Cambodian Popular Music

 

I recently introduced Cambodian popular music to a few friends. One thought the Khmer language sounded odd but the songs sounded interesting, and the other two thought it was okay. So I thought I should do the same to my fellow Ricochet members.

From the late 1940s to 1975, Cambodia had a pretty thriving pop music scene. Our pop music is influenced by our traditional and folk music as well as French, English, and Japanese Enka. Cambodian popular music consists of pop, rock, and dance songs. Dance songs are based on several of our folk tunes. We sing and dance to these folk-based pop songs on New Year Days and at wedding receptions. All songs are pre-1975, and since all songs are pre-1975, the majority of the artists are dead.

Wait Ten More Months, Music and Lyric by Sam Ell Kim, Vocal by Sereysothea Ros

Goodbye Paris, Music and Lyric and Vocal by Sisamouth Sinn

The One That Deceived My Affection, Music and Lyric by Ho Voy, Vocal by Sereysothea Ros

Come Again Tomorrow, Music and Lyric and Vocal by Aularong Yol

Soaring Wind, Music and Lyric by Bonchoeun Kung, Vocal by Sereysothea Ros. This is one of our folk-based pop songs that we sing and dance to during new year celebrations.

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  1. Craig Inactive
    Craig
    @Craig

    Wiley: I get the impression that various cultures around the world were on a similar cultural trajectory post WWII. Then something happened?

    Iran had a similar fusion pre-1979, Pomegranates issued on ‘Finder Keepers’ Records is a great document of the era.

    Parva – ‘Mosem-e Gol’

    Brazil had Tropicália.  It emerged in conjunction with the whole Brazilian Military Dictatorship.

    Os Mutantes ‘A Minha Menina’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEpSFOibJho

    • #31
  2. Lidens Cheng Member
    Lidens Cheng
    @LidensCheng

    gadster:Thanks, Lidens.

    Dengue Fever, from Long Beach, California, features a Cambodian singer (Chhom Nimol) and has been around for about 15 years: http://denguefevermusic.com . They play a mix of originals and the songs you’ve been discussing. Highly recommended.

    DJ EJ et. al. : You can also find Cambodian Rocks here: http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2009/01/08/cambodia-rocks-sounds-from-the-60s-70s/

    Yup I’ve heard their music.

    • #32
  3. OldDan Member
    OldDan
    @OldDanRhody

    Thanks, LC.  Personally I enjoyed the first (wait ten more months) best because I like the singer’s voice very much.

    Lidens Cheng:All songs are pre-1975, and since all songs are pre-1975, the majority of the artists are dead.

    This just gives me the shivers – I remember those days, even as far away and removed as I was.

    • #33
  4. Podkayne of Israel Inactive
    Podkayne of Israel
    @PodkayneofIsrael

    Spent the evening listening to “Cambodian Rocks”. Unfortunately, there appears to be no available option to see the documentary from Israel, even by paying for it.

    • #34
  5. Hank Rhody Contributor
    Hank Rhody
    @HankRhody

    I know very little about music.

    I’ve listened to the music in this thread, and I find that I still know very little about music. But you can hardly be blamed for that.

    • #35
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