alt.culture.tuva FAQ Version 1.46 [Part 2 of 2]
Kerry Yackoboski
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 2000/08/23
Version: 1.46
URL: http://FOTuva.org/faq/t-faq.html
Anyone wishing to take a shot at improving this should go ahead and send the
edited section along to me <ker...@nortelnetworks.ca>. Thanks to Bernard
Greenberg [BSG] for his numerous additions and edits and to Bernard Dubriel
[BD], Alan Shrives [AS], Kevin Williams [KW], Albert Kuvezin [AK], Dr Oliver
Corff [OC], Mike Vande Bunt [MVB], Ralph Leighton [RL], Masahiko Todoriki,
Alan Leighton, Ken Simon, and Sami Jansson.
Alt.culture.tuva FAQ Version 1.46,
Part 2 of 2 (August 23, 2000)
Table of Contents - Part 1:
1: How can I get a copy of this Frequently Asked Questions list?
2. Are there any WWW sites for Tuva?
3: What is Tuva?
4: What is all the fuss about?
5: How can I contact X in Tuva?
6: What's this about two voices from one singer?
7: Where can I find out more? (Friends of Tuva)
8: Are there any video tapes about Tuva?
9: Does anyone still collect the old Tuvan stamps?
10: What can you tell me about travel to Tuva?
11: How can I learn to sing khoomei?
12: How did the "Tannu" get into "Tannu Tuva"?
Table of Contents - Part 2:
13: Any recommended reading about Tuva?
14: Any recommended reading about Feynman?
15: Are audio recordings available?
Questions and Answers:
13: Any recommended reading about Tuva?
A: Send your suggestions. Here's what I've found.
1 - Tuva or Bust! Ralph Leighton. W.W. Norton, 1991.
The canonical work. Describes Feynman and Leighton's
decade-long struggle to reach Tuva. Semi-related works
are ``Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!'' and ``What Do
You Care What Other People Think?'', both by Richard
Feynman (with Ralph Leighton).
2 - Journey to Tuva
Otto Mänchen-Helfen, extensively annotated and
translated from German to English by Alan Leighton.
Ethnographics Press, University of Southern California,
1931/1992
Available from Friends of Tuva. A great book detailing
the visit of a Westerner in 1929. Contains an appendix
about present day Tuva and a map.
3 - Nomads of Eurasia Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
University of Washington Press, 1989.
* This book accompanied the museum exhibit "Nomads: Masters of
the Eurasian Steppe" in 1989-1990. Great pictures and text.
4 - Nomads of South Siberia Sevyan Vainshtein, translated by
Michael Colenso Cambridge University Press, 1980.
Wow. The detail is impressive as the author examines
Tuvan nomadic life.
5 - In Search of Genghis Khan Tim Severin, Arrow Books, 1992.
The author joins a horseback expedition to trace the
steps of Genghis Khan from Mongolia to Europe in 1990.
An intriguing foray into the life of the modern
Mongolian nomad, with many details that may frighten
prospective visitors to the region.
7 - The Peoples of the Soviet Far East Walter Kolarz, published by
Frederick Praeger of New York, 1954.
8 - The Tuvan Manual John Krueger, available from the Mongolia
Society, 322 Goodbody Hall Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
47405, USA.
An indispensable work that includes a primer on the area
and culture, lessons on how to read and speak Tuvan, a
Tuvan to English glossary, and several samples of Tuvan
text. An extremely valuable book that is worth double
the price (about $20). A word of caution; the only Tuvan
I know to have seen the book commented that "no one uses
those words anymore".
9 - Ancient Traditions: Shamanism in Central Asia and the Americas
Edited by Gary Seaman and Jane S. Day. Published by the Denver
Museum of Natural History and the University Press of Colorado,
1994.
Based on the proceedings from ``Nomads: Masters of the
Eurasian Steppe,'' Volume 4 of the Soviet-American
academic symposia in conjunction with the museum
exhibitions. The one chapter devoted to Tuvan shamanism
is by Russian ethnographer Vera P. Diakonova.
10 - The Lost Country: Mongolia Revealed Jasper Becker. Hodder &
Stoughton, 1992. ISBN: 0-340-57978-1
Written by the Asia correspondent of the Guardian
newspaper, who visited Mongolia and surrounding
countries several times in 1989-90. Includes are
chapters on Buryatia and Tuva. Plenty of personal
observation as well as background history.
11 - The Last Disco In Outer Mongolia Nick Middleton. Onon, 1992.
ISBN: 1-85799-012-9
About the travel experiences of a British student who
visited Mongolia in 1987 and 1990. He observes the
changes that have taken place between his two visits.
12 - Recherche experimentale sur le chant diphonique Hugo Zemp and
Tran Quang Hai. Cahier de Musique traditionnelle, 4,p27-68,Atelier
d'ethnomusicologie, Geneve, 1991.
The most thorough analysis of Tuvan, Tibetan, Mongol and
Altai styles. Plenty of sound spectra representing
excerpts from a variety of songs, including cuts from
the Smithsonian Folkways CD. [BD]
13 - Structural, aerodynamic and spectral characteristics of
imitated Tibetan chanting. Aliaa Ali Khir, M.D. and Diane M.Bless,
Ph.D. Proceedings of the 21st symposium of The Voice Foundation.
Philadelphia, June 1992.
