Born in 1956 Ba Que has been at the forefront in introducing Vietnamese music around the world. He has organized various Vietnamese festivals both in Vietnam and abroad, and has performed in some forty countries around the world. He is a prolfic composer of Vietnamese traditional influenced songs and this album is of nine tracks. All instrumental, various Vietnamese instruments such as dan bao, dan trang are accompanied by keyboards creating an atmospheric backdrop. Some of the tunes are also influenced by Western classical music, creating a hybrid of east and west.
Lively instrumental ditties on mainly Vietnamese traditional instruments with a modern backing. Plus a few more straightforward traditional tunes. Price: £13.99
Mostly instrumental versions of well known Vietnamese folk songs played on the dan bao (monochord) and tranh (zither) by Hai Phong and sao (flute) played by Thanh Hoa. The melodies are unquestionably beautiful and it's all very catchy and well produced, although the synthesizers and drum machines will not be to everyone's taste. A couple of good vocal tracks.
This CD features three traditional instruments, tranh (sixteen stringed zither) sao (flute) and bao (monochord) playing traditional tunes to a backing of mainly synthesizers, drum machines and occasionally other western instruments. The more sparse arrangements work well, particularly played on dan bau, but elsewhere the traditional instruments get drowned out in a wash of over production. Price: £12.99
Tranh (zither) sao (flute) and bao (monochord) meanderings set to synthesizer, piano, guitar and other westernized instruments. Elements of jazz, new age in some western type tunes. Last 3 tracks are of traditional music, beautifully played.
Easy listening Vietnamese instrumental music played on three traditional instruments with keyboards and drum machines. Price: £12.99
12 vocal tracks set to backing of synthesizers, drum machines and Vietnamese traditional instruments such as dan bao, and dan tranh. Some good vocalsperformances by Quang Linh, Bao Yen, Dinh Van, Thy Nga and others, but largely syrupy arrangements.
Dem Tan Ben Ngu (Night's End at the Royal Docks) is a tune based on Hue traditional music, as are the other nine songs on this CD. Modern instrumental versions of those tunes played on dan bau, dan tranh, with keyboard backing. Vietnamese easy listening. Price: £12.99
Performances of traditional Vietnamese tunes on the dan tranh (zither), dan bao (monochord) sao (flute) and dan trung (bamboo xylophone). Most tracks have a keyboard and drum machine backing. The more successful tracks do not.
