Customer Reviews

Deep in the Heart of Tuva

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I've got several CDs of Tuvan music, and this one is the best introduction for someone new to the subject. Tuva is a small region in Russian Asia, nestled in the mountains between Siberia and Mongolia. Herders who got bored spending their days in the countryside on horseback developed throat-singing, in which a singer can sing two notes at once, a low drone and a higher melody. The high part is produced from the overtones of the low note. The style began with a cappella singing, then was extended to include music on banjo- and violin-like instruments, with a rhythm like American cowboy music. This CD includes plenty of songs by Kongar-ool Ondar and Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, two of the first Tuvans to tour America. There are several examples of various styles of hoomei (the Tuvan word for throat-singing--the English spelling of this and ALL Tuvan words varies from album to album), including by an 11-year-old student of Ondar's. There are examples of modern variations on Tuvan music, including the title track from the "Fly, Fly My Sadness" collaboration album between Tuvan group Huun-Huur-Tu and the Bulgarian women's choir Angelite. And there is Paul Pena, the blind American blues singer (and writer of Steve Miller's "Jet Airliner") who learned throat-singing on his own and won an award at a Tuvan throat-singing festival, as chronicled in the Oscar-nominated documentary "Genghis Blues". (The CD suggests that it includes a live version of Pena's award-winning performance, but doesn't explain how he could be playing two guitars at once.) My only complaint with the CD is that there is too much of Mikhail Alperin's Tuvan-Russian hybrid projects (4 tracks), and not enough traditional Tuvan songs done with instruments, especially the banjo-like doshpuluur. A perfect Tuvan compilation would include the caravan-drivers' song ("Tying Siirtuktiilerining Iri") and "Ches Bulungum"; for those, look for the CD "Tuva: Voices from the Land of the Eagles".

What makes this CD a better choice than "Land of the Eagles" is the 64-page book on Tuva that is included in the "Deep in the Heart" package. It provides an introduction to Tuvan history and culture, important notes on cuisine (like a recipe for blood sausage, and how to prepare and serve the honored dish "Fat of Lamb's Tail"), and simple explanations of how to throat-sing. For example, to perform the whistling sound of the sygyt style of hoomei, put your mouth in the position to make the sound "ur" as in "urn", tighten your throat, and do a Kermit the Frog impersonation as you sing "ur-ee, ur-ee". Now go practice.

This CD is truly spectacular. It features 20 tracks of Tuvan throat singing, one of the most unique music traditions of the world. Originating from Tuva, an exotic Russian republic north of Mongolia, throat singing may be best compared to Tibetan Chant, but it has a fascination of its own. (The Tuvans are buddhists of Mongolian stock). The CD features unaccompanied throat singing (tracks 1 to 8), singing accompanied by traditional instruments (track 9 to 12), and in what may be the most fascinating tracks of the CD (13 to 20), a blend of throat singing with other musical styles, like Bulgarian folk music, blues and rock (!). And if this isn't enough to go to the record store, the CD is also accompanied by a superb booklet that tells everything one wants to know about Tuva and its singing.

I listen to this album over and over, and I marvel at the ability of the singers to generate three to four overtones simultaneously. No wonder the late physicist Richard Feynman fell in love with this genre. I only wish there was a tyro's guide to beginning throat singing. I've tried to do it, and my larynx is raw meat after 30 seconds. By the way, is it any coincidence that Mervyn's department stores are using Tuvan throat singing in their commercials? Anyone in love with the diversity of music will love this album. Shooodeh!

This CD is awesome. I found it over a year ago and still listen to it on a regular basis. The #2 track pulled me in, and the rest was so cool I had to buy it. The music is like nothing you have EVER heard before. If you're like me and like many different kinds of music, then i would recommend this CD for you. It comes with a little book that provides information on tuvan culture and a tutorial on how to throat sing. Check out tracks 2, 14, 19, and 20. These are my personal favorites.

I first heard Tuva throatsinging while watching the documentary "Genghis Blues", the story of blues musician Paul Pena, who, incredibly, taught himself this complex singing style. He then traveled to Tuva to learn more about it in the land where it was born. I immediately fell in love with throatsinging and logged on to Amazon to see what cds were available. I wanted a comprehensive guide to the styles and variations of Tuva throatsinging. This cd is truly amazing and the book that comes with it is very helpful in laying down a basic understanding of the sound and its complexities. It takes you through each track explaining styles and instrumental accompaniments and variations. Lest you think this cd may be boring and pedantic, I hasten to add that my first response to the cd was one of sheer exhileration. There is a joy to the music that invokes riding fast in the wind, laughing with the freedom of movement. The spirit and humor of the Tuvan people come across in every track.

I LOVE THIS CD. My cat, on the other hand, fled to the back of a closet when he first heard Kargyraa.

This is a wonderful cross-section of Tuvan music, comparable somewhat to Tibetan chant. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the wide diversity of world music, as well as the amazing capabilities of the human voice. Contains a cappella, solo and group tracks, including a collaboration of Tuvan throat singers and the Bulgarian women's choir (!). A jewel for any international music collection.

I grew up listening to British and Australian garage and punk, amongst other `alternative' styles of music...and one day I heard a busker singing in a strange throaty whistle sound with background music. I remembered the term `Tuva' from his sign and pretty much moved on.

Years later I came across this album in a tiny independent music store in Melbourne (Incidentally where I used to purchase other styles of music) and the word `Tuva' resonated. I bought the CD. I listen to the picture generating tracks at least once a month and travel to the plains every single time.

No CD generates such an amazing visual experience in my experience (and I mean it). If you can find it...buy it, no matter what style of music you generally listen too.

This CD/book from Ellipsis Arts is one of the most interesting, entertaining, and downright joyous productions that I have come across in quite a while. For those of you who have not heard Tuva throat singing before, all I can say is that you do not know what you are missing, so you ought to get this disk and make your life more complete. The various Tuvan singers on this recording do things with their voices that hardly seem possible, and the songs presented cover a wide variety of musical styles.

Those who saw the PBS documentary on physicist Richard Feynman (one of former physics major Bob Carver's personal heroes, by the way) might remember Richard Leighton, Feynman's friend and drumming partner, who produced this recording and is responsible for the informative and entertaining book that comes with it, complete with some really striking photographs. My only hope is that there will be some adventurous readers who will be bold enough to give this CD/book a try. Their musical and cultural worlds will be expanded and enhanced as their reward for so doing, and they will surely smile.

I love Tuvan throat singing. I've even been to Tuva and studied throat singing. If you want to discover what Tuvan Throat Singing is all about, start here.

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For those interested in beginning to learn overtone singing from Tuva and other musical styles, check out the excellent book and CD called "Harmonic Overtones: Magical Vibrations in Voice and Music".

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