A study on ``the underlying physiological adjustments of
this unique phonetary mode''. For those with high
interests in acoustic and physiological details. The
subject under study was an American male, not a Tibetan
monk. The study suggests aphonic patients may benefit
from Tibetan chanting, as it requires minimal mean flow
rates. It quotes and agrees with previous authors
(Smith, Stevens, Tomlinson 1967), that Tibetan style may
be due to ``two modes of oscillations, one at the normal
frequency and another at some ``ill-defined'' low
frequency that synchronized to every pulse of the higher
frequency''. It rules out glottal fry as the source of
the low note, which I believe is an error. [BD]
14 - Sons multiphoniques aux instruments a vent Michele
Castellango Rapport IRCAM, 34|82. Paris, France.
Wind instruments, not just voices, can play multiple
sounds. The trombone, the flute, the oboe, bassoon and
bass clarinet are examined in that respect. Defined as :
``l'entretien d'un son stable percu comme un accord'',
multiphonic instrumental emissions are compared to vocal
overtone singing. ``Si l'on renforce l'intensite de
certaines harmoniques, ceux-ci peuvent etre percu
isolement et former une melodie independante. A un
instant donne, on percoit alors deux hauteurs. C'est le
cas du chant diphonique, de la guinbarde et de l'arc
musical ou l'on a dailleurs souvent deux ou trois
melodies formantiques en contrepoint.''
N.B In previous years, Michele Castellango and Trang
Quang Hai have worked together on a number of occasions,
trying to pin down the nature of biphonic singing. [BD]
14 - Theorie physiologique de la musique Hermann von Helmholtz
Editions Jacques Gabay Paris, 1990.
The Bible of acoustics and music, from the well known
19th century Heidelberg university professor. First
edition in French: 1868.
When we sing overtones, we behave as Helmholtz
resonators, amplifying certain harmonics in the note we
sing. We do so by slightly changing the volume of air
contained in our vocal tract or by changing the surface
of the aperture of our mouth. Helmholtz shows us that in
matters of resonance, there are no other variables at
play than volume of air and surface of aperture.
Following up on Helmhotz I hypothesized that whenever
three notes were distinctly heard in a given style (i.e.
Kaigal-ool Khovalyg singing in khoomei style) one was
amplified using the tongue as a means to vary the volume
of air, one was amplified using the aperture of the
mouth. Both field observations of professional Tuvan
singers and personal practice seem to verify this. [BD]
15 - Tuvan Folk Music A.N. Aksenov Asian Music IV, 1973
I've been unable to confirm the existence of this book,
or even find out what language it has been published in.
It was listed as one of several books being auctioned by
a specialist in antique books.
16 - The Choomij of Mongolia: a Spectral Analysis of Overtone
Singing R. Walcot Selected Reports in Ethnomusicology 2, 1974
17 - The Land In The Heart Of Asia Vladimir Semenov and Marina
Kilunovskaia Bronze Horseman Literary Agency (1995) 70-52 Olcott
Street Forest Hills, NY 11375
$22, 112 pages, 72 color illustrations. Bronze Age,
Neolithic, and Scythian artifacts from excavations in
Tuva.
18 - Unknown Mongolia: A Record of Travel and Exploration in
North-West Mongolia and Dzungaria Douglas Carruthers Hutchinson &
Co., 1914.
``Unknown Mongolia'' is an enormous two-volume tome
based on British geographer Douglas Carruthers' 20-month
journey and mapping expedition through what is now Tuva
and Mongolia. The first volume is almost all about Tuva.
Carruthers was literally charting uncharted territory.
The stated intent of the journey was as a geographic
expedition. Carruthers set out to map the territory and
investigate its geology, flora and fauna. The result is
a fascinating and highly informative account, written in
the somewhat overblown, erudite manner typical of the
aristocrats who were members of the Royal Geographic
Society.
Despite his understandably "Orientalist" approach,
Carruthers for the most part manages to avoid the
judgmental condescension of many other British
explorers. His account of the indigenous people and
their ways of life is sensitive and respectful, and his
painstaking attention to detail is rendered more with
refreshing candor and wide-eyed wonder than with the
bored skepticism of some of the other British travel
accounts of the period. It's informative, entertaining,
readable, and full of vivid geographic and ethnographic
detail. [Review by Brian Donahoe.]
Booksellers list a 1994 edition of this book (ISBN
8120608577) with a price in the $40 (US) range - much
better than the rare 1914 edition.
19 - Open Lands: Travels Through Russia's Once Forbidden Places
Mark Taplin Steerforth Press, 1998, ISBN 1-883642-87-6
In 1992, when the doors to formerly forbidden areas of
the Soviet Union were opened, Taplin visited seven newly
accessible cities and regions. One chapter is devoted to
Tuva; the chapter is an interesting read, the highlight
being his run-in with Mongush Kenin-Lopsang. Taplin has
an eye for detail and provides generous descriptions of
the situations he's encountered; his Tuvan chapter
doesn't include much on aspects of Tuvan tradition or
day-to-day life but does provide much insight on the
legacies of the Soviet system.
20 - Books by Lev Nikolayevich Gumilev (1912-1992)
Several Russians have reported that they first became
interested in Tuva through the works (in Russian) of
this author. Some titles of interest are "Hunnu in
China" "Ancient Turkic people".
14: Any recommended reading about Feynman?
A: Send your suggestions. Here's what I've found.
1 - Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Richard Feynman, as told to Ralph
Leighton W.W. Norton, 1985. Paperback by Bantam Books, ISBN 0-553-34668-7.
Another canonical work. Sometimes inspirational, sometimes
educational, always amusing. I can't praise this book highly
enough to do it justice.
