by Lang Reid
The
Ramakien and Thai Classical Dance is another of the ‘Golden Souvenir’
series released by Asia Books (ISBN 962-7987-25-5) and was printed in 2003
in Hong Kong by Pacific Rim Press. A trifle disappointing, if I can be a
little parochial, as Thailand these days can do very high quality colour
print, and the publishers are also Thai.
I will make my position clear at the outset. I am
fascinated by the story of the Ramakien and despite acknowledging the
Indian Ramayana origins, the ‘Thai’ nature of the local version is
fascinating.
It is a pictorial book, with the first half being
descriptive with illustrating photographs, while the second is
photographic with captions. The words are the work of Peter Holmshaw, whom
the back cover credits as being Chiang Mai based these days. The
photographs come from the cameras of Luca Invernizzi Tettoni who has been
working in Asia for over 30 years. His work is exceptional, whether he is
photographing people, places or puppets. The front cover is just so
evocative it demands you take the book down from the shelf.
Despite being a slim volume, this book is crammed with
information, and Holmshaw has done his ‘holmwork’ (sorry about that,
Peter!). He describes not only the Ramayana origin, but shows how the tale
of Rama spread through SE Asia, especially its being brought to the Thai
court after Thailand conquered the Khmer capital of Angkor in 1431 AD. He
also refers to the adoption of the epic into Thai royal culture, with
Sukhothai’s King Ramkamheng (King Rama the Valiant) and when the
Sukhothai era was eclipsed by another Thai kingdom, they named their
capital Ayuthaya after the city of Prince Rama in the Ramakien.
The Thai version really was brought to prominence after
the fall of Ayuthaya by Phra Phuttayotfa and the establishment of the new
capital Bangkok, whose long name includes references to Vishnu, the divine
incarnation of Rama. One of the attributes of Vishnu was the discus, known
as a ‘chakra’ and the new dynasty was named the Chakri dynasty, with
the first king being called Rama I. There are many more details such as
this, and ones that most Thais themselves would not be aware of.
All the way through the book there are also some
photographic plates from many years ago, showing the costumes of those
days, and how the tradition has been maintained. Additionally there are
many other photographs from the various SE Asian cultures that have
embraced the original folklore.
The review copy was supplied by Bookazine, and should
be available in all good bookstores. The RRP was B. 498. This marketing
ploy is another of my pet hates. Let’s be frank and honest about this.
It is not 400 baht. It is 500 baht. Give the other 2 baht to charity if
this book is really that keenly priced.
However, this is an excellent reference volume, and makes a very
suitable gift for people overseas, to show them a little of the history
and culture that makes up Thailand as we know it today.
by Mott the Dog
5
Stars Rating *****
Just 6 months after recording their fantastic debut
album Led Zeppelin went back into the studio to record their second
album (unoriginally called Led Zeppelin II, but then it’s the only
thing that is remotely boring about this fine collection), which is
incredible if you consider it’s quite normal for major bands to take
up to 5 years between albums nowadays. But such was the creative spirit
within the band that they actually surpassed the standards of their
debut album.
Already international superstars “Led Zeppelin
II” roared to number one all over the world. Most of the tracks still
being staples of most album orientated radio stations and that’s 30
years after its release.
This is an album of Jimmy Page’s rock riffs so
huge, John Paul Jones / John Bonham rhythms so heavy and deep, and vocal
styling from Robert (Percy) Plant that the heavy metal genre this
classic record helped to create has tried for decades to catch up,
mostly never ever coming close to matching the majesty of the monster
that was Led Zeppelin in full flow.
And is it any wonder as this period found the band at
the peak of their hard rock creativity before they branched out into
more experimental music on later albums. Never ones to let the grass
grow under their feet this lot.
The album starts off with the trail blazing “Whole
Lotta Love” (used as the theme tune for the English Pop singles show
“Top Of The Pops” for years, which was pretty ironic as Led Zeppelin
never released any singles, a firm policy set by man mountain manager
Peter Grant), a woozy Rock ‘n’ Roll epic that was based on one
simple sledge hammer riff, but giving plenty of scope for Robert Plant
to show off his incredible vocal range in its trippy mid section.
After “What Is And What Should Never Be”, which
on any other album would be the standout track, you get the musically
brilliant but also hysterically funny “Lemon Song”.
“Thank You” is a love song, which usually brings
out plenty of derision but certainly not in this case. Then a trio of
rockers in “Heartbreaker”, “Livin Lovin Maid” and “Ramble
On”. The guitar solo in “Heartbreaker” literally tears the paint
off walls.
In “Moby Dick” John Bonham is allowed to show us
why he was considered the best rock drummer ever, and one listen to this
leaves you in no doubt that he was and is still sadly missed.
The album finishes in fine style with “Bring It On
Home” where Robert Plant adds another dimension with his harmonica
playing. A fine way to close the album.
There must have been a wonderful moment at the
conclusion of this recording session when the four members of the band,
and probably the manager, sat down for the first time to listen to the
playbacks and realized they had just laid down on tape, music that would
change the face of Rock ‘n’ Roll forever.
Musicians
Jimmy Page - Guitar
John Paul Jones - Bass & Keyboards
John Bonham - Drums
Robert Plant - Vocals & Harmonica
Tracks Listing
1. Whole Lotta Love
2. What Is And What Should Never Be
3. The Lemon Song
4. Thank You
5. Heartbreaker
6. Livin Lovin Maid
7. Ramble On
8. Moby Dick
9. Bring It On Home
To contact Mott the Dog email: [email protected]
Mott’s CD review: Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II