Mudanin Kata

DAVID DARLING & WULU BUNUN – “Mudanin Kata”
Riverboat, 2004

TAIWAN – An ancient Taiwanese vocal tradition meets a classical/jazz cellist, recorded in a remote mountain village (Wulu). The Bunun people sing in 8-part harmony, inspired by the sounds and rhythms of nature. But despite the harmonic complexity, most of the songs feel familiar, like they could have come from any part of the third world. On top of these, Darling has added thoughtfully-composed melodies for solo cello or string quartet. When the two styles click, the results are very cool.

Fo’s picks: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15

4. cool chant with some great jazz/blues cello pluckin’
5. fun: an aggressive call & response vocal with laid back/bluesy cello commentary
6, 10, 14. solo cello meditations over soundscapes of birds, frogs, crickets
7. sad: work song (could have come right off a U.S. plantation), abstract string tones
8. mystical & creepy: a very slow, ethereal male chorus in prayer, rises gradually
9. a very pretty quartet piece rises from a relaxed village song
11, 12. slow & steady chant-songs with minimalist cello. 12 more upbeat.
13. pleasant hunting song with birds in background and cute cello; very relaxing.
15. very nice: call & response hunting song for male chorus + rustic string quartet

[ Fo ] – 6/21/2004