Customer Reviews

Genghis Blues

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have seen the movie and bought the sound track. Having marinated my bones and psyche with Tibetans for over 25 years this soundtrack unites two ostensiby disparate cultures, America and Mongolia. As music is the one art form that transcends cultures, it is intersteing to hear the Blues united with their Asian cousins. The phenomenon of throat singing is what you have heard in Tibetan Monks chanting with the ability to produce two tones simultaneously. Paul Pena, a black, blind, blues singer from California, copped their gig and taught himself how to do this. He went to Tuva and won their annual throat singing contest in his category. It is an exposure of the roots. Like Mongolians don't get the Blues. For any armchair anthropoligist, this cd is a must. The movie will make you cry as you see the challenges that Paul faces, distantly empowered by the deceased physicist, Richard Feinman, who went to Tuva on his last journey. Paul's trip is peppered with stickers that they paste up, " Feinman Lives" Feinman was a great thinker from Far Rockaway, N.Y. who collected stamps from Tuva as a child. This record is strange and profound. Irresistable for any thinking person.

Last November my famly and I went to a blues concert. Kngar-ol-Ondar, Tuvn throatsinger, was special guess. After listening, enthralled, to the amazing sound, we were told that he had a CD. I turned to my mom instantly and said that I wanted it. Genghis Blues is an amazing experience. It contains some five blues songs, one Cape Verdean song, and a multitude of Tuvan ones, both throatsinging, normal singing, and instrumentals. Witin four months, my brother and I were throatsinging. And this CD started it.

Coming from the arctic, I'd heard throat singing from Greenland,
and so I was very impressed by the Documentary "Genghis Blues". I know this isn't the main stream but the music is very special!!
I have no idea how they can sing in this manor, but it is a rare treat. I'd heard Paul in San Francisco years ago. Really loved his truly soulful voice. Being blind gave him a rare gift!
I wish that more people where exposed to this very special style of singing. All I can say is I hope that Paco/Paul has many more years of life and music
Warm Greetings from the Frozen North
Alaska-Annie

This CD is the result of a trip Paul Pena, a blind bluessinger from San Francisco made to the Tuva-Republic (near Mongolia). This trip was filmed and became a documentary that won many prizes over the past years. And it is obvious why. Paul actually sang the traditional throatsinging music of the Tuva people in a competition and won first prize in the Kargyraa category. A real outstanding achievement in itself. Moreover the documentary is a story about friendship between Kongar al Ondar a Tuvan singer with Paul Pena. Two people living thousands of miles apart, but who are in the soul not so different altogether. The music is a brilliant combination of blues and the traditional and very special throat singing music of Tuva. The documentary is a must see (also available on DVD and video now). And the soundtrack of Ghengis Blues is a must buy. The unfamiliar Tuvan music touched my soul the very first minute. Paul is a great bluessinger, and it is a mystery to me, why he isn't world famous. One of his songs became world famous though, covered by Steve Miller: Jet Airliner. Buy Genghis Blues, you won't be disappointed. By the way: look for Paul Pena's CD NEW TRAIN as well...that also is a jewel.

This music is almost certainly unlike anything else you've ever heard. The songs in this album are a rare treasure and document a beautiful art form. I also HIGHLY recommend the documentary DVD.

You will be missed, Paul.

I saw the movie, Genghis Blues at the Castro, where Ondar appeared and sang. I was so blown away by it all that I bought the CD. It's fascinating, this throat singing and paul pena is amazing. I would say it makes my top ten CD list.

I got the soundtrack after seeing the film of the same name which had come as a breath of fresh air.
It's great to hear some honest, uncontrived music performed by masters in their craft.
If you've ever doubted the concept of universality or interconnectedness then these guys of such different cultural and geographical origins could change your view.
There's a rare lot of heart in this album.

True, very unique!!! Kargyraa, Sygyt, Khoomei, and the rest of the gangs (harmonics) are so unique. I keep this CD in my car everyday. Never in my house. Everywhere I go, I show it off to my friends and family. I've been asked, "What is this CD?" "You actually listen to this?" I smile proudly and say "YES! Listen to it carefully and you'll understand why I listen to it." After hearing the music/songs in the movie, "Genghis Blues" I looked every for the CD. And when I finally got it, I find myself listening to it everyday. This CD is one of the best mixed songs CD I heard so far. It includes Blues musics along with Tuvan traditional music. I give this CD a two thumbs up!

That's the best I can do to replicate Tuva throat singing...wild, especially combined with blues, and insipres me to take up both. You'll listen to this album a lot!

I saw the documentary of Paul Pena's plight in trying to travel to Tuva and the Throat-Singing competition he participated in. Wonderful example of blue's tradition and Paul's wide range of vocals. Ondal is a national treasure, keeping his peoples native music alive. Sad to hear that Paul died in 2005, play his music and remember how great he was.