Thai Elephant Orchestra Animal Improv Jazz

I really can’t remember when I came across this CD, it’s a real bizarre idea and a total genius one. The Thai Elephant Orchestra was co-founded by Richard Lair of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang and the performer/composer Dave Soldier. At first I couldn’t really decide how I felt about the elephants being exploited in this way, but real people get exploited much worse, like that Justin ‘Twatface’ Beiber, really these elephants can’t be any worse off!

The elephants are looked after in a sanctuary in Northern Thailand founded by Richard Lair who is known as “Professor Elephant” in S.E Aisa.  The elephants are either retired elephants or have been donated from people who can no longer afford to take care of them, I think the idea is awesome that these animals can enjoy making music, it must be real therapeutic for them as many used to be working animals and most likely enjoy keeping busy.  They have so far released 3 albums that vary in style and concept, but the continuous theme is the elephant being able to express themselves through music. It may not be pop, rock, hip-hop or cock rock, but I love it! I must visit these elephants and have now added it to my TO DO LIST.

A great article about the Thai Elephant Orchestra is here

Listen to this track, taken from the Album “Elophonic Rhapsodies”

Thai elephant orcehstra by Farang in Thailand

What do you think Animal cruelty or musical genius?