‘Roots music’ a wonderfully unspecific term applied to many genres. It can be used to
describe music as diverse as Rock, Reggae, Folk and Blues. The writer’s friend,
it is often seen hanging around in the same sentence as the simplistic and overused
label ‘World music’. ‘Roots’ is an easy word to employ, a difficult one to
define. It suggests authenticity, a music that is traditional, true, timeless and
undiluted. ‘Roots’ music is as opposed to ‘Fusion’ or ‘Avant Garde’. It is
never modernist, but it is often post-modernist. It involves reaching back
towards the birth of a musical style. If I reach back far enough am I
playing ‘Roots’ music? Or am I just being ‘retro’?...
[Editor’s note –
the next 2,000 words of Jack Diamond’s piece on ‘Roots’ music have been removed for brevity. You can read
more in his university thesis ‘The Ages of Man’. Unfortunately, he was not awarded
a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism - which may help to explain why
he is currently sitting next to me in the back streets of Phnom Penh, writing
for Leng Pleng – Television Ted.]
Like waiting for
a London bus, we hang around for one good Roots band to show up... then three or
four arrive at once. The Wanderlusters are a five-piece act based in Ho
Chi Minh City, Vietnam, living in self-imposed exile from their homeland – the good
ol’ U.S. of A. Band leader, vocalist and mandolinist Davis Zunk was
visiting Cambodia in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina decimated his native city of
New Orleans. Davis called home to hear ‘there’s nothing left’ and promptly
decided ‘OK, I guess I better stay here then’. The South-East Asian music scene
has benefited ever since, as this multi-instrumentalist has contributed his
great talent to a number of awesome groups. The Wanderlusters play a
blend of Bluegrass, Country and Gospel that Davis poetically describes as ‘Hillbilly
Soul’. The band’s stage outfits are pretty special too. Catch their set this
Friday at Oscars 51 or on Saturday at Equinox.
![]() |
The Wanderlusters |
When an
Englishman sings in a Southern ‘Americana’ drawl, he can risk some unfavourable
comparisons. Like the difference between the majestic, wide-brimmed, fur-felt
headwear donned by The Wanderlusters and a white plastic cowboy hat
purchased for five dollars at Central Market. However, some of these guys (or ‘limeys’, ‘poms’, ‘brits’) really
get it right - pouring enough heart and soul into their performances to evoke
Townes Van Zandt himself. Which brings us to the welcome return of RJ
Marshall to Phnom Penh. RJ has a powerful but fragile voice reminiscent
of his hero Gram Parsons. Check out his early evening set at Le Jardin
on Friday or at his new monthly open mic night at Equinox on Wednesday.
Dave Cox is a master steel-guitar player from the UK, spicing up his holiday
in Cambodia with some well-received guest spots as a member of The Kampot
Playboys and The Jumping Jacks. Dave’s secret weapon is an arsenal
of inspiring original songs - Steve Earle-esque dustbowl ballads and Delta-blues
stompers. You can hear all about it when he is accompanied by cowboy-wannabe Joe Wrigley
at Paddy Rice this Friday night.
![]() |
Dave Cox |
Roots-Reggae is on
the menu at Equinox this Friday when Vibratone take the stage.
The band started off good and are becoming really good, growing in
confidence and making additions to their (all-original) repertoire with every
gig. There is a really great dynamic in the rhythm section as the minimal,
chunky, dub bass-lines of Julien combine with the flamboyant, crazy drumming
style of Luis.
Jack will be
dusting off his dancing shoes in preparation for Saturday night, when a
block-rocking posse of DJs and MCs will throw down at Slur Bar. The
launch party of the ‘Wat a Gwaan’ reggae collective features the
esteemed Professor Kinski, the creative DJ Polak and the
incredible vocal dexterity of MC Kaztet D. They will face off with a
visiting collective of reggae-heads from Siem Reap, Chass Sound. For more
good vibes, but with a higher tempo, try Swagger at Meta House where
the cafe-bar will be ripped out, soundproofed and locked down to transform it into
a Berlin-style dance-den.
The weekend is
rounded off with a special gig at the luscious music lounge that is The
Groove. Superstar Canadian Violinist Brian Larson is accompanied by
the astounding drumming talents of Lewis Pragasam and on
piano by Phil ‘the music flows from his fingers’ Javelle. Brian
Larson is a 23-year veteran of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, a contributor
to Hollywood soundtracks and musical collaborator with a cavalcade of A-list
rock stars. The Groove are doing something extraordinary on Sunday - even
by their own high standards. Tickets $5, reservations recommended at info@thegroove.asia .
