In its most traditional form, Laotian Morlum, from the landlocked Southeast Asian nation of Laos and the Isan region of northeastern Thailand, is a kind of a bluesy improvised poetry song.
The term translates loosely as “expert song,” referring to the “expert singer,” the vocalist who is singing. (Definitely not this guy.) Laotian morlum singers will have a prescribed rhythm but make up a story as the song goes along. The words of these songs often border on the bawdy, focusing on themes of love — often unrequited — and addressing the challenges of Laotian life. We particularly enjoy the mor lam performed in this video. (Note the guys playing the Laotian “free reed” khenes.)