2 - What Do *You* Care What Other People Think? Richard Feynman, as told to
Ralph Leighton W.W. Norton, 1988. Paperback by Bantam Books, ISBN
0-553-34784-5.
In a way, "What Do You Care" fills in the holes that "Surely
You're Joking" left unexplored. Some stories are light hearted,
while others are somewhat tragic. The second half of the book
details Feynman's work with the Rogers Commission. Highly
recommended.
3 - QED - The Strange Theory of Light and Matter Richard Feynman Princeton
University Press, 1985.
Quantum electrodynamics explained for the generalist. Will the
reader understand modern physics after reading this book? No, but
not to worry (as explained on page 9). The clearest and most
concise explanation of the subject available.
4 - The Feynman Lectures on Physics Richard Feynman, Robert Leighton,
Matthew Sands Addison-Wesley, 1963.
This legendary three-volume set established the precedent of
"Feynman talks, Leighton writes". Fascinating lectures delivered
with insight usually not presented to undergraduate students.
5 - Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman James Gleick Pantheon
Books, 1992. Paperback by Vintage/Random House, 1993, ISBN 0-679-74704-4.
Gleick is a thorough researcher; the bibliography is formidable.
His writing does not convey the same friendly charm of Feynman's
narrated stories, but the different viewpoint will be of interest
to the completist.
6 - No Ordinary Genius: The Illustrated Richard Feynman Christopher Sykes
W.W. Norton, 1994.
Great book. Ralph Leighton describes it as a get-together at a
home where Feynman is the main topic of conversation, and Feynman
shows up to tell his version of events.
7 - SIX EASY PIECES: Essentials of Physics Explained by its Most Brilliant
Teacher Richard P. Feynman Addison-Wesley and the Caltech Archives, 1994.
Six Lectures from The Feynman Lectures on Physics, with
accompanying audio on CD or cassette.
8 - The Art of Richard P. Feynman : Images By a Curious Character Compiled
by Michelle Feynman G+B Science Publishers SA, G+B Arts International ISBN
2-88449-047-7
173 pages with 92 full page black and white images and 7 colour
plates by Feynman the artist. Accompanying the images are 57 pages
of commentary and reminiscences, some of which has been printed
before (``But Is It Art?'' from ``Surely You're Joking'') and some
of which is new. Particularly interesting are the contributions
from the wonderful Albert Hibbs and from Michelle Feynman. A great
book for the enthusiast.
9 - The Beat of A Different Drum: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman
Jagdish Mehra Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press, 1994 ISBN 0-19-853948-7 (cloth)
According to the book jacket, Feynman in 1980 requested that Mehra
``do what he had already done for Heisenberg, Pauli, and Dirac,
that is write a definitive account of his life, science and
personality.'' Mehra, who had known Feynman personally for 30
years, readily agreed.
10 - Richard Feynman - A Life In Science John Gribbin and Mary Gribbin
Dutton, published by the Penguin Group, 1997 ISBN 0-525-94124-X (hardcover)
The book attempts to capture both the essence of Feynman's
scientific works and the essence of his `curious character' in one
book, and succeeds to a good degree. The scientific explanations
are well-explained in an interesting manner, and the anecdotes are
always engaging. This may be of the most interests to the reader
who has not already enjoyed other books featuring stories from
Feynman's life, since there is inevitably some duplication between
books, but even the seasoned reader will find something new here.
11 - Most of the Good Stuff - Memories of Richard Feynman Laurie M. Brown
and John S. Rigden, editors American Institute of Physics, 1993 ISBN
0-88318-870-8 (hardcover)
One of the better books, this is a collection of reminiscences and
anecdotes from colleagues and friends, organized around the impact
he made through his scientific work, through his teaching, and
through his personality. Several of the pieces appeared in the
February 1989 issue of `Physics Today' but are not reprinted
elsewhere.
15: Are audio recordings available?
A: I'm glad you asked. Long gone are the days when Tuvan (and other central
Asian) music was difficult to find; the enthusiast now has a wonderful array
of offerings to choose from. Of course, not all of these recordings are
available in every store, but we've tried to supply all the information
needed to place a special order. of course, if you're not certain of what
you want, you can always ask in Usenet newsgroup alt.culture.tuva.
1 - Tuva: Voices From The Center Of Asia.
Smithsonian Folkways CD SF 40017
Distributed by Rounder Records, Cambridge MA.
33 tracks, 41'50, featuring numerous performers recorded
in Tuva by Ted Levin, Eduard Alexeev, Zoya Kirgiz.
Khoomei, jew's harp, sigit, animal imitations.
Excellent, scholarly, musicological liner notes.
2 - Tuva: Voices from the Land of the Eagles
Pan Records CD 2005CD
P.O. Box 155, 2300 AD Leiden, Netherlands
11 tracks, 46'46, khomus, tyzani, igil, amirga,
toshpular. Features Kongar-ool Ondar, Kaigal-ool
Khovalig, Gennadi Tumat, all soloists of the folk
ensemble Tuva. Recorded February 23, 1991. Excellent
liner notes.
3 - Voix de l'Orient Sovietique
Inedit W 260008
Maison des Cultures Du Monde , Paris
Only one Khoomei track, but it is supposedly very good.
Other tracks from other Soviet (now CIS) central Asian
republics. [I don't have this one - Kerry]
4 - Mongolian Folk Music
Hungaroton HCD 18013-14
Selected from the 1967 year's collection by Lajos
Vargyas. [I don't have this one - Kerry]
5 - Mongolie- Musique vocale et instrumentale
Inedit W 460009
[I don't have this one - Kerry]
6 - Sainkho Namtchylak - Lost Rivers
Free Music Productions FMP CD 42
Postbox 100 227, 1000 Berlin 10, Germany
Solo voice. Avante garde singing, with some polyphonic
singing. 13 tracks, 74'18.
