yodrak ok hak

artist: ยอดรัก สลักใจ (yodrak salakchai)

album: ยอดรักอกหัก (yodrak ok hak)

tracklist:

01. ขมกว่าสะเดา (khom kwa sadao)

02. ยอดรักอกหัก (yodrak ok hak)

03. สุราษฎร์ ขาดน้อง (surat khat nong)

04. ใจคู่ใจ (chai khu chai)

05. ทุยทิ้งทุ่ง (thui thing thung)

06. เข็ดแล้วความรัก (khet laeo khwam rak)

07. ได้หอมยอมตาย (dai hom yom dai)

08. รำวงฝากรัก (ram wong fak rak)

09. เจอะปุ๊บรักปั๊บ (choe pup rak pap)

10. น้ำแห้งน้องหาย (nam haeng nong hai)

11. คนจนเจ้าเอ๋ย (khon chon chao oei)

12. ขาดคนหุงข้าว (khat khon hung khao)

13. เมียไม่มาเมียไม่มี (mia mai ma mia mai mi)

14. รักไม่ยุ่งมุ่งแต่งาน (rak mai yung mung tae ngan)

15. เชื่อยากปากหญิง (chuea yak pak ying)

16. น้องม่วย (nong muai)

17. รักของชาวนา (rak khong chao na)

18. กุหลาบที่รัก (kulap thi rak)

19. น้ำใจลิ้นจี่ (nam chai lin chi)

20. งอนนักเดี๋ยวรักไม่ลง (ngon nak dieow rak mai long)

big hits for the new year; top-rate 70s funk from pol. cpl. yodrak salakchai! yodrak was from phichit in northern thailand, the youngest of 8 kids. after losing his father at age 7, yodrak & his siblings started singing ramwong music in local bars to help support themselves and their mother, earning enough to finance their schooling. after high school, yodrak himself moved down to nakhon sawan for a steady gig at a restaurant. here he started in with luk thung style (particularly the songs of phraiwan lukphet) and was picked up by a local radio dj, who passed him onto impresario chonlathi thanthong. under chonlathi, he came to be one of the biggest names in luk thung from the late 70s until his untimely passing in 2008. for fans of the thai disco sound, yodrak is not to be missed.. enjoy!

preview:

santa claus ma ban rao

artist: มณีนุช เสมรสุต + ณรงค์ศักดิ์ อิ่มเจริญ (maninut samerasut & narongsak imcharoen)

album: ซานตาคลอสมาบ้านเรา (santa claus ma ban rao)

tracklist:

01. ซานตาคลอสมาบ้านเรา (santa claus ma ban rao)

02. เด็กเล่นกลอง (dek len klong)

03. คืนนั้นเงียบสนิท (khuen nan ngiap sanit)

04. เราทั้งสามกษัตริย์บูรพา (rao thang sam kasat burapha)

05. จงฟังเพลงแห่งทูตสวรรค์ (chong fang phleng haeng thut sawan)

06. รูดอล์ฟ เจ้ากวางจมูกแดง (ดนตรี) (rudolf chao kwang chamuk daeng (instrumental))

07. โอ! ต้นคริสต์มาส (o! ton christmas)

08. โอ้คืนศักดิ์สิทธิ์ (o khuen sak sit)

09. พระคริสต์เสด็จมา จงยินดี (phra christ sadet ma chong yin di)

10. เพลงระฆัง (phleng rakhang)

11. กุมารน้อย จอมราชา (kuman noi chom racha)

12. ซานตาคลอสมาบ้านเรา (ดนตรี) (santa claus ma ban rao (instrumental))

the season is here, and it's about as cold as it gets in thailand, so i think it's about time to share this.. yup, it's all your favorite christmas carols, translated into thai! our performers are tv star maninut samerasut and easy listening piano guru narongsak imcharoen, featuring the congregation of the sisters & daughters of the queenship of mary, as well as students from saengtham college, rongrian phra mae mari (trok chan) and singers from the holy rosary church. definitely a unique object.. enjoy!

preview:

phensi phumchusi: wihok hoen lom

artist: เพ็ญศรี พุ่มชูศรี (phensi phumchusi)

album: วิหคเหิรลม (wihok hoen lom)

tracklist:

01. วิหคเหิรลม (wihok hoen lom)

02. ขวัญของเรียม (khwan khong riam)

03. คนจะรักกัน (khon cha rak kan)

04. ไทรโศก (sai sok)

05. หนามชีวิต (nam chiwit)

06. ไฟเสน่หา (fai saneha)

07. กระจกส่องโฉม (krachok song chom)

08. เอื้องระทม (ueang rathom)

09. พ่อพระในดวงใจ (pho phra nai duang chai)

10. แม้ทะเลยังระทม (mae thale yang rathom)

11. นกน้อยในกรงทอง (nok noi nai krong thong)

12. บางปะกง (bang pakong)

13. เตือนใจ (tuean chai)

14. อยากมารักเขาเอง (yak ma rak khao eng)

15. อ้อมอกสวรรค์ (om ok sawan)

16. กล่อมวิวาห์ (klom wiwa)

17. ฟ้าเผยม่านทอง (fa phoei man thong)

phensi phumchusi, from phitsanulok, got her start early. she was winning local song contests from the age of 8 and made her first gramophone recordings at 12. in 1944, she was chosen to sing with uea sunthonsanan & the government public relations department band (later suntharaphon). she resigned from government service in 1952 to join her husband suwat woradilok's theatre troupe. five years later, they broke the military government's embargo to perform in china with writer & activist kulap saipradit (siburapha), and upon their return spent four years in prison as communist sympathizers¹. despite this, phensi's career barely took a hit; she was regularly chosen by the king to perform his own compositions and recorded countless popular standards, founded her own music school and held the title of national artist until her passing in 2007. this cassette features some of her work from the mid-60's; latin beats & luk krung ballads.. tasteful, jazzy accompaniment and even a xylophone solo here and there. enjoy!

