Bookazine Book Review: The Supernatural in Thai Life

This book is a soft cover printing of the original hard cover book published in 1993. The present imprint is from Tamarind Press in Bangkok. Dealing with the influences of the supernatural in Thai life it is a photographic book with extensive text. The photographic credits go to Jean-Leo Dugast, of whose work I must admit I was not conversant, but the standard of photographic illustration is excellent. The text was done by John Hoskin, a meticulous researcher and a man whose work is very well known in South East Asia.

The book is divided into six main sections which include, after the Introduction, Tattoos, Amulets, the Spirit World, Brahmans and Fortune Telling. Right from the outset, Hoskin explains the apparent duality of Buddhism and Animism and demonstrates that the two overlay each other, rather than one supplanting the other. However, that this can happen is almost another one of the items that make up “Amazing Thailand.”

The section on tattoos describes not only the art of the tattooist, but explains the supernatural belief in the power of the tattoo to protect the wearer. I was not aware that getting the tattoo itself is not enough to generate the magical powers, but that the tattoo has to be “activated” by the tattooist before it gives protection. It is also possible for the wearer of the tattoo to weaken the power by indulging in inappropriate behaviour, for example. While some tattoos are for decorative purposes, the majority in males are for protection.

The concept of wearing amulets is one that should be easy for westerners to understand. After all, rabbits feet and St. Christopher medals are all merely protective amulets. It was interesting to find out that the ubiquitous phallic symbol amulets known as “phlad khik” are not to ensure male potency, but are to protect the wearer against snake bites and to improve business! All these years I have been carrying a phlad khik on my key ring and wondered why it was not working! Now I know.

The section on Brahmanism I found particularly interesting, being a religion which is a fore-runner of both Hinduism and Buddhism. While there are not many Brahmans left in Thailand, the Brahman priests are still an important part of many ceremonies, the Royal Ploughing ceremony being just one of them. It is thought that Brahmanism came to the geographical area, now known as Thailand, many hundreds of years before the Thais themselves migrated to this region.

The review copy was made available at the Bookazine Royal Garden Plaza branch (next to Black Canyon and Boots) and retails at 400 baht. For the expat it is a fascinating book and one that gives the foreigner an insight into Thai life and why it is the way it is. The “mystic orient” is revealed in some small ways through its pages, but like so much in Thailand, to fully understand it you have to be. However, this book is the next best thing. As has often been said about living in this country - the more you know, the less you understand!

Movie Review: The Majestic

By Poppy

I almost didn’t bother to watch this film, I don’t care for Jim Carrey all that much but I have to say, this is probably the best performance he has given. And I have a feeling it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

“The Majestic” tells us the story of a young man named Peter Appleton (played by Jim Carrey) who in 1951 is a film writer in Hollywood. Appleton is accused of being a communist, as were many people in those days, and decides to take himself for a little drive up the coast to clear his head. After an accident robs him of his memory he awakes on the shore of a sleepy little town where he is then mistaken for the son of Harry Trimble (played by film legend Martin Landau) who was thought to be lost in the war many, many years ago.

Definitely worth seeing, even if you’re not a fan of Jim Carrey. Parts are boring and predictable, but there are also parts that will make you cry they are so honest. For the most part, it’s Jim that holds the movie together. I think that he will take an Oscar home for this one.

Directed by Frank Darabont

Cast:

Jim Carrey ... Peter Appleton/Luke Trimble
Martin Landau ... Harry Trimble
Laurie Holden ... Adele Stanton
Allen Garfield ... Leo Kubelsky
Bruce Campbell (I) ... Brett Armstrong/Roland
Amanda Detmer ... Sandra Sinclair
Daniel von Bargen ... FBI Agent Ellerby
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Kris Andersson ... Dancer
Bob Balaban ... Elvin Clyde
Gerry Black ... Emmett Smith
Brent Briscoe ... Sheriff Coleman
Karl Bury ... Bob Leffert
Frank Collison ... Congressional Investigator
Cliff Curtis ... Ramon Jamon/Khalid
Jeffrey DeMunn ... Mayor Ernie Cole
Catherine Dent ... Mabel
Shawn Doyle (I) ... F.B.I Agent Saunders
Corey Foxx ... Photographer
Gordon Hart (II) ... Swing Dancer
Hal Holbrook ... Johnston T Doyle
Brian Howe ... Carl Leffert
Scotty Leavenworth ... Joey

