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Yungchen Lhamo — Happiness Is...
Album: Coming Home
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1613









Released: 2002
Length: 4:56
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Comments (167)add comment
 Grizzly_old_man wrote:

Yoko Ono is a strangled cat yet she gets much better reviews here.

Wonder bout that. 



It is ponderous that Yoko's discordant vocalizing would be preferable to this rather elegant piece.
Posted 1 year ago by Terry22310    [ Reply ]
This is gorgeous. I lived in northeastern Thailand for a couple years. This sounds really nice to me.
Posted 1 year ago by zone-5    [ Reply ]
I wish the Chinese government sensors would take care of this atrocity
Posted 2 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
Please put this woman out of her misery.
Posted 2 years ago by crispynz1    [ Reply ]
Saw this lady just once on the stage and she had a rapt audience. I was not in tune with the seance that was happening, but saw  that it was profound  for  them.
Posted 2 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 haretic wrote:
Found this:

"The message of this song, according to (Yunchen Lhamo), is "finding your path and following it...often, the things we think make us happy have no real meaning in our lives. There is a way of thinking, of living that has
meaning, and it is the happiness found on this path that we really
should be searching for."

Beautiful song.



Posted 2 years ago by grhorn    [ Reply ]
I'll finish her sentence - Happiness is - not this music.
Posted 2 years ago by crispynz1    [ Reply ]
Well, this comes at the end of a simply dire run of songs today.  What a depressing start to the week. 
Posted 2 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
 jp33442 wrote:
Anyone is better then yoko




Why would anyone compare her to Yoko Ono?  Tibet is about as far from Japan as England is to Turkey.  Asians are not monolithic, you know
Posted 2 years ago by jodoc45    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:

MUCH nicer voice than Yoko!
Anyone is better then yoko

Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
This is interesting-always a plus- and what a great dress, wow 
Posted 3 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
nicely done...I think it will move me with the headphones on 
Posted 3 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 pyrateparadox988 wrote:
Think the Grizzly Guy was commenting in this Artists favor.
Stating "Yoko Ono is a Strangled Cat - yet she gets better reviews.." 
(- than this lovely piece ... and that really is not cool.) ??

This Artist sounds so much sweeter than Yoko, the latter of which does sound like a feline being asphyxiated. Just sayin'.

 ChodesBaby wrote:
It's a beautiful rendition of Happiness as sung/narrated by a native Tibetian. East Asian vocals are entirely different than that of the western world unless of course they've been trained otherwise.  I don't think she warrants negative comments just because she's not catering to "westernized" ears.  Each to their own as always, but try and have a little respect for all artists and their genres.  The strangling cat comment was highly unnecessary but I doubt very much that the thought came from a professional.

 

 
MUCH nicer voice than Yoko!
Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Found this:

"The message of this song, according to (Yunchen Lhamo), is "finding your path and following it...often, the things we think make us happy have no real meaning in our lives. There is a way of thinking, of living that has
meaning, and it is the happiness found on this path that we really
should be searching for."

Beautiful song.

Posted 4 years ago by haretic    [ Reply ]
I have a bone to pick with you RP....

You are playing away in the background as always and you KEEP INTERRUPTING ME!
Time and again I have to stop what I am doing and delve into the detail of what you are playing.

Another lovely piece of music - Thank you, I suppose.
Posted 4 years ago by HectorPascal    [ Reply ]
I love this song and her voice. 8/10.
Posted 4 years ago by osteoboon    [ Reply ]
Think the Grizzly Guy was commenting in this Artists favor.
Stating "Yoko Ono is a Strangled Cat - yet she gets better reviews.." 
(- than this lovely piece ... and that really is not cool.) ??

This Artist sounds so much sweeter than Yoko, the latter of which does sound like a feline being asphyxiated. Just sayin'.

 ChodesBaby wrote:
It's a beautiful rendition of Happiness as sung/narrated by a native Tibetian. East Asian vocals are entirely different than that of the western world unless of course they've been trained otherwise.  I don't think she warrants negative comments just because she's not catering to "westernized" ears.  Each to their own as always, but try and have a little respect for all artists and their genres.  The strangling cat comment was highly unnecessary but I doubt very much that the thought came from a professional.

