Various Artists
The Rough Guide To The Music Of Vietnam (RGNET1183CD, 2007)
Some compilations provide true discoveries. Such is the case of The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam. Very little Vietnamese music makes it to the West. A handful of exiled musicians do their best, but their exposure is very limited.
The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam opens a window to the music of Vietnam, including some of its most popular singers, and its diaspora. The artists featured are Huong Thanh, Than Quy, Cam Ly, Blue Asia, Thu Hien, Kim Sinh, Khac Chi Ensemble, Tranh Sáo Bao, Huy Du, Tuyet Tring, Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Vân Khánh, Quang Linh, Chau Dinh & Ca Hue Ensemble, and Dàn Bao Viêtnam.
The styles included in the compilation range from traditional Vietnamese folk music to pop and more adventurous sounds like the fascinating bluesy piece by Blue Asia.
One instrument that attracts the listeners attention is the dan bao, a wondrous one-stringed instrument that sounds similar to slide guitar. Other native instruments used are the sixteen-stringed dan tranh, the sao truc (bamboo flute) and the tam thap luc (dulcimer).
The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam was compiled by Paul Fisher, founder of Far Side Music, the leading specialist in music from East Asia. He is also a DJ and broadcaster. The album contains a data track that includes an interview with Fisher and travel information from The Rough Guide To Vietnam book.
Buy the CD:
- In Europe: The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam
- In North America: The Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
