On our trips to Cambodia we have met with and heard many stories of how musicians were persecuted during the Pol Pot dictatorship. Last night we watched a very moving documentary on a young flute players disturbing story of life during the Khmer Rouge take over and how he is now restoring traditional Khmer arts in Cambodia.
Found this Hawaiian phrase – ‘IKE ‘IA NO A LOEA I KE KUAHU which translates as “An expert is recognized by the altar he builds.” The meaning behind the phrase is that “it takes a lifetime to learn and that wisdom comes with experience and time.” It also suggests that you should “Ask your elders and those who have walked before you to provide advice. They’ve already lived.”
Here is a brief look at a couple of the indigenous percussive instruments we used on Mark Riley’s latest recording – the Ipu Heke and the ‘Ūlili.
Creativity has no rules! As we explore new ideas with Mark Riley here on Kaua’i – we find ourselves building songs from very different beginnings. For instance some ideas have been thought through on ukelele and voice and appropriate backing and context is to be found – others start with a rhythmic foundation, allowing spontaneous new melodic structure to evolve. Here are some of the traditional rhythmic instruments I have been using to create – Read More
We have been out working in Hawai’i again – we love the mix of people we get to meet on the islands – came across this story of a Tongan dancer who is preserving traditional Tongan dance and stories in New Zealand.
The Tro Ou (another instrument on the Garlands CD) is a two stringed bowed instrument with a long history of being played at weddings It is made out of a coconut and snake skin with 2 strings, the lower pitch string known as”Gor” is approximately a C (in Western notation) and the higher, “Ek” is a G. The bow is called a “Chak'” and is made of hard wood and horsehair or fiber from a tree.
Here is a video of one of the tracks we recorded for the Garlands for Ashes DVD. A new tune written for Khmer traditional orchestra.
This Cambodian drum is used to lead the Khmer orchestra in “Pin Peat” music and is called the Skor Samphor. It is barrel-shaped with two heads, one slightly larger than the other, played with the palms not sticks.
Over the summer we have been traveling around the country from Scotland to Wales and England collecting songs and recording musicians. What an amazing adventure and a real eye opener to the creativity within the community. The resulting CD will be an eclectic mix of styles – folk, string quartet, rock, instrumental and accapela sung in English, Gaelic, Olde English and Dutch.
Monsoon
The Takhe or Krapeu (meaning crocodile in Khmer) may be one of the most recent classical Khmer instruments. It is used in wedding music, Mahori and other modern music including solo pieces.
Here’s a wonderful vocal technique that originated in rural farming communities in Tennessee where eephers would imitate the sounds of their hogs and turkeys. This Appalachian equivalent of the “beat box” vocal style was apparently around in the 1880’s, 100 years before hip-hop became popular in modern music. In 1963, singer Joe Perkins had a minor hit with “Little Eeefin’ Annie,” featuring Jimmie Riddle, the acknowledged master of this genre.
Just spent a couple of days with Kerst Sikkema (Netherlands) recording. Sometimes situations dictate your creativity and with this song that was definitely the case. We had tried to record Kerst playing grand piano on 2 occasions in different rehearsal studios in London – both times we had noise problems, work men outside one studio and a very noisy foot pedal! So – we started being creative with sounds and this led us to the final result.
Avondlicht
English translation : Read More
The Ghatam is a clay pot percussion instrument used in the Carnatic music of South India
Here’s a fun little creative video they filmed in Hong Kong. I was involved with the original recording in the UK.