preview:

sunari ratchasima: klap khorat

artist: สุนารี ราชสีมา (sunari ratchasima)

album: กลับโคราช (klap khorat)

tracklist:

01. กลับโคราช (klap khorat)

02. ลูกชายลุงมา (luk chai lung ma)

03. ตำตาตำใจ (tam ta tam chai)

04. สาวโสด (sao sot)

05. สะใภ้สุพรรณ (saphai suphan)

06. ซาวด์ดนตรี กลับโคราช (klap khorat [instrumental])

07. เจ็บไม่รู้จบ (chep mai ru chop [instrumental])

08. แตกเนื้อสาว (taek nuea sao)

09. สัญญาคนซื่อ (sanya khon sue)

10. เจ็บไม่รู้จบ (chep mai ru chop)

11. ตัวไกลใจอย่าลืม (tua klai chai ya luem)

12. หัวใจบอดสี (hua chai bot si)

13. ซาวด์ดนตรี ลูกชายลุงมา (luk chai lung ma [instrumental])

this week, some early tracks from luk thung superstar sunari ratchasima! a song contest champion from age 13, sunari grew up in khorat where she worked in garment manufacturing before being discovered by local radio manager suksan hansa. after her first two albums (this cassette is the second) sold slowly, she was picked up by songwriter chonlati thanthong, with whose compositions she rose to fame. she was at the top of the charts for many years, landing roles on movies and television as well. she still performs today, and can even be seen in this year's country music comedy film "ruam phon khon luk thung ngoen lan". enjoy!

preview:

khana orot arab: lamtat chiwit

artist: คณะ โอรสอาหรับ (khana orot arab)

album: ลำตัดชีวิต (lamtat chiwit)

tracklist:

01. ออกแขกแบบภารตะ (ok khaek baep bharata)

02. สองไม้ชีวิต (song mai chiwit)

03. ผู้วิเศษ (phu wiset)

04. ตลกน้ำขึ้นน้ำลง (talok nam khuen nam long)

05. ลำตัดชีวิตออกลิเก (lamtat chiwit ok like)

06. ลำตัดทำนองสากล (lamtat tham nong sakon)

07. อีแซว ชายหญิง (isaeo chai ying)

this week, some fantastic central thai muslim music! a number of musical styles associated with central thailand (liké, lamtat, etc.) have their origins in malay artforms, though they have long been integrated into the majority buddhist culture. there are, however, still a handful of muslim practitioners.. including today's star of voice & violin, mr. orot arab! i'm not sure where the group is from originally, but i believe they've been based in bangkok for some time. this cassette was produced by yanavy sound (note their classic mosque & crescent logo) which, as we're told us on the recording, is located behind the old phra khanong rama theatre off sukhumvit road. sad to say, last i heard mr. orot arab was comatose in minburi hospital¹.. if anyone knows how he's doing please fill us in.

preview:

khana tapphonwathit: piphat mon

artist: คณะ ทับพรวาทิต (khana tapphonwathit)

album: ปี่พาทย์มอญ (piphat mon)

tracklist: 

01. พม่าใหญ่ (phama yai)

02. พม่าเล็ก (phama lek)

03. พม่ากลาง (phama klang)

04. อรุณนิมิต (arun nimit)

this week, some great mon-style piphat music! rather than being associated specifically with any of the numerous mon communities in thailand or across the border in burma's mon state, piphat mon refers to a style of ensemble that has long since been incorporated into the larger thai classical repertoire, and is heard most often in funeral ceremonies. our players on this cassette are the tapphonwathit ensemble, led here by national artist kalong phuengthongkham, performing a selection of mostly burmese-accented compositions. beautiful music, enjoy!

preview:

thepphon phetubon: kong khao noi kha mae

artist: เทพพร เพชรอุบล (thepphon phetubon)

album: ก่องข้าวน้อยฆ่าแม่ (kong khao noi kha mae)

tracklist:

01. ก่องข้าวน้อยฆ่าแม่ 1 (kong khao noi kha mae 1)

02. ก่องข้าวน้อยฆ่าแม่ 2 (kong khao noi kha mae 2)

03. คนเร่หนัง (khon re nang)

04. อีสานบ้านเฮา (isan ban hao)

05. ศรีธนหลงป่า (si thon long pa)

06. เลิกเป็นลูกจ้าง (loek pen luk chang)

07. ทหารม้าลาเมีย (thahan ma la mia)

08. ของแซบอีสาน (khong saep isan)

09. ส่งใจไปกันฟ้า (song chai pai kan fa)

10. หนุ่มนาสาบาน (num nasa ban)

11. ของดีบ้านเฮา (khong di ban hao)

