Sarah Sings

And the twain shall indeed meet! Sarah Brightman confirmed this when, in a London studio session, she recorded the song When Firebirds Sing — an operatic opus set in the arena of ancient Japan. The song, written by Chris and composed by his musical mate Kazuhiko Kato, was commissioned for the popular Play Station II software Tengai Makyo III (2004). The lyrics themselves depict the tale of lovers (from the Land of Curved Fire and the Sea of Desires,) who are symbolized by firebirds, their wings intertwined, that circle immortally in a celestial orbit. As Sarah sings appropriately: "eternity lives here."

The song was included on her (2004) HAREM album.

anime archives

The lyricist continues his partnership with the composer Yoko Kanno with a song for the finale of the anime WOLF’S RAIN (Tell Me What the Rain Knows) sung by Maaya Sakamoto, and for RAHXEPHON (The Garden of Everything) featuring a duet between Maaya and Steve Conte. He also teamed up with composer Hajime Mizoguchi to pen lyrics for the futuristic saga TECHNOLYZE (Walking Through the Empty Age) performed by Yoko Ishida. Chris also provided Maaya with lyrics for the song Kingfisher Girl, included in her solo album Shonen Alice.

A Song To Heal

On April 25, 2005, a commuter train at Amagasaki, near Osaka derailed, killing 106 passengers and injuring over 500. It was Japan’s worst rail crash in over four decades. In response to this awful tragedy Chris was asked to write lyrics for a song to be included in an "emotionally stabilizing present" that would be sent out to all who had lost loved ones or friends, in the hope of assisting the healing process. The song The Journey of Our Lives was composed by Redog (Yu Imai) and featured vocals by Kazko. A Japanese version of the lyrics, translated by the poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, was also included in the package. Because of the sensitivity of the subject and the enormity of the tragedy, Chris said these were some of the most painfully difficult lyrics he has ever had to write.