Mongolian (or Tuvanese) music is a paradox. On the one hand, it boasts of the world's strangest singing:
throat singing, in which the singer manipulates his jaw and sinuses in order to produce several tones at once with a growling, whistling,
Popeye the Sailor Man kind of sound. On the other hand, the melodies and general vernacular of Mongolian music are completely accessible -- it sort of sounds like
cowboy music. This last quality should not prove too surprising, because Mongolian culture is an outdoor culture, a horse culture.
Egschiglen, although they make beautiful music, is not an outdoor group. They are affiliated with a conservatory. The music is more delicate, sophisticated, and refined than that of someone like
Igor Koshkendey. Another tip off to the "
classical" nature of the group is their use of the joochin or hammer dulcimer, an instrument one would hardly expect to find out on the wind-swept plateaus. This is symptomatic of a strong
Chinese classical influence. Great tracks abound:
"Tavan Hasag (Five Kazakhs)" chills you with its lurching rhythm and eerie
throat singing.
"Uglee Shaazgai (Colorful Magpie)" is a bouncy tune with repeated syllables and sound effects; it's surely a
children's song. If you know you like Mongolian music or if you just want to try something fun and different, run out and buy this disc. ~ Kurt Keefner
