Back Tuva Future

Amazon.com
The ancient, multitone singing technique from Tuva (which lies just north of Mongolia) is relocated to the heartland of America on Back Tuva Future, a CD recorded by Nashville honchos Jim Ed Norman, David Hoffner, and Ralph Leighton. With guest appearances from Willie Nelson, Randy Scruggs, and Bill Miller, these 10 tracks take on the shape of a multicultural hoedown in more ways than one. Curiously, the country ethos and Tuvan tradition have much in common--herding livestock, horses, and (of course) pretty women--so the subject matter is harmonious. The combination of Ondar's guttural, polyphonic throat singing and country music is at first distracting but eventually gets carried along by the enthusiasm of the participants. There are also a couple of hip-hop/rap tracks and occasional New Age reference points, so you can assume that this genre bender is aimed at the adventurous listener rather than the anthropologic purist. --Derek Rath

Tracks:

Tuva Groove
Good Horses
Where Has My Country Gone?
Kargyraa Rap
Little Yurt On The Prairie
The Other Side Of The Mountain
Two Lands, One Tribe
Big River
My Tuva
Harness Your Horse And Catch The Wind
Bonus Track 1
Bonus Track 2

Amazon.com

The ancient, multitone singing technique from Tuva (which lies just north of Mongolia) is relocated to the heartland of America on Back Tuva Future, a CD recorded by Nashville honchos Jim Ed Norman, David Hoffner, and Ralph Leighton. With guest appearances from Willie Nelson, Randy Scruggs, and Bill Miller, these 10 tracks take on the shape of a multicultural hoedown in more ways than one. Curiously, the country ethos and Tuvan tradition have much in common--herding livestock, horses, and (of course) pretty women--so the subject matter is harmonious. The combination of Ondar's guttural, polyphonic throat singing and country music is at first distracting but eventually gets carried along by the enthusiasm of the participants. There are also a couple of hip-hop/rap tracks and occasional New Age reference points, so you can assume that this genre bender is aimed at the adventurous listener rather than the anthropologic purist. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

Cowboy music from the far East--really you have to hear this.......2004-05-09

Who'd guess that cowboy music is similar whether from the mesas of Wyoming or the steppes of Tuva, a remote country near Mongolia? The same horse-clopping rhythm and even--yeah, banjos. But Tuvans have "throat singing" --the ability to create an overtone along with a bass monotone. The overtone is manipulated to make a whistling tone--that tone you hear is NOT a separate instrument; it's the singer's voice doing two tones at one.

Along with the mysterious sound of throat singing (which is somehow addictive once you hear it) the rhythm and joy of the Tuvan music can't be beat. Artist Kongar-ol Ondar is known for his role in "Genghis Blues" and is a master oft throat singing. The best cut is the opening "Tuva Groove" but I also love the popular "Big River" which has been recorded by other artists from Tuva as well.

Don't Buy This -- It Will Infect Your Brain!.......2002-11-01

Last week in a fit of selfish consumerism, I picked up a copy
of "Back Tuva Future". It's a disc made from studio recordings of Kongar-ol Ondar's Tuvan throat singing & "banjo" [not unlike a samishen] playing, several brand-name performers working with him, and old recordings of Richard Feynman telling stories and drumming. It's as much a testament to the vision of David Hoffner's producing and mixing skill as much as it is to the excellence of the raw material he started with.

After playing it over and over again during my commute for the past week, it seems more like a concept album from the seventies than a mere collection of songs that happened to be ready to be pressed at the same time. It hangs together well with one piece leading to the next, even though the musical styles are spread all over the map, including a rap number by Ondar.

It's infectious fun music, and if I wasn't driving, I'd probably be dancing. As it is, I've a running soundtrack in my head of some of Ondar's banjo playing and it's been three hours since I left the CD in the truck. Also as a result, I've been trying to imitate some of the sounds Ondar makes, seeing if I can figure out this throat-singing thing for myself.

Five of five stars from me.

Way tooo Groovy.......2002-03-29

I first heard of Tuva through an NPR special. I was so amazed by it that I rushed out and bought it. Well, all I have to say is WOW!. It's a really wonderfull experience, I highly recommend it.

3 distinct tones, each moveing at their own pace, and all from one throat. I think if I tried something like that, I'd end up in the emergency room, but Ondar is simply amazing.

Big points here!

Be Good, Be Safe

Arclight

The ideal introduction.......2002-03-27

Tuvan throat singing is something of an acquired taste. Having said that, Ondar's willingness to bring this shamanic ritual that dates back to the Ice Age into the 21st century makes it easy to forget that odds are you won't understand a word of it (except where Willy Nelson gives us a kind translation.) We're treated to a song with banjos, an actual rap in Tuvan, and the theme from Little House on the Prairie translated. How Ondar does some of those vocal tricks, including a whistle that gave my cat a headache, is beyond me. Good place for anyone interested in the genre to get started.

no, no, please noooo!.......2001-12-30

I can not believe the reviews on this item. There must be a lot of people who like country and western music. I really love Tuvan throat singing but i don't like country and western. This compilation was like a horrible nightmare and the destruction of all that is good about Tuva. They even have dance tunes which are so out of date they should have stuck to traditional music after all. The thought that people will buy this and think they have heard Tuvan throat singing makes me want to cry. Although it did put a smile on my face as i laughed in disbelief. I only hope that it does lead it's listeners to buying the real thing.
A good introduction would be 'Shu-De Voices from a distant past' or 'Tuva: Voices from the centre of Asia' but not this - please anything but listen to this cd again!!!! Please don't make me..I'll be good!

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

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