phensi phongsi: luk thung sao so

singer: เพ็ญศรี ผ่องศรี (phensi phongsi)
album: ลูกทุ่งสาวซอ (luk thung sao so)
tracklist:
01. น้ำตาเมียหลวง (nam ta mia luang)
02. แม่หม้ายซาอุ (mae mai sa u)
03. เสียงครวญจากสาวนา (siang khruan chak sao na)
04. เบื่อผัวขี้เมา (buea phua khi mao)
05. หัวอกลูกไป๊ (hua ok luk pai)
06. กินน้ำใต้ศอก (kin nam tai sok)
07. สาวเหนือเปิดอก (sao nuea poet ok)
08. ชาตินี้น้องลา (chat ni nong la)
09. สาวน้อยสมัครรัก (sao noi samak rak)
10. สาวซอรอรัก (sao so ro rak)

bit of a strange one this week; luk thung ล้านนา (lanna), from far up north. this singer, phensi phongsi, is a real unknown.. she sings in the northern thai or คำเมือง (kham mueang) language, which is very unusual to hear in luk thung. i found this cassette in chiang mai, in a dark musty old tape shop that almost certainly had not updated its inventory since the early 90's at the very latest. the cover seemed to me to advertise the presence of a ซอ (so) fiddle, but what we've got is something of an album-length medley of popular luk thung melodies over a drum kit & sax-driven molam-influenced groove. i'm not complaining!

dao bandon: chan di khi foi

singer: ดาว บ้านดอน (dao bandon)
album: จันดีขี้ฝอย (chan di khi foi)
tracklist:
01. จันดีขี้ฝอย (chan di khi foi)
02. ห่าตำผู้หญิง (ha tam phu ying)
03. นั่งสามล้อตามแฟน (nang sam lo tam faen)
04. กอดน้องนอนหนาว (kot nong non nao)
05. ออกพรรษาจะมาแต่ง (ok phansa cha ma taeng)
06. ลำเกี้ยวสาวส่ำน้อย (lam kieow sao sam noi)
07. ลาน้องไปจัดรายการ (la nong pai chat rai kan)
08. คอยรักนักจัดรายการ (khoi rak nak chat rai kan)
sung by ธิดา บ้านดอน (thida bandon)
09. ลำเพลินลำเกี้ยวแม่ฮ้าง (lam phloen lam kieow mae hang)
10. สะเวดสะเวน (sawet sawen)
11. สัญญาเดือนสี่ (sanya duean si)
12. อีทุยทิ้งทุ่ง (i thui thing thung)

this week, some great isan groove from the one & only dao bandon! dao was born and raised in yasothon province, the son of poor farmers. after 4th grade, his family couldn't afford to continue sending him to school, and he was given into monkhood. it was here that he realized his significant vocal gifts, by way of the rhythmic chant & preaching required by his vocation. he was soon discovered by songwriter thepphabut satirotchomphu, who guaranteed him a career as molam when he left the monastery. dao soon gave up his robes, and theppabhut made good on his promise.. dao quickly won success singing his luk thung-influenced molam, and would in fact become the first molam ever to sell one million copies! he was frequently in the charts both with his own recordings and with songs he crafted for his many disciples (one of whom won a spot on this album!). a major figure in the music of isan, dao bandon now sings for you! enjoy!

pong prida: sao fang khong

singer: ปอง ปรีดา (pong prida)
album: สาวฝั่งโขง (sao fang khong)
tracklist:
01. สาวฝั่งโขง (sao fang khong)
02. สาวอยู่บ้านได๋ (sao yu ban dai)
03. สาวป่าซาง (sao pa sang)
04. เที่ยวฝั่งโขง (thieow fang khong)
05. เจ้าสาวไปใส (chao sao pai sai)
06. เดือนคล้อยคอยสาว (duean khloi khoi sao)
07. รำวงเชียงน้อย (ramwong chiang noi)
08. ค่ำคืนนี้พี่นอนหนาว (kham khuen ni phi non nao)
09. น้องนางบ้านนา (nong nang ban na)
10. เหรียญดอลล์ (rian doll)
11. คอยสาวค่อนคืน (khoi sao khon khuen)
12. กลิ่นฟางสาบสาว (klin fang sap sao)
13. เพื่อน (phuean)
14. ตามนาง (tam nang)
15. เตือนหญิง (tuean ying)
16. อีสานก้าวหน้า (isan kao na)

this week, it's luk thung veteran pong prida with his great high tone and delightful whistle. born in khon kaen province in isaan, pong grew up studying carpentry but secretly harbored ambitions to become a singer like his idol, somyot thasanaphan. eventually he dropped out & made the trip to bangkok, where he auditioned for many groups (including somyot's) but was denied from all. following this failure, he went back & forth between working factory jobs, boxing, and monkhood, all the while desperately sticking to his dream. his tenacity caught the sympathy of nakhon thanomsap (the entertainer best known for his blackface character, "gungadin"), who took him under his wing & got him spots on records, playing khaen or whistling for stars like suraphon sombatcharoen. in a short while he would be recording his own tunes and touring the nation! in time he returned to isaan, where he formed a group which performed locally in udon thani and across the border in laos, before settling down as a farmer. here now are his sad songs, for you to enjoy!

ruangthong thonglanthom: klua lom luang

singer: รวงทอง ทองลั่นทม (ruangthong thonglanthom)
album: กลัวลมลวง (klua lom luang)
tracklist:
01. รักระแวงใจ (rak rawaeng chai)
02. กลัวลมลวง (klua lom luang)
03. ลืม (luem)
04. ชื่นใจ (chuen chai)
featuring ชรินทร์ นันทนาคร (charin nanthanakhon)
05. คงคาพาครวญ (khongkha pha khruan)
06. รักเป็นอย่างนี้ (rak pen yang ni)
07. เคยเป็นของคุณ (khoei pen khong khun)
08. คมสวาท (khom sawat)
09. ฝันลวงดวงใจ (fan luang duang chai)
10. พระจันทร์หลงฟ้า (phra chan long fa)
11. ไฟพิศวาท (fai phit wat)
12. สั่งลมฝากรัก (sang long fak rak)
13. จดหมายรักสลักบนพื้นทราย (chot mai rak salak bon phuen sai)
14. แรมพิศวาท (raem phitsawat)
15. พรุ่งนี้วิวาห์ (phrung ni wiwa)
16. รักเธอเสมอ (rak thoe samoe)
featuring สมศักดิ์ เทพานนท์ (somsak thephanon)
17. กังหันรัก (kanghan rak)
18. รักลาฟ้าเศร้า (rak la fa sao)
19. เชลยรัก (chaloei rak)
20. ลาก่อน (la kon)

it's been a while since we had some nice, old city music.. so here is a wonderful tape i just received, straight from alexandra in bangkok! music from singer, actress & national artist ruangthong thonglanthom! ruangthong is a veteran of the suntaraphon big band since their days as the government public relations department band. growing up an orphan, raised by her grandmother, she did not have the priveledge of advanced schooling, and instead was sent to cultivate her promising voice under the care of suntaraphon founder uea sunthonsanan. she was a big star in his ensemble through the late 50's/early 60's, and had a successful solo career afterwards, frequently to be seen/heard on the radio, television & silver screen. very nice songs on here, a couple instances of thai folk beat & even japanese flourishes alongside the standard luk krung international dance band sound. enjoy!!

