Hisaishi Joe - My Neighbour Totoro

Alongside Hisaishi Joe's works for Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Castle in the Sky, Wasabi also released My Neighbour Totoro in November 2011. The enchanting, family-friendly animated film "Tonari no Totoro" from 1988 also has a magical soundtrack. Like the other soundtracks of the "Studio Ghibli Classics" campaign, this one presents itself in a nice cardboard sleeve with some extra pages in the booklet. For My Neighbour Totoro, an interview in English with Hisaishi Joe is included with the CD. The interview was originally published in the magazine "Animage" back in April 1988. Additionally there is a page full of information about the score and a page with lyrics.

The journey starts with vocal support by singer Inoue Azumi and cheerful marching music. The next track is bright, happy and relaxing as well: enchanting woodwind, trumpets and strings provide the musical accompaniment for The Village in May. A Haunted House! sounds more cheerful and adventurous than spooky due to its playful drums and woodwind instruments. A change in style only occurs towards the end of the track, but in more of a magical, bright way. It also helps pave the way for the upcoming track, a happy but also mysterious and exciting piece of music. In Not Afraid, you are greeted by threatening sounds, but it soon takes on the more peaceful "Totoro" theme, which ends the track. The cheerful march from the beginning returns in Let's Go to the Hospital, but this time without any vocals. Though a bit varied, it still remains very lively and happy.

The pleasant voice of Inoue returns in the ballad Mother, which brings a sense of security. Unfortunately this feeling fades immediately with the next track, A Little Monster. It really leaves the impression of someone chasing someone or something. The themes, instruments, pace and mood are constantly changing over the course of the song but all emphasize the spirit of adventure. Totoro himself likes it more mysterious and calm. His theme is mainly orchestrated by deep tones of the piano and bright accents of the synthesizer. Then a clear change occurs and some bright, yearning strings start, leaving a dreamy impression. A Huge Tree in the Tsukamori Forest keeps the dreamy and magical mood while incorporating the light Totoro theme as part of the track.

Following it is the wonderful ballad A Lost Child. It's built around the harp, flute and acoustic guitar and features the vocals of Inoue. The Path of Wind Instrumental leads you again into the magical, exciting and relaxing world of the film "Tonari no Totoro." The instruments and synthesizers give the known themes a new enchanting element and invite you to another dream. Also mysterious but with an occasional feeling of tension is A Soaking Wet Monster.

Moonlight Flight is a fast, atmospheric, magical, varied track; well orchestrated with all the synthesizers, drums, strings, woodwind and brass instruments. The somewhat sad Mei is Missing is led by bright flute playing and melancholic harp playing. It proceeds at a slow pace, but as the song goes on, the more desperate it seems to become. The journey with Cat Bus is more playful, more hopeful and livelier than the previous track. The bright piano chords take turns with the melodic strings and brass instruments. I'm So Glad greets you with the playful theme from the very beginning, but it also makes way for a moving string melody. My Neighbour Totoro Ending Theme offers again the known opening theme with the vocals of Inoue Azumi, but this version has a noticeable pop beat. The very last track of the score, Hey Let's Go -with Chorus-, is another remixed track. The very special aspect of this version is the sing-along children's choir.

Hisaishi Joe's compositions for the movie "Tonari no Totoro" are original and proves to be as magical and family-friendly as the plot of the movie itself. Despite the frequently repeated themes, the soundtrack is varied and enchanting. The soundtrack is timeless and you'll find yourself listening to it again and again.