V/A - Begging The Moon: PhlengThaiSakon/LukKrung 1945-60 LP

Begging The Moon is a collection of Thai pop songs from the first half of the 20th century referred to as Phleng Thai Sakon ("song that is both Thai and universal"). After the end of World War II until the early 1960s, many of these titles are also referred to as Luk Krung ("child of the city"), a more urbanized, Western-influenced style that contrasts with Thai country music known as Luk Thung ("child of the field"). The gap between them grew musically and culturally to the present day. The recordings compiled here can be classified as early Luk Krung style, although some songs touch on rural themes and motifs. Yet they are not overwhelmed by Western influences, many pieces show powerful aspects of traditional Thai music in their beguiling and romantic arrangements.