Tai Oratai

I was asked if I can provide a Lao song to be play at a fundraising.   Money are raised from different community so they want to play songs from different community.  I think I will give them Tai Orati.  Tai (Rabbit) is popular in both the Lao and the Thai community.  The language used in her songs covers both the Lao and the Thai, the Lao-Thai, and the Thai-Lao.   The old saying always rang true, Thai and Lao are relatives.

Tai has been popular for a few years now.  I think about 10 years or so.  I am not sure.  In America, Tai is won a lot of hearts.   When Tai came to my community 2 years ago, I heard but didn’t paid it no mind.  My had a chance to listen to Tai Oratai came when I was working on my mom’s deck.  I worked alone so music was my companion.  I had Manit playing as I work.  After a while, I need something else.  Mom has Tai’s special album, Yu Nai Jai Smur (always in my heart).  I asked to borrow Tai to switch out for Manit.   When Unai Jai Smur came on, I stopped and listned.  When the part, Unai Jai Smur hu boh (do you know, will always be in my heart) came on, I was touches.  I listened on and continue to work.  After listened to Tai’s words in the songs, I realized, “No wonder pi Meow (Mr. Cat) was so crazy about her.”  Mr. Cat hangs out with my cousin.  She told me how he had picture taken with Tai and framed it, with the permission of his wife of course.

Tai talks to people through her golden voice.  It touches people’s heart.   Tai and many other like her are like the savors of the poor people of Isan and Lao regions.   The songs gave relief and comfort to the tiring souls.  A lot of songs in Yu Nai Jai Smur are life songs.  It talks about how difficult life is without love, money, family.  It talks about a difficult life in the big city, being away from home having to fight everyday to eat, send earning back to their hometown.   I see genius in those who composed Tai’s music especially Unai Jai Smur Album.  Weather it’s musical genius or power of marketing, I don’t care.  It’s the message that is loud and clear.  Salvation is in play.  Those guys are the grand masters.  Beside Buddism, the people have music that ease their pain.

I posted the first song of the album and the fifth song.   The first song is about how she greatly appreciated everyone for supporting her.  I mean everyone.  She expressed how fortunate she was to have come this far because of the love and support from everyone.  The second song I posted is actually the fifth songs in the album.   I posted it because it has a rythm of Lao lumvong.  People can dance in the lumvong style to this song.  The song is about the moon and love and whatever else that can be associated with the moon and the love between people.  She sings about how people can meet under the moonlight.  It doesn’t matter if you are a world away, as long as your hearts are together, it’s all the closure you need.

Tai has mon (magic) in her voice.  She is definitely a Heaven Sent.