Customer Reviews

Cambodian Rocks

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unknown to exist until recently, these recordings from the late 60's, early 70's Cambodian rock scene from mad garage-band rave-ups to mystic go-go organ/fuzz guitar with exotic female singers. Extremely sensual and emotionally charged - you'll hear echoes of Jimi, Janis, Seeds, Them and San Francisco acid.

If you love 60's music, this is a must for your collection! Can you imagine a song like "Gloria" sung in Cambodian? Then try track 13. And if there was ever an international hit, it's track 2. There is no track listing on this CD. All the tracks are listed as A1, A2, A3 and so on. But thanks to Dengue Fever, I did find out that track 2 is called "I Am Sixteen." And track 9 is called "New Year's Eve."

Buy this CD and you'll have 22 songs (70 mins) of pure enjoyment. I recommend Cambodian Rocks to anyone. Period!

I would kill for a track listing. I found this at the campus library and loved every second, but there's no track listings. I would love to be able to track down MORE music from these bands. They are absolutely incredible. They are highly recommended, incredibly nostalgic, but very new and fresh as well.

22 uncredited but mostly classic fusions of cultures. Cambodian bar bands mirroring and reinventing western pop and rock forms of the (60s/70s) day. More fun than any recordings should have a right to be and absolutely essential to all lovers of music from this time period, or rock & roll in general.

This CD is gr-reat! And it IS the original one. Many will complain of the lack of information- no names of artists or song-titles. For Khmers this may be important (if they don't already know them) or unimportant (if they do). For the average listener, the identity-mystery becomes part of what's cool about this record. There's no history lesson on this disk; it isn't a documentary production. Cambodia was at peace until its lives were upturned by American bombing. What this CD does for us is to show us that the American war next door was already making its presence felt in the lives, radios, ears, and minds of Cambodian youth. And not knowing a war yet, the kids loved American rock and roll. This record could not show the U.S. and its music in a more loving gaze. And vain American that I am, I'm fascinated by that love. The irony won't be lost in listening that the country was about to be destroyed, first by American soldiers under Washington's orders, then by the scared, maddened people of the country itself.
It's a shame that Parallel World's contribution (this CD) has been obscured by the adoption of the same CD title (Cambodian Rocks) by "Khmer Rocks, Inc.", who have also put out CDs of Cambodian pop under that title. They shouldn't have taken the title from this compilation. I highly recommend this to the curious.

Here is the song and artist list for this album. I'm still waiting for the documentary, "Don't Think I've Forgotten"(Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll)to become available.[...]. It's a very sad trailer, but it's shows hope.

"Cambodian Rocks" Song and Artist List

Track 1: (Jeas Cyclo "Riding a Cyclo" by Yol Aularong)
Track 2: (Chnam oun Dop-Pram Muy "I'm 16" by Ros Sereysothea)
English Lyrics -

This year, I'm 16... This year I'm 16
There are no worries
fa la la la
Life is like flowers,
giving off a nice scent
fa la la la la la la la

This year, I'm 16... This year I'm 16
There are no worries
fa la la la
What is love?
Is it bitter, sour, or sweet?
fa la la la la la la la

Track 3: (Tngai Neas Kyom Yam Sra "Today I Drink Wine" by Ros Sereysothea)
Track 4: (Sou Slarp Kroam Kombut Srey "Rather Die Under the Woman's Sword" by Yol Aularong + Tuk)
Track 5: (Srolanh Srey Touch "I Love Petite Girls" by Sinn Sisamouth)
Track 6: (Rom Jongvak Twist "Dance Twist" by Pan Ron)
Track 7: (Knyom Mun Sok Jet Te "I'm Unsatisfied" by Pan Ron )
Track 8: (Liev Tuk - Rom Sue Sue "Dance Soul Soul")
Track 9: (Jam 10 Kai Thiet "Wait 10 More Months" by Ros Sereysothea)
Track 10: (Jah Bong Ju Aim "Old Sour & Sweet" by Ros Sereysothea)
Track 11: ( Maok Pi Naok "Where Are You From?" by Sinn Sisamouth + Ros Sereysothea + Pan Ron + Dara Jamchan, composer Voy Ho)
Track 12: (Phneit Oun Mean Evey "What Are Your Eyes Made Of?" by Sinn Sisamouth)
Track 13: (Yuvajon Kouge Jet "Broken Hearted Man" by Yol Aularong )
Track 14: (Jol Dondeung Kone Key "Going to Get Engaged" by Meas Samon, composer Mai Bun)
Track 15: (Kerh Snae Kyoum Thai "Have You Seen My Boyfriend?" by Ros Sereysothea )
Track 16: (Chnang Jas Bai Chgn-ainj "Old Pot, Tasty Rice" by Ros Sereysothea)
Track 17: (Kone Oksok Nas Pa "We're Very Bored, Dad!" by Ros Sereysothea + Dara Jamchan, composer Voy Ho)
Track 18: (Kom Kung Twer Evey "Don't Be Mad" by Ros Sereysothea)
Track 19: (Penh Jet Thai Bong Mouy "I Like Only You" by Ros Sereysothea)
Track 20: (Sralanh Srey Chnas "I Love Mean Girls" by Pan Ron & In Yeng)
Track 21: (Komlos Teng Bey "Three Gentlemen" by Sinn Sisamouth + Meas Samon, composer Voy Ho)
Track 22: (Retrey Yung Joup Knea "The Night We Met" by Ros Sereysothea)


Cambodian Rocks

On this music, the producers/compilers have committed what I consider to be an abominable crime. Throughout the CD-- on every song, in fact-- there are obvious overdubs of electronic drums and synthesizers. When I first heard the CD, I thought I was being put on; there was no way that all the sounds I was hearing were from the late 60's, and even early 70's. The more closely I listened, the more I realized that the people who put together the compilation had decided to beef up the tracks, apparently unhappy with their previous, original lack of poorly played, poorly mixed (and incredibly loud) tinny drum samples, or cheesy organ synthesizer. Every so often, there is an obvious original organ part, or original drum/percussion part, that comes through the mix, but generally what you're hearing on top is someone banging away at some electronic pads in the early-to-mid 90's.

The songs themselves are wonderful, and what remains unobscured of their original sonic qualities are warm, nostalgic, and inviting. The source performances are authentic, soulful and outstanding. I pray the original master tapes are available, and that the buzz this compilation has received over time would cause someone to consider remastering them without ruining them. The only thing I can think of that would let Parallel World off the hook is that this was the condition in which they found the songs. But the music is so varying, and the, erm, "treatments" are so consistent, that I find that hard to believe. I can't believe no one's mentioned this about the CD yet-- be forewarned.

this album is absolutely amazing and i'm really surprised to see it on amazon. if you like this then you'll love my radio show where we explore the 60's/70's music from cambodia, india, korea ect. goto[..] the first link happens to be garage rock from southeast asia.