7 - Sainkho Namtchylak - When the Sun Is Out You Don't See Stars
Free Music Productions FMP CD 38
With Peter Kowald (bass), Werner Ludi (saxes), Butch
Morris (cornet). 20 tracks, 72,50, less avante garde
than Lost Rivers.
8 - Sainkho Namtchylak - Out Of Tuva
Cramworld/Crammed Discs CD CRAW6
Released 1993.
Recorded between 1986 and 1993 in Kyzyl, Moscow, Wuppertal,
Paris, and Brussels.
Mostly pop songs incorporating traditional folklore and
some traditional techniques, the liner notes explain
that these are recordings that Sainkho had made with no
plans to release them. Muscovite Artemy Troitsky thought
that they should be released and put them on this disk,
along with three new songs.
The songs are generally less esoteric than other Sainkho
works and they are far more accessible to the casual
listener. The featured instrument is her voice, and the
accompaniment varies from somewhat bare percussion to a
large orchestra to synthesized washes. I like this disc
more than the other Sainkho ones I've heard, and if I
were to recommend a first Sainkho album to newcomers,
this would be it.
As an added bonus, the insert artwork is pretty good;
the cover is a stunning photo of Sainkho's face and
shoulders superimposed in front of a bright blur of
colour. The liner notes are good but too brief; only
some of the songs have accompanying notes listing the
details of the recording. 13 Tracks, total length 40:30.
9 - Sainkho Namtchylak - Letters
Leo CD 190. Unreviewed.
10- Tuva: Echoes from the Spirit World
Pan Records CD 2013CD
17 tracks, 61'38, khomus, tyzani, igil, amirga,
toshpular, dambiraa, bell, kengirge, byzaanchy, limbi,
buree, savag, tung, tenchak, khirilee. Features 11
performers, includes recordings made on tour in 1992 as
well as older recordings from Soviet radio (1973, 1983,
1986). Superlative liner notes explaining many ideas and
terms.
11- Ozum (Sprouts): Young Voices of Ancient Tuva
Window to Europe CD sum 90 008
Jodenbreestraat 24, 1011 NK, Amsterdam, Netherlands
A Dutch-Russian release from Otkun Dostai, Oolak Ondar,
and Stanislav Iril, three young Tuvan musicians who have
built on the traditional style. A strong album that I
really like. Oolak Ondar (b. 1973) was the winner at the
throat singing symposium (1991, Kyzyl) in sygyt style.
Khoomei, khomus, acoustic guitar, and shaman drum. 13
tracks, 42'34.
12- Mongolian Songs
King Record Co CD KICC 5133
2-12-13 Otowa Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 112 Japan
Part of King's World Music Library, this is a Japanese
import with almost no English in the package. 7
performers, 19 songs, 54'52. The men's khoomei is very
good, the women's takes some getting used to.
13- Mongolian Epic Song (Zhangar)
King Record Co CD KICC 5136
2-12-13 Otowa Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 112 Japan
Male vocal with instrumental accompaniment. Short and
long songs.
14- Mongolian Morin Khuur Ci Bulag
King Record Co CD KICC 5135
Sentimental horse-head fiddle solos.
15- Morin Khuur Ci Bulag
JVC World Sounds, VICG-5212
More Sentimental horse-head fiddle solos.
16- Mongolie Ensemble Mandukhai
Playa Sound, PS 65115
Large variety with some khoomei.
17- Mongolie Chants Kazakh et tradition epique de l'Ouest
Ocora - Radio France, C 580051
25 songs, with tobsuur accompaniment, recorded in
Mongolia in 1984 and 1990. Twenty songs of Kazakh music,
some of it actually danceable! Minimal khoomei, although
the voices do make good use of changing timbres. The
final five songs are labelled ``epic tradition of the
West'' and the lyrics are fragments of lengthy epic
songs.
18- Huun-Huur-Tu: Sixty Horses In My Herd - Old Songs and Tunes of
Tuva
Shanachie Records CD SH 64050 CD/MC
37 E. Clinton St., Newton NJ 40017
Master khoomigch Kaigal-ool Khovalyg and his new group,
which has toured all over the US. 12 tracks of all
natures of top-notch khoomei, other singing, igil (Tuvan
viol) playing. Its being studio-produced, which although
lending a slight inauthenticity, makes for an eminently
listenable album. Decent liner notes and text. [BSG]
19- Uzlyau: Guttural Singing of the People of the Sayan, Altai,
and Ural Mountains
(1993) PAN 2019CD (PAN Records Ethnic Series)
37 recordings from Russian archives form a catalog of
all known styles of overtone singing from Tuva (12),
Altai (2), and Baskhiria (23), collected, produced,
(partially) recorded, and documented in encyclopaedic,
scholarly liner notes by Vyacheslav Shchurov. Studio and
field recordings, featuring master khoomigch Oorzhak
Khunashtaar-ool in some awesome 1977 performances
recored by Radio Moscow. Some doshpuluur and khomus, but
almost all vocal. Some absolute knockout kargyraa. A
must. [BSG]
20- Tales of Tuva
Kira Van Deusen recites three Tuvan stories (in English)
with musical accompaniment by Kongar-ool Ondar,
Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, and Anatoli Kuular.
