Showing 1 - 10 of 15
A joyous sound
Life, John Clewley, Published on 07/11/2023
» In 2001, the legendary US Gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama released an album on Peter Gabriel's Real World Records label. It was a hugely popular album which garnered the band a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. It included their version of Tom Wait's song Way Down In The Hole, which was the theme song for the TV miniseries The Wire. Their version is better than Waits' in my view.
Spellbinding collaboration proves less is more
Life, John Clewley, Published on 21/06/2022
» I once had the rare privilege to see the great bluesman and songwriter Earl King, who wrote the New Orleans Mardi Gras anthem Big Chief, perform in a small club in Tokyo. Before he took to the stage another band performed, with a well-known young blues guitarist playing fast action licks and riffs at breakneck speed. In complete contrast, when Earl King played guitar he played far fewer notes, paring down the music to its essentials. I can still remember King's playing, but I can't recall anything the young pretender played.
Reflections of Hong Kong
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 01/06/2022
» In response to the improving Covid-19 situation in many countries and relaxed preventive measures, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) introduced the campaign "Arts In Hong Kong" as part of Art Basel to promote the city as an international culture destination.
Change is constant
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 28/02/2022
» When entering the exhibition "City Adaptation Lab!" at Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), visitors cannot miss the sculpture Rok-Ra-Bat (Pandemic) by Kaninyan Chandrasma. It is a broken tube sitting on a tall pedestal. According to the description, one small silver dot breaks out from the broken tube and multiplies into numerous silver dots which resemble a pandemic spreading around the world. If visitors take a closer look at the silver dots, they will see their reflections in each. This raises the question if the origin of the pandemic is people.
The art of K-Pop reaches new heights
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 22/12/2020
» Despite the cancellation of concerts and music gatherings in 2020, a lot of things have been happening in the world of K-pop.
Prepare For Takeoff
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 12/07/2020
» As their name implies, Khruangbin ("airplane" in Thai) primarily drew inspiration from the musical heritage of Thailand, particularly during the glorious 60s-70s.
Shifting surfaces
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 16/04/2020
» Different surfaces of objects have different impacts on different people. At an art exhibition titled "#Surface" by Bangkok University Gallery, eight artists and designers interpret "surface" in their own way and use a variety of media and materials to convey their ideas.
The sharpest tool in the shade
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 27/01/2019
» We're not even a full month into 2019 and it seems like the Thai indie music scene is already readying itself for another year of solid offerings. Leading the pack is none other than The Dumbs, a Winai Kitcharoenjiranont solo project. If that name doesn't ring a bell, Winai is one of the co-founding members of The Charapaabs, an elderly-themed concept band who's bestowed upon us a series of memento mori-inspired cuts like Funeral Party, Annual Check Up and Hello Monday. (Side note: keep an eye out for a review of their long-awaited debut LP, Maha Moradok, coming next Sunday.) He's also the brain behind TypeThai, a popular Facebook page and a YouTube channel that celebrates-slash-satirises Thai idiosyncrasies in all their glory.
Infectious grooves, taste sensations and shadow puppets
Life, John Clewley, Published on 08/01/2019
» World Beat was in the field in Pak Thong Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima, this past weekend for the annual Jim Thompson Farm party, bringing to a close the six-week farm tour which is open to the public.
Playing tribute to King Bhumibol for charity
Life, Apipar Norapoompipat, Published on 21/12/2017
» As a tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Bangkok-based British jazz musician Stuart Hawkins has produced, arranged and released his foot-tapping rendition of Love At Sundown, the king's first song in his prolific music career.