Genghis Blues

A blind American word-cutter becomes the King of Tuvan Throat Singing. This is his story, but wait there us more. Paul Pena's song 'Jet Airliner' is discovered by "Doctor Jazz" Ben Sidran, PhD. Ben introduces the song to Steve "Guitar" Miller who records it and releases it on a million-selling album.Pena is the recipient of the credit and monetary rewards that follow the composer of a stellar song. Yet, Paul's life, talent, and fame move to the Steppes of Central Asia where the skill he taught himself by listening to shortwave radio destines him to be the epitome of Tuvan cultural expression.This is a dazzling documentary about a man and his life. If it were a work of fiction, it would sound so preposterous as to be laughable. Why is reality stranger than fiction? Fiction has to make sense.

A unique small-budget documentary that follows the life of Paul Pena, best known for writing the Steve Miller hit, "Jet Airliner", as he becomes aware of throat-singing by listening to a ham radio while living as a blind person in the SF Bay Area. Long story short, he gets invited to participate in the throat-singing competition in Kyzyl (Tuva/Mongolia) and this film chronicles the trip there and the competition experience. An excellent offbeat film. Sometimes it is hard to understand Paul, as he speaks quite softly. This can be remedied by turning up the volume.

This is a scenario not even Richard Feynman could have imagined when he helped to form Friends of Tuva. Thanks to this group's effort to bring Tuvan throat singers to San Francisco, Paul Pena was able to realize a dream that lifted him out of the depths of dispair and take part in the tri-annual Tuvan throat singing competition in Kyzyl. This remarkable story not only tells the tale of Paul Pena, best known for penning Jet Airliner, but of the unconquerable spirit of Tuvans who for centuries were subjected to Chinese and Russian rule. Deep in their throats they came up with a harmony that has beguiled musicians the world over. But, it was Paul Pena who seemed to unlock the mystery to the western ear and not only take part but win over the Tuvan audience with his brand of kargyraa style singing. The most amazing part of the story to me is that in order to learn Tuvan, Paul had to learn Russian in Braile in order to translate the words into English, since Tuvan was so rarely heard beyond the steppes of Asia.This film is so deeply satisfying in its honest presentation of events by the Belic brothers. The enormity of such an undertaking hit them like a thunderbolt when Mario Castella, one of the few other Americans to appreciate Tuvan throat singing had a heart attack, and Paul was running low on medication to treat his depression. Worried that it might be the drum the crew had bought as a souvenier, Kongar-ol Ondar, who had befriended Paul, had the evil spirit removed by a shaman. The storm passed and Paul and the crew were able to enjoy the remaining days in Tuva with Kongar taking them to his home village where he was finally able to get Paul up on a horse and complete this incredible journey.This is a film you will want to purchase so that you can watch it again and again. It opens up a new vista for those unfamiliar with this incredible music, bringing it home by showing you its wellspring and introducing you to the marvelous Tuvan people, through the ear of a very special man, Paul Pena.

Paul Pena was a blind blues singer/guitarist who developed an interest in throat singing and then Tuvan culture. Even that much is remarkable, but then he is talked in to flying to Tuva and participating in concerts, where he shows a lot of guts, heart and talent. Paul's perseverance and the appreciation that the Tuvan's showed Paul was really up-lifting.

This is simply a gem of a movie. Blues singer Paul Pena hears Tuvan throat-singing on short wave radio and is determined to find out what it is and where it comes from. This was years before world music was widely available and so it takes him a while to track down the source. When he does, he teaches himself this style of singing and before he knows it he's being sponsored to go to Tuva to take part in an international competition. This is a movie about music and you may find yourself singing along (or trying to) before the movie is over. You may understand why Paul Pena was so captivated by the sounds that he was determined to make these sounds for himself. If you're as swept away by this singing as I was, you'll want to hear other Tuvan music. But this is also a movie about a country and about friendship. In Tuva he meets and stays with Kongar-ol Ondar, a singer who is quite famous in his country. The hospitality of Ondar, and the warmth and genuine friendship between the two men, makes this much more than just a music documentary.

A wonderfully documented story of talented blind musician, Paul Pena, his independent quest to learn throat singing and the equally marvelous people who joined him on an unlikely journey to Tanna Tuva to meet and perform with the Tuvans. It is also a terrific story of the young film makers, who earned an Oscar for this endeavor.

Fascinating documentary! I've been in awe of throat singing by Tibetans, Tuvans, & Alaskin Natives for a very long time but had absolutely no idea how it was accomplished. In "Genghis Blues" it is thoroughly explained both tactically & orally how the different sounds are produced in the throat. The story itself is so captivating, I didn't even notice it was an instructional video until I quietly reflected back on it. Thank you so very much for sharing such a positive and beautiful true story.

You have to see it to believe it. Paul Pena, a blind disc jockey and bluesman, comes upon throat singing from Sibera. A long journey begins. He ends up in Tuva in the middle of a festivel of throat singers and wins his style type. A very deep, sometimes funny, sometims sad movie.

It was a gift for husband and he is a happy man (me, not so much!)