21- Shu-De: Voices from the Distant Steppe
Realworld/WOMAD Productions (Real World Records Ltd)
(In US): Carol 2339-2 Caroline Records, Inc 111 West 26th
St.,
New York NY 10001
16 tracks by the Tuvan ensemble Shu-De (M. Mongush, L.
Oorzhak, N. Shoigu, B. Salchak, O. Kuular), including
all varieties of khoomei, igil, doshpuluur, & limbi
(flute) playing, plus a wide variety of styles from
Buddhist Chant to Tuvan tongue twisters to Western-style
choral harmony. A shamanic ritual ends out the CD. A
magnificent kargyraa cut by Leonid Oorzhak is a
highlight. Eminently listenable. (Spring 1994). Weak
liner notes. [BSG]
22- Tuvinian Singers & Musicians: Khoomei: Throat-Singing from the
Center of Asia.
Distributed in Germany via Zweitausendeins Versand, Postfach,
D-60381 Frankfurt. Order Number 55838.
Volume 21 of the World Network series, a coproduction
from WDR (West-deutscher Rundfunk - a major TV and radio
station in Germany) and World Network.
16 tracks (total playing time: 64' 01"), partially
recorded in Cologne in April 1993 and in Tuva in
September 1992. Performers include Schaktar Schulban, a
10 year old boy, the 18 year-olds Ondar Mongun-Ool and
Bujan Dondak, and the Tuva Ensemble, founded in 1988 by
Gennadi Tumat, Oleg Kuular, Stas Danmaa and Alexander
Salchak.
This CD can be warmly recommended to all lovers of
Tuvinian music. The music presented is a well performed
collection of authentic vocal and instrumental pieces.
Since all pieces are strictly traditional this CD cannot
be compared to the performance by e.g. Sainkho. Track
no. 9, performed by the unusually young artist Schaktar
Schulban, reveals the enormous talent of this promising
singer.
The CD is very interesting because next to the overview
of singing styles the listener is also introduced to a
representative spectrum of instrumental music. [OC]
23- Tuvinski Folklore
Melodiya Stereo 33 C60-14937-42 1981, Out of print.
This three LP set features a total of 65 tracks, most of
which are khoomei, and instrumental music. One entire
disk (both sides) is devoted to two tracks, each over 24
minutes long, of byzanchi playing. There are also
several tracks of story telling, and a few of the
musical numbers are repeated with variations or in
slightly different styles.
The Melodiya record that Feynman had is apparently
unavailable, although the vaults of recording agencies
in the former USSR have been opened to interested
entrepreneurs. Latest reports say that the masters have
been lost.
24- Kronos Quartet: Night Prayers
Elektra Nonesuch CD 2 79346
Distributed by Warner Music.
One track on this CD, "Kongerei", features Kaigal-ool
Khovalyg, Anatoly Kuular, and Kongar-ool Ondar singing
along to the accompaniment of the Quartet (2 violins, 1
viola, 1 cello). This new version is interesting in it's
approach to a traditional Tuvan song with modern Western
instruments.
25- Yat-Kha
General Records GR 90-202 (Moscow), 1993
Albert Kuvezin (throat-singing and instruments yat-kha,
byzanchi, organs, khomus, percussion & gongs) and Ivan
Sokolovski (keyboards, computers, cello, drums &
percussions, noises). Kuvezin is a founding member of
the group Huun-Huur-Tu, living in Moscow, who
specializes in his own style of kargyraa, extremely
low-pitched singing with artificial subharmonics. In
this hour of 13 tracks, he exploits this awesome and
rarely-heard technique, combining it with techno-pop
backup sounds (and a token amount of traditional
singing/playing) to produce a thoroughly unique,
avant-garde offering which has the power to grow on you.
Deliberately obscure liner notes [BSG].
Here is some news from Yat-Kha from August of 1995:
Eki ergim eshter! (Hello dear friends)
I would like to inform you about some news of the
Yat-Kha band. We are right now recording a new album at
the Global Mobile studio in Helsinki under the roof (and
rules) of Anu Laakkonen. The album presents our new
style: "Yenisei kargyrapunk". The participating
musicians in this projects are: Alexei/vocal, tungur,
igil; myself/kargyra & guitars; Evgeniy/percussions,
Kari/sound & drinks; Anu/sauna; Mikko/cooks & drinks;
Akym/phonecontrol. The CD will be released by Global
Music Centre soon. Start saving now! We will give the
account details later. [AK]
26- Huun-Huur-Tu (with Mergen Mongush): Orphan's Lament
Shanachie Records 64058
A work of well-produced art, contemporary offerings in
traditional Tuvan styles, not an ethnomusicological
assay. Its 16 pieces in styles varying from unison
Kargyraa chants to political songs to khomus ("Jews'
harp") solos provide a tour-de-force of Tuvan styles
designed for listening pleasure and wonderment. Master
khoomigch Kaigal-ool Khovalyg's deeply touching igil
(Tuvan viol) playing is (as on "60 Horses") a real
highlight of the album. His frequent vocal solos in all
styles, and those of the sweet-voiced Anatoli Kuular,
joined by Mergen Mongush for one sygyt cut, help place
this album among the two or three "must-have"'s for
anyone who *enjoys* authentic Tuvan music. [BSG]
27- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Geronimo, An American
Legend
Columbia CD CK 57760
Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, Anatoly Kuular, and Sayan Bapa sing
and play on six of the seventeen tracks. The Tuvans make
a significant contribution to the soundtrack and share
writing credits on some songs. This CD is not a
"must-have" for the traditionalist but is interesting.
The CD seems to have a higher Tuvan content than was
actually heard in the movie.
Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, Anatoly Kuular, and Sayan Bapa sing
and play on six of the seventeen tracks. The Tuvans make
a significant contribution to the soundtrack and share
writing credits on some songs. This CD is not a
"must-have" for the traditionalist but is interesting.
The CD seems to have a higher Tuvan content than was
actually heard in the movie.
28- The ReR Quarterly, Volume 4, Number 1 (ReR 0401)
The ReR Quarterly is a sort of audio magazine dedicated
to weird and experimental music. The first track on this
issue is "Koongoortoog," whom we know today as
Huun-Huur-Tu. Most of the rest of the CD is
significantly modernist abstract composition or
alienated rock music.
This old traditional song was recorded in 1991 in Moscow
when the Koongoortug band consisted of only Albert
Kuvezin and Alexander Bappa. On this song Mr. Kuvezin
sang and played all the instruments (yat-kha, fretless
bass, drum machine, buddhist percussion) except shell by
Mr. Bappa. Arrangement was done by Mr. Kuvezin. The
studio time was purchased by Mr. Bappa. This tape was
given to Chris Cutler in London. The picture and the
information was mistakingly taken from the first CD of
Huun Huur Tu. ReR Megacorp is reachable at 74 Tulse
Hill, London SW2 2PT, England, or distributed in the USA
by Wayside Music, PO Box 8427, Silver Spring MD 20907.
(Source: [AK], Alexei Saaia, Anu Laakkonen, Akym (AAAA
Club))
29- Whistling In the Temple: Harmonic Voices
Simone Records, 412 East Ellis Ave., Inglewood, CA 90302.
In the USA, call 1-800-300-3315 for info.
Most songs have overtone singing and other cultural
references such as instrumentation and source material
which refer to Tuvan lifestyle. It is a hybrid
recording, but not in a pop type manner such as Sainko.
I did enjoy the music and gist of the material
immensely. [KW]
30- Jeff Lorber: West Side Stories
Polygram Records, distributed by Verve Records, 314 523
738-2.
Kongar-ool Ondar sings on one track, ``Tuva'', five
minutes long. He sings two themes (the old favourite,
``Alash River'' and another, about the Tuvan forests),
and Lorber has built a song around them. The music is
not traditional, or a facsimile (for example, the Kronos
Quartet blended their instruments well with the Tuvan
themes on their Tuvan song) but is funky light jazz
played mainly on synthesizers. An added bonus: in the
liner notes Lorber mentions that he made his studio
available to Kongar-ool to record an album for release
in Tuva.
31- Biosintez
Lava Productions. 23705 Vanowen St., suite 123, West Hills,
CA 91307, USA. E-Mail: LAV...@AOL.COM
Tuvan music played on modern rock instruments.
Unreviewed.
32- Kongar-ool Ondar - Echoes of Tuva
1995.
This recording is a solo recording by Kongar-ool Ondar,
made in the picturesque old city hall of Pasadena,
California. The building's natural reverberance is used
to great effect and gives the recordings a very natural
lively feel.
The recording opens with traditional songs done
impeccably, but it is the more modern-sounding songs
that are most interesting. Also striking is the prayer
for Richard Feynman, a song featuring only voice and
drum.
The recording is available directly from Friends of
Tuva, Box 182, Belvedere CA 94920.
33- The Legend of Tannu Uriangkhai
Published by The Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission,
4th Floor, #5, Shu-Chow Road, Taipei, Republic of China.
Produced by the Typhoon Music Co, director Lee Hou-kou.
A book and CD combination in Chinese and English, with
references, the CD is excellent [Not reviewed by me -
KY].
34- Khomus: Jew's Harp Music of the Turkic Peoples in the Urals,
Siberia,
and Central Asia.
Pan Records CD PAN 2032CD
P.O. Box 155, 2300 AD Leiden, Netherlands
Phone: (+31-71)219479 fax: (+31-71)226869
While only one track (out of 33) is from Tuva, this is
an excellent survey of khomus music of the Turkic
speaking peoples. Excellent liner notes, including
repeated mention of Tuva and a Tuvan folk tale regarding
the origin of the khomus. Very listenable if you like
khomus (very twangy if you don't like khomus...) with
most of the songs being complete, though fairly short.
Music is from Gorno-Altai, Kyrgyzstan, Tuva,
Bashkortostan, and Yakutia. There is surprising variety
in the music from this simple instrument.
Here are the details on the Tuvan track (#5): ``BAYAN
KOL and BISTING TYVA (Our Tuva). Also found on LP
Melodiya 14937 #1 and #10. Many folk musicians do not
perform on the stage but rather prefer to play in a
natural environment, like the Tuvan herdsman
Khunashtaar-ool Oorzhak playing temir khomus''. Total
time: 66'03. [MVB]
35- Khoomei 92 - WTE Tapes 004
Window to Europe
Jodenbreestraat 24, 1011 NK, Amsterdam, Netherlands
tel +31-20-6245747 fax +31-20-6203570
Though I have not heard this one myself it comes highly
recommended by a friend in Amsterdam. It is a tape
(presumably also on CD) from the first International
Symposium on Throat Singing in Kyzyl, June 1992. [MVB]
36- Planet Soup
Produced by Ellipsis Arts, 20 Lumber Rd., Roslyn, NY 11576,
(800) 788-6670, FAX: (516) 621-2750.
This illustrated book (48 pages) and three compact discs
(or cassette) includes one song (1:51 minutes),
``Genghis Blues: The Ballad of Cher Shimjer (What You
Talkin' About?)'' featuring Paul Pena, (vocals, guitars,
kargyraa vocals); Kongar-ool Ondar (sygyt vocal, khomus)
and; ``C.T.'' and Rusty Gunn (backing vocals).
