These two young mor lam singers appeared twice in Phana recently. They are just 9 years old but already have real stage presence and their memory for the words of the songs was very impressive.
I saw them first at a tam boun baan, where I recorded them. Then they appeared at the tetsaban's entertainment for Tod Kathin where I took some photos.
Here is the video of them:
They really seem at home on stage:
The audience enjoyed their performance very much. The only two who seemed a bit tense are the girl's mother (front left) and the boy's father (front right).
I noticed that he mouthed every word the boy sang and the boy glanced at him rather nervously and frequently at the tam boun baan. A typical 'star's parent' I guess. Seeing the little boy having his makeup put on was an odd thing, too. But they both (they are unrelated, apparently, but both come from Phibul Mangsahan in Ubon Province) sang really well. Good to see mor lam performed without 99 dancers in strange headgear, as well.
If you are not familiar with mor lam, you may find the style strange. They are singing in Lao, of course. I hope you enjoy this brief example.
How cute :-) I can certaily see how American country and western could seem to have a connection to mor lam.
Years before I moved to Thailand even, I was on a field trip where one of the geologists had his daughter perform for us during dinner. I can't remember the exact details, but I do remember that she was a tiny thing.
But I imagine there are a number going on in BKK, I'll just have to ask around.
Posted by: Catherine | 09 December 2009 at 09:43 PM