Called the Ray Charles of the Cambodian music scene, Kong Nay has spent his life dedicated to the chapei dong veng — a two stringed, long necked guitar. His brand of Khmer blues has transcended language barriers and stood the test of time making Nay a true voice of the region…
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Blinded by small pox and saved by the Vietnamese on his way to the killing fields, Nay has earned the right to sing the blues — but he’d rather not. Instead, the nearly 70-year-old Cambodian chapei player uses his raspy, deep voice and steady rhythms to weave stories of Buddha’s life and positive life lessons.
Recently retired from the Cambodia Living Arts school, Nay has travelled the world, catching the eye of international stars along the way, with his troubadour ways.
One doesn’t have to speak Khmer, Cambodia’s official language, to appreciate the Nay’s Mississippi-blues-head-east sound. Rich and powerful, his voice and toe-tapping songs speak to more than his own experience — his sound and message feels universal.
With much of Cambodia’s art scene lost to the Khmer Rouge, Nay has done his part to preserve art, culture and the nearly lost art of the chapei.
Nay’s most recent, and possibly last album, Mekong River Blues (listen here) may just be the perfect soundtrack to accompany you on your next Journeys Within trip east. So close your eyes, listen along and imagine the open road of the far off land Nay loves so much passing you by.
Take Away Show #111 _ KONG NAY from Vincent Moon / Petites Planètes on Vimeo.