Showing 1 - 10 of 10
The day the music died
Life, John Clewley, Published on 09/07/2019
» The legendary leader of the famous and influential Petch Phin Thong Band, Noppadon Duangporn, died last week at the age of 77. He was well known across the country, not just as the founder of one of Isan's biggest bands but also as a comedian, radio DJ and movie actor.
Suphanburi Soul
Life, John Clewley, Published on 30/04/2019
» It's been a while since Bangkok-based Zudrangma Records has released any new compilations. Last week, the label put out two compilations that will be of great interest to fans of Thai (Central Plains) traditional music and molam from Isan.
All there at the square
Life, John Clewley, Published on 05/03/2019
» Busy Victory Monument, with its buses, taxis and motorcycles, is one of Bangkok's few traffic circles (or roundabouts, as we call them where I come from). It's a busy intersection of roads that lead to all points on the compass.
Magnificent molam rides again!
Life, John Clewley, Published on 26/12/2017
» This year's party at the Jim Thompson Farm in Pak Thong Chai, held each year at the same time -- the farm opened to the public for six weeks -- was a fun affair. The Farm Tour for 2017 is about the importance of water in the country's northeastern region, as reflected in the title, "Rushing Water -- The Life Force Of Isan".
Stunning chorus of molam sounds
Life, John Clewley, Published on 31/03/2015
» One of the delights of hearing the morning dawn chorus of birds here in Bangkok and indeed many Asian cities is the sound of the Asian or common koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), which in Thai is called nok ka-wow. I can mimic the sound of the koel roughly with a whistle, but khaen player Sombat Simla echoes the bird's sound exactly in the middle of a molam tune, with effortless ease. He can also mimic horns, ambulances and police cars, disco beats and synth drums, and the sound of heavy traffic. But his tour de force, which I've written about before, is the sound of a train journey, complete with traffic crossings and the calls of barbecue chicken vendors.
Molam Ecstasy
Life, John Clewley, Published on 08/04/2014
» There have been some memorable live performances at Paradise Bangkok nights over the past five years. Yasothon province’s Dao Bandon was one of the first, and he was followed by the debut of the ZudRangMa record label member, The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, who provided the backing for luk thung Isan stalwart Saksiam Petchchompu and molam star Pimjai Petchpalangjai. Another 1970s molam star, Aungkanang Kunchai, one of the great singers of the genre currently performing, gave her first Bangkok gig in 30 years at one of the shows.
Journey to the heart of Kawachi-Ondo
Life, John Clewley, Published on 03/12/2013
» A recent business trip to Japan left me with a few days in Osaka to find out more about the lively summer-festival music kawachi-ondo, one of my favourite Japanese roots styles. My mission was simple: pay a visit to the recently opened Kawachi-ondo Museum in Yao City and find some vinyl.
Grooving Isan style
Life, John Clewley, Published on 02/04/2013
» Molam Aungkanang Kunchai's long-awaited return to Bangkok to play a concert of some of her greatest work from the 1970s came to fruition on Saturday at Sonic on Soi Ekamai. A delirious, packed crowd greeted her and her three-member hang krueang (chorus line) with rapturous applause as they showed Bangkokians and expatriates how to groove Isan style.
Class acts
Life, John Clewley, Published on 04/12/2012
» It's not often fans of molam queens Banyen Rakkan and Nok Noi Uraiporn get a chance to see these two legendary stars perform on the same stage but at the celebration for HM the King's birthday at the Sanam Suk Stadium yesterday, the great dames brought their colourful bands to the party to the delight of the huge crowd that had gathered on the grass in front of the stage.
Molam Theppabutr Band &Okinawan show
Life, John Clewley, Published on 06/03/2012
» The last week of February was truly memorable for music fans in Bangkok with not one but two great gigs: the Wong Dontri Molam Theppabutr (Theppabutr Molam Band) gig at Sonic Ekamai on Sat and Kanako Horiuchi's set of Okinawan songs at Kinjo Restaurant on Wed.