sonchai mekwichian: khon ngam luem dam khieow

singer: ศรชัย เมฆวิเชียร (sonchai mekwichian)
album: คนงามลืมด้ามเคียว (khon ngam luem dam khieow)
tracklist:
01. คนงามลืมด้ามเคียว (khon ngam luem dam khieow)
02. เสียงซอสั่งสาว (siang so sang sao)
03. คนงามหน้าเงิน (khon ngam na ngoen)
04. อายจันทร์ (ai chan)
05. ทุยร่ำ (thui ram)
06. บัวตูมบัวบาน (buatum buaban)
07. ลานรักลานเท (lan rak lan the)
08. คืนอำลา (khuen am la)
09. น้ำตาลาไทร (nam ta la sai)
10. ไพรอำพราง (phrai am phrang)
11. กระท่อมพ่อหม้าย (krathom pho mai)
12. พ่อหม้ายตามเมีย (pho mai tam mia)
13. กระท่อมทองกวาว (krathom thongkwao)
14. จำใจจาก (cham chai chak)
15. ปากหวาน (pak wan)
16. มาลี (mali)
17. อนิจจา (anitcha)
18. ลั่นทม (lanthom)
19. ลำดวนใจดำ (lamduan chai dam)

some more luk thung, this week from 70's heart-throb sonchai mekwichian. hailing from khorat, sonchai, like many luk thung stars from the 70's on, got his start singing at local talent competitions. in this manner sonchai gained a good a bit of popularity around isaan, culminating in a few tv appearances & such, though his real break would be one of pure luck. during a tour up-country, luk thung songwriter chalong phusawang happened to require some auto work, and brought his car to the very mechanics' whereat sonchai worked his day-job. with his car in-shop, sonchai managed to perform a tune or so for the songwriter, and though his voice wasn't much to chalong's taste, chalong's wife, who was also in attendance, was so taken with the young singer that the maestro had little choice but to accept him. the tunes on here are quite nice, slow luk thung, featuring a few nods to the music of sonchai's home region, the northeast. hope you enjoy! and be sure to check out another album of his (featuring all the hits!) available over at the selmanaires' sound center.

sonkhiri siprachuap: fon tok fa rong

singer: ศรคีรี ศรีประจวบ (sonkhiri siprachuap)
album: ฝนตกฟ้าร้อง (fon tok fa rong)
tracklist:
01. ฝนตกฟ้าร้อง (fon tok fa rong)
02. น้ำท่วม (nam thuam)
03. แม่ค้าตาคม (mae kha ta khom)
04. ขี้เหล่ก็รัก (khi le ko rak)
05. พอหรือยัง (pho rue yang)
06. บุพเพสันนิวาส (bupphesanniwat)
07. วาสนาพี่น้อย (watsana phi noi)
08. หนุ่มนาบ้ารัก (num na ba rak)
09. บางช้าง (bang chang)
10. ดอกรักบานแล้ว (dok rak ban laeo)

this week, quite a time ravaged cassette, but one featuring a favorite singer of mine, sonkhiri siprachuap. born and raised in samut songkhram province, sonkhiri left school at a young age to work on his family's coconut palm farm, and later a pineapple plantation down in prachuap khiri khan. between shifts, he would always entertain his fellow farmhands by singing the songs of khamron sambunnanon, dreaming of becoming a famous singer. eventually he auditioned for payong mukda's group, but was rejected.. he persisted in his struggle, though, and after many years of performing with a popular local ramwong group, came to the attention of luk thung maestro phaibun butkhan. with the hits of phaibun to propel him, sonkhiri became a huge star throughout the kingdom. sadly, he was killed in a motor accident in 1972, in the middle of a huge country-wide tour. sonkhiri's sweet, sorrowful voice is remembered fondly still.. his songs were featured prominently in pen-ek ratanarueang's 1999 film เรื่องตลก 69 ("6ixtynin9"), wherein his tragic serenades cause the gangsters to break down in tears. enjoy!

a. num phuthai: sing sam thao, vol. 1

artist: อ. หนุ่ม ภูไท (a. num phuthai)
album: ซิ่งซ่ำเฒ่า ชุดที่ 1 (sing sam thao, vol. 1)
tracklist:
01. ซิ่งซ่ำเฒ่า ชุดที่ 1 a (sing sam thao, vol. 1 a)
02. ซิ่งซ่ำเฒ่า ชุดที่ 1 b (sing sam thao, vol. 1 b)

this week we've got some electric isaan grooves from phin maestro a. num phutai! the พิณ (phin), a plucked lute of unknown origin, is in it's electrified form one of the most recognizable and attention-grabbing aspects of modern isaan music. achan num phutai, as well as being a teacher of phin (witness his many how-to vcds!), composes tunes for molam popstars.. but here it's just him, playing a solid 40-minute phin medley. as the approved product of a reputable phin instructor, i imagine this tape is replete with the expected virtuosity (though you'd have to consult someone with more pick-related knowledge than i). this one is another from alexandra; she has all the best! enjoy!!

thai modernized music for dancing, vol. 2

this week's post comes to us courtesy of stuart ellis, proprietor of the amazing radiodiffusion internasionaal, wherein he chronicles the global spread of electrified pop music from the 1960s & 70s. he also hosts an fm broadcast edition of the site on radio koug, vancouver.


band: เพิ่ม คล้ายบรรเลง + วงดนตรี สากลผสม มโหรี (phoem khlaibanleng & his international mixed mahori orchestra)
album: แชมป์เท้าไฟ ไทยเดิมประยุกต์ ชุด 2 (thai modernized music for dancing, vol. 2)
tracklist:
01. มอญดูดาว (mon du dao)
02. ลาวลำปาง (lao lampang)
03. พม่ารำวง (phama ramwong)
04. อิเหนา (inao)
05. มอญซ่อนผ้า (mon son pha)
06. ตามองตา (ta mong ta)
07. ลาวชมดง (lao chom dong)
08. บังใบ (bangbai)
09. ลาวคำหอม (lao kham hom)
10. ลาวครวญ (lao khruan)

here's what stuart has to say:

"not too long after i had picked up the first two of the "thai beat a go go" discs, i started searching high and low for "shadow music" - although I had no idea at the time that was what it was called. i immediately fell in love with the wild mix of surf guitar and traditional percussion, resulting in a sound unlike any i had heard before.

this record was the first record from thailand that i ever bought. i was hoping that it would sound like johnny guitar or payong mukda (also known as pocket music / son of p.m.)... but what i got was something much more bizarre. more like xavier cugat goes gamelan. it almost sounds like there are two bands in the studio - one your typical latin-esque jazz band, the other some kind of gamelan orchestra - and they are fighting over who plays what. like some kind of battle of the bands gone horribly awry, yet in all of the right ways.

phoem khlaibanleng & his international mixed mahori orchestra were part of the suntaraphon collective - which was a state sponsored group of artists and musicians. during the vietnam war, the u.s.-backed field marshal thanom kittikachorn encouraged westernization throughout every sector of life. one of these sectors was ballroom dancing - with orchestras supplied by the government public relations department. eventually, due to their popularity, these musicians began performing and recording outside of the state sponsored system and to the top of the charts.

if anyone out there has volume 1, please contact me."

phon phirom: he chimphali

singer: พร ภิรมย์ (phon phirom)
album: เห่ฉิมพลี (he chimphali)
tracklist:
01. เห่ฉิมพลี (he chimphali)
02. ชมดง (chom dong)
03. รจนา (rotchana)
04. พ่อหม้ายตามเมีย (pho mai tam mia)
05. ชาละวัน (cha la wan)
06. ไกรทอง (kraithong)
07. พรหมบุปผา (phrom buppha)
08. เมียจ๋า (mia cha)
09. รักเดียวใจเดียว (rak dieow chai dieow)
10. พ่อกับแม่ (pho kap mae)
11. ลูกเมือ 25 น. (luk muea 25 n.)
12. แหล่ใจโจร (lae chai chon)
13. ลูกโจรกลับใจ (luk chon klap chai)
14. ไฟบาป (fai bap)
15. ไม้หลักปักเลน (mai lak pak len)
16. เมียจาก (mia chak)

a really great tape this week, one from the magnificent singer & songwriter phon phirom. born into a ลิเก (liké) theatre family in phra nakhon si ayutthaya, phon was from a young age fascinated by the world of thai classical music. growing up, he studied numerous genres of artsong, gaining proficiency in piphat instrumentation, chinese opera & thai theatrical vocal forms. after a number of years with a traveling liké troupe, he was persuaded by famed "chularat" band-leader mongkhon amatayakun to apply his talents on the burgeoning luk thung pop stage. following a series of minor releases, both of his own recordings & tunes he penned for others, phon scored his first hit, "บัวตูมบัวบาน (buatum buaban)" in the year 1960 (พ.ศ. 2503). emboldened by this success, phon set about on a vision of integrating the beloved "pleng thai doem" of his past into contemporary popular music. by employing instruments & rhythms from classical dance & piphat ensemble, as well as florid poetic language & lyrical content derived from thai folktales, phon forged a syncretic musical movement, similar in spirit to the javanese jaipong, and one which became much respected throughout the kingdom. now, the great phon phirom can entertain and delight you as well.. enjoy!

