4.Enkhe – Enkhe was our driver for the first 2,000km of out trip. He hurtled along playing Mongolian songs on a cheap keyboard. Once stopped there were moments of great stillness. Then he would hurry along again. Featuring Steve Teers’ versions of Mongolian & “Human Cabbages” melodies plus Cathy’s rendition of a well known steam engine.
Jeff Higley – Gongs/Ranasringa, Simon Higley – Djembe/Bean Bell Alain Presencer – Tibetan thigh bone trumpet, Michael Ormiston – Pi saw, Cathy Richards – Bassoon, Steve Teers – Trombone.
5.Hi Mori/Önchin Tsaagan Botgo/Dörvön Nastai Khaluin A Medley of Mongolian tunes, “Wind Horse”, “The white Orphaned First Year Camel” and “The four year old
Chestnut Horse”.Dedicated to Tserendaava, Michael’s khöömii (Overtone singing) teacher. Michael Ormiston – khöömii singing/Morin Khuur/Limbe/Yatag.
6.Snowy Night – A memory of a snowy night in the Khangai Mountains. Jeff Higley – Aromatic Flute, Michael Ormiston – Breath.
7.Lament – Memories of old sadness evoked by a Tibetan singing bowl, Kobyz (A central Asian Shamanic/kham instrument) and voice. Jeff Higley – Tibetan Singing Bowl, Michael Ormiston – Kobyz, Kate Pyper – Voice.
8.Hearing the Tears – Dedicated to the Bodhisattva, “Chenrezig” and the memory of the Lams (Monks) who died during the political persecutions in the 1930’s.
Jeff Higley, Michael Ormiston, Kate Pyper – Tibetan Singing Bowls and Voices.
8.Hearing the Tears – Dedicated to the Bodhisattva, “Chenrezig” and the memory of the Lams (Monks) who died during the political persecutions in the 1930’s.
Jeff Higley, Michael Ormiston, Kate Pyper – Tibetan Singing Bowls and Voices.
9. 5 Down, 7 Across ? – A cryptic clue to some of the time signatures in this modal piece exploring improvisation and composition.
Simon Higley – Djembe/Brazilian Clay Pot/Shaker/Gongs/Bell Tree/Ektar, Michael Ormiston – Esraj/Bass, Cathy Richards – Bassoon.
Some of the instruments used on this album are familiar, some not so. A brief description of the more obscure ones follows:
Khöömii – A style of singing where one person sings two or more distinct pitches at the same time (Mongolian, Tuvan and others)
Morin Khuur – Two string Mongolian Horse Head Fiddle.
Esraj – Bengali fretted vertical fiddle with sympathetic strings
Pi – Saw Reed flute from Laos (thanks Clive Bell)
Limbe – Mongolian transverse mirliton flute.
Yatag – Mongolian long boxed plucked zither.
Recorded spring & summer 1998 at Chamber 26 studios, Produced and mixed by Simon and Michael. All titles © 1998 Sound Mountain Music