 

Posted 5 years ago by pyrateparadox988    [ Reply ]
First time to hear this enchanting work.  Really like it.  Thanks, RP!
Posted 5 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:
Pretty nice little piece;  I probably won't go out and buy this, but it's a good listen here.

 
I went out and bought it!  Absolutely lovely song. It moves me.
Posted 5 years ago by logic    [ Reply ]
A  beautiful blending of western instruments and that hypnotic eastern voice  , sweet stuff.
Posted 5 years ago by whatshisname    [ Reply ]
I thought that was the horse's tail, it's actually her hair  
Posted 5 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
 rpdevotee wrote:
Wow...I thought this was Dengue Fever!  Who knew Cambodian music could sound so close to Tibetan music!
 
Lots of Chinese influence in both - maybe some influence in the other directions too.
Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]

ALL tastes are. 

3
Posted 5 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
An "acquired taste" indeed… 7 -> 8
Posted 5 years ago by tfioreze    [ Reply ]
Exquisite.
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
Dengue Fever "Uku" —> PSD—> this. 

{#Eek}{#Stop} {#Headache}


Captain Kirk (Shatner) in foreground, choking, as are Chekhov and Uhuru in background.


 
That's just too damn funny right there!
Posted 5 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
... Peacefull and Lovefull
Posted 5 years ago by francesco_insyde    [ Reply ]
Wow...I thought this was Dengue Fever!  Who knew Cambodian music could sound so close to Tibetan music!
Posted 5 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 peter.gerzner wrote:
Was soll der Quatsch!!!!!!!
 

Stumpfe Aussage. Bist du sicher, dass RP der richtige Sender für dich ist?
Posted 5 years ago by pankman    [ Reply ]
Trippy
Posted 5 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
beautiful!!! almost like sainkho namtchylak. more, please, more 😃
Posted 5 years ago by borgderbolg396    [ Reply ]
Was soll der Quatsch!!!!!!!
Posted 6 years ago by peter.gerzner    [ Reply ]
this is really pretty.
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Very nice!
Posted 6 years ago by FatPants    [ Reply ]
lovely
Posted 6 years ago by dubberdan    [ Reply ]
I didn't hear enough of the track -- psd'd there, too late -- but there are two splendid creatures in that impressive cover art. 
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
. . . the PSD button.
Posted 6 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Wow. Haven't heard this in years. Thanks, Bill
Posted 7 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
Dengue Fever "Uku" —> PSD—> this. 

{#Eek}{#Stop} {#Headache}


Captain Kirk (Shatner) in foreground, choking, as are Chekhov and Uhuru in background.


Posted 7 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 jjbix wrote:
nice run with the ladies here, now THIS is the kind of special music you won't hear on lesser radio stations (like the talking heads for example), great job Bill!
 
RP makes coming to work a pleasure, where I can sit and dream for some considerable time without interruption.  Agnes Obel, Yunchen Lhamo and now Kate Bush.  What a start to my dreary Monday.  I raise a glass to Mr & Mrs G and wish you both a wonderful New Year.
Posted 7 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Dani-O wrote:
Maybe western countries needs stronger education to learn appreciate other cultures, or a more plural mass communications system. This woman sings beautifully! But of course, it is not pop music nor opera.
 
Subjectivity does not (always) equate to ignorance. I doubt you could "educate me" into enjoying this.


Posted 7 years ago by Cannon    [ Reply ]
 Grizzly_old_man wrote:
Yoko Ono is a strangled cat yet she gets much better reviews here.

Wonder bout that. 

 
To most here, if it's not a toe tapping Country & Western song it's a flaming turd. 
Question is, with all the brain numbing C&W stations out there, why are these people here?  
Posted 8 years ago by 4GibMe    [ Reply ]
Yoko Ono is a strangled cat yet she gets much better reviews here.

