khamron sambunnanon: khon ba kancha

artist: คำรณ สัมบุญณานนท์ (khamron sambunnanon)
album: คนบ้ากัญชา (khon ba kancha)
tracklist:
01. มนต์การเมือง (mon kan mueang)
02. คนแก่โลก (khon kae lok)
03. ชีวิตคำรณ (chiwit khamron)
04. ขวานทองของไทย (khwan thong khong thai)
05. ไอ้ทุยแถลงการณ์ (ai thui thalaeng kan)
06. คนบ้ากัญชา (khon ba kancha)
07. กระท่อมกัญชา (krathom kancha)
08. ชีวิตครู (chiwit khru)
09. หนุ่มเหนือแอ่วนาง (num nuea aeo nang)
10. น้ำตาเสือตก (nam ta suea tok)

this week's cassette is part of a generous bequest gifted to us by educator cliff sloane, a former professor of ethnomusicology and founder of asianclassicalmp3.org, a major influence behind this blog.

today, we'll hear from mr. khamron sambunnanon, singing songs of crooked politicians and ganja madmen! hailing from bangkok's chinatown, khamron sang what were called at the time phleng talat ("market songs"), as his lyrics were among the earliest examples of thai pop music to feature tales of common people; farmers, day laborers, and even more marginal figures like gamblers, vagrants, outlaws and drug addicts. because of this, khamron is considered by many to be the very first singer of luk thung, and many of the great luk thung stars of the 60s and 70s fondly recall singing along to khamron's songs during their formative years. this album, from the bangkok cassette co., ltd. (currently existing as maemaiplengthai), contains several songs that i've shared before on various collections over the years, but once again shouldn't hurt.. enjoy!

preview:

khamron sambunnanon: khon ba kancha

artist: คำรณ สัมบุญณานนท์ (khamron sambunnanon)
album: คนบ้ากัญชา (khon ba kancha)
tracklist:
01. หวยใต้ดิน (huai tai din)
02. คนบ้ากัญชา (khon ba kancha)
03. กระท่อมกัญชา (krathom kancha)
04. คนบ้าจี้ (khon ba chi)
05. เศรษฐีเงินถัง (sethi ngoen thang)
06. คนไม่รักดี (khon mai rak di)
07. จะไล่พี่ไปถึงไหน (cha lai phi pai thueng nai)
08. คำสั่งของพ่อ (kham sang khong pho)
09. สายลมโชย (sai lom choi)
10. ชีวิตคนเครื่องไฟ (chiwit khon khrueang fai)
11. ชีวิตครู (chiwit khru)
12. คนขายยา (khon khai ya)
13. ชีวิตช่างตัดผม (chiwit chang tat phom)
14. คนรอบกรุง (khon rop krung)
15. ลุงเชยชอบใจ (lung choei chop chai)
16. นางฟ้าในฝัน (nang fa nai fan)

while a non-smoker myself, i've had this tape ready to go for a while, and the coincidence of today's would-be holiday seemed difficult to resist; so here we have it... mr. khamron sambunnanon, singing the songs of the "ganja madman"! khamron is considered by many to be the very first singer of luk thung, with his recording of hem wechakon's "chao sao chao rai" dating from 1938, and many of the great luk thung stars of the 60's & 70's fondly recall listening to khamron's songs during their formative years. his lyrics were the earliest examples of thai pop music to feature tales of common people; farmers, day laborers, and even more marginal figures like gamblers, vagrants, outlaws and drug addicts. great old sounds (and even some yodeling on side 2)... hope you enjoy!!

