Loten Namling - Songs Of Tibet

Review by Sas Petherick

Loten Namling's album Songs of Tibet is a beautiful and moving tribute to the rich musical traditions of Tibet. The album features a variety of traditional folk songs, as well as original compositions by Namling himself. The instrumentation on the album is sparse, featuring only Namling's voice and a few simple instruments such as the dranyen (a Tibetan lute) and the piwang (a bowed string instrument).

Despite the simplicity of the arrangements, Songs of Tibet is a deeply emotional and powerful album. Namling's voice is hauntingly beautiful, and his heartfelt performances bring out the full emotional weight of the songs. The lyrics are often poignant and bittersweet, touching on themes of love, loss, and longing.

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Lhasa," a mournful ballad about the capital city of Tibet. Namling's voice is at its most expressive here, conveying a deep sense of sadness and longing for a homeland that has been lost. Other highlights include the upbeat "Nangma," which features some lively percussion and a catchy melody, and the haunting "Yarlung," which features some beautiful harmonies and a melancholic melody.

Summary by Sas Petherick

Songs of Tibet is a beautiful and moving album that will appeal to fans of traditional folk music and world music in general. Namling's voice is a true treasure, and his performances on this album are nothing short of breathtaking. Highly recommended.