Track 1. Salaw-Saw-Sueng: Sao Mai (5:33) Sao mai translates as “Silk Maiden.” 2. Salaw-Saw-Sueng: Pama (4:55) Pama translates as “Burma.” Both examples recorded at the Khum Kaew Palace Khantoke Dinner Theatre in Chiang Mai, November 1998.
Notes (Tracks 1 – 2): A salaw-saw-sueng ensemble is comprised of a two-stringed spiked fiddle with a coconut shell resonator (salaw), three plucked lutes (sueng) of different sizes, a fipple flute (khlui) much like a recorder, and various percussion. A small pair of cup-shaped hand cymbals (ching) is most important of the latter as it “chings” (and “chops”) on the basic beat while the barrel drum (klawng pong pong) repeats a steady pattern and the small, flat hand cymbals (chab lek) add a syncopated rhythm. Each melody instrument plays the same melody, but in its own way. The salaw introduces the tune with occasional slides and trills as the sueng enters with a bouncy feel along with the flut...
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