Hear That Motor?

One part human kazoo and one part yawning tree frog, an expert Tuvan throat singer can traverse scales and melodies throughout dreamlike hypnotic stretches, sometimes stacking up to four notes at a time. This traditional vocalization style also lends itself to some beautiful and poetic lyrics. Here's a sampling: "Uuuuuuuuuuunnnnnngh,...

By Geoff Johnston

April 12, 2007

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

One part human kazoo and one part yawning tree frog, an expert Tuvan throat singer can traverse scales and melodies throughout dreamlike hypnotic stretches, sometimes stacking up to four notes at a time. This traditional vocalization style also lends itself to some beautiful and poetic lyrics. Here's a sampling: "Uuuuuuuuuuunnnnnngh, waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhnnnng, whuuuuuuuuuuuuh huuuuhhhaaaaaaaaaah/Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhng uuuuuuuuuuuhng huuuuuuuuunnngh/Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh/Uh whuh haung waaaaauuuung ghuuuggh/Whuuuuhhhhhuuuuuhhhuuuuuhhhgh." Southern Methodist University's Meadows School of the Arts presents Tuvan throat singing ensemble Alash at noon Thursday in the lobby of the Bob Hope Theatre at the Owens Arts Center, 6101 Bishop Blvd. Admission is free. For more info call 214-768-1951.
Thu., April 12, noon

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.