khamron sambunnanon: huay tai din

singer: คำรณ สัมบุญณานนท์ (khamron sambunnanon)
album: หวยใต้ดิน (huay tai din)
tracklist:
01. หวยใต้ดิน (huay tai din)
02. ชายใจพระ (chai chai phra)
03. โจรกลับใจ (chon klap chai)
04. เสือสั่งถ้ำ (suea sang tham)
05. นักบุญใจบาป (nak bun chai bap)
06. รอยแค้นของคนคุก (roi khaen khong khon khuk)
07. คนบ้ากัญชา (khon ba kancha)
08. กระท่อมกัญชา (krathom kancha)
09. สอนลูกให้เป็นโจร (son luk hai pen chon)
10. เสือสำนึกบาป (suea samnuek bap)
11. คนพเนจร (khon phanechon)
12. มึงมันกากี (mueng man kaki)

this week we travel back to the very genesis of pleng luk thung, with the immortal khamron sambunnanon. dating from the late 1930's, this sort of music was known at the time simply as เพลงตลาด ("pleng talat" or "market songs"), and while the instrumentation is of the same "modern thai" style heard in the urbane luk krung, the lyrics provide the precedent for the sort of social consciousness that defines luk thung. khamron's songs were among the first to address the underclass of thai society; his characters are often gamblers, bandits, vagabonds, and ganja addicts. this is a very old tape, and while the tunes in some places threaten to vanish under a blanket of warm distortion, it's a true historical document, and the songs are wonderful as well!

rungphet laemsing: fon duean hok

artist: รุ่งเพชร แหลมสิงห์ (rungphet laemsing)

album: ฝนเดือนหก (fon duean hok)

tracklist:

01. ฝนเดือนหก (fon duean hok)

02. กบจำศีล (kop cham sin)

03. กบคนองฝน (kop khonong fon)

04. เขาลืมเราแล้ว (khao luem rao laeo)

05. ปีหน้าพาเที่ยวกรุง (pi na thieow krung)

06. คืนฝนตก (khuen fon tok)

07. น้ำลงเดือนยี่ (nam long duean yi)

08. แล้วแต่วาสนา (laeo tae watsana)

09. ความรักเจ้าขา (khwam rak chao kha)

10. สงกรานต์บ้านนา (songkran ban na)

it's the sixth month of the year, the beginning of thailand's rainy period, so let's start it with rungphet laemsing's timeless song of the season! a native of phetchaburi province, rungphet got his start singing the songs of khamron sambunnanon while studying to be a combat medic. in 1961, as a royal guard stationed in bangkok, he fell in with phayong mukda's group, before defecting to samniang muangthong's ruam daokrachai band a year later. he became a personal favorite of legendary songwriter phaibun butkhan, who even set him up for a spot on the silver screen. when rungphet skipped his first movie shoot, however, phaibun lost face and broke off all relations with the singer, effectively ending his career. though his stardom may have been cut short, we still have these beautiful recordings from back in his prime. enjoy!

preview:

chaichana bunnachot: chai nang muean thang rot

artist: ชัยชนะ บุญนะโชติ (chaichana bunnachot)
album: ใจนางเหมือนทางรถ (chai nang muean thang rot)
tracklist:
01. ใจนางเหมือนทางรถ (chai nang muean thang rot)
02. ทำบุญกันเถิด (tham bun kan thoet)
03. ทำบุญสร้างวัด (tham bun sang wat)
04. รักกระจาย (rak krachai)
05. ชะนีหน้าดำ (chani na dam)
06. ชมสาว (chom sao)
07. ชมหนุ่ม (chom num)
08. สมาคมโลกตับแข็ง (samakhom lok tap khaeng)
09. เช้าแบนเย็นแบน (chao baen yen baen)
10. เพลงไม่เมา (phleng mai mao)
11. ชีวิตเด็กวัด (chiwit dek wat)
12. เพลงเกี่ยวข้าว (phleng kiao khao)
13. นิ่งเสียเถิดน้อง (ning sia thoet nong)
14. ขบถรัก (khabot rak)
15. แผ่นดินไม่สิ้นคนดี (phaendin mai sin khon di)
16. น้ำตาลูกทุ่ง (nam ta luk thung)
17. ขันหมากชัยชนะ (khan mak chaichana)

this week, luk thung classics from national artist mr. chaichana bunnachot! hailing from central thailand's chachoengsao province, chaichana grew up working on a mango plantation before joining his uncle's liké troupe, where he learned to sing all manner of folksong. eventually, he left for bangkok with his brother and the two sang at bus terminals throughout the city, earning 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. he came to the attention of bandleader phayong mukda, who arranged his first recordings in 1958. from there he worked with other songwriters like phaibun butkhan and phiphat boribun before eventually coming into his own as a songsmith. for many generations chaichana has been a star performer and mentor to younger singers, and still performs occasionally at the age of 80! this cassette bears the same title as one we've heard here before, but while the lead single is a re-recording of an earlier hit, the rest is new content.. enjoy! 

