Customer Reviews

Cambodian Rocks Volume 1 (3rd Edition)

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The genre of "Cambodian Rock Music from the 60s and 70s" sounds hopelessly obscure, like it's only intended for musical enthologists or ex-pat Cambodians. But that's not true at all - this is happy fun music that makes you want to dance, and you could (and probably will) play it at a party. All in all it was a great music scene that deserves to be explored as much as possible.

This CD has some excellent music, but it isn't at all essential. I found the music on Parallel World's "Cambodian Rocks" to be even better - more of the madcap circle music (missing from this compilation), and much better covers. Some of the rock-standard covers here border karaoke, which the instrumental covers on Parallel World's CD never did (although the absolute lack of liner notes with that CD is annoying).

Also somewhat less-than-ideal with this CD is the track choice, which is split almost entirely between Sinn Sisamouth and Ros Sereysothea - both are well-regarded, but I want more variety in a compilation, and to my mind, the best songs on the compilation are by Yol Aularong. One might be better just buying a "best of Sinn Sisamouth" CD, from the same label. Volume 2 isn't quite as bad in this regard.

So it's still great music. But there's better alternatives, if this is your first go at Cambodian Music.

A fair number of people may have heard the earlier disc known as Cambodian Rocks (Parallel World, 1996), but Cambodian Rocks vol 1, disc along with Cambodian Rocks vol. 2, are vastly superior. I'm not dissing Parallel Wolrd's effort - that's where I first heard classic Cambodian rocknroll - but this disc smokes! The mix is much better, the singers are identified (and photos included) and english translations of the lyrics are included. This disc is a vibrant mix of both rocknroll intruments and Cambodian instruements into a sound that gets you on your feet and moving. The range of the songs run from pop to psychedelic. The same company has a whole series of discs by individual artists. The whole scen really needs to be documented so we can all (Cambodian and non-Cambodian) can enjoy and cherish the pre-Khmer Rouge scene. Just the soulfulness of the music makes me really wonder what the scene there must have been like. Listening to this disc I know it must have been fun!

If you're looking for a good feel of Cambodian rock music of the 60's and 70's, this is the CD you'll want to pick up. The tracks focus heavily on Sinn Sisamouth, the Elvis of Cambodian rock, and Ros Sereysothea, the most popular female vocalist. All of the tracks were recorded in the late 60's and early 70's, just before the Khmer Rouge banned all Western-influenced music. As most of the original recordings were destroyed, the CD was compiled of the best quality recordings available. The result is a sound quality comparable to an old vinyl record. If you can get past that, you should enjoy the music. The sounds range from pop to blues to rock. Some songs actually use the music of popular American songs such as Proud Mary and Gloria. So, there's a heavy American influence in the sound.

Awesome rockin' oldies from Cambodia. I love the music, this is what timeless classic is all about. I'm a fan of oldies stuff and the music in here fits the taste good old rock and roll. My favorite tracks is #6 and #11. If you like rock music from another country, try Cambodian rocks.The booklet has the lyrics in English so you understand what the song is about.

Cambodian Rocks Volume 1 ROCK! I enjoys the CD very much. Before I knew a fews Cambodian popular singers but after purchasing this CD I have heard more songs and know more name of the Cambodian popular singers. Awesome CD!