Wonder bout that. 
Posted 9 years ago by Grizzly_old_man    [ Reply ]
Yes pretty good and on PSD instead of Queen.
Posted 11 years ago by BazH    [ Reply ]
 HazzeSwede wrote:
When artists like this one come's up on the playlist,the Wiki link is pritty handy !
 
Yes but a link to Allmusic would be even better!
Posted 11 years ago by BazH    [ Reply ]
When artists like this one come's up on the playlist,the Wiki link is pritty handy !
Posted 12 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
It's a beautiful rendition of Happiness as sung/narrated by a native Tibetian. East Asian vocals are entirely different than that of the western world unless of course they've been trained otherwise.  I don't think she warrants negative comments just because she's not catering to "westernized" ears.  Each to their own as always, but try and have a little respect for all artists and their genres.  The strangling cat comment was highly unnecessary but I doubt very much that the thought came from a professional.

Posted 15 years ago by ChodesBaby    [ Reply ]
Someone end this girl's misery. Or at least mine.
Posted 15 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]
Pretty nice little piece;  I probably won't go out and buy this, but it's a good listen here.

Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I was surprised to see the title, because it sounds like a very sad and mournful sound...heartbreakingly beautiful
Posted 15 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
I'll gladly bow down before the Goddess of Song.  
Posted 15 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
 inindian wrote:
Some thoughtful comments and quite a few narrow ignorant-sounding ones..yikes
 
Yep, still the same old same old! Hmm, maybe a few more positive comments now!


Posted 15 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
Mysterious and aesthetic - who needs words when there is sound filled with meaning.
Posted 15 years ago by Jamus    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:

Yungchen Lhamo's name means "Goddess of Song", a name given her by a holy man soon after she was born near Lhasa. . . .

 
Sounds like that holy man knew what he was talking about.  I love her voice.

Posted 15 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
She has a very distinctive voice. I saw her perform at the Mission Folk Festival this summer, and although her style simply is not quite my taste, I could not help but recognize here as soon as I heard her here.

Another artist who performed at the festival, who I enjoyed much more, was Kiran Ahluwalia, another great singer. Unfortunately she seems to be almost unknown in the states.

Posted 16 years ago by trempel    [ Reply ]

Lhamo's international success as a Tibetan singer is unprecedented. She has toured the world, singing unaccompanied a combination of songs of her own composition and traditional Buddhist chants and mantras. She has performed with artist like Annie Lennox, Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins, Peter Gabriel, Sheryl Crow, Natalie Merchant, bringing her traditions to new audiences. She has toured extensively as a part of the WOMAD World music festivals.

Yungchen Lhamo's name means "Goddess of Song", a name given her by a holy man soon after she was born near Lhasa. She left Tibet in 1989 at age 22, via the perilous navigation of the Himalayas in order to escape oppression from the Chinese regime governing Tibet. She made a pilgrimage to Dharamsala, to receive the blessings of the Dalai Lama, where he lives in exile. She was inspired to reach out to the world through her music, to share her culture and educate people about Tibet. She moved to Australia in 1993, then to New York City in 2000.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungchen_Lhamo




Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
From Tibet? I wonder how much airplay this artist gets in China. I don't recall her voice from the recent olympic celebrations.


Posted 16 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
 sadsack wrote:
Old_Pat wrote:
Have hard time rating this.... Why I listen to Radio Paradise. Thanks
  
Exactly. 