12. สงกรานต์บ้านนา (songkran ban na)

today i bring sad word that we recently lost the great thepphon phetubon, who passed away on october 22nd. thepphon, as his stage name suggests, was born & raised in thailand's ubon ratchathani province. he attended college in bangkok, but left after 2 years with dreams of becoming a luk thung star like his idol, phon phirom. he returned home to ubon and landed a radio job with nophadon duangphon, then was picked up by phiphat boribun to join saksi siakson's band. in addition to his role as singer, thepphon was selected to transcribe songbooks for the group, because of his beautiful handwriting. through this task, he was able to study the art of composition (which would come to serve him especially well after the loss of his voice in the 80's). when saksi's band broke up, thepphon worked and performed (playing sax & accordion) around the u.s. air force base in ubon, before breaking into the molam scene under the guidance of impresario thepphabut satirotchomphu¹. while his songwriting for star saksiam phetchomphu brought him renown, he was slow to land a hit as singer, until his song "khit hot ai nae doe (please think of me)" became a national farewell anthem as radio djs resigned en masse in protest of severe censorship resulting from the 1971 coup². here's one last farewell to the late great thepphon!

preview:

prayat namsi & khana "super si ubon"

artist: ประหยัด นามศรี + คณะ "ซุปเปอร์ศรีอุบล" (prayat namsi & khana "super si ubon")

album: พี่อ้ายกับน้องเมีย (phi ai kap nong mia)

tracklist:

01. พี่อ้ายกับน้องเมีย (phi ai kap nong mia)

02. โชเฟอร์เบอร์ 500 (chauffeur no. 500)

03. พ่อเฒ่าลูกเขย (pho thao luk khoei)

04. หูไม่พัฒนา (hu mai phatthana)

05. ซาอุดร (sa-udon)

06. บ้านนอกเข้ากรุง (ban nok khao krung)

07. นายสังสวนสนุก (nai sang suan sanuk)

08. คนขี้ลืม (khon khi luem)

09. 4 เกลอเที่ยวกรุง (4 kloe thieow krung)

10. ชื่อนั้นสําคัญไฉน (chue nan samkhan chanai)

this week, fantastic lam klon from mr. prayat namsi! i couldn't find too much information about mr. prayat.. i know he was a protégé of p. chalatnoi songsoem, and that he died tragically in kalasin while on tour with his band in the late 70s. thanks to this tape, i know he was associated with banyen rakkaen as well (she's the producer here). if anyone knows more about this guy, please share. in the meantime, enjoy this album of pleasing voice and khaen!

preview:

dao bandon: khon khi lang khwai

artist: ดาว บ้านดอน (dao bandon)

album: คนขี่หลังควาย (khon khi lang khwai)

tracklist:

01. คนขี่หลังควาย (khon khi lang khwai)

02. ทิดจ้อยปล่อยไก่ (thit choi ploi kai)

03. ลำเพลินเกี้ยวสาว (lam phloen kieow sao)

04. จันดีขี้ฝอย (chan di khi foi)

05. นั่งสามล้อตามแฟน (nang sam lo tam faen)

06. ตามหาสายบัว (tam ha sai bua)

07. ลาน้องไปจัดรายการ (la nong pai chat rai kan)

08. นัดวันกินดอง (nat wan kin dong)

09. จดหมายไม่มีซอง (chot mai mai mi song)

10. รักจริงๆ ตาหวาน (rak ching ching ta wan)

11. หนุ่มลำน้ำชี (num lam nam chi)

12. ลำเพลินเจริญใจ (lam phloen charoen chai)

13. หนุ่มปั้มน้ำมัน (num pump nam man)

14. อ้ายบ่ลืม (ai bo luem)

15. แหล่สอนหญิง (lae son ying)

16. น้ำในคลอง (nam nai khlong)

this week, the legendary buffalo rider, dao bandon! dao was born to a rice farming family in northeastern thailand's yasothon province. after 4th grade, his parents couldn't afford to continue sending him to school, and he was sent to live in a monastery and there continue his education. it was here that he realized his significant vocal gifts, by way of the rhythmic chant & preaching required by the vocation. he was discovered at temple by songwriter thepphabut satirotchomphu, who guaranteed him a career as molam when he left the monkhood. dao gave up his robes, and theppabhut made good on his promise. the talented young singer quickly won success, and would in fact become the first molam ever to sell one million copies! and he's still a big name today, whether it's on the lips of current pop stars or through the amazing re-issue work of zudrangma records. from the first listen, it should be obvious why.. enjoy!

preview:

songs of major general luang wichit wathakan

artist: กรมประชาสัมพันธ์ (government public relations department)

album: เพลงของ พลตรี หลวงวิจิตรวาทการ และชุด หนักแผ่นดิน (nak phaendin & other songs of major general luang wichit wathakan)

tracklist:

01. หนักแผ่นดิน (nak phaendin)

02. รักเมืองไทย (rak mueang thai)

03. ตื่นเถิดชาวไทย (tuen thoet chao thai)

04. เลือดสุพรรณ (lueat suphan)

05. แหลมทอง (laem thong)

06. ใต้ร่มธงไทย (tai rom thong thai)

07. เลือดไทย (lueat thai)

08. รวมไทย (ruam thai)

09. ไทยน้อยไทยใหญ่ (thai noi, thai yai)

10. ดวงจันทร์ (duangchan)

11. สยามมานุสติ (siam manutsati)

12. รักชาติ (rak chat)

13. แดนอิสาน (daen isan)

14. วีรบุรุษดอนแตง (wiraburut don taeng)

15. ไทยควรคำนึง (thai khuan kham nueng)

16. อธิษฐาน (athithan)

17. แผ่นดินของเรา (phaendin khong rao)

18. เราสู้ (rao su)