khana nak rong prasan siang chula: bat hua chai

band: คณะนักร้องประสานเสียงจุฬาฯ (khana nak rong prasan siang chula)
album: บาดหัวใจ (bat hua chai)
tracklist:
01. บาดหัวใจ (bat hua chai)
02. คน (khon)
03. หากฉันขาดเธอ (hak chan khat thoe)
04. อยากลืมกลับจำ (yak luem klap cham)
05. รักลึกจมใจ (rak luek chom chai)
06. จากดวงใจ (chak duang chai)
07. ยันยินเยา (yan yin yao)
08. ใครหนอ (khrai no)
09. พิษรัก (phit rak)
10. ตาไร้แวว (ta rai waeo)
11. จนกว่าจะถึงวันนั้น (chon kwacha thueng wan nan)
12. ลาแล้วแก้วตา (la laeo kaeo ta)

here is something different... the songs of สุรพล โทณะวณิก (suraphon thonawanik), as presented by the chorus club of bangkok's chulalongkorn university! songwriter suraphon thonawanik, a ศิลปินแห่งชาติ (silapin haeng chat) or "national artist" of thailand, crafted many of the quintessential nostalgic tunes which epitomize the luk krung genre, and on this tape, students at one of thailand's most prestigious institutes of higher learning filter them through a pronouncedly western sense of harmony. the texture here is very light, just piano & chorus; quite high society!

saengsuri rungrot: hae khan mak

singer: แสงสุรีย์ รุ่งโรจน์ (saengsuri rungrot)
album: แห่ขันหมาก (hae khan mak)
tracklist:
01. แห่ขันหมาก (hae khan mak)
02. ขอยืมเงินบวช (kho yuem ngoen buat)
03. น้ำตานาคตก (nam ta nak tok)
04. ความจริงจากใจ (khwan ching chak chai)
05. สะดุ้งกลางดึก (sadung klang duek)
06. จับตัว ตีตราจอง (chap tua ti tra chong)
07. ดาวเคียงเดือน (dao khiang duean)
08. รักสาวชาวนา (rak sao chao na)
09. รำวงชาวบ้าน (ramwong chao ban)
10. น่าอร่อย (na aroi)
11. ม่วยแก้มแดง (muay kaem daeng)
12. สารภาพรัก (saraphap rak)
13. รอความเมตตา (ro khwam metta)
14. เรือนหอรอเก้อ (ruean ho ro koe)
15. ตังเกปวดใจ (tangke puat chai)
16. หนุ่มสลัม (num slum)
17. แพ้เพื่อน (phae phuean)
18. ขอเวลาห้าปี (ko wela ha pi)

today we hear from 70's star saengsuri rungrot! born in nakhon ratchasima province in isaan, saengsuri was the favourite of local singing competitions, and dreamed always of becoming a luk thung singer. at 15 he headed to bangkok, where he worked as a cook in sukhumvit's ambassador hotel for 10 years, all the while winning small local singing competitions in bangkok. his big break came when he won a singing contest to appear on the big screen, singing alongside sayan sanya in the soraphong chatri vehicle "khaya sangkhom" ("dregs of society"). after this initial success, songwriter สัมฤทธิ์ รุ่งโรจน์ (samrit rungrot) took saengsuri on as his protege, and from there he released the great string of hits which are compiled here. hope you enjoy them greatly!

klong yao klong suek

performers: unknown
album: กลองยาวกลองศึก (klong yao klong suek)
tracklist:
01. กลองยาวกลองศึก (klong yao klong suek)
02. กลองยาวระทึกใจ (klong yao rathuek chai)
03. กลองยาวไพรสวรรค์ (klong yao phrai sawan)
04. กลองยาวบันดาลสุข (klong yao ban dan suk)
05. กลองยาวสนุกสนาน (klong yao sanuksanan)
06. โห่ 3 ลากลองยาวประยุกต์ (ho 3 la klong yao prayuk)
07. กลองยาวสำราญชื่น (klong yao samran chuen)
08. กลองยาวรื่นเริง (klong yao ruenroeng)
09. กลองยาวบันเทิงใจ (klong yao banthoeng chai)
10. กลองยาวแห่บวชนาค (klong yao hae buat nakh)
11. กลองยาวผสมปี่ชวา (klong yao phasom pi java)
12. โห่ 3 ลากลองยาวผสมปี่พาทย์ (ho 3 la klong yao phasom piphat)

this week we have a great thai folk beat recording! named for their lead instrument, the thai long drum, klong yao ensembles have long been an important fixture in local culture. a staple of village fairs both religious & secular, the marching klong yao troupe provides a indispensably raucous soundtrack to the festivities. replete with call & responses choruses, clattering drums, persistent cymbals, all manner of yodels, screeches, hollers and so on, it's hard to miss the appeal of this enduring phenomenon. originally thought of as a central thai form, klong yao has long since diffused throughout the kingdom, mixing along the way with a myriad of regional styles. unfortunately i don't know much about this particular recording; the group performing goes uncredited on the cassette.. joined in places by horn sections, electric organ & guitar, and even thai classical instruments, they seem to be inspired by the ประยุกต์ (prayuk), or "applied" folksong movement, similar to the recently-anthologized "shadow music" genre. enjoy the big drums!

sai sai mao: kau yon phe tang

singer: sai sai mao
album: kau yon phe tang
tracklist:
01. kam moen luk kuun mi
02. theung nam mae haang
03. hak neung hak sawng hak saam
04. puun suup yuuch luu
05. aay jaay nuuw yuu
06. kaw yon phe taang
07. jaay te hak yaw
08. ngeun saam pe mak saaw sa the
09. maw
10. mong hung jaeu
11. yon suu pan suu
12. kaw ne taang
13. hak kan mii taa jaeu
14. hak moen jaay mii phaeu
15. mong
16. kaw hak te mong paeu yuu

this week, songs from shan rock icon sai sai mao! a member of the shan (or tai yai) ethnic group, sai sai mao (จายสายมาว in thai) was born in burma, in mu se on the border with china, and often traveled with his grandfather between northern thailand and taungyi in shan state. at age 15 he picked up the guitar, and 3 years later was performing for shan communities in chiang rai. sai sai mao's broadcasts on radio thailand were eagerly received both locally and across the border in burma, where his songs, such as "likhommai panglong", about burma's unfilfulled promise of shan independence, were banned. sai mao cut most of his albums in bangkok or chiang mai while serving in the shan state army, the rebel faction who funded his recordings. enjoy sai sai mao!

many thanks to alif silpachai for transliteration from shan script!

yui yatyoe: yui pen sao laeo 3

singer: ยุ้ย ญาติเยอะ (yui yatyoe)
album: ยุ้ย เป็นสาวแล้ว 3 (yui pen sao laeo 3)
tracklist:
01. ขึ้นเอ๊า ขึ้นเอา (khuen ao khuen ao)
02. โชคดีที่รู้กัน (chokh di thi ru kan)
03. จดหมายค้างคืน (chot mai khang khuen)
04. สาวนาแดดเดียว (sao na daet dieow)
05. โสดจริงหรือเปล่า (sot ching rue plao)
06. รอวันแต่ง (ro wan taeng)
07. เจ๊าะแจ๊ะจัง (chochae chang)
08. ไม่เชื่อหรอก (mai chuea rok)
09. โทษฉันได้ไง (thot chan dai ngai)
10. ปิดประตูตีแมว (pit pratu ti maeo)

this week some "modern" luk thung... from 1995 (พ.ศ. 2538) to be precise. yui yatyoe had been a performer in the band of phumphuang duangchan since the age of 9, and after phumpuang's death, was looked to by many as the best hope of filling the gap left by her early passing; few singers beside yui could come close to matching phumpuang's range vocally or emotionally, or exude the same coquettish charm. in fact, yui proved such an effective substitute that rumours abounded of her being a secret daughter of phumpuang.. though not many believe that nowadays. her sound is typical of the 90's guitar & keyboard workstation-driven pop luk thung.. some very catchy tunes!

