Inside Inner Mongolia
Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 07/31/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Northwest of Mongolia is Tuva, which was once part of the Soviet Empire. South of Mongolia is Inner Mongolia, which is part of the Chinese Empire. There are some 5,000,000 ethnic Mongols residing in China. The political lines cut across grasslands where once nomadic horse and cattle herders play similar horse-head fiddles, flutes, and drums and sing with overtones. Of course, regional differences in songs, playing styles, and language exist. This album contains 36 minutes of Inner Mongolian music performed by the group Hanggai, plus Chinese radio host and musician Robin Haller. While traditional instruments are heard, the album also includes electric guitar, bass, banjo, and electronic programming, all of which, fortunately, are unobtrusive. It is a shame that our introduction to this music is so short, for good cheer pervades the recording. If you have enjoyed the earlier recordings of the Tuvan group Huun Huur Tu, then you will certainly enjoy Hanggai. Bright vigorous melodies and quiet reflective ballads dominate. Although no lyrics are provided, the titles of the pieces are sufficient for us to imagine them."
Update of trad Mongolian music
Pink Noodle | Duncanville, TX USA | 08/17/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"review by Robin Denselow (The Guardian, UK, July 2008):
Based in Beijing and promoted somewhat confusingly as a "Chinese folk revival" band, Hanggai are young musicians from Mongolia who set out to update the traditional music of the Mongolian grasslands. In contrast to the part-Mongolian singer Sa Dingding, Hanggai present a more traditional image of their homeland. They use a dash of electronica and electric guitar, but for the most part rely on the ancient horsehair fiddle, the two-stringed lute and growled "overtone vocals" (a traditional throat-singing technique in which a vocalist sings two notes an octave apart, at the same time). Led by Ilchi, a former punk, their melodic, often mournful songs at times echo the sturdy charm of Celtic balladry."
Introducing Hanggai
Maureen Ustenci | Berkeley CA | 01/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For anyone who enjoys Mongolian throat-singing or other Central Asian music, this collection will probably become one of your favorites, as it has mine. The group has found a wonderful balance of traditional songs with creative, more modern, arrangements, giving each song its own character and flavor. Their musicianship is impeccable and their singing is a delight, though you do have to enjoy the throat-singing style to agree with me on that. If you do, then snap this up -- it's terrific."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1