Genghis Blues

Tuva is a region in Northern Mongolia that is all but unknown to the Western world, but a style of music called throatsinging has developed there over thousands of years. The technique involves finding a way to isolate the overtones and harmonics of the human voice and bring them out so that several pitches are heard at once. These are subdivided into different styles: Some stress a low, throaty drone; others highlight an insectlike whistling. Paul Pena, a blues musician from San Francisco, became interested in Tuvan throatsinging in the 1980s, and Genghis Blues documents his travels as the first American to compete in Tuva’s national music contest. Although Pena has collaborated with such legends as John Lee Hooker and Bonnie Raitt and is probably best known for writing Steve Miller’s hit single “Jet Airliner,” it is interesting to watch the veteran musician in a situation in which he is overwhelmed by the alien nature of his surroundings. Filmmakers Roko and Adrian Belic (who’ve received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature) provide an earnest account of Pena’s 1995 adventure, complete with footage of dozens of songs — both Tuvan and acoustic blues tunes that the American plays for his hosts. Although the setting is unique and there are some genuinely memorable moments (such as the concert crowd’s reaction to Pena’s rendition of a traditional Tuvan song), the film, like the music it spotlights, begins to drone. Similar to most documentaries that are nominated by the Academy Awards — in what has proven to be the organization’s most timid branch — Genghis Blues is a very interesting subject told in a dry and linear manner. (N/R) Rating: 5