Modern versions of Vietnamese folk tunes and orignal songs. The Vietnamese instruments combined with synthesizers and drum machines, with superb singing from Hue's finest vocalist.

Fourth album by Vietnamese long term Paris resident and singer Huong Thanh and Parisian born guitarist Nguyen Le. Nguyen Le receives co-billing for the first time as the artist, as producer, engineer, mixer, arranger of the traditional tunes, co-composer of the others as well as playing guitars, synthesizers and adding other layers of sounds. Le uses the fantastic voice of Huong Thanh almost like another instrument as she soars, glides and hovers around Vietnamese traditional melodies surrounded by a mélange of jazz and world influences. As on previous albums, the jazz elements are provided by Dominique Borker's piano, Paolo Frescu's trumpet and the double bass of Renaud Garcia-Fons. What differentiates this album from previous is the array of string and percussion instruments from around the world. Aside to the Vietnamese dan bao (monochord) and dan tranh (zither) is the Japanese koto performed by Mieko Miyazaki. Miyazaki is featured on most tracks some in superb duos with Le on electric guitar. Balafons, various shakers and congas add African rhythms, which expertly connect with Asian melodies on a beautifully crafted album. 1. Drifting On The Water 2. Weaving & Awaiting 3. Faithfulness 4. Plantation Song 5. The Five Calls Of The Night 6. Fragile Beauty 7. Rowing The Sampan 8. The Pavilion Of Cristallized Azure 9. At Dusk, From The West Balcony 10. Go Cong Blues 11. The Swallows' Bridge 12. Tales Of The Mountain


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Excellent compilation of Vietnamese modern folk and country songs. Mixture of Vietnamese and Western instrumentation with spinetinglingly good female and male vocals, some in duet. 1. Van Xuan - Minh Anh & Minh Anh 2.Tieng Nhac Xa Xua - Vanh Khanh, Khanh Duy 3. Tu Ay - My Dung 4. Tay Tien - AC&M 5. Bai Ca Hac Hai - Quoc Dai 6. Ma Cua Con -Thanh Thuy 7. Anh Trang - Y Jang Tuyn 8. Trang Mien Ha - Thanh Thuy 9. Dang Nguoi - Khanh Duy 10. Chuc Xuan - Ho Bich Ngoc 11. Tiep Loi Que Huong -Ta Minh Tam, Top Ca

Volume 2 in this series features more pop / folk songs from Hue and the South. Mixture of slow and more upbeat songs with mostly male singers on this one. 1. Saigon Mot Thoang - Khanh Duy 2. Saigon Nang, Saigon Mua - My Dung 3. Mat Ha - Dong Quan 4. Saigon Dang Em - Xuan Truong 5. Em Ve Ben Kia Song - Dong Quan 6. Vung Dat Rong Bay - Khanh Duy 7. Khuc Xuan Vang Phai - Van Khanh 8. Chieu Xuan - Xuan Phu 9. Mua Hue - Van Khanh 10. Tinh Yeu Da Lat - Dinh Nguyen 11. Voi Vang Cung Xuan - Ho Bich Ngoc

Price:   £13.99

Volume 3 of Vietnamese pop / folk, these songs with slightly less Vietnamese ingredients than the previous volumes. 1. Lua La Sac Ao Kieu Sa - Nhu Y 2. Tuoi Mua Xanh - Thanh Ngoc 3. Tinh Yeu Nhu Gio Hoa - Nhu Y, Dinh Nguyen 4. May Ao Trang - Xuan Phu 5. Mat Nhung - Quang Linh 6. Ru Em Mua Ha - Dong Quan 7. Lan, Anh Da Yeu Em - Dinh Nguyen 8. Chi Vi Yeu Anh - Hong Hanh 9. Oi, Ngon Gio Nao - Xuan Phu 10. Mua Huong Cuoi - Dong Quan 11. Da Khuc - Khanh Duy

Once again Thanh's voice soars magnificently over textured layers of traditional and modern accompaniment. The global influences are even more apparent (North African, Arabic) the usual jazzy guitars and trumpet all melded together with traditional songs in the best possible taste. Simply brilliant.


Price:   £18.99

Thanh's second album is as stunning as the first. Her voice is still the central point, while the accompanying instruments and musicians add new dimensions. These include Richard Bona on bass and percussion and the Barbes Deluxe Strings. A lush sound that mixes ancient melodies with modern instrumentation, beautifully played.

Price:   £18.99

Excellent album of modern style Hue folk tunes from an outstanding female vocalist. Mix of Vietnamese instruments and synthesizer/drum machine backing. A little schmaltzy at times, but nevertheless a quality singing performance from a star of pop folk.

Duy Thuong sings Hue style folk tunes. He is the male equivalent of female singer Thu Hien who joins him for several tracks on this album. Synthesizer and Vietnamese instrumentation accompaniment.


Price:   £12.99

Huong Lan is the daughter of a famous traditional theater actor, and began singing on the stage from an early age at cai luong (Vietnamese opera) shows. When she got older she switched to a more popular style, but one that is still close to Vietnamese traditions, the folk music from north, central and southern Vietnam, particularly slower ballads. All the usual traditional Vietnamese instruments are represented here, and blend perfectly with Huong Lan's wonderful voice.

Ten tracks of Hue folk based contemporary pop songs. Mostly romantic style ballads with Vietnamese and western instrumentation. Best of compilation from one of Vietnam's most loved singers.


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From Hue, Thu Hien is one of Vietnam's greatest singers. She seems to have two voices; the very Vietnamese and beautiful singing style and then an occasional operatic upper register. The music is always full of Vietnamese flavours in the instrumentation and vocals with some schmaltzy backing thrown in for local tastes. Nevertheless, her great voice ultimately triumphs over the bland bits. Some wonderful, haunting music here among this CD's 10 tracks and 53 minutes.

Superb album by the wonderful female singer Thu Hien. All too often when Vietnamese traditional music is combined with western keyboards the results are over sentimental and syrupy. Thu Hien's amazing voice seems to carry most of her albums into more western acceptable territory. Not without slush, but also with quality.


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An early album from the brilliant singer Thu Hien has more roots and less cheese than the majority of her albums. Quintessential Vietnamese folk ballads sung brilliantly. All the usual Vietnamese instruments but less of the keyboards and drum machines.

More Hue folk traditional influenced songs, sung beautifully with Vietnamese instrumental ornamentation over keyboards and drum machines. The quality of Thu Hien's voice is never in doubt, although slightly less cheesy synths might turn this album from merely good to great. Nevertheless some real moments of class and beauty.


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Up to her usual standard of Hue style folk tunes, performed in a contemporary popular style that mixes Vietnamese and western instrumentation. Great Vietnamese style singing from a star performer.

10 tracks of some fantastic singing of Vietnamese folk songs in a modern arrangement.


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Superb singing, questionable instrumentation. 12 tracks of modern pop folk Hue style songs. As usual, some syrupy moments, some sublime.

Collection of upbeat and slow tunes, sung as ever impeccably by Thu Hien. Most songs with strong Vietnamese flavors and generally high quality CD.


Price:   £12.99

Another superb album by one of Vietnam's best female singers. Plenty of Vietnamese instrumentation set over her superb vocals.

Excellent album of haunting Hue style folk songs sung beautifully with Vietnamese and western instrument backing.


Price:   £12.99

Thu Hien is in good voice on this album of Vietnamese contemporary songs, the album leaning more toward the pop end of her extensive catalogue.