David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 5 Oct 2006 4:27 am |
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FINALLY I got to see/hear
the Thai super group Carabao last night,
after our gig at the Coco Festival.
They were playing a huge club down the street.
http://www.carabao.net/
Don't imagine you can read the websight I can't....
Truely and impressive gig!
They might be described as a cross between
Led Zepelin, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Little Feat.
With a following like the Grateful Dead.
But VERY Thai of course too.
They are main exponent of the "Songs For Life" musical movement
starting around 25 years ago or more.
Great grooves, heavy guitars, and some fine melodic soloing.
Interesting an unexpected arranging, but logical.
Both huge harmonies, and unison chants,
6 different lead singers,
including guest Pan, who is a cute lady,
with a serious soprano voice.
On several songs there were 3-4 differnt lead singers.
The main frontman Carbao brother is a super singer,
he did one in english, but the rest were
so melodically strong you just got into it.
The same way I feel about Gloria Estephan's music in cuban spanish,
I can't follow it all but I don't care.
These guys are living legends,
they have their own drink company for engery tonics,
there is a hand sign that any Thai under 60 will imediately know and smile too.
Resembling a dead water buffalos horns.
Most of the pop here makes me cringe,
sub Britany, or imitation rap.
But these guys are another thing entirely.
They had several guest players,
I estimated 25 people got on stage to play,
roadies were running around like chickens,
changing upwards of 30 guitars for people.
2 keyboard players, plus occasional accordian.
full drum kit, plus 2 percusion players.
And most impressive of all.
The WHOLE audience clearly knew ALL the words.
I did give the sound man a good review personally twice,
Once during and once after.
He had upwards of 50 sends coming from the stage,
and it rarely sounded cluttered; to my amazement...
Bleeding loud, for sure, but clean.
Everybody knows their place, and places to step forward musically.
Even with 12 on stage at the same time.
And the sound man knows their spots too.
[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 05 October 2006 at 05:34 AM.] |
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