19. อยุธยาเมืองเก่า (ayutthaya mueang kao)

today, a set of (in)famously rousing tunes from thailand's foremost propagandist, major general luang wichit wathakan! the right hand man of mid-century dictator field marshal plaek phibunsongkhram, wichit crafted countless novels, plays and songs in support of the power clique's chauvinistic ideal of thai national identity. these were often published through government agencies and received wide-reaching (obligatory) broadcast. this cassette compiles some of the best known works by the government public relations department during that era. besides the notorious "nak phaendin" (more discussion here), sung by ubon khongsin & sirichan isarangkul na ayutthaya, there are also a handful of vocal contributions from chintana suksathit, somphop chantharaprapha and the queen's reputed favorite, santi lunphe. despite featuring dark and often violent lyrics in the service of a fascist dictatorship, the music is quite often upbeat, even "merry melodies"-esque in it's orchestration and choral arrangements. enjoy?

preview:

s. khlaonoi: lok nang iat

artist: ศ. เคล้าน้อย (s. khlaonoi)

album: หลกหนังเอียด (lok nang iat)

tracklist:

01. หลกหนังเอียด ตอน 1 (lok nang iat, pt. 1)

02. หลกหนังเอียด ตอน 2 (lok nang iat, pt. 2)

this week; sounds of the south, from s. khlaonoi! nang talung is southern thailand's shadow-puppet theatre, and s. khlaonoi is among the most renowned of its troupe leaders. these leaders (or hua na) front the band from behind the screen, giving voice to a range of characters, both male and female, alternating between song and spoken dialogue [disclaimer for non-southern thai speakers: this tape is primarily dialogue]. they're typically called upon to be singer, comedian, puppeteer & bandleader all at the same time. nang talung is probably the most prominent cultural signifier for southern thai people.. you can spot the iconic puppets (especially the bawdy ai theng) on vehicles, restaurant awnings, t-shirts and even personified by s. khlaonoi on the tape cover (which to me distinctly resembles a 90's darryl "joe cool" daniel work). enjoy!

preview:

waeo mayura: mai mi khrai rak chan ching

artist: แวว มยุรา (waeo mayura)

album: ไม่มีใครรักฉันจริง (mai mi khrai rak chan ching)

tracklist:

01. ไม่มีใครรักฉันจริง (mai mi khrai rak chan ching)

02. รักเหมือขอบฟ้า (rak nuea khop fa)

03. น้องเป็นคนรักที่เท่าไหร่ (nong pen khon rak thi thao rai)

04. เข็ดกรุงเทพฯ (khet krung thep)

05. รักหล่นเมื่อฝนซา (rak lon muea fon sa)

06. ไปตามดวง (pai tam duang)

07. คนสุดท้าย (khon sut thai)

08. โตเกียวแห่งความหลัง (tokyo haeng khwam lang)

09. คนชื่อปราณี (khon chue prani)

10. รอวันทหารกลับ (ro wan thahan klap)

11. เจอะปุ๊บเกลียดปั๊บ (che pup kliat pap)

12. ทำบุญร่วมชาติ (tham bun ruam chat)

this week, a great old cassette from one of luk thung's most tragic cases, 70's darling waeo mayura. born to a rice farming family in central thailand's uthai thani province, waeo made her way to stardom the old-fashioned way; up through local singing contests, to radio spots, singing for small bands, and finally discovered by the late sayan sanya. sayan was looking for a fresh voice to sing female answer-songs to his hits and brought waeo into his group, where she met her husband, sakon alongkon. the couple left sayan's group together to open a restaurant, but sakon was tragically murdered soon after in a dispute over ownership of the shop. waeo tried to form her own band after the tragedy, but not having the resources to make it happen, had to sell her house and go back to singing in local cafés to earn a living. not long after, she decided to end her own life, at only 30 years of age¹. her music is beautiful, and just about as sorrowful as you'd expect from someone who lived the life she did. enjoy her music, and make sure to check out much more of her over at the kadao ton kao blog!

preview:

dontri phuen mueang isan: pong lang

artist: โปงลางกาฬสินธุ์ (pong lang kalasin)

album: ดนตรีพื้นเมืองอีสาน โปงลาง (dontri phuen mueang isan: pong lang)

tracklist:

01. กาเต้นก้อน (ka ten kon)

02. แม่ร้างกล่อมลูก (mae rang klom luk)

03. ลมพัดต้นมะพร้าว (lom phat ton maphrao)

04. นกไทรบินข้ามทุ่ง (nok sai bin kham thung)

05. ภูไทเลาะตูบ (phu thai lo tup)

06. เดี่ยวพิณ (dieow phin)

07. ม้าย่อง (ma yong)

08. เซิ้งสวิง (soeng sawing)

09. รำสาละวัน (ram salawan)

10. สุดสะแนน (sut sanaen)

11. เซิ้งโปงลาง (soeng pong lang)

12. ลำเพลิน (lam phloen)

13. ต้อนวัวขึ้นเขา (ton wua khuen khao)

14. บุญเดือนหก (bun duean hok)

15. เซิ้งภูไท (soeng phu thai)

16. พม่ารำขวาน (phama ram khwan)

17. รำภูไท (ram phu thai)

18. นกโซบินข้ามทุ่ง (nok so bin kham thung)

today, classic northeastern instrumentals from pong lang kalasin! the xylophone-like pong lang, thought to derive from a signal instrument used by rice farmers, was adapted for ensemble by national artist and kalasin native plueang chairatsami. the group on this cassette are plueang's original practitioners, and i imagine few can do it better. after an introductory solo by the featured instrument, the isan big band shows up; drums, cymbals, phin, khaen. outstanding music throughout! dense and energetic. now: why the cassette cover features the phrathat phanom chedi (in nakhon phanom, not kalasin), i'm not sure..

