James Shigeta - Scene One / We Speak The Same Language

James Shigeta is often cited as one of the most pioneering and ground breaking actors of his generation, being the first Asian-American actor to play leading roles in Hollywood. Shigeta is most known for his starring roles in films such as 'Bridge To The Sun', 'The Crimson Kimono' (for which he won the 1960 Golden Globe Award for 'Most Promising Newcomer'), 'Flower Drum Song' and 'Lost Horizon'. In his later career, Shigeta is remembered for his featured role in the 1988 action film 'Die Hard'. Prior to his Hollywood film career, Shigeta enjoyed enormous success in Japan as a performer and recording artist, his Japanese interpretation of 'Love Letters In The Sand' was reported to have sold over two million copies, the then all time best selling record in Japan. On record, Shigeta recorded his first solo album 'Scene One' in 1960, a collection of standards and original songs with orchestrations and musical direction by Frank Sinatra's regular arranger Axel Stordahl. The album was produced by composer Haydn Broughton and featured four of Broughton's original compositions. Following James' starring role as Wang Ta in the 1961 film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Flower Drum Song', James was signed to Fred Astaire's label Choreo (later Ava Records). The resulting album 'We Speak The Same Language' was issued in 1962 and featured input from many of Astaire's collaborators including orchestrations and musical direction by Harry Betts and Dick Hazard, production by Tommy Wolf, plus original songs penned by Hermes Pan, Tommy Wolf, Don Raye and Astaire himself. The album was also notable for Shigeta's choice of material from Broadway with selections from 'The Fantasticks', 'Kean and 'All American' featured. Both James Shigeta's solo albums 'Scene One' and 'We Speak The Same Language' now make their debut on CD accompanied by his solo number 'You Are Beautiful' from the soundtrack of 'Flower Drum Song'. As a special bonus, one of Shigeta's highly collectable Japanese language singles is included, his 1955 cover of 'Tara's Theme' (from 'Gone With The Wind'). The release forms part of Stage Door's COLLECTOR'S SERIES, a line of limited edition CD products presented in the retro style of a miniature long-playing record. All Collector's Series titles are limited to 500 units