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!

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:

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!

buppha saichon: rup lo thom pai

artist: บุปผา สายชล (buppha saichon)
album: รูปหล่อถมไป (rup lo thom pai)
tracklist:
01. รูปหล่อถมไป (rup lo thom pai)
02. ไม่น่าโกหก (mai na kohok)
03. รักคนแก่ดีกว่า (rak khon kae di kwa)
04. วอนลมฝากรัก (won lom fak rak)
05. ฉันเคียงเธอ (chan khiang thoe)
06. ซังคนใจร้าย (sang khon chai rai)
07. หาดใจไร้รัก (hat chai rai rak)
08. สาวนาคอยคู่ (sao na khoi khu)
09. รักลวงน้ำลง (rak luang nam long)
10. น้ำตาน้ำตก (nam ta nam tok)

a little while ago i got a request for some music from buppha saichon.. at the time, i had nothing to share, but i kept an eye out & just the other day spotted this great collection on the street! while the cover photo might not be the most flattering, the music is great. buppha, from chon buri, spent time in the chularat band before marrying singer & filmstar siphrai chaiphra, with whom she starred in 1970's "mon rak luk thung" (three of the singles here are pulled from the fantastic soundtrack). she also had a close working relationship with songwriter phaibun butkhan, who gave her great songs in both her on & off-screen careers, inlcuding her biggest hit, "yommaban chao ka". this collection features a nice assortment of styles.. straight luk thung ramwong mingling with surf-rock sounds, twangy steel guitar & bollywood borrowings.. enjoy!

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!

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!

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!

phraiwan lukphet: sao ban na thi na rak

artist: ไพรวัลย์ ลูกเพชร (phraiwan lukphet)
album: สาวบ้านนาที่น่ารัก (sao ban na thi na rak)
tracklist:
01. สาวบ้านนาที่น่ารัก (sao ban na thi na rak)
02. กลิ่นธูปควันเทียน (klin thup khwan thian)
03. สุดจาบัลย์ (sut chaban)
04. หน้าฝนอันแสนเศร้า (na fon an saen sao)
05. รักเธอ รักเธอ (rak thoe rak thoe)
06. เหมันต์ครวญ (heman khruan)
07. แผ่นดินไทย (phaen din thai)
08. เพลงรักเพลงคิดถึง (pleng rak pleng khit thueng)
09. ไร้ญาติเมื่อขาดเงิน (rai yat muea khat ngoen)
10. ลูก (luk)
11. เห็นใจแล้ว (hen chai laeo)
12. ห้ามใจรักไม่ได้ (ham chai rak mai dai)
13. บ่รักไผเท่านาง (bo rak phai thao nang)
14. คิดถึงอารีดัง (khit thueng aridang)
15. ข้าวคอยเคียว (khao khoi khieow)
16. เทพีของผม (thephi khong phom)
17. คาถารัก (khatha rak)

this week, another outstanding album from one of my favorite singers, mr. phraiwan lukphet! born in phetchaburi province, phraiwan was sent by his parents at an early age to join a local liké theatre troupe, but it was the world of popular music which called to him, and in time 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 his earliest hits (collected here). eventually he left suraphon's collective to persue a solo venture and with the aid of songwriter phaibun butkhan won massive reknown. 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 on this site. please enjoy the slow sweet sounds of phraiwan lukphet!!

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!)

dutduean dara: siang krasip chak kliao khluen

artist: ดุจเดือน ดารา (dutduean dara)
album: เสียงกระซิบจากเกลียวคลื่น (siang krasip chak kliao khluen)
tracklist:
01. บัวแดง (bua daeng)
02. ริมฝั่งน้ำ (rim fang nam)
03. เสียงกระซิบจากเกลียวคลื่น (siang krasip chak kliao khluen)
04. กระซิบสวาท (krasip sawat)
05. ฝนหยาดสุดท้าย (fon yat sut thai)
06. คาวหัวใจ (khao hua chai)
07. รักแรมไกล (rak raem klai)
08. มลทินใจ (monthin chai)
09. ฆ่าฉันให้ตายดีกว่า (kha chan hai tai di kwa)
10. ลุ่มเจ้าพระยา (lum chao phraya)
11. ยากจะหักใจลืม (yak cha hak chai luem)
12. ทะเลร่ำไห้ (thale ram hai)
13. อเวจีแห้งดวงใจ (awechi haeng duang chai)
14. โอ้ทูลกระหม่อม (o thun kramom)

this week, an eclectic outing from star dutduean dara! hailing from khon kaen, dutduean got her start when her uncle, musician prasit chamnanphrai of silver sand, petitioned her parents to let her do a recording with him at azona records. she then moved to bangkok and got a regular spot singing at "papa café" on vibhavadi rangsit road, gaining quite a following. thereafter, she was courted by a number of labels and frequently jumped between them, as well as releasing her own records independently. to me she's one of those artists who straddle the (admittedly often nebulous) boundaries of city and country.. while primarily remembered as a luk thung singer, this record features new takes on classic tunes penned by luk krung (and earlier thai sakon) luminaries like uea sunthonsanan, kaeo atchariyakun and narot thawonbut, sanga aramphi, chali intharawichit, sukhon phonphirun, a. kawi sattakowit, kamon thapkhanlai (as well as the more country-ish phaibun butkhan). also of interest is that the music here has, to my ear, a distinctly "chinese" sound, at least via the instrumentation.. unfortunately, the producer/arranger of the session is not credited. i don't think that any of the melodies are based off chinese originals, but if you know otherwise, please correct me. and most importantly.. enjoy!