There's also an interesting track by Bolot Bairyshev,
from Altay in Mongolia (this track is originally from
``Voice of Asia 2'').
37- Jon Rose: Violin Music For Supermarkets
Megaphone Records, Megaphone 016 (CD), released 1994.
Sainkho Namtchylak appears on track 11, ``Shopping In
Tuva'' (3:51).
38- Yat-Kha: Yenisei-punk
Global Music Centre GMCD 9504, Finland, 1995.
Duration: 56:31
Contact: e-mail: g...@global.pp.fi ,
http://www.globalmusic.fi/index.html (Finnish) or
http://www.globalmusic.fi/in_english/index.html
(English)
TRACKS:
Solun chaagai sovet churtum (Beautiful Soviet Country)
Karangailyg kara hovaa (In the endless black steppe)
Kaa-khem (Name of the river)
Kuu-la khashtyn baaryndan (At the foot of a mountain)
Kamgalanyr kuzhu-daa bar (We have protection force)
Irik chuduk (Rotten log)
Chashpy-khem (Name of a river)
Kadarchy (Shepherd boy)
Chok-la kizhi yry (Song of a poor lonely)
Een kurug kagban-na men (I didn't leave my yurt empty)
Toorugtub taiga (Cedar taiga)
Karagyram
If Michael Gira would have been born in Tuva, this is
how the Swans would sound, I guess. All the instruments
but the electric guitar are ethnic Tuvan, but I have the
impression they're not as lively and diversified as with
Huun-Huur-Tu. Also, the throat singing is quite
threatening in a monotonous way, but not as
breath-taking and crazy as with Huun-Huur-Tu. Although
many of the songs are about nature, this CD sounds very
dark and gloomy, hence the "punk" title; not the Sex
Pistols kind of punk, more like Joy Division.
Every song on its own is an impressive listening
experience, but maybe there isn't enough variation to
make the whole CD interesting enough. Luckily, some
songs have accompanying extra voices.
The last track is more than 10 minutes long, and is not
really a song, more the singer showing of his low throat
voice, which only rarely gets the "vacuum cleaner" sound
effect. Conclusion: good, but not essential exotica
stuff. [Reviewed by Johan Dada Vis
<johan...@ping.be>.]
39- Deep In the Heart of Tuva - Cowboy Music From the Wild East
Ellipsis Arts CD4080, ISBN 1-55961-324-6
64 page book, 60+ minute CD
This recent release comes with a well-produced booklet
full of information (interviews, khoomei details, liner
notes, etc.) and superb photos. The music is a sampler
of a wide variety of performers and styles. This release
sets a new standard for Tuvan music production.
40- Huun-Huur-Tu: If I'd Been Born An Eagle
Shanachie Records
"If I'd Been Born An Eagle" explores a possible past
with the addition of an end-blown flute, an instrument
of other Turkic mountain peoples, which may once have
been played in Tuva. Once you hear it along with the
other Tuvan instruments, you'll wonder why the Tuvans
ever gave it up! This CD is a worthy addition to the
other two by HHT. [RL]
41- Huun-Huur-Tu and Angelite: Fly, Fly My Sadness
Recorded in Bulgaria with the women's choir Angelite
(formerly called Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares), this CD
is definitely meditative stuff --- not quite my style,
but certainly an interesting mixture of distinctive
musical traditions. [RL]
42- Vershki da Koreshki
Al Sur CD ALCD 204, 1996.
15, rue des Goulvents, 92000 Nanterre, France,
Telephone (33) 01 41 20 90 50.
9 tracks, 56'08.
Featuring: Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, voice, khoomei, igil,
khomus Mola Sylla, vocals, kongoma, xalam, kalimba
Alexei Levin, accordian, piano, khomus, kongoma Vladimir
Volkov, double bass Paco Diedhjou, sauruba
This album features one musician from Tuva, two from
Senegal, and two from Saint Petersburg. The musicians
blend their styles and genres to form an interesting and
attractive result; although similar experiments haven't
always worked well in the past, in this case it does.
The accordian and the double bass complement, rather
than steer, the other instruments. The addition of the
rich sounding double bass to Tuvan melodies is quite
satisfying. The African and Tuvan musical elements are
not as disparate as one might expect; this is more a
testimony to the talents and to the calibre of the
musicians than to any similarities inherent in the
cultures.
43- Chirgilchin: The Wolf and the Kid
Shanachie CD 64070 16 tracks, 1996.
Featuring: Ondar Mongun-ool, throat-singer Aidysmaa
Kandan, singer Tamdyn Aldar, instruments Produced by
Alexander Bapa
The 20-year old Tuvan performers sound great on this
recording, and some listeners will already know
Mongun-Ool from a sygyt cut on the World Network CD
``Choomeij: Throat-Singing From the Center of Asia''.
Mongun-Ool is one of the greatest sygyt-singers, but he
masters other styles as well. [Review by Sami Jansson.]
44- Big Sky: Standing On This Earth
Skysong Productions, inc., SPCD1001, 1997
P.O. Box 11755, Minneapolis, MN, 55412
12 tracks, total time 55:57
Big Sky features alt.culture.tuva contributor Steve
Sklar on guitar and vocals, and on one song on this CD,
"Siberia", he uses his his formidable kargyraa and sygyt
to great effect. Not a Tuvan CD, but one with some Tuvan
influence; it is mostly upbeat (in outlook as well as
tempo) pop/rock with a bright, wide-open, spacious sound
reminiscent of Tuva's wide open plains.