preview:

suthep wongkamhaeng & sawali phakaphan

artist: สุเทพ วงศ์กำแหง + สวลี ผกาพันธุ์ (suthep wongkamhaeng & sawali phakaphan)

album: ถาม-ตอบ จาก สุเทพ-สวลี (tham-top chak suthep-sawali)

tracklist:

01. คนใจดำ (khon chai dam)

02. คนใจเดียว (khon chai dieow)

03. สั่งฟ้าฝากดิน (sang fa fak din)

04. ฟ้าลาดิน (fa la din)

05. ลาชู้ (la chu)

06. ชู้ลา (chu la)

07. บัญชารัก (bancha rak)

08. บัญชาสวาท (bancha sawat)

09. จอมนางบนกลางใจ (chom nang bon klang chai)

10. ชายเดียวในดวงใจ (chai dieow nai duang chai)

11. รักเธอกว่าล้านบาท (rak thoe kwa lan bat)

12. รักเธอไม่ถึงบาท (rak thoe mai thueng bat)

13. จูบประทับใจ (chup prathap chai)

14. จูบประจำใจ (chup pracham chai)

15. ธาราระทม (thara rathom)

16. ทะเลระทม (thale rathom)

this week, some delightful old city sounds from luk krung crooners suthep & sawali! veterans of suntharaphon (originally the thai public relations department band), suthep wongkamhaeng & sawali phakaphan both had successful solo careers, as well.. and often in tandem! this album in particular features the pair trading question-answer songs. the idea is essentially the same as what you can find in early american country&western or r&b, among calypsonians from trinidad, or (for a modern day equivalent) the diss track. these answer songs use the same composition with a slight, clever twist to the lyrics (i.e. "the woman utmost in my heart" vs. "the only man in my heart"). while nowhere near as spirited as the song battles that raged between their luk thung contemporaries, there's still plenty to like from these two. enjoy!

preview:

sit suraphon: thi raluek khrop rop 22 pi

artist(s): various

album: ศิษย์สุรพล ที่ระลึกครบรอบ 22 ปี (sit suraphon: thi raluek khrop rop 22 pi)

tracklist:

01. อยากดัง (yak dang)

sung by กังวาลไพร ลูกเพชร (kangwanphrai lukphet)

02. รักพี่เสียดายน้อง (rak phi sia dai nong)

sung by ศักดิ์ชาย วันชัย (sakchai wanchai)

03. คนดีของแม่ (khon di khong mae)

sung by ศรีไพร ลูกราชบุรี (siphrai lukratburi)

04. ด่วนสายใต้ (duan sai tai)

sung by สกาวเดือน (sakaoduean)

05. มาลัยแฟน (malai faen)

sung by พนมไพร ลูกเพชร (phanomphrai lukphet)

06. วิมานเนรมิต (wiman neramit)

sung by แทน นครปฐม (thaen nakhonpathom)

07. คอยวันเธอใจเดียว (khoi wan thoe chai dieow)

sung by เรียม ดาราน้อย (riam daranoi)

08. รักฉันแล้วอย่ารักใครอีกนะ (rak chan laeo ya rak khrai ik na)

sung by ละอองดาว (la'ongdao)

09. โปรดให้ความหวังผมบ้าง (prot hai khwam wang phon bang)

sung by พร พนาไพร (phon phanaphrai)

10. ถวิลดอกฟ้า (thawin dok fa)

sung by มนต์ไพร ลูกราชบุรี (monphrai lukratburi)

11. คิดถึงบ้าน (khit thueng ban)

sung by ก้องไพร ลูกเพชร (kongphrai lukphet)

12. จ้อกแจ้กจอแจ (chok chaek cho chae)

sung by ศรีไพร ลูกราชบุรี (siphrai lukratburi)

today, 16th august 2013, marks 45 years since the death of suraphon sombatcharoen! suraphon, the king of luk thung, was arguably thailand's first real superstar, a character whose personality loomed as large as his talent & a major force in the development of thailand's popular music. in 1969, at the height of his fame, he was gunned down after a show by an unknown assailant (theories about who may have orchestrated his killing are too numerous to list here, and the issue is still contentious today)¹. but in addition to his own successes, suraphon fostered a large retinue of disciples, many of whom carried on his legacy, becoming the biggest stars of the next generation. this tape, compiled in commemoration of his 22nd death anniversary, features some of the lesser-known of these singers and their excellent songs.. enjoy!!

preview:

kammachon, vol. 1

artist: กรรมาชน (kammachon)

album: กรรมาชน ชุดที่ 1 (kammachon, vol. 1)

tracklist:

01. กรรมาชน (kammachon)

02. คนกับควาย (khon kap khwai)

03. ชาวนารำพึง (chao na ramphueng)

04. แสง (saeng)

05. กูจะปฏิวัติ (ku cha patiwat)

06. จิตร ภูมิศักดิ์ (chit phumisak)

07. นกสีเหลือง (nok si lueang)

08. เพื่อมวลชน (phuea muan chon)

09. โลกที่ 3 (lok thi 3)

10. เลือดทาแผ่นดิน (lueat tha phaen din)

11. ฆาตกร (khatthakon)

12. เปิบข้าว (poep khao)

13. มาร์ชประชาชนเดิน (march prachachon doen)

14. สู้ไม่ถอย (su mai thoi)

15. เจ้าพระยา (chao phraya)