phraiwan lukphet: kham tuean khong phi

singer: ไพรวัลย์ ลูกเพชร (phraiwan lukphet)
album: คำเตือนของพี่ (kham tuean khong phi)
tracklist:
01. คำเตือนของพี่ (kham tuean khong phi)
02. วิวาห์สะอื้น (wiwa sauen)
03. น้อง (nong)
04. เสียงจากไพรวัลย์ (siang chak phraiwan)
05. เปลี่ยวทรวง (plieow suang)
06. เห็นใจน้องแล้ว (hen chai nong laeo)
07. แม่ผักบุ้งบ้านดอน (mae phak bung ban don)
08. แม่สาวน้อย (mae sao noi)
09. คำประนาม (kham pranam)
10. ดาวจำลอง (dao cham long)
11. แม่ชานอ้อย (mae chan oi)
12. แผ่นดินแหลมทอง (phaen din laem thong)
13. ใต้เงาโศก (tai ngao sok)
14. เมีย (mia)
15. ผัว (phua)
sung by สมศรี ม่วงศรเขียว (somsi muangsonkhieow)
16. เขย (khoei)
17. เหลือทน (luea thon)
18. ลั่นทมสะอื้น (lan thom sauen)
19. สระบุรีที่รัก (saraburi thi rak)

today we hear from one of the most beautiful voices in luk thung... that of the esteemed phraiwan lukphet! born in phetchaburi province, phraiwan was sent by his parents at an early age to join a local ลิเก (like) theatre troupe. however, it was the world of popular music which called to him, and he left to join somphong wongrakthai's "bangkok cha cha cha" band. after this group dissolved, phraiwan was entrusted to suraphon sombatcharoen, in whose company he recorded the early hits collected on this cassette. in time he left suraphon's collective to persue a solo venture, and with the aid of songwriter phaibun butkhan, won massive renown. his singing resonated through the film world especially, where he provided themes to many of the biggest motion pictures, two of which (mon rak luk thung and phlae kao) have been featured here. enjoy the bittersweet nostalgia with phraiwan lukphet!

rock khong khoy: sieow woi

band: ร็อคคงคย (rock khong khoy)
album: เสียวโว้ย (sieow woi)
tracklist:
01. เจิ๊ตเอ๋ยเจิ๊ต (choet oei choet)
02. เสียวโว้ย (sieow woi)
03. ร็อกคงคย (rock khong khoy)
04. ตอบร็อกคงคย (top rock khong khoy)
05. ไอ้หนุ่มก่อสร้าง (ai num ko sang)
06. ทานอเนียงนอ (tha no niang no)
07. เขมรอกหัก (khmer ok hak)
08. กลองยาวคงคย (klong yao khong khoy)
09. วอนวัยรุ่น (won wairun)
10. รักมีพิษ (rak mi phit)
11. เขมรพลิกคลวน (khmer phlik khluan)
12. ลำซิ่ง พอกันที (lam sing pho kan thi)

this week something quite different.. kantruem rock from isaan! kantruem (กันตรึม) is the music of the khmer people in the southern edge of thailand's northeast, on the border with cambodia. much like contemporary molam, modern kantruem is characterized by elements of the minority's folksong superimposed upon local thai pop song structure. rock khong khoy from surin were one of the first hit bands of the genre, and i believe still perform, albeit with a rotating roster.. i'm not sure whether this was their debut, but i know it features their original line-up, some of whom have since died. the sound is very rough, synth-violin over drum machine, with rhythmic vocals sung in khmer surin dialect. enjoy!

khen dalao + bunpheng phaiphiwchai: lam .. wao sao kieow khao 1-5

singers: เคน ดาเหลา + บุญเพ็ง ไผ่ผิวชัย (khen dalao + bunpheng phaiphiwchai)
album: ลำ..เว้าสาวเกี่ยวข้าว 1-5 (lam .. wao sao kieow khao 1-5)
tracklist:
01. ลำ เว้าสาวเกี่ยวข้าว 1 (lam wao sao kieow khao 1)
02. ลำ เว้าสาวเกี่ยวข้าว 2 (lam wao sao kieow khao 2)
03. ลำ เว้าสาวเกี่ยวข้าว 3 (lam wao sao kieow khao 3)
04. ลำ เว้าสาวเกี่ยวข้าว 4 (lam wao sao kieow khao 4)
05. ลำ เว้าสาวเกี่ยวข้าว 5 (lam wao sao kieow khao 5)
06. ลำ ชมเกาะ (lam chom ko)
07. ลำ เว้าสาวสวนแตง 1 (lam wao sao suan taeng 1)
08. ลำ เว้าสาวสวนแตง 2 (lam wao sao suan taeng 2)
09. ลำ เว้าสาวสวนแตง 3 (lam wao sao suan taeng 3)
10. ลำ เว้าสาวสวนแตง 4 (lam wao sao suan taeng 4)
11. ลำ เว้าสาวสวนแตง 5 (lam wao sao suan taeng 5)
12. ลำ ประวัติศาสตร์ไทย 1 (lam prawattisat thai 1)
13. ลำ ประวัติศาสตร์ไทย 2 (lam prawattisat thai 2)

this week we have some great folksong from the northeast of thailand! khen dalao and bunpheng phaiphiwchai of ubon ratchathani are two of the foremost molam of modern times.. both are ศิลปินแห่งชาติ (silapin haeng chat) or "national artists" of thailand. as traditionalist singers, their rhythmic elocution is paired only to simple accompaniment of khaen. of course my thai is nowhere near where it'd have to be for me to appreciate it, but i understand khen is known for his clever and often racy repartee, as well as for his biting social critique and ethical imperative. this one is coming from alexandra's collection, she's got all the best! enjoy!

phumphuang duangchan: hang noi, thoi nit

singer: พุ่มพวง ดวงจันทร์ (phumphuang duangchan)

album: ห่างหน่อย-ถอยนิด (hang noi, thoi nit)
tracklist:
01. ห่างหน่อย-ถอยนิด (hang noi, thoi nit)
02. ผู้ชายในฝัน (phu chai nai fan)
03. หนาวสองหน้า (nao song na)
04. สาว เอ.เอ็ม. (sao a.m.)
05. ผู้ชายท้ายบัญชี (phu chai thai banchi)
06. เปิดประตูใจ (poet pratu chai)

most anyone with a passing interest in thai popular culture, maybe even thailand in general, is likely to have heard of the "queen of luk thung", phumphuang duangchan. raised in suphan buri province, phumphuang got her start singing backup in the band of waiphot phetsuphan, before striking off on her own career which would redefine the notion of stardom in luk thung. this album is her first as a contract star for azona records, and her first to experiment with a western pop/rock sound, with each single being carried by a different lead melodic instrument; saxophone, accordion, synthesizer, strings, electric guitar, etc. though the first 2 tracks were the singles pushed by azona, track 3, "sao a.m.", emerged as the real hit among her audience, an energetic luk thung anthem concerning the rural/urban cultural divide. this is from the original pressing of the album, before azona pushed for political inserts like สยามเมืองยิ้ม (sayam mueang yim), "siam, land of smiles", perhaps to counter the outspoken & possibly divisive "sao a.m.". enjoy!