Posted 16 years ago by rtb    [ Reply ]
nice pony
Posted 16 years ago by ulibcn    [ Reply ]
MJMJ wrote:
Tibet needs stronger laws against strangling cats, apparently
Maybe western countries needs stronger education to learn appreciate other cultures, or a more plural mass communications system. This woman sings beautifully! But of course, it is not pop music nor opera.
Posted 16 years ago by Dani-O    [ Reply ]
MJMJ wrote:
Tibet needs stronger laws against strangling cats, apparently
ha ha that is very very funny!!! i thought about replying something like "wailing unhappiness" to this song but yours is best.
Posted 16 years ago by myrabrrz    [ Reply ]
OOOOooowwwoooohhhhhaahhhhhhhh
Posted 16 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Happiness is....having a mute button.
Posted 16 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
Tibet needs stronger laws against strangling cats, apparently
Posted 16 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
huebdoo wrote:
that asian sound can be amazing and soulful and sometimes can grate at you like forks on a plate. Its not as naisal sounding as some asian singers have or shrilly like Indian singers can be. This has some style to it and is taking a page out of Robert Fripp or Brian Eno in a way... I like it PR has got some funky Asian music going on today... Middle Eastern / Asian flavouring today for sure Bring on the Cumin and Figs
I love it when I can't quite put my finger on something, then I scroll back and find someone has already done it for me! Thanks! You said exactly what I was feeling.
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Ride a white poney...
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
nice run with the ladies here, now THIS is the kind of special music you won't hear on lesser radio stations (like the talking heads for example), great job Bill!
Posted 17 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
Wow that is a serious looking hand sign there.. Japanese ninja gangstah style! (click here)
Posted 17 years ago by d00kie    [ Reply ]
Nice album cover
Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
First time hearing this...very nice indeed!
Posted 17 years ago by circuitburn    [ Reply ]
Beautiful....
Posted 17 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
I really like it..not your every day stuff
Posted 17 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Some thoughtful comments and quite a few narrow ignorant-sounding ones..yikes
Posted 17 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
This is quite likeable. However I just don't see having it on the iPod as you're driving along. It requires a more serious listen.
Posted 17 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
I love world music. I would probably love this minus the vocals. She's ok, just not my cup of green tea. (She seems out of tune a lot.) Note that it appears to be on Peter Gabriel's label.
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
liser wrote:
Happiness used to be a warm puppy, at least in the 1970's. Now I just don't know. I don't think this is it, though.
Before that, it was a warm gun. Maybe it is again, I don't know.
Posted 17 years ago by quesarah    [ Reply ]
Happyness is anything but this. This is more like desperation, melancholy.
Posted 17 years ago by master_betty    [ Reply ]
Thanks for keeping this in the rotation. Brilliant! I love this..had to up it from an 8 to 9
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
southend wrote:
Like Yoko Ono, but not as good.
God why do people keep uttering these foul,stench ridden words?
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
Hanging on every sound. Like to hear more!
Posted 17 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
Don't know what she's singing about but very chillful - nice on a rainy day!
Posted 17 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
I can't say that I really like it, but there's something about it that I find very compelling.
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
that asian sound can be amazing and soulful and sometimes can grate at you like forks on a plate. Its not as naisal sounding as some asian singers have or shrilly like Indian singers can be. This has some style to it and is taking a page out of Robert Fripp or Brian Eno in a way... I like it PR has got some funky Asian music going on today... Middle Eastern / Asian flavouring today for sure Bring on the Cumin and Figs
Posted 17 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
Daniel_Pittenger wrote:
Is she dying? Someone put her out of her misery, it sounds painful!
You're actually hearing the horse.
Posted 17 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
Is she dying? Someone put her out of her misery, it sounds painful!
Posted 17 years ago by Daniel_Pittenger    [ Reply ]
The fact that I don't understand what she is saying just makes this song more beautiful.
Posted 17 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
Old_Pat wrote:
Have hard time rating this.... Why I listen to Radio Paradise. Thanks
Posted 17 years ago by sadsack    [ Reply ]