chaichana bunnachot: chai nang muean thang rot

artist: ชัยชนะ บุญนะโชติ (chaichana bunnachot)
album: ใจนางเหมือนทางรถ (chai nang muean thang rot)
tracklist:
01. ดอกดินถวิลฟ้า (dok din thawin fa)
02. ใจนางเหมือนทางรถ (chai nang muean thang rot)
03. หัวอกหนุ่มโสด (hua ok num sot)
04. แม่แตงร่มใบ (mae taeng rom bai)
05. สุสานคนรัก (susan khon rak)
06. แหล่อวยพร (lae uaiphon)
07. ใจน้อยจริงน้อง (chai noi ching nong)
08. ลูกเขยผู้กว้างขวาง (luk khoei phu kwang khwang)
09. ลาสาวเข้ากรุง (la sao khao krung)
10. สาวสุพรรณโสภา (sao suphan sopha)
11. น้ำตาพ่อ (nam ta pho)
12. ฆ่าพี่เสียเถิด (kha phi sia thoet)
13. เกาะสมุย (ko samui)
14. แหล่ชูชก ตอน 1 (lae chu chok, pt. 1)
15. แหล่ชูชก ตอน 2 (lae chu chok, pt. 2)
16. เสียงสั่งจากบ้านนา (siang sang chak ban na)
17. ลูกสาวชาวนา (luk sao chao na)
18. หยาดเหงื่อเหนือคิ้วนาง (yat nguea nuea khiw nang)
19. หิวจะตายอยู่แล้ว (hiw cha tai yu laeo)
20. สำนึกผิด (samnuek phit)

this week, vintage luk thung from "national artist" mr. chaichana bunnachot!  one of the earliest practitioners of thai country music, chaichana has remained a favorite throughout the years as both a singer & songwriter.  hailing from central thailand's chachoengsao province, he grew up working on a mango plantation before joining his uncle's liké troupe, where he learned to sing all manner of folksong.  eventually, he left for bangkok with his brother and the two sang at bus terminals throughout the city, earning 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.  he came to the attention of songwriter & bandleader phayong mukda, who penned his earliest songs.  from there he worked with other songwriters like phaibun butkhan & phiphat boribun before eventually coming into his own as a songsmith.  for many generations chaichana has been a star performer and mentor to younger singers, and is still performing today! enjoy!

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!

sonkhiri siprachuap: siang khlui ban na

artist: ศรคีรี ศรีประจวบ (sonkhiri siprachuap)
album: เสียงขลุ่ยบ้านนา (siang khlui ban na)
tracklist:
01. เสียงขลุ่ยบ้านนา (siang khlui ban na)
02. หนาวลมที่เรณู (nao lom thi renu)
03. มนต์รักแม่กลอง (mon rak mae klong)
04. แม่กระท้อนห่อ (mae krathon ho)
05. ทุ่งสานสะเทือน (thung san sathuean)
06. เฝ้าดอกฟ้า (fao dok fa)
07. หนุ่มกระเป๋า (num krapao)
08. เข็ดแล้ว (khet laeo)
09. หนุ่มนา (num na)
10. พระอินทร์เจ้าขา (phra in chao kha)

this week, a second entry of classic luk thung from long-time favorite 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 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 country-wide tour. sonkhiri's sweet, sorrowful voice is remembered fondly still.. his songs feature prominently in pen-ek ratanarueang's 1999 film "rueang talok 69" ("6ixtynin9" or "a funny story about 6 and 9"), wherein his tragic serenades cause the gangsters to break down in tears. enjoy!

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!