anat phutthamat: khon rak hai

singer: อาณัติ พุทธมาศ (anat phutthamat)
album: คนรักหาย (khon rak hai)
tracklist:
01. คนรักหาย (khon rak hai)
02. ความหวังครั้งสุดทาย (khwam wang khrang sut thai)
03. เกมส์ความรัก (''games'' khwam rak)
04. สารรักสีฟ้า (san rak si fa)
05. อย่าให้ถึงสาบาน (ya hai thueng saban)
06. ส่วนขาดของหัวใจ (suan khat khong hua chai)
07. ฉันยังมีสิทธิ์บ้างไหม (chan yang mi sit bang mai)
08. รักแท้คือเธอ (rak thae khue thoe)
09. นิลวดี (ninlawadi)
10. คนใจง่าย (khon chai ngai)
11. จุดหมายที่ไม่มี (chut mai thi mai mi)
12. จุดยืนความรัก (chut yuen khwam rak)
13. ปิดฉากรัก (pitchak rak)
14. กำแพงประเพณี (kamphaeng prapheni)
15. วอนประเพณี (won prapheni)
sung by รุ่งฤดี แพ่งผ่องใส (rungridi phaengphongsai)
16. ปวดใจเหลือเกิน (puat chai luea koen)
17. แสบทรวงเหลือดี (saep suang luea di)
sung by อัมพร ประสมศิลป์ (amphon prasomsin)
18. ความรักคืออะไร (khwam rak khue arai)

this week, a tape i don't know much about.. the style is luk krung, and the singer is anat phuttamat. i can't find a great deal of information about him online, only references to his famously low vocal range & pathos-infused delivery, and to his skills as a songwriter, for which he is also (maybe primarily?) known. the two female guests, rungridi & amphon i know are both affiliated with the suntaraphon band, so there's a fair chance our guy was, too. i also think that, like our singer last week, anat may be from the south.. at least, that seems to be where this album was produced. anyhow, it contains some nice, slow love songs; tasteful brass and tearful crooning. enjoy!

daotai mueangtrang: wan nai nai phi thai ko mao

singer: ดาวใต้ เมืองตรัง (daotai mueangtrang)
album: วันไหน ๆ พี่ไทยก็เมา (wan nai nai phi thai ko mao)
tracklist:
01. วันไหน ๆ พี่ไทยก็เมา (wan nai nai phi thai ko mao)
02. อยู่เพื่อกิน (yu phuea kin)
03. หล่อสาวหลง (lo sao long)
04. ผู้ชายขี้จุ๊ (phu chai khichu)
05. นอนหนาว (non nao)
06. แฟนมีแฟนใหม่ (faen mi faen mai)
07. สาวใจแตก (sao chai taek)
08. คนหลายใจ (khon lai chai)
09. อกคนใช้ (ok khon chai)
10. ตุ๊กตาตัวเก่า (tukta tua kao)
11. คนแก่ (khon kae)
12. สตรีกับสตางค์ (satri kap satang)
13. เปียร์แชร์ (peershare)
14. มีแล้วไม่บอก (mi laeo mai bok)
15. เดี๋ยวเถอะได้เสีย (dieow thoe dai sia)
16. ผู้ชายเบอร์ห้า (phu chai boe ha)
17. ไม่น้อย (mai noi)
18. โหมะเข็ดฟัน (mo khet fan)

some rare southern luk thung! this week's singer is daotai mueangtrang, from the city of trang in pak tai. like many luk thung singers of the late 80's on, daotai made her way to stardom battling through local talent competitions, before catching the attention of a major songwriter, ชลธี ธารทอง (cholathi thanthong), who penned her earliest hits. this album's from sometime in the 90's, as the production would evidence. she's got a pretty assertive voice, and is backed here by a big band with big drums, a suitably strong setting for complaints about monetary woes & thai propensity towards drink. she's not singing any longer, but i believe she's now a popular radio dj. anybody know of her show?

the impossibles: raroeng chon

this week's post comes courtesy of radio personality & record-collector extraordinaire jesse kaminsky. you can hear his weekly fm broadcast the intercontinental on wmbr cambridge, wherein he plays music from just about anywhere you could think of.

band: ดิอิมพอสซิเบิ้ล (the impossibles)
album: ระเริงชล (raroeng chon)
tracklist:
01. ระเริงชล (raroeng chon)
02. จูบฟ้าลาดิน (chup fa la din)
03. มิสเตอร์สโลว์ (mister slow)
04. สาริกาหาคู่ (sarika ha khu)

the impossibles were the biggest of thailand's western-style pop ('string') groups throughout the "import-substitution" craze of the 1970's. this 45 rpm e.p. collects the band's songs from the 1971 (พ.ศ. 2514) film of the same name, starring sombat methani, phetchara chaowarat and sangthong sisai. the songs run the gamut from smooth, harmonic ballads & wah-funk to a noisy drum-driven finale, featuring friends from the film! lots of fun to be had, in spite of the short runtime.

chaichana bunnachot: nam ta luk khoei

singer: ชัยชนะ บุญนะโชติ (chaichana bunnachot)
album: น้ำตาลูกเขย (nam ta luk khoei)
tracklist:
01. น้ำตาลูกเขย (nam ta luk khoei)
02. คนไส้แห้ง (khon sai haeng)
03. รักสาวบ้านนา (rak sao ban na)
04. ยืมเงินแต่งงาน (yuem ngoen taeng ngan)
05. พี่ไปเพื่อชาติ (phi pai phuea chat)
06. เสน่ห์สาวภูธร (sane sao phuthon)
07. น้ำตาพ่อตก (nam ta pho tok)
08. หัวอกช่างตัดผม (hua ok chang tat phom)
09. คนดีที่โลกต้องการ (khon di thi lok tong kan)
10. กรรมกรแท๊กซี่ (kamkon taxi)
11. ไม่ไปแล้วกรุงเทพ (mai pai laeo krung thep)
12. ปีใหม่แล้วแก้วตา (pi mai laeo kaew ta)
13. ผมแล้งใจ (phom laeng chai)
sung by ยงยุทธ เชี่ยวชาญชัย (yongyuth chiaochanchai)
14. เพลินเมืองเหนือ (phloen mueang nuea)
sung by ยงยุทธ เชี่ยวชาญชัย (yongyuth chiaochanchai)
15. อย่ามีคู่เลย (ya mi khu loei)
sung by ยงยุทธ เชี่ยวชาญชัย (yongyuth chiaochanchai)
16. เจ็บใจจริง (chep chai ching)
sung by ยงยุทธ เชี่ยวชาญชัย (yongyuth chiaochanchai)

chaichana bunnachot was one of the earliest practitioners of luk thung and has remained a favorite throughout the years as both a singer and songwriter; he now holds the prestigious title of ศิลปินแห่งชาติ (silapin haeng chat) or "national artist". chaichana grew up in chachoengsao province, working on a mango plantation, admiring his uncle's ลิเก (like) troupe, and learning to sing all manner of folksong. eventually, he & his brother left for bangkok, where they sang at bus terminals throughout the city and earned some renown as street performers. chaichana soon turned his talents towards the new style being pioneered by khamron sambunnanon, which would come to be known as luk thung. soon he came to the attention of songwriter and bandleader พยงค์ มุกดา (phayong mukda), who would pen his early hits. chaichana would go on to become one of the most influential luk thung singers, and was a mentor to many of the biggest stars to follow him! please enjoy these wonderful tunes!

moderndog: soem sukhaphap

band: โมเดิร์นด็อก (moderndog)
album: เสริมสุขภาพ (soem sukhaphap)
tracklist:
01. บุษบา (butsaba)
02. กะลา (kala)
03. ...ก่อน (...kon)
04. มานี (mani)
05. พรุ่งนี้ (phrungni)
06. เธอ (thoe)
07. ชีวิต (chiwit)
08. ทุเรียน (durian)
09. บางสิ่ง (bang sing)
10. หมดเวลา (mot wela) [demo]

moderndog were real pioneers in thailand's independent rock scene. this cassette, their 1994 (พ.ศ. 2537) debut, was likewise the inaugural release of historic thai indie label bakery music. they would go on to be the biggest act in thailand at various points, and likely most modern thai bands would acknowledge a debt of gratitude to them. their sound bears influence from contemporaneous western "alternative rock" bands, groups such as faith no more, radiohead or bad brains, and they boast an impressive range of dynamic and song style. many might recognize them from wisit sasanatieng's film หมานคร (ma nakhon) or "citizen dog", which featured heavily (and in numerous iterations) their hit "...ก่อน" (track 3 on this album). enjoy the sounds of moderndog!