16. ข้าวคอยฝน (khao khoi fon)

this week, an incredible tape of thai protest song! founded by kunsak rueangkhongkiat (jin) & a group of student activists from mahidol university around the time of the 14 october 1973 uprising, the kammachon band put out only 3 albums in as many years. frontman jin, however, has been performing solo ever since (he plays a pharmacist by day)¹. what's most remarkable about jin, though, is that he's one of the only phuea chiwit performers to actively support the red shirt movement.. the genre for the most part is very "yellow". but on to the music; although many of the songs on here are composed by phuea chiwit progenitors caravan, kammachon have a unique approach all their own, adding layers of psychedelia and even luk thung influences to the standards. on top of this, the band possess a rare intensity; they really sound like the young upstarts they were.. jin's endearingly untrained vocals with an equally shambolic, energetic band behind him. absolute classic.. enjoy!

preview:

taofek thong thale sai

artist: เตาเฟก หวังเกษม (taofek wangkasem)

album: เตาเฟก ท่องทะเลทราย (taofek thong thale sai)

tracklist:

01. มาอากะกั้ลเลาะห์ (ma'akakallah)

02. ยาอัต เลลา (ya'at lela)

03. อัลบุคร่อ (al bukhro)

04. บิ้ลอูยูน (bil uyun)

05. ว่ารอกี้ (waroki)

06. อ้าฆุ้ลลัค (akhula')

07. ลุบนาน (lubnan)

08. ยาอัต เลลา (บรรเลง) (ya'at lela (instrumental))

this week, another great entry from bangkok's islamic music scene! there is very little info around about mr. taofek; a record label head who puts out his work could tell me only that he's not a musician by trade. like our tape from soliha & mohamad yamal yusef a while back, this is another fantastic collection of arab-malay grooves. to my ears, the music here is closer to a middle eastern precedent than that of the k.t. band.. heavy on the hand drums & accordion, with an archetypal arabic orchestra sound behind (though fear not, surf-guitar are hand-claps are intact!) enjoy!

preview:

sonphet la buat

artist: ศรเพชร ศรสุพรรณ (sonphet sonsuphan)

album: ศรเพชรลาบวช (sonphet la buat)

tracklist:

01. บอกบุญทางอากาศ (bok bun thang akat)

02. จิ๊กโก๋ลาบวช (chikko la buat)

03. โกนหัวใจหาย (kon hua chai hai)

04. ลาสาวเข้าโบสถ์ (la sao khao bot)

05. นาคคนจน (nak khon chon)

06. แตรวงการกุศล (trae wong kan kuson)

07. ลำตัดงานบวช (lamtat ngan buat)

08. รถทัวร์บอกบุญ (rot tour bok bun)

09. ลิเกการกุศล (like kan kuson)

10. เด็กหน่วยเร่หนัง (dek nuai re nang)

tomorrow is khao phansa, the beginning of what's sometimes called "buddhist lent", which will see many thai men leave secular life on a 3 month monastic retreat for the wet season. in celebration, i'd like to share what might be the most unique and raucous music on the topic of this event in my collection. this album commemorates suphanburi-born star sonphet sonsuphan's entry into monkhood, gathering the talents of famous lae songwriters chiw phichit & yotthong bunthup. you'll hear disco swells, yodeling, psych-y organ licks & guitar sounds augmenting a handful of folk genres traditionally associated with the ngan buat ceremony. enjoy!

preview:

bangkok sikh vidyalaya school choir

artist(s): bangkok sikh vidyalaya school choir

album: asa di var

tracklist:

01. asa di var, pt. 1

02. asa di var, pt. 2

thanks to michel from the kadao ton kao blog for today's great tape!

the sikh people of thailand are a statistically small but visible minority with a historic presence in the country. from their most impressive gurudwara in bangkok's phahurat neighbourhood to smaller temples throughout the country, the group is represented in most major urban centers. apparently, a tradition of parents sending their children to boarding schools in india has kept the student body at thai-indian schools small, but nonetheless the sikh vidyalaya has been around for decades. this cassette features children singing kirtan, the responsory praise music of sikh devotional ceremonies. the choir here is reciting the "asa di var", a collection of stanzas from the guru granth sahib. enjoy!

preview:

MRPT181 by monrakplengthai

hongthong khanong lam

artist: หงษ์ทอง ดาวอุดร (hongthong dao'udon)

album: หงษ์ทองคนองลำ (hongthong khanong lam)

tracklist:

01. หงษ์ทองคนองลำ (hongthong khanong lam)

02. หงษ์ทองตามแฟน (hongthong tam faen)

03. หงษ์ทองลำเพลิน (hongthong lam phloen)

04. ตีกลองน้ำลำเพลิน (ti klong nam lam phloen)

05. บั๊มพ์ลำเพลิน (bump lam phloen)

06. พรหมลิขิตหลงทาง (phromlikhit long thang)

07. บ่มีพี่ที่อีสาน (bo mi phi thi isan)

08. หงษ์ทองรอคู่ (hongthong ro khu)

09. ลำรอรักจากซาอุดีฯ (lam ro rak chak saudi)

10. เร่รักลำเพลิน (re rak lam phloen)

11. ขวัญใจคนเลว (khwanchai khon leo)

12. กลัวใจไม่จริง (klua chai mai ching)

13. ซึ้งเสียงแคน (sueng siang khaen)

14. โสระ (sora)

15. อยู่ที่ความพอใจ (yu thi khwan pho chai)