Have hard time rating this.... perfectly lovely at the beginning - the voice, the intonation, and the absolutely sublime 'Asian' sound. Thought at first that it was Japanese. Then all that western crap at the end..... why couldn't the producer just let it be? (But then, perhaps, it wouldn't appeal to the World Music crowd and thereby effect sales....)
Posted 18 years ago by Old_Pat    [ Reply ]
Sorry, I like it.
Posted 18 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]
Happiness used to be a warm puppy, at least in the 1970's. Now I just don't know. I don't think this is it, though.
Posted 18 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
I like Beth Orton. I own many Beth Orton albums. Yungchem Lhamo is no Beth Orton
Posted 18 years ago by PacificNWPariah    [ Reply ]
Someone please put her out of my misery. Skid_Mark wrote:
Kinda has a Beth Orton-like feel to it, vocals & music. Good tune!
Ugh. I love Beth Orton and it'd be a hell of a stretch for me to make that leap.
Posted 18 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
Pink Floyd meets....? 7.
No Way!!
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
yungchen lame-o
Posted 18 years ago by jambag    [ Reply ]
It captured me at precisely the right moment in time....soothing the beast and the dragon that binds me. Loving it.
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Midnight in the UK been along day this is cool
Posted 18 years ago by carbonatom    [ Reply ]
Actually I was about to say this reminds me of a mellow, less dense Dead Can Dance.
Posted 18 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
loud_family_fan wrote:
I've noticed that whenever I give a song a 1, someone writes that it sounds like Beth Orton. I don't know her music, but I must really dislike it.
That's funny
Posted 18 years ago by Verpeiler    [ Reply ]
Skid_Mark wrote:
Kinda has a Beth Orton-like feel to it, vocals & music. Good tune!
I've noticed that whenever I give a song a 1, someone writes that it sounds like Beth Orton. I don't know her music, but I must really dislike it.
Posted 18 years ago by loud_family_fan    [ Reply ]
Pink Floyd meets....? 7.
Posted 18 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
I need an espresso after this
Posted 18 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
Lovely. I'd like to hear more.
Posted 18 years ago by betterdaze    [ Reply ]
Kinda has a Beth Orton-like feel to it, vocals & music. Good tune!
Posted 18 years ago by Skid_Mark    [ Reply ]
The name should have been "Bitter is..."
Posted 18 years ago by master_betty    [ Reply ]
Quite beautiful. Yoko Ono?? Try again.
Posted 18 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
southend wrote:
Happiness is ... when this is over. Like Yoko Ono, but not as good.
well i like it.. anyway ! seems to have a nice balance - Peace to chaos
Posted 18 years ago by pope183    [ Reply ]
5 o'clock on Friday afternoon ET - why decide to put us in a new age coma with this now? I don't expect rock blocks from RP, thank goodness, but this following the Conjure One is yucko. Maybe on Sunday morning or something.
Posted 18 years ago by joelb    [ Reply ]
Happiness is ... when this is over. Like Yoko Ono, but not as good.
Posted 18 years ago by southend    [ Reply ]
gives me a headache
Posted 18 years ago by ObsidianInfinity    [ Reply ]
ok, so this is not a 3:40 pop ballad; if you favour that style, this may not be your cup of tea. But I don't listen to RadioParadise to hear top40 hits. I loved this piece, and its blend of tibetan vocals with some new-ageish instrumentals. Unique!
Posted 18 years ago by midtoad    [ Reply ]
tony620d wrote:
cant, already killed myself
Posted 18 years ago by xouba    [ Reply ]
wow !
Posted 18 years ago by MikeCloud    [ Reply ]
Bob-Loblaw wrote:
Please kill me now.
cant, already killed myself
Posted 18 years ago by tony620d    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of the "Riders of Rohan" theme from The Two Towers.
Posted 18 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Please kill me now.
Posted 19 years ago by Bob-Loblaw    [ Reply ]
RichardPrins wrote:
The lingering guitars are somewhat like Fripp... Great CD! (on Gabriel's Real World label)
Or Satriani, I was thinking... Excellent tune.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Interesting, would like to hear this again to really absorb.
Posted 19 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
pilate wrote:
Hmmm... I think I'll give it a shot.
Listening for the first time after Jan 13 and it sounds even better! Bumped it up a notch to a 8.
Posted 19 years ago by pilate    [ Reply ]
"Mmmmmmmmmm....Young, Tender, Lamb-o!..........Aurghhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Excellent CD and great track. An artist and also a track featured on (yet another) great RealWorld compilation - "Voices from the Real World." The production values and slight, but elaborate shining of the plucked stringed instruments punctuates her smooth tones perfectly. The touch of reverb later in the song is perfect.
Posted 19 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]