khwanchai phetroiet: chot mai pen man

singer: ขวัญชัย เพชรร้อยเอ็ด (khwanchai phetroiet)
album: จดหมายเป็นหมัน (chot mai pen man)
tracklist:
01. จดหมายเป็นหมัน (chot mai pen man)
02. จดหมายไม่เป็นหมัน (chot mai mai pen man)
sung by ขวัญอ่อน ตลาดสด (khwanon talatsot)
03. ลาก่อนเมืองใต้ (la kon mueang tai)
04. คอยพี่กลับเมืองใต้ (khoi phi klap mueang tai)
sung by เดือนเพ็ญ อำนวยพร (dueanphen amnuayphon)
05. คนร้อยเอ็ด (khon roi et)
06. แดดร่มลมตก (daet rom lom tok)
07. เกิดมาจน (koet ma chon)
08. ไกลบ้าน (klai ban)
09. ไกลน้อง (klai nong)
sung by ขวัญอ่อน ตลาดสด (khwanon talatsot)
10. รักอันตราย (rak antrai)
11. โอ้แม่ปิง (oh, mae ping)
12. ไผ่บ้าตะวัน (phai ba tawan)
13. เมามายา (mao ma ya)
14. ไม่จริงขอจาก (mai ching kho chak)

this week we hear from khwanchai phetroiet, a poor lad from thailand's isaan region. he got his start singing with the band of molam ฉวีวรรณ ดำเนิน (chawiwan damnoen), but found fame in the luk thung arena of the mid-70s. after a couple hits, he suffered a bad injury while out on tour, and took to drinking heavily. though he made a slight comeback in the 80s as a member of superstar phumphuang duangchan's band, his health was poor and he died shortly after. perhaps befitting his biography, khwanchai was great at soft slow laments, and often drew influence from isaan local music. i'm also intrigued by the use of sound-effects here; the 2 lead singles are dominated by slighltly bizarre synthesizer replications of birdcalls & car horns. be sure to check out angela sawyer's guest post at radiodiffusion, more sound-effect laden luk thung courtesy of สุริยา ฟ้าปทุม (suriya fapathum), who happens to be a northeastern balladeer just like khwanchai! were sound-effect singles an isaan "thing" in the 70s?

phongsi woranut: lom heman

singer: ผ่องศรี วรนุช (phongsi woranut)
album: ลมเหมันต์ (lom heman)
tracklist:
01. ลมเหมันต์ (lom heman)
02. รักไม่ลืม (rak mai luem)
03. เดือนลา (duean la)
04. บอกซิว่ารัก (bok si wa rak)
05. หลานรักไม่ลง (lan rak mai long)
06. หมองใจ (mong chai)
07. รักพี่บูชาพี่ (rak phi bucha phi)
08. ใจน้อง (chai nong)
09. พอกันที่ (pho kan thi)
10. สาริกาลืมไพร (sarika luem phrai)
11. คุณพี่ขี่เก๋ง (khun phi khi keng)
12. แพ้ (phae)
13. รักร้อนยีงกว่าไฟ (rak ron yi ngok wa fai)
14. ผัวจ๋า (phua cha)
15. วิมานในฝัน (wiman nai fan)
16. วิวาห์ราตรี (wiwa rattri)
17. หากฉันจะรักคุณ (hak chan cha rak khu)
18. บวชเสียเถิดพี่ (buat sia thoet phi)
19. คอยพี่กลับนา (khoi phi klap na)
20. สวยจริงหรือคุณ (suay ching rue khun)

this week, another tape from alexandra's collection.. more delightful hits from phongsi woranut! these songs are from the mid-1960's, years when she was battling with suraphon sombatcharoen (whose band she had recently departed) for domination of the pop scene in thailand; in fact, a few tunes on here are เพลงโต้ (pleng to) or "duelling song" responses to certain of suraphon's (track 10, for instance, is a response to his "แก้วลืมดง (kaew luem dong)", which was a jab at phongsi's aforementioned desertion). the band is great here, boasting some big horns & latin flavor, and phongsi's voice is in peak form, strong & high. very nice old luk thung!

khana hua fai samakhkhi: dontri phuen mueang chiang mai, vol. 2

band: คณะ หัวฝายสามัคคี (khana hua fai samakhkhi)
album: ดนตรีพื้นเมืองเชียงใหม่ 2 (dontri phuen mueang chiang mai, vol. 2)
tracklist:
01. ลงผีมด (long phi mot)
a. ผีมดห้อยผ้า (phi mot hoi pha)
b. เพลงน้อยบ่าเก่า (phleng noi ba kao)
c. ผีมดกิ๋นน้ำมะพร้าว (phi mot kin nam maphrao)
d. เพลงฟันดาบ (phleng fan dap)
02. เพลงตีมวย (phleng ti muay)

from the northern city of chiang mai, successor of the ancient lanna kingdom, we have music for ghosts & music for pugilists. the group is a ปี่พาทย์พื้นเมือง (piphat phuen mueang), an ensemble specific to northern thailand. the first side is music for a yearly dance ceremony held during the rainy season to satisfy the ghosts of ancestors. traditionally this event would feature a great amount of eating, drinking, dancing, and spiritual possession, culminating in the killing of a chicken and divining of its entrails.. i can't speak with authority on the matter, but i imagine nowadays the festival has been condensed into a routine geared towards outside observers, and likely omits the more gruesome aspects. the second side is music which accompanies the world-famous muay thai boxing. busy horns, drums, cymbals & metallophones abound!

kha nam nom

singers: various
album: ค่าน้ำนม (kha nam nom)
tracklist:
01. ค่าน้ำนม (kha nam nom)
sung by พนม นพพร (phanom nopphon)
02. หยดน้ำนมหยาดน้ำตา (yot nam nom yat nam ta)
sung by ชินกร ไกรลาศ (chinakon krailat)
03. โอ้..บุพการี (oh.. bupphakari)
sung by ลัดดา ศรีวรนันท์ (ladda siworanan)
04. ครวญหาแม่ (khruan ha mae)
sung by สุชาติ เทียนทอง (suchat thianthong)
05. สามรัก (sam rak)
sung by ก้าน แก้วสุพรรณ (kan kaewsuphan)
06. โซ่ชีวิต (so chiwit)
sung by สมยศ ทัศนพันธ์ (somyot thasanaphan)
07. คุณแม่จ๋า (khun mae cha)
sung by พรทิพา บูรณกิจบำรุง (phonthipha buranakitbamrung)
08. พ่อกับแม่ (pho kap mae)
sung by พร ภิรมย์ (phon phirom)
09. แม่จ๋า (mae cha)
sung by พริ้ว แพรชมภู (phriw phraechomphu)
10. บวชแทนพระคุณพ่อแม่ 1 (buat thaen phra khun pho mae 1)
sung by ชัยชนะ บุญนะโชติ (chaichana bunnachot)
11. บวชแทนพระคุณพ่อแม่ 2 (buat thaen phra khun pho mae 2)
sung by ชัยชนะ บุญนะโชติ (chaichana bunnachot)
12. อ้อมอกแม่ (om ok mae)
sung by พนม นพพร (phanom nopphon)

with mother's day coming up (in america, that is.. in thailand it won't be til august 12th!) i thought it would be nice to post some old songs about moms. many of the tunes are by famed song writer ไพบูลย์ บุตรขัน (phaibun butkhan), whose work has been featured a number of times on this site. what's interesting is that most of these sweet, slow ballads extolling filial piety were released closely after his more counter-hegemonic anthems about class disparity, in order to curry favor with the censors of the military regime. nowadays they are probably best for currying favor with moms.. hope they work!