16. ผู้ชายหลายบ้าน (phu chai lai ban)

this week, more from molam-luk thung star mae hongthong! hongthong dao'udon, as her stage-name suggests, hails from isan's udon thani province. a star of local temple fairs since childhood, she was picked up by luk thung star siphrai chaiphra to join his troupe in bangkok at age 10. she had a number of hits penned by songwriter doi inthanon, toured extensively throughout the country and even landed some film roles. in the 90's, however, she tragically lost her voice after a thyroid operation. since then, she had been working steadily at regaining it, hosting a popular radio show in her home town meanwhile. unfortunately, following the red shirt protests in 2010, ms. hongthong was found guilty of using her radio platform to incite listeners to riot, resulting in the burning of the provincial town hall. i've been unable to find any information about her since her incarceration, so if anyone has some please let me know! otherwise, enjoy the music!

preview:

MRPT180 by monrakplengthai

sunthon chairungrueang & bunchuang denduang

artist: สุนทร ชัยรุ่งเรือง + บุญช่วง เด่นดวง (sunthon chairungrueang & bunchuang denduang)

album: ลำกลอน.. โขง-ชี-มูล (lam klon.. khong chi mun)

tracklist:

01. ประวัติ นายประจวบ ไชยสาส์น (prawat nai prachuap chaisan)

02. ตำนานย่อของหนองหารกุมภวาปี (tam nan yo khong nong han kumphawapi)

03. ความเป็นมาของโครงการ โขง-ชี-มูล (khwam pen ma khong khrong kan khong chi mun)

04. วัตถุประสงค์และความจำเป็นที่นำน้ำโขงมาใช้ (watthu prasong lae khwam cham pen thi nam nam khong ma chai)

05. ลักษณะโครงการและหลักการของแผน  (laksana khrong kan lae lak kan khong phaen)

06. โครงการจากปากห้วยหลวงถึงหนองหารกุมภวาปี (khrong kan chak pak huai luang thueng nong han kumphawapi)

07. น้ำโขง-จากหนองหารถึงอ่าวลำปาว (nam khong chak nong han thueng ao lam pao)

08. คลองแยกที่อ่าวลำปาว 3 ทาง (khlong yaek thi ao lam pao 3 thang)

09. เขื่อนละท้ายนา ผันน้ำชีลงน้ำมูล (khuean la thai na phan nam chi long nam mun)

10. เขื่อนบนลำชีมี 5 เขื่อน (khuean bon lam chi mi 5 khuean)

11. เขื่อนและฝายบนลำน้ำมูลมี 6 แห่ง (khuean lae fai bon lam nam mun mi 6 haeng)

12. ล่องสรุปโครงการ โขง-ชี-มูล (long sarup khrong kan khong chi mun)

a little while ago, i shared a great tape of folktales set to surf-guitar, from the one and only molam sunthon chairungrueang & partner chumthong siangsane. now we get some more fantastic recordings of his, this time with a more pared-down approach and ms. bunchuang denduang at his side. if you were lulled by his calming delivery on the previous tape, you'll be surprised here: sunthon delivers some of the most rapid-fire lam klon that i can recall hearing in a setting like this.. ms. buchuang is no slouch either and some excellent complementary khaen work ties it all together. one of my favorites tapes of traditional lam klon for sure.. hope you feel the same!

preview:

MRPT179 by monrakplengthai

phleng klom luk 4 phak

artist(s): various

album: เพลงกล่อมลูก ๔ ภาค (phleng klom luk 4 phak)

tracklist:

01. ไปคล้องช้าง (pai khlong)

sung by พูลศรี เจริญพงษ์ (phunsi charoenphong)

02. วัดโบสถ์ (wat bot)

sung by พูลศรี เจริญพงษ์ (phunsi charoenphong)

03. กาเหว่า (kawao)

sung by สุดจิต ดุริยปราณีต (suchit duriyapranit)

04. แม่หม้ายก่อมลูก (mae mai kom luk)

sung by สำราญจิต อภิสุนทรางกูร (samranchit aphisuntharangkun)

05. แมวโพง (mae phong)

sung by สำราญจิต อภิสุนทรางกูร (samranchit aphisuntharangkun)

06. แม่หม้ายก่อมลูก (mae mai kom luk)

sung by พูลศรี เจริญพงษ์ (phunsi charoenphong)

07. แม่ไปเลี้ยงหม่อน (mae pai liang mon)

sung by พูลศรี เจริญพงษ์ (phunsi charoenphong)

08. อือ จา จา (ue cha cha)

sung by รำพัน (บัวคำ) อินทวงศ์ (ramphan (buakham) inthawong)

09. ลูกเอ๋ยนอนดีๆ (luk oei non di di)

sung by นิทัศน์ ละอองศรี (nithat la'ongsi)

10. ลูกเอ๋ยนอนดีๆ (luk oei non di di)

sung by พูลศรี เจริญพงษ์ (phunsi charoenphong)

11. นอนหลับ (non lap)

sung by นฤมล สิทธิเดช (naruemon sitthidet)

12. ไปไหน (pai nai)

sung by นฤมล สิทธิเดช (naruemon sitthidet)

13. ลูกสาว (luk sao)

sung by นฤมล สิทธิเดช (naruemon sitthidet)

14. ไก่ขัน (kai khan)

sung by นฤมล สิทธิเดช (naruemon sitthidet)

15. พร้าวนาลิเก (phrao na like)

sung by ศรีธวัช ไชยธวัช (sithawat chaithawat)

1-3, 11-15: วงดนตรี สมาน กาญจนะผลิน (the saman kanchanaphalin band)

4-7: คณะ สุนทราภิรมย์ (the suntharaphirom group)