Additional Big Sky tracks can be found online at
http://mp3.com/bigsky --- for instance, "Fire in the
Water" features khoomei singing, (especially sygyt).
Big Sky themselves are on the WWW at
http://www.bigskyrocks.com/ and Steve Sklar has a
khoomei page at URL
http://www.atech.org/khoomei/khoomei.html
45- Ondar & Pena: Genghis Blues
TuvaMuch Records, 1997, c/o Friends of Tuva
12 tracks, total time 53:54
Available from the Tuva Trader.
A collaboration between Tuva's Kongar-ol Ondar and
occasional alt.culture.tuva contributor Paul
``Earthquake'' Pena, this CD successfully blends the
traditions of Tuvan music with those of American blues.
Several of the songs are traditional, but the original
songs by Pena are the attraction: the first track,
``What You Talkin' About?'', is a killer and is worth
the price of the CD by itself. This Bo Diddley-style
tour de force recounts how Pena began his journey to
Tuva and his journey into khoomei.
Other highlights are the notable ``Kargyraa Moan'', a
song that helped win Paul Pena first prize in the
kargyraa competition at the 1995 Khoomei Symposium in
Kyzyl, as well as ``Tuva Farewell'', Pena's thoughts and
insights about his visit to (and return from) Tuva.
46- Tuvan Folk Music: It's Probably Windy In Ovyur...
Long Arms Records & IMA-press, 1997, CDLA 9707
29 tracks, total time 60:58
Contact long...@redline.ru .
This recording may be a landmark on the horizon of Tuvan
music in that it was recorded in Tuva (October-November
1995) by Tuvans, for Tuvans. This is a collection of
songs by musicians from the Ovyur region (with the hope
that compilations will be forthcoming for other regions)
featuring aspects of singing that have been overlooked
by foreign recordings, which have concerned themselves
primarily with the various forms of khoomei. Ovyur is a
region southwest of Kyzyl, bordering on Mongolia.
The music is wonderful and covers a wide range of
styles; ballads, galloping songs, laments, patriotic
fighting songs... and that's just the first four!
Various instruments are used, including igil, doshpulur,
and khomus, along with the accordion, but many songs are
vocal solos, by both women and men. Words cannot do the
CD justice; the performances are all very natural
sounding and very clearly recorded. This sounds like a
performance sitting around the campfire or around the
stove in the yurt, with no echo or effects added. My
favourite songs are the ones with the soaring melodies
and quiet accordion accompaniment.
The liner notes are primarily in Russian (I think; I
can't see any Tuvan) with some translation into English.
The package and insert are well-crafted with flashy
graphic arts and photos. Produced by Sainkho Namchylak
and Otkun Dostai, this is a work to be proud of, and I
hope to see more recordings in this vein.
47- Kongar-ol Ondar: Back Tuva Future
Warner Brothers Records CD9 47131-2
11 tracks, 50'05. Wow! An interesting and adventurous
experiment bringing together Kongar-ol Ondar's music and
singing, recordings from Feynman and Leighton's drumming
and storytelling days, and some excellent western
musicians including Sam Bush, Randy Scruggs, and Victor
Wooten. Some of these tracks became instant favourites -
the ones with the most propelling beat actually sound
vaguely reminiscent of some Tuvan-Western fusion songs I
heard on a cassette tape in a car on the road to Teeli.
Don't forget to look for the hidden track!
48- Huun-Huur-Tu: Where Young Grass Grows
Shanachie Records CD 66018
15 tracks, 45'05. No review available yet. Tracklist: 1
Ezir-Kara 2 Anatoly On Horseback 3 Deke-Jo 4 Xöömeyimny
Kagbasla Men (I will not abandon my xöömei) 5 Avam
Churtu Dugayimny (Dugai, the land of my mother) 6
Dyngyldai 7 Highland Tune 8 Hayang (name of a hunter) 9
Barlyk River 10 Tarlaashkyn 11 Interlude: Sayan playing
khomus with water in his mouth 12 Sarala 13 Sagla Khadyn
Turula Boor (It's probably windy on Sagly steppe) 14
Ezertep-Le Bereyin Be (Do you want me to saddle you?) 15
Live Recording: Anatoly and Kaigal-ool riding horses in
Eleges while singing sygyt (Anatoly), kargyraa and
xöömei (Kaigal-ool)
49- Tuva, Among the Spirits: Sound, Music, and Nature in
Sakha and Tuva
Smithsonian Folkways CD SFW 40452
19 tracks, 49'00, featuring numerous performers recorded
in Tuva and Sakha by Ted Levin and Joel Gordon.
Excellent music with excellent scholarly, musicological
liner notes. To be reviewed further.
50- Tarbagan: Tarbagan Rises On The Earth
BooxBox World Wide Music CD BWM-A801
14 tracks. Japanese release featuring Haruhiko Saga and
Masahiko Todoriki.
51- Yat-Kha: Dalai Beldiri
Wicklow Entertainment LLC
10 tracks, 46:05. More amazing bass from Albert Kuvezin
with Aldyn-ool Sevek and Zhenya Tkach'v. Mainly
traditional songs arranged in a modern style by Kuvezin;
some exciting sounds. This is a very natural-sounding
album and the fusion doesn't sound at all forced and
contrived - a very musical record. Comes in a cool
package with some great photos.
51- Shu-De: Kongurei
Newtone Records - NT 6745 2 CD
12 tracks.