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.
The Ghatam is a clay pot percussion instrument used in the Carnatic music of South India
Having spent a lot of time in the States over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to see many wonderful styles of playing. The drumming that has influenced me big time comes from New Orleans and is known as second line drumming. Here are some players warming up before an event. Thanks Marc Heinen from Holland for finding me this clip.
Another instrument that we recorded for the Garlands for Ashes CD. This unusual instrument of 16 tuned gongs made of brass has both higher and lower tuned versions.
A simple brass instrument used in folk ensembles in Cambodia.
An interesting article by the BBC on the area of rhythm and healing – What do you think?
Brothers Nan Weidong and Nan Weiping in China have discovered that vegetables can not only be eaten but used to make music.
We have been in Edinburgh recording Colin Symes singing this wonderful Aaronic blessing in Gaelic – a very special moment.
Gaelic …… Read More
I was very fortunate to see Yelemba d’Abidjan at Womad when they recorded this clip. I had never heard of the group before seeing them and they were the highlight of the festival as they used cultural dance and costume to bring their story to the UK.
The Tavil or Thavil is from southern India and is traditionally used in temple and folk music, often accompanying the Nageshwaram at open-air temple festivals.
I have been reading a wonderful book written in the 1950’2 called “People of the Deer” by Farley Mowat who as a young man spent time with the Ihalmiut people in the Barrens – what is now the Canadian Arctic. Farley also wrote the short story The Snow Walker which later became a wonderful film.
The Inuit’s “throat singing” is a singing technique almost exclusively practised by women. (Unique in nature compared to the other 2 throat singing styles – Khöömei, from Mongolia and a style called eefing used by the Xhosa people in South Africa. Here are some video clips explaining a little of how the Inuit use this expression.
The Inuit drum is an amazing sound – I have stood next to one as it is played and the movement of air it creates is unique to this technique. This video podcast doesn’t do it justice but gives you a little insight into this very special drum.
The Pakhavaj is a northern Indian drum, a precursor to the tabla, which played an important role in Hindustani music till the nineteenth century.
