Ballada (album)
| Ballada | ||||
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CD/DVD and digital download editions' cover
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| Compilation album by Namie Amuro | ||||
| Released | June 4, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 1996–2014 | |||
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| Length | 1:16:21 | |||
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| Label | Dimension Point | |||
| Namie Amuro chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Ballada | ||||
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Ballada is a compilation album by Japanese entertainer Namie Amuro, released on June 4, 2014. It compiles pop ballads released during her time with the Avex Trax label (1995 onwards), including additional re-recordings of selected tracks.
In 2013, Amuro released her 10th original album Feel, following this with a series of digital singles, "Neonlight Lipstick" and "Ballerina". In January 2014, Amuro released "Tsuki", a ballad single written for the film Dakishimetai: Shinjitsu no Monogatari. In April 2014, Amuro collaborated with R&B singer Ken Hirai on the single "Grotesque".
The track list was created based on a poll on Amuro's website, which was taken from February 26 until March 31, 2014. Out of the 38 ballads listed, the 15 most popular ones became the basis of Ballada's track list.
"Sweet 19 Blues" and "Can You Celebrate?" were re-recorded with new vocals, with "Can You Celebrate?" also featuring violinist Taro Hakase.
Of the top 15 songs on the poll, two had not received music videos. Amuro created videos for these for inclusion on Ballada's DVD/Blu-ray disc: "Himawari" and "Four Seasons". Both videos were directed by YKBX. New videos were shot for "Sweet 19 Blues" and "Can You Celebrate?" for Ballada, directed by Kanji Suto and Kensuke Kawamura respectively. "Sweet 19 Blues" featured a mix of footage of the original 1996 video, along with new scenes shot at a recreated set. On the day of release, a video featuring a medley of the songs from Ballada was uploaded to YouTube.
From August, Amuro performed a 37 date tour, Namie Amuro Live Style 2014, which was held in thirteen cities across Japan over four months.
CDJournal praised Amuro's "subtle vocal techniques" and "rich emotional expression" displayed in the ballad collection. Kanako Hayakawa of EMTG felt that no matter which era of Amuro's music the songs were from, her ballads showcased the strength of women, where fragile parts of herself were sung with boldly real vocals. She felt that her ballads had similar lyrical matters to her up-tempo songs, such as the joy of feeling loved or someone starting again after a loss. Hayakawa felt that many of the songs on the compilation were not strictly ballads, such as the mid-tempo R&B "Sweet 19 Blues", the 1990s UK club jazz "Dreaming I Was Dreaming", and the slow R&B "White Light". Hayakawa praised the album's re-recorded tracks, noting the "divine beauty" of the Taro Hakase pairing and the dignity in her voice.
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