Customer Reviews

Re-Covers

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I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting nor exactly what to say about what I've been hearing. Hence, first a bit of background.

Yat-Kha is a band from Tuva, a landlocked place deep in the Russian Federation. This fact of geography has tended to both isolate and preserve the traditional music, and perhaps to have limited exposure to Western music.

Lead by vocalist/guitarist Albert Kuvezin, who is the mainstay in a changing, evolving lineup, Yat-Kha plays a melded music that incorporates traditional Tuvinian music and rock and folk music from a range of time and places, but delivered or interpreted through Kuvezin's throat singing style. This style of singing is described as droning or chanting, which could tend to put off a timid or casual listener.

His band mates, Scipio and Evgeniy Trackev, are accomplished and creative conspirators here. This ensemble creates an eclectic but not eccentric arrangements, or "Re-covers," on a startling range of songs from America and Europe and tosses in a couple of folk tunes for good measure.

Sometimes its hard to tell which song is being "re-covered" until a break or chorus triggers that "aha" moment. The various traditional instruments Yat-Kha employs impart a wildly different mood and energy to these interpretations.

The CD packaging is interesting and well-crafted, and Kuvezin's insights into why he picked these particular songs give some perspective to the thought behind this project. For instance, he writes the following about why he chose Black Magic Woman (Carlos Santana version):"One more my favourite artist. This song is somehow connected to Siberian black shaman women whom I like very much."

The music here may be a bit too rich and eclectic to take in one sitting-- sort of like trying to gulp a liter of imperial double stout -- and smaller doses may be in order. Not everyone will be ready for this music, but everyone should be prepared to listen.

Maybe I'm biased because I've spent a lot of time in Mongolia and am enthralled by their rich cultural traditions, especially throat singing. . .so with that bias in mind I have to say this has become one of my favorite works.

Throat singing is an ancient tradition, what is fascinating is how the various regions in Mongolia (mountains, steppes, desert) produce different "styles" which Mongols claim are representations of the unique natural sounds of that region, such as wind in the trees, etc. To actually sit before a throat singer and both watch and listen to him perform is incredible, especially if you hear one the way I first did, I was literally riding a camel, and heard a herder in the distance singing, a call to round up his camels. . .an incredible moment.

Anyhow, back to this recording. There is a unique culutural "fusion" going on in Mongolia today, and in other regions of Central Asia such as Tuva where this artist hails from, where traditional music is fusing with western. I attended one concert in Ulan Bator that left me stunned with the incredible merging of shaman chants and modern rock.

Definitely check this recording out. And when you play it, especially for friends, (and I must add if they are a bit "toasted" when you first play this for them, expect them to freak out!) and expect one of three reactions. Either they'll just freak and after thirty seconds think you are crazy. Or, they'll freak and be laughing so hard they're in tears (I'll admit I even grin when it comes to "Black Magic Woman" and think it is far better and more "earthy" than the original), or they will react as I do, and be absolutely mesmerized by the incredible talent. Listen carefully for the traditional and ancient sounds of Central Asia, the beat of the "horse head" fiddle, the strange, haunting whistling sounds of the throat singing, and then be amazed when suddenly you are hearing a very different take on Hank Williams, Santana, etc.

This one is a treat you won't forget!

Heard "Love Will Tear Us Apart" on the Coverville podcast and had to get this. It keeps growing on me. I love it, although my co-workers are getting tired of me playing it at work!

If you've heard of Tuvan throat-singing and been curious about it, this is a great way to dip your toe in, since at least the songs are familiar.

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting nor exactly what to say about what I've been hearing. Hence, first a bit of background.

Yat-Kha is a band from Tuva, a landlocked place deep in the Russian Federation. This fact of geography has tended to both isolate and preserve the traditional music, and perhaps to have limited exposure to Western music.

Lead by vocalist/guitarist Albert Kuvezin, who is the mainstay in a changing, evolving lineup, Yat-Kha plays a melded music that incorporates traditional Tuvinian music and rock and folk music from a range of time and places, but delivered or interpreted through Kuvezin's throat singing style. This style of singing is described as droning or chanting, which could tend to put off a timid or casual listener.

His band mates, Scipio and Evgeniy Trackev, are accomplished and creative conspirators here. This ensemble creates an eclectic but not eccentric arrangements, or "Re-covers," on a startling range of songs from America and Europe and tosses in a couple of folk tunes for good measure.

Sometimes its hard to tell which song is being "re-covered" until a break or chorus triggers that "aha" moment. The various traditional instruments Yat-Kha employs impart a wildly different mood and energy to these interpretations.

The CD packaging is interesting and well-crafted, and Kuvezin's insights into why he picked these particular songs give some perspective to the thought behind this project. For instance, he writes the following about why he chose Black Magic Woman (Carlos Santana version):"One more my favourite artist. This song is somehow connected to Siberian black shaman women whom I like very much."

The music here may be a bit too rich and eclectic to take in one sitting-- sort of like trying to gulp a liter of imperial double stout -- and smaller doses may be in order. Not everyone will be ready for this music, but everyone should be prepared to listen.

I don't know how I can capture the cross-cultural magic of this CD. The high point, I think, is Kuvezin's thunder-and-lighting growling bass wrapping itself around Santana's "Black Magic Woman." Kuvezin's liner notes explain that there are *real* Black Magic Women in his country, and "I like them very much."

with this great effort, he turns the overly well trodden into something off the path.... thanks, for reviving some great songs