(the cassette you see pictured, in spite of its beautiful krishna & devika cover art, was of basically unlistenable quality, but i happened to have a similar collection on cd, so that's what you'll be hearing.. hope no one minds the discrepancy!)

caravan: s/t

band: คาราวาน (caravan)
album: s/t
tracklist:
01. คนกับควาย (khon kap khwai)
02. เปิบข้าว (poep khao)
03. หมายเหตุจากหมู่บ้าน (maihet chak muban)
04. ชาวนา (chao na)
05. ข้าวคอยฝน (khao khoi fon)
06. คนภูเขา (khon phu khao)
07. จิตร ภูมิศักดิ์ (chit phumisak)
08. นกสีเหลือง (nok si lueang)
09. หยุดก่อน (yut kon)
10. กระต่ายกับเต่า (kratai kap tao)

earlier we heard from carabao, the band who popularized the เพลงเพื่อชีวิต (pleng puea chiwit) or "songs for life" genre; here we have the debut from its progenitors, caravan. this tape, issued in 1975 (พ.ศ. 2518) collects the songs with which band members สุรชัย จันทิมาธร (surachai chanthimathon) & วีระศักดิ์ สุนทรศรี (wirasak sunthonsi) had been leading protests for democracy throughout the country. their tunes & lyrics caught on quickly and were a vital force for bringing the messages of urban student activism out to the provinces. the music is fantastic, loosely adapting folk-rock rhythms & melodies from american & british protest songs of the time (listen for bob dylan, traffic), and interlacing them with thai folk idioms & instrumentation. shortly after the release of this album, in the wake of the massacre at thammasat university, the members fled bangkok, some heading into the mountains of the northeast to join the communist insurgency in armed struggle. needless to say, their music was banned from radioplay, broadcast only from pirate stations in the hills. these songs have since been reissued on smithsonian folkways, with fantastic liner notes.

yodrak salakchai: rap khrueng dieow

singer: ยอดรัก สลักใจ (yodrak salakchai)
album: รับครึ่งเดียว (rap khrueng dieow)
tracklist:
01. รับครึ่งเดียว (rap khrueng dieow)
02. หาเหาใส่หัว (ha hao sai hua)
03. แฟนเขาแฟนเรา (faen khao faen rao)
04. ข้าวซอย (khao soi)
05. ห่วงเพื่อน (huang phuean)
06. คิดถึงน้อง (khit thueng nong)
07. อยากๆ กลัวๆ (yak yak klua klua)
08. รักของคนใต้ (rak khong khon tai)
09. รอรักจากน้อง (ro rak chak nong)
10. มอญอาย (money)
11. ฮักสาวขอนแก่น (hak sao khon kaen)
12. ดึกแล้วลาก่อน (duek laeo la kon)

this week, a great album from late luk thung star yodrak salakchai! yodrak, from way up in phichit, was a sensation through the 70's, 80's & 90's (he even sang the theme to the tv version of 'mon rak luk thung'!), but finding his original albums in thailand today might be a challenge, as his passing last year triggered a massive nationwide sell-out (retrospectives of course, likely still abound!) i actually found this tape a week or so before the event, strangely enough, in chiang mai; though not home to a large luk thung fanbase, the record's local appeal may have been enhanced by inclusion of the song "khao soi", written about the city's fantastic 'signature dish'. the music on here is very lively & rock-influenced, featuring some blaring trumpet & nice, skittery organ work. enjoy!

phlae kao (o.s.t.)

singers: various
album: แผลเก่า (phlae kao)
tracklist:
01. ขวัญเรียม (khwan riam)
sung by ผ่องศรี วรนุช (phongsi woranut)
02. สั่งเรียม (sang riam)
sung by ไพรวัลย์ ลูกเพชร (phraiwan lukphet)
03. เคียงเรียม (khiang riam)
sung by ไพรวัลย์ ลูกเพชร + ผ่องศรี วรนุช (phraiwan lukphet + phongsi woranut)
04. แสนแสบ (saen saep)
sung by ไพรวัลย์ ลูกเพชร (phraiwan lukphet)
05. ลำนำแผลเก่า (lam nam phlae kao)
sung by ไพรวัลย์ ลูกเพชร (phraiwan lukphet)
06. เพลงเหย่อง (phleng he yong)
sung by หมู่ (mu)
07. ลำนำแผลเก่า (lam nam phlae kao)
sung by ทนงศักดิ์ ภักดีเทวา (thanongsak phakdithewa)
08. เดียงเรียม (diang riam)
sung by ทนงศักดิ์ ภักดีเทวา (thanongsak phakdithewa)
09. วอลท์ซปลื้มจิต (waltz pluem chit)
sung by ประทุม ประทีปะเสน (prathum prathipasen)
10. กุหลาบเขียว (ku lap khieow)
sung by สวลี ผกาพันธุ์ (sawali phakaphan)

another classic film soundtrack this week! based on a famous novel, the story "phlae kao" has been screened a number of times, but the 1977 (พ.ศ. 2520) effort by director เชิด ทรงศรี (choet songsi) is considered the touchstone, one of the first films to bring international recognition to thai cinema. set in rural thailand of the 30's, the story is a romantic melodrama between two young rice farmers, khwan & riam. the score is dominated by soft, slow ballads with prominent flute, the instrument with which khwan charms riam on-screen. the soundtrack also features 2 selections of 'period music'; a scratchy old waltz by prathum prathipasen for city music, as well as an 8 minute กลองยาว (klong yao) performance for country.. this last one's credited only to "group", though i believe it's done by the fine arts department band.

sonphet sonsuphan: yot nam sang lang rin

singer: ศรเพชร ศรสุพรรณ (sonphet sonsuphan)
album: หยดน้ำสังข์หลั่งริน (yot nam sang lang rin)
tracklist:
01. หยดน้ำสังข์หลั่งริน (yot nam sang lang rin)
02. ความผิดหวังยังคอยฉันอยู่ (khwam phit wang yang khoi chan yu)
03. คิดถึงลำปาง (khit thueng lampang)
04. ปรับทุกข์กับเจ้าทุย (prap thuk kap chao thui)
05. จูบมัดจำ (chup mat cham)
06. มาเจ็บที่จันทร์ (ma chep thi chan)
07. คุณหญิงดอลล่าร์ (khun ying 'dollar')
08. เด็กซิ่ง (dek sing)
09. ทับทิมลืมทุ่ง (thap thim luem thung)
10. หนุ่มนาลานาง (num na la nang)
11. อีลุบตุ๊บป่อง (e lup tuppong)
12. รักเธอเท่าฟ้า (rak thoe thao fa)
13. ผ้าขี้ริ้วเช็ดน้ำตา (pha khi riw chet nam ta)
14. คิดถึงจังเลย (khit thueng chang loei)
15. คนจนสะอื้น (khon chon sauen)
16. ตามหาบัวเรียง (tam ha bua riang)

yet another lad from suphan buri, birthplace of many a luk thung star! don't know very much about sonphet, really.. he was big in the 70's and a follower of mueangmon sombatcharoen.. he shook up the thai pop scene one year when he failed to show up for his royally-presented "golden antenna" award! he explained that he'd been sure he'd lose to competitor sayan sanya! funny enough, he tackles a number of sayan's tunes on this tape, but definitely makes them his own.. he's got a high, gritty voice & raucous singing style. this stuff is from his later period, classic organ & drum-machine driven luk thung. hope you enjoy!

sangthong sisai: chon laek

singer: สังข์ทอง สีใส (sangthong sisai)
album: ชนแหลก (chon laek)
tracklist:
01. ชนแหลก (chon laek)
02. ปากเอ๋ยปาก (pak oei pak)
03. มันจะมากเกินไป (man cha mak koen pai)
04. ดอกเบี้ยแขก (dok bia khaek)
05. ท้องอยากปากหิว (thong yak pak hiw)
06. เหนือพยายม (nuea phayayam)
07. ร้อยทั้งร้อย (roi thang roi)
08. อย่าเมา (ya mao)
09. รักคนอ้วนดีกว่า (rak khon uan di kwa)
10. สบายบื๋อ (sabai bue)
11. รักเขาข้างเดียว (rak khao khang dieow)
12. มารักกันดีกว่า (ma rak kan di kwa)
13. กรรมเก่า (kam kao)
14. เมีย (mia)
15. ผู้หญิงอย่างยู (phu ying yang 'you')
16. เสียแล้วเสียไป (sia laeo sia pai)
17. เบ๊อะ บ๊ะ (boe ba)
18. ลิเกเจ้าชู้ (like chao chu)

the inimitable sangthong sisai; actor, singer, and doubtless heart-throb! another fellow from suphan buri, sangthong got his start singing for the จุฬารัตน์ (chularat) band like his idol ชาย เมืองสิงห์ (chai mueangsing a.k.a. "man city lion"). during his tenure, the band also gave sangthong his stage-name; his eponym being a thai drama wherein the titular prince disguises himself as a hideous demon.. wishful thinking perhaps? sangthong's unmistakable facial features & equally unmistakable voice brought him fame both on screen and on record.. his singing sounds somewhat like an average person's sped up in post-production. though he ended up in jail for attempted murder, he remained a star & even had some hits from behind bars! the band here has a very western rock flavor, and turn in a handful of great tunes. enjoy!!!

