Ca Quan Ho or Bac Ninh Folk Songs are a genre of songs featuring call and response group singing. From Bac Ninh province, north of Hanoi, the songs are believed to date back to the 13th century, and are performed during the famous spring festivals that took place at the numerous pagodas in the region. Originally sung in exchange between mandarin families, its popularity spread throughout the northern region, and is today one of the most important types of Vietnamese folk song. Men and women take turns singing in a kind of challenge and response to eachother. On this CD the wonderful female singer is Tranh Quy while the following track is sung by a male singer Quy Trang, they go back and forth except for a couple of duets. On Bac Ninh folk songs, women and men are afforded equal status, there is mutual respect and some good natured banter. The songs are generally upbeat, extolling the joys of nature, hard work that is shared by group singing. Melodious, graceful and poetic, the songs are accompanied by dan-bau (monochord), sao-truc (bamboo flute) tam thap luc (dulcimer) with occasional guitar and keyboards. This wonderful CD maintains a strong Vietnamese flavour and all song titles are given English translations.
Exceptional CD of traditional quan ho Singing from Bac Ninh province in northern Vietnam. A call and response tradition, only young people used to sing quan ho as the majority of song topics focused on young love. Quan Ho has always been a developing, living tradition, and nowadays older people sing too. Originally they were sung at the spring festival when farmers left to enjoy the weather and relax. A verbal and poetic introduction begins each song, the best singers lauded for their ability to leave an impression of gracefulness. This wonderful CD features mainly female singers, including Thuy Cai, Khanh Ha, Thanh Hieu, and male singers Quy Trang and Ba Trong. Slow, reflective with an eerie quality, this is a superb introduction to one of Vietnam's most vibrant musical traditions. Price: £12.99
Another superb album of quan ho, the Bac Ninh folk songs from northern Vietnam. The male and female singing is exquisite as is the instrumentation and melodies. This CD has little Western instrumentation yet is extremely accessible.
Hauntingly beautiful CD of spring festival music from Bac Ninh province, or quan ho. This CD has some great male singing from Due Duong, Ba Trong and others, as well as the more common female singing, both solo and in unison. 12 tracks of sublime music. Recommended. Price: £12.99