I’ll leave you with an entertaining glimpse into the world of The Wanderlusters, courtesy of http://thewanderlustersvn.com/
Stay safe when
wandering at night,
All the best,
JACK DIAMOND
Latest Gigs
Thursday
23-Jan-2014
- 7:00 PM ~ Swing Penh at The Village
- 7:30 PM ~ Leon Kondo Trio at The Cabaret Restaurant
- 8:00 PM ~ Miss Sarawan at The Aquarium Bar
- 8:30 PM ~ Euan Gray at The Doors
- 9:00 PM ~ DJ Tam at The RiverHouse Lounge
- 9:00 PM ~ Philippe Javelle and Ritchy Boisson at The Groove
- 9:00 PM ~ DJ Norris Norisk at Meta House
- 9:00 PM ~ DJ Wez-T at Dusk till Dawn
- 9:30 PM ~ DJ U and Elvis Fandango at Oscars 51
- 11:00 PM ~ DJ Jack Malipan at Pontoon
Friday
24-Jan-2014
- 6:00 PM ~ RJ Marshall and Roddy Fraser at Le Jardin
- 7:30 PM ~ Louise Norup and Barry Speirs at The Cabaret Restaurant
- 8:00 PM ~ DJ Chin Chang and DJ Rith at Lavo Restaurant & Lounge
- 8:00 PM ~ Billy Page at The Village
- 8:00 PM ~ Kin Jazz at The Doors
- 9:00 PM ~ Joe Wrigley & Dave Cox at Paddy Rice
- 9:00 PM ~ VibraTone at Equinox
- 9:00 PM ~ Dr. Wah Wah , DJ Nico and DJ Bart Ricardo at Meta House
- 9:30 PM ~ Gypsy Vacation at The Slur Bar
- 9:30 PM ~ The Wanderlusters * at Oscars 51
- 10:00 PM ~ DJ Flo , DJ Ricardo and Wes_T at Code
- 11:00 PM ~ DJ Shine and DJ Nas at Pontoon
Saturday
25-Jan-2014
- 7:00 PM ~ Billy Page at Le Jardin
- 8:30 PM ~ MWAUKA & The Gang at FCC - The Mansion
- 9:00 PM ~ Swagger at Meta House
- 9:00 PM ~ Philippe Javelle and Ritchy Boisson at The Groove
- 9:00 PM ~ The Wanderlusters * at Equinox
- 9:30 PM ~ Wat A Gwaan and Chass Sound at The Slur Bar
- 9:30 PM ~ Diego's Latin Trio at Oscars 51
- 10:00 PM ~ DJ Dan Beck , DJ Sequence and DJ Simon C Vent at Dusk till Dawn
- 11:00 PM ~ DJ Tech 12 and MC Hydro Phonics at Pontoon
- 11:00 PM ~ DJ Flo at The Pontoon Bistro
Sunday
26-Jan-2014
- 4:30 PM ~ Ringtail at The 3Mangos Guesthouse
- 7:30 PM ~ Bona Thiem at The Cabaret Restaurant
- 8:00 PM ~ Anton Isselhardt The and TRIOthlon Ensemble at Meta House
- 9:00 PM ~ Lewis Pragasam , Philippe Javelle and Brian Larson * at The Groove
Monday
27-Jan-2014
- 9:30 PM ~ Billy Page at The Slur Bar
Tuesday
28-Jan-2014
- 7:30 PM ~ Stephane Routier at The Cabaret Restaurant
- 9:00 PM ~ Pop Music Quiz Night at Equinox
Wednesday
29-Jan-2014
- 9:00 PM ~ RJ Marshall at Equinox
Coming Up
- The Fumes at Equinox
- Gabi Faja and AI Iawasaki at The Doors
- Sangvar Day and Michelle Flemming at Equinox
- Electric Universe at Meta House
- Belgian Beats at Meta House
- The Underdogs at Equinox
- The Adobo Conspiracy at Equinox
- Joe Wrigley and Miss Sarawan at The Doors
- Bona Thiem at The Cabaret Restaurant
- Jazz Shanghai 30's at Cabaret Restaurant
- Jahzad at Equinox
- Miss Sarawan at The Alley Cat Cafe
- Leeroy Thornhill * at Code
- DJ Star, DJz Nme, DJ Tam and DJ Maily at The RiverHouse Lounge
- DJ Sequence, DJ Donabelle and DJ Alan Ritchie at Phnom Penh Passenger Port
- DJ Star, DJ Tam and DJ Maily at The RiverHouse Lounge
- DJ BBoy Peanut and DJ Gigahurtz at Star Palace Night Club
- Nova - Chinese New Year 2014 at Nova Penthouse
- The Cuban Brothers * at Code
Ánh mắt Vương Lâm không chút dao động, hắn huy động cánh tay, Dẫn Lực
ReplyDeletethuật theo đó tùy ý động, hướng về phía lò luyện đan chộp đến. Từng đạo
ngũ thải quang mang từ trong lò luyện đan xuất hiện, tạo thành một chiếc
trung tâm kế toán tại quảng ninh, trung tâm kế toán tại hải dương, trung tâm kế toán tại bắc giang, trung tâm kế toán tại bắc ninh, trung tâm kế toán tại hải phòng, trung tâm kế toán tại nam định, trung tâm kế toán tại thái bình, trung tâm kế toán tại thanh hóa, trung tâm kế toán tại vĩnh phúc, trung tâm kế toán tại hưng yên, trung tâm kế toán tại phú thọ, trung tâm kế toán tại bình dương, trung tâm kế toán tại nghệ an, trung tâm kế toán tại vũng tàu, trung tâm kế toán tại đồng nai, trung tâm kế toán tại tphcm,
lập tức nghiền nát tấm màn che do ngũ thải quang mang tạo thành. Vương
Lâm lao vào ôm lấy Vương Hạo, đưa hắn ra khỏi lò luyện đan đặt lên trên
mặt đất.
Tay phải Vương Lâm đặt lên trán Vương Hạo, hắn trầm tư không nói gì.