buddha bless: kat man du

band: บุดด้า เบลส (buddha bless)
album: กัด มันส์ ดุ (kat man du)
tracklist:
01. shake it baby!
02. ดุ๊ก ดิ๊ก (duk dik)
03. หุ่นยนต์ (hunyon)
04. นรก (narok)
05. ปักตะไคร้ (pak takhrai)
06. จ้น จน (chon chon)
07. โดเรมอน (doraemon)
08. สวยจัง (เทยนี่หว่า) (suay chang (thoei niwa))
09. แค่อกหัก (khae okhak)
10. เปียกอับชื้น (piak ap chuen)

keeping with newer music for the moment, here is thailand's first (i think..) reggae/dancehall group! this might not be everyone's thing (alexandra can't stand them, for instance) but i think they're alot of fun! i'm not sure where exactly they're from (probably bangkok).. i'm assuming their claim of จังหวัด แดนซ์ฮอลล์ (dancehall province) isn't completely accurate. buddha bless rap about hell, doraemon and lemongrass.. so i think lyrically they have all the bases covered. this one's just off cd, back to old cassettes next week!!

khana phloenphit: molamsing waichap, vol. 7

band: คณะ เพลินพิศ (khana phloenphit)
album: หมอลำซิ่ง วัยจ๊าบ ชุด 7 (molamsing waichap, vol. 7)
tracklist:
01. หมอลำซิ่ง วัยจ๊าบ ชุด 7 ตอน 1 (molamsing waichap, vol. 7, pt. 1)
02. หมอลำซิ่ง วัยจ๊าบ ชุด 7 ตอน 2 (molamsing waichap, vol. 7, pt. 2)

this week we have a great offering of molam sing! the word ซิ่ง ('sing'), from english 'racing' (originally a reference to biker culture), has come to imply something hip or up-to-date.. in other words, this is a sort of modernized molam.. in place of the classic skeletal voice & khaen arrangement, the music is driven by an electrified full band, playing at a high pitch & swift tempo. this cassette is a live recording, aurally capturing an event which typically features all manner of dancers & comic skits on top of the music. the beat here is perpetual, only pausing for some brief interludes of สอย ('soi'), wherein the singers taunt & trash-talk fellow performers & the audience! laid over the beat are melodies both from lam repertoire and borrowed from luk thung. i don't know anything about this particular group 'phloenphit', but they sound great.. i wonder if they have any vcds floating around!

mon pleng khru phaibun butkhan chut 3

singers: various
album: มนต์เพลง ครูไพบูลย์ บุตรขัน ชุด 3 (mon pleng khru phaibun butkhan chut 3)
tracklist:
01. น้ำค้างเดือนหก (nam khang duean hok)
sung by สุรชัย สมบัติเจริญ (surachai sombatcharoen)
02. รักจนหมดใจ (rak chon mot chai)
sung by กุ้ง สุธิราช วงศ์เทวัญ (kung suthirat wongthewan)
03. เบ้าหลอมดวงใจ (bao lom duang chai)
sung by เอกชัย ศรีวิชัย (ekachai siwichai)
04. มนต์รักลูกทุ่ง (mon rak luk thung)
sung by รุ่ง สุริยา (rung suriya)
05. ขวัญใจคนจน (khwanchai khon chon)
sung by สดใส รุ่งโพธิ์ทอง (sodsai rungphothong)
06. บ้านไร่น่ารัก (ban rai na rak)
sung by ยอดรัก สลักใจ (yodrak salakchai)
07. มือพี่มีพลัง (mue phi mi phalang)
sung by ไวพจน์ เพชรสุพรรณ (waiphot phetsuphan)
08. กลิ่นโคลนสาบควาย (klin khlon sap khwai)
sung by เสรีย์ รุ่งสว่าง (seri rungsawang)
09. น้ำท่วม (nam thuam)
sung by สายัณห์ สัญญา (sayan sanya)
10. ลำดวนเอ๋ย (lam duanoei)
sung by เพลิน พรมแดน (phloen phromdaen)
11. บ้านนาป่าร้าง (ban na pa rang)
sung by ชัยชนะ บุญนะโชติ (chaichana bunnachot)
12. น้ำลงเดือนยี่ (nam long duean yi)
sung by รุ่งเพชร แหลมสิงห์ (rungphet laemsing)
13. บ้านสาวโสด (ban sao sot)
sung by สุดา ศรีลำดวน (suda silamduan)
14. อันเป็นดวงใจ (an pen duang chai)
sung by คัทลียา มารศรี (khataliya marasi)

this tape is very special to me.. it was my first real exposure to thai pop music! alexandra & i came upon it at a (now defunct) thai memorabilia store in manhattan's chinatown, and of course i knew nothing about the contents, but our roy orbison-looking friend on the cover convinced me to grab it. as it turns out, the gentleman with the dark glasses is none other than phaibun butkhan, the legendary luk thung songwriter who brought us mon rak luk thung (the theme of which is featured again here)! this tape features renderings of some of his greatest tunes, by stars from almost every generation, from the 60's to the (then-)present, from chaichana & waiphot to yodrak & sayan, all the way to surachai sombatcharoen (son of suraphon). the production, while unmistakably a product of the 90's, manages to remain understated, and besides the fantastic vocals, there are some great passages of accordion & horn. hope you enjoy!

mon rak luk thung (o.s.t.)

singers: various
album: มนต์รักลูกทุ่ง (mon rak luk thung)
tracklist:
01. มนต์รักลูกทุ่ง (mon rak luk thung)
sung by ไพรวัลย์ ลูกเพชร (phraiwan lukphet)
02. สาวนาคอยคู่ (sao na khoi khu)
sung by บุปผา สายชล (buppha saichon)
03. อาลัย (alai)
sung by ไพรวัลย์ ลูกเพชร (phraiwan lukphet)
04. หนุ่มพเนจร (num phanechon)
sung by บรรจบ เจริญพร (banchop charoenphon)
05. สิบหมื่น (sip muen)
sung by มิตร ชัยบัญชา (mit chaibancha)
06. น้ำลงนกร้อง (nam long nok rong)
sung by พรไพร เพชรดำเนิน (phonphrai phetdamnoen)
07. นกร้องน้องช้ำ (nok rong nong cham)
sung by บุปผา สายชล (buppha saichon)
08. น้อยใจรัก (noi chai rak)
sung by ผ่องศรี วรนุช (phongsi woranut)
09. แม่ร้อยใจ (mae roi chai)
sung by มิตร ชัยบัญชา (mit chaibancha)
10. น้ำตา น้ำตก (nam ta nam tok)
sung by บุปผา สายชล (buppha saichon)
11. ใจเจ้าชู้ (chai chao chu)
sung by บรรจบ เจริญพร (banchop charoenphon)
12. รูปหล่อถมไป (rup lo thom pai)
sung by บุปผา สายชล (buppha saichon)
13. รักร้าวหนาวลม (rak rao nao lom)
sung by บรรจบ เจริญพร (banchop charoenphon)
14. รักลาอย่าเศร้า (rak la ya sao)
sung by ผ่องศรี วรนุช (phongsi woranut)

the film "mon rak luk thung" is considered a landmark of both thai cinema & thai popular music; its unprecedented 6 month run in bangkok upon release in 1970 (พ.ศ. 2513) represented an increasing fondness for pleng luk thung in the capitol. the story is set in a rural village and concerns the romance between a poor farmer and the daughter of a rich landowner (played by mit chaibancha & phetchara chaowarat). taking a cue from hindi films, the action is interspersed with musical numbers, many of which feature the original singers picturising their own tunes. and the tunes are in top form! featuring the work of famed songwriter ไพบูลย์ บุตรขัน (phaibun butkhan) & his team, many of these songs are pop standards, with dozens of recorded versions. the film itself also has a number of iterations, most notably as the basis of a tv serial drama (ละคร or 'lakhon') of the same name. please enjoy these unforgettable songs!