Mott’s CD review: 

Dweezil Zappa - Automatic

by Mott the Dog

***** 5 Star Rating

Unlike his prolific father, it has been nearly 10 years since Frank Zappa’s guitarist son Dweezil has released an album. Has it been worth the wait? My word yes, as a more satisfying guitar album you will not find (let me tell you, this is a Satriani and Vai fan talking to you here).

A more varied album is hard to imagine, too, whilst keeping it all easily recognisably Zapperish. My only quibble being the length of “Automatic”, only 39 minutes is not long for a modern day CD, but I think in this case we have to forego feeling the width whilst taking into consideration the incredible quality.

Dweezil is 31 now and plays louder, fatter guitar than Frank. On the first two instrumentals he twists the well trodden path of heavy metal guitar into truly unique and interesting new shapes. Sometimes the music sounds very tightly composed, like the sprightly title track with masses of overdubbed guitars making it sound like the night of a hundred guitars in three minutes, and sometimes closer to inspired studio jamming like on the rockin “Fwakstension”. Throughout the twelve cuts only drums, bass and guitar are used. However, Dweezil manages to get some extraordinary sounds out of his chosen instrument.

Final track “Purple Guitar” is a guitar rock workout that sounds as if it’s been laid down in one take. Clocking in at 9 minutes 30 seconds it leaves you no doubt that if Joe Satriani and Steve Vai had had their way, they would have taken Dweezil with them on the G.3 tour instead of Eric Johnson. He would of wiped the floor with all the competition. Not forgetting that a young Steve Vai used to play in Frank Zappa’s band playing the parts Frank couldn’t play, and Steve was also Dweezil’s first guitar tutor.

“Sorcerers apprentice turned Master Wizard”.

“12 String Thing” is exactly what the title suggests, a thorough workout on 12 string acoustic. “Habanera and Les Toreadors” is an electric guitar thrash, though of an except from the opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet, and will no doubt have the purists screaming sacrilege, but is as rousing to listen to as it is clever to play.

Proving that the Zappa sense of humour runs from father to son there is also a blast through “You’re A Mean One Mister Grinch” with brother Ahmet on the most wonderfully over the top vocals (the only non-instrumental) plus a superb surf-guitar version of the “Hawaii Five-O” theme that just makes you want to get up out of your seat and do a silly dance. Book’em Dweezil.

The music on this album makes a marvellous tapestry to the 2000’s and I just hope that Dweezil won’t wait for another decade to release another album (a little longer next time please). It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give up the TV presenting and acting to accept the invitation for the next G.3 tour either.

Whatever, I’m sure “Automatic” would have gotten a fatherly nod of approval from Frank.

Musicians

Dweezil Zappa - lead guitar, fretless guitar, distorted bass, feed back and harmony counter parts, rhythm guitar, wik-kik-kik-kik guitar, 12 string guitar, acoustic guitar, whammy pedal guitar

Scott Thunes, Chris Maloney, Mark Meadows and Bryan Beller - bass

Terry Bozzio, Joe Travers and Dick Cinnamon - drums

“There are no keyboards or samples on this recording”

Track Listing

1. Fwakstension
2. Automatic
3. Hawaii Five - O
4. You’re A Mean One Mister Grinch
5. Therapy
6. 12 String Thing
7. Secret Hedges
8. Habanera
9. Les Toreadors
10. Shnook
11. Dick Cinnamon’s Office
12. Purple Guitar