Kanno: CALL ME CALL ME: COWBOY BEBOP(BLUE) (Original Soundtrack 3) [4:42]

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