Immortal Thai songs from 50's - 70's
Or in Thai ' pleng amatha ' ( เพลงอมตะ )
Can't cover everything so will stick to the most popular types.
1) Luk Tung
2) Mor Lam
3) Luk Groong
I don't mind some Luk Tung but since I am not a big fan it is easier to divert the interested to here :
TeakDoor.com - The Thailand Forum Thai Music Luktung
where the genre has been well covered with many examples. Apart from identifying the music by its sound, if you see a male singer with the following hairstyle he will almost certainly be a Luk Tung singer.
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif
2) Mor Lam
Very popular in the northeast and familier to anyone with an Isarn wife.
From Wiki
Mor lam ( หมอลำ ) is a traditional Lao form of song in Laaos and Issan. Mor lam means expert song, or expert singer, referring to the music or artist respectively.
The characteristic feature of lam singing is the use of a flexible melody which is tailored to the tones of the words in the text. Traditionally, the tune was developed by the singer as an interpretation of glawn poems and accompanied primarily by the khene, a free reed mouth organ, but the modern form is most often composeed and uses electrified instrumentts. Contemporary forms of the music are also characterised by quick tempi and rapid delivery, while tempi tend to be slower in traditional forms and in some Lao genres. Some consistent characteristics include strong rhythmic accompaniment, vocal leaps, and a conversational style of singing that can be compared to American rap.
Typically featuring a theme of unrequited love, mor lam also reflects the difficulties of life in rural Isan and Laos, leavened with wry humour. In its heartland, performances are an essential part of festivals and ceremonies, while the music has gained a profile outside its native regions thanks to the spread of migrant workers, for whom it remains an important cultural link with home.
One of my favourites by a very talented female, Yenjit Porntawi. After the 2 minute mark she gets very bluesy. The way she just stretches down to the bass notes is very sexy.
Yenjit Porntawi -[11]- Lam Plearn Toh Lom Nhao - YouTube
Fine Instrumental .
The Petch Phin Thong Band -[08]- Soul Lam Plearn - YouTube
More of that later.
Lastly, to my personal favourite, Luk Groong.
Luk Krung music is typically ballads influenced by Jazz styles like Swing and Big Band as well as Latin dance music infused with Thai melodic and rhythmic sensibilities. Generally more polished and urban than its more traditional sounding cousin Luk Thung (Thai Country Music).
Luk Krung had its origin in the 1930s "pleng Thai sakorn" style initiated by violinist เอื้อ สุนทรสนาน (Uea Sunthonsanan) who founded the Suntaraphon big band in 1939 and was the first to popularize Luk Krung. The three crooners Charin Nuntanakorn, Suthep Wongkumhaeng and Narit Ari were known as "three generals of Luk Krung" and would dominate the scene in Bangkok during the 1950s-60s
I've recently spent a lot of time listening to this stuff. Ms Bangyai thinks its mighty eccentric but has come around to it and started to like it too.
It reminds me of some of the places I was taken when I first came to Thailand and knew a few bods in the military who were keen on ballroom dancing.
This first song from a Luk Groong artist , Wongjan Pairote is very beautiful and really hit me the first time I heard it. Great melody and perfect vocals. Love that accordian too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYHyarCNLZA
More typical from the men is this from the well known Mom Ratchawongse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoprLG04l34
also on a seaside theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG94H...eature=related
The word kram kruwan ( ครำครวญ ) pops up repeatedly in the lyrics of these songs and sometimes back to front as well , ie kruwan kram. The meaning is : to lament , to cry, to bemoan
The following tune by Riam Daranoi is something of a Mor Lam oddity but very interesting anyway. If you like your 'r' rolled, look no further.
Ream Daranoi -[05]- Fai Yen - YouTube
For those interested in listening to more pleng amatha here is a useful link
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or check out Chakritys channel on YouTube
chakrity - YouTube