8-10: คณะ ศรีสมเพชร (the sisomphet group)

today i want to share this wonderful cassette of thai music for babies! collected here are traditional lullabies from 4 cultural regions of thailand, performed by veterans of the public relations dept. band & suntharaphon, along with local specialists. aside from serving as a surefire pacifier for your young ones, this tape also makes a pretty great introduction to the folk musics (albeit the slower ones) of thailand: central, north, northeast & south.  all played on local instruments and with both male and female voices, according to baby's preference. hope everyone enjoys! and happy birthday julius!!

preview:

sane luk thung, vol. 1

artist: เสน่ห์ มนต์อีสาน (sane mon'isan)

album: เสน่ห์ลูกทุ่ง ช่ดที่ ๑ (sane luk thung, vol. 1)

tracklist:

01. สัญญาเนียงใบตอง (sanya niang bai tong)

02. สั่งแฟนฝากทุย (sang faen fak thui)

03. รอวันดาวกลับ (ro wan dao klap)

04. ใจดำดั่งกา (chai dam dang ka)

05. เปรียบน้องเหมือนรถเก๋ง (priap nong muean rot keng)

06. รักมากชักหึง (rak mak chak hueng)

07. คอยพี่ก่อน (khoi phi kon)

08. ห้องนี้ไม่มีเธอ (hong ni mai mi thoe)

09. ตามหาสายพิณ (tam ha sai phin)

10. ข่าวมาข้าเศร้า (khao ma kha sao)

11. โกรธกัน (krot kan)

12. อดีตรักริมคลอง (adit rak rim khlong)

this week, some more thai-khmer sounds from south isan! we've heard from mr. sane once before, on an excellent album from his old group "rock ah yah", though i don't actually have much info about his personal history. this tape is unusual among my thai-khmer findings in that the music is not done in kantruem or any other khmer folk style. what we hear on this cassette is fairly straightforward luk thung, but with khmer lyrics. given that even some kantruem singers are switching over to standard thai, this is definitely a bit of a curiosity in my eyes. hope you enjoy!

preview:

MRPT177 by monrakplengthai

kritsana bunsaen & khana dong noi phatthana

artist(s): กฤษณา บุญแสน + คณะดงน้อยพัฒนา (kritsana bunsaen & khana dong noi phatthana)

album: มูลมังอีสาน 1 (mun mang isan 1)

tracklist:

01. เซิ่งตำนานบั้งไฟ (soeng tam nan bang fai)

02. ซิ่งกลองยาว 1 (sing klong yao 1)

unless you're in yasothon right now, you are (like me) missing this year's rocket festival! one of northeast thailand's biggest draws for tourists both domestic and foreign, the rocket festival (bun bang fai) is a celebration of all things phallic. one of several throughout isan & laos, yasothon's festival takes place over 3 days in mid may, filled with music & dancing, parades, drinking, cross-dressing & bottle rockets. our group on this recording plays sings the legend of the bang fai festival in a slightly more old-fashioned style than you're likely to hear at the festival.  backed mostly by drum & chorus, mae kritsana (currently a teacher at the roi et college of dramatic arts) gives a call & response telling of the story in a slow soeng dance rhythm. things pick up on side 2, though, for a phin & long drum sing. lots of fun to be had here, enjoy!

preview:

MRPT176 by monrakplengthai

yotthong bunthup: thong ban nak

artist: ยอดธง บุญธูป (yotthong bunthup)

album: ท่องบานนาค (thong ban nak)

tracklist:

01. ท่องบานนาค ตอน 1 (thong ban nak, pt. 1)

02. ท่องบานนาค ตอน 2 (thong ban nak, pt. 1)

this week, the soundtrack to a buddhist ordination ceremony! in thailand it is normal for most adult male buddhists to spend a short time in monkhood, a sort of coming of age ritual and a valuable way of accumulating merit for their parents. their stay can last anywhere from a few days or weeks to several months or years, and for some it becomes a lifelong vocation. this cassette contains the chanting typically associated with the event of entering the monastery.  side one features lay officiation by yuthong bunthup (an influential luk thung songwriter/producer) while side 2 consists mostly of the chanting of the monks. enjoy!

preview:

MRPT175 by monrakplengthai

khana saman hongsa: lam sing sut... sut chut eo khang

artist: คณะ สมาน หงษา (khana saman hongsa)
album: ลำซิ่งสุด... สุด ชุด เอวค้าง (lam sing sut... sut chut eo khang)
tracklist:
01. เอวค้าง ตอน 1 (eo khang, pt. 1)
02. เอวค้าง ตอน 2 (eo khang, pt. 2)

this week, we hear once again from molam saman hongsa & his fantastic group of isan entertainers! mr. saman, from ubon ratchathani, is one of the greats in the world of lam performers. he's known to some degree outside of thailand as the leader of the isan slété group, who recorded & toured through the u.k. in the late 80's. within thailand, however, he's probably best remembered for his string of comedy albums (one of which has been presented here). this tape, from 1992, features he & fellow molam puinoi uraiwong trying out the lam sing style. sing, originally an english loanword (racing) from motorbike culture, means hip or up-to-date.  while integrating elements from modern pop (amps, drum-sets, risqué dance moves) the style preserves much of the overall context of lam tradition; vocal competition and battles of wordplay, male vs. female, performers vs. audience (though as you might predict, comedy and sexual innuendo take precendence over the didactic elements present in traditionalist lam). a dance mega-mix variety show.. enjoy!

preview:
MRPT174 by monrakplengthai