|
|
| |
|
|
(World Music Network)
|
|
|
|
|
|
In recent years, Rough Guide has emerged as the most prolific and consistent force in the endless world-music-compilation game. Here a genuinely unknown musical realm is revealed. From the rich, mysterious morlan traditional pop of the Laotian-influenced north — rarely experienced by tourists — to the more mainstream lukthung country music of Thailand’s central region, these 19 tracks are full of ear-pleasing surprises. Man Motorgai’s lukthung opener plays like Western music, with horse-clop rhythms, whoops, and chants carrying a powerful melody, and Siriporn Aumpiapong’s moody, sophisticated ballad blends the evocative overtones of her voice and a traditional violin. Most of this music is pop, from a girl-band ditty by China Dolls to Sao Somparn’s sassy, upbeat Thai reggae. But older strains of music get some play too. There’s a droning, darting phin-lute solo by Surasak Donchai, a traditional piphat ensemble piece that sounds like gamelan music on speed, and octogenarian Benjarong Thanakoset’s mesmerizing classical performance on the bowed lute known as the so-duang. There’s even a track by the Thai Elephant Orchestra, in which the jumbos play gongs and drums with unexpected musicality.
|
