The Orphan's Lament is an album by the Tuvan musical group Huun-Huur-Tu.[3][4] It was released in 1994.[5] The group supported the album with a North American tour.[6]
| The Orphan's Lament | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Genre | Tuvan throat singing[1] | |||
| Label | Shanachie[2] | |||
| Producer | Alexander Bapa | |||
| Huun-Huur-Tu chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production edit
Recorded in New York and Moscow, the album was produced by Alexander Bapa, who also played percussion.[7][8][9] Anatoli Kuular joined the group after the departure of Albert Kuvezin.[10] The group used a doshpuluur as well as a dazhaanning khavy, a percussive instrument crafted from a bull scrotum.[11][12]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A−[14] |
| MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide | [8] |
Entertainment Weekly praised the "rich, piercingly evocative musical universe."[14] The New York Times wrote that "the group has met Western listeners partway, keeping songs short and varied; some sound like Appalachian rural tunes from half a world away."[15] The San Diego Union-Tribune noted that "the vocal intensity has been toned down in places and there is a greater emphasis on lilting instrumental work."[16] The Record stated that "there are subtle rhythmic patterns and even subtler musical textures that imitate the sound of creatures and the wind of the Siberian plains."[11]
AllMusic wrote: "Not content to blindly follow traditional Central Asian folk music, Huun Huur Tu's four, sometimes five, performers create an ensemble that offers a complex, fascinating, and harmonious mixture."[13] The album was included in 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die.[17] In 2003, The Independent listed it among the 50 essential "world music" albums.[18]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Prayer" | |
| 2. | "Ancestors" | |
| 3. | "Aa-Shuu Dekei-Oo" | |
| 4. | "Eerbek-Aksy" | |
| 5. | "The Orphan's Lament" | |
| 6. | "Kaldak Khamar" | |
| 7. | "Steppe" | |
| 8. | "Borbanngadyr" | |
| 9. | "Chiraa-Khoor ('The Yellow Trotter')" | |
| 10. | "Exile's Song" | |
| 11. | "Eki Attar" | |
| 12. | "Irik Chuduk ('The Rotting Log')" | |
| 13. | "Sygyt" | |
| 14. | "Agitator" | |
| 15. | "Khomuz Medley" | |
| 16. | "Ödugen Taiga" |
References edit
- ^ Point, Michael (14 Feb 1995). "Singers build bridge from Tuva to Texas". Austin American-Statesman. p. E7.
- ^ Danielson, Virginia; Reynolds, Dwight; Marcus, Scott (September 25, 2017). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: The Middle East. Routledge.
- ^ Suzuki, Dean (Jun 1995). "Street cred — The Orphan's Lament by Huun-Huur-Tu". Wired. Vol. 3, no. 6. p. 182.
- ^ Livingstone, William (Jun 1995). "Quick fixes — The Orphan's Lament by Huun-Huur Tu". Stereo Review. Vol. 60, no. 6. p. 88.
- ^ Broughton, Simon; Ellingham, Mark; Trillo, Richard; Duane, Orla; McConnachie, James (August 10, 2000). World Music: Latin and North America, Caribbean, India, Asia and Pacific. Rough Guides.
- ^ "Throat Singers of Tuva". The Milwaukee Journal. 6 Jan 1995. p. 15E.
- ^ Warshall, Peter (Summer 1997). "Tuvinian Singers & Musicians". Whole Earth. No. 90. p. 94.
- ^ a b MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 332.
- ^ Bender, Sarah C. (January 26, 1995). "Mongolian Band a Hit on Campuses". Journal Star. Peoria. p. C4.
- ^ "Huun-Huur-Tu Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Porter, Mark (February 17, 1995). "Siberia's Throaty Songsters". Lifestyle/Previews. The Record. Hackensack. p. 7.
- ^ Condon, Garret (19 Jan 1995). "The Orphan's Lament Huun Huur Tu". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 5.
- ^ a b "Huun-Huur-Tu The Orphan's Lament". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "The Orphan's Lament". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (21 Feb 1995). "Strange Asian Sounds That Defy Western Notation". The New York Times. p. C14.
- ^ Varga, George (February 2, 1995). "The Orphan's Lament Huun-Huur-Tu". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 10.
- ^ Moon, Tom (August 28, 2008). 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die: A Listener's Life List. Workman Publishing.
- ^ Church, Michael (27 June 2003). "World Music: On top of the world". Features. The Independent. pp. 20, 21.