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CD Review

Tania Lukic-Marx now gives the CD reviews a rating system. This system includes a number of stars at the completion of the review, for example 5 stars (*****) means the CD was "brilliant" or "excellent", 4 stars = impressive, 3 stars = good, 2 stars = satisfactory and 1 star = didn't impress.

	Music Through The Dark
	Daran Kravanh
	Daran Kravanh
	March 14th 2003
	1. Svay Chante 2. Koh Kong 3. Saturday Happiness 4. Top of the Tree 5. Fruit in the Forest 6. Riding Away on a Horse 7. Red Silk Scarf 8. Children Love Angkar Without Limit 9. Kraing Chapey 10. Kandal Duong Chet 11. Viel Veng Chhangay 12. Death's Embrace

This is the first recording I have received from a Cambodian accordionist. Tracks include the performers own compositions as well as pieces by unknown composers, based on the Cambodian folk style. Most of the pieces are accompanied by some other instrument: flute, piano, drums, recorder etc.

I wanted to mention this recording as it is surrounded by the specific and most touching circumstances. The CD is designed to be played while reading the book about the Cambodian holocaust entitled "Music through the Dark" by Bree Lafreniere. The book claims that it was Daran's talent for playing the accordion that saved his life as he was also a target for execution like many of his family members. The book also states that "Daran lived under the Vietnamese installed Government in Cambodia until 1984 when he escaped into Thailand. In 1988 after 4 years in a refugee camp, he was admitted to the United States as a humanitarian parolee. He now makes his living as a social worker, gardens and revives his memories with the accordion."

These are some of the excerpts covering each song that Daran Kravanh wrote:

"This song was composed while I sat atop a tree hiding from the Communist Khmer Rouge soldiers. I noted in my mind that I could see the sky, the mountains, the lakes, the trees, the animals, and the leaves - everything, except the faces of my family."

"I composed this song while I was living on the graveyard and near death…."

"I composed this song spontaneously when I was near death from starvation. Its melody energized me and led me to a tree of fruit…"

"This music is dedicated to my family who were not allowed to survive - may your souls live forever in this CD. And to my living brother, my two sons, my wife and all my beloved Cambodian people and musicians - may this music honor you and remind you to love and keep peace always".

"Profits from this CD will benefit social, educational and artistic development projects in Cambodia."

In its own language and level, this recording portrays human sadness in trying times and projects the victory of human spirit. I will not grade this recording with the stars as I did not mention it for its artistic merits but rather for its merits towards humanity.