You probably don't know this, but the song "Big Old Jet Airliner" was not written by Steve Miller, or his band. This classic song was written by a blind blues guitarist and vocalist named Paul Pena. This documentary chronicles how he discovered a singing technique called "Tuvan Throatsinging" late at night while listening to the radio. (It's VERY intense when you hear it!) A group of "rag tag" friends and maniacs decide to accompany Paul on a trek to the country of Tuva in order to compete in a national throatsinging championship. Encouraged by their Mom, two new filmmaking brothers decided to take on the challenge of documenting this journey. What results is one of the most heart warming stories of friendship and many reminders to all of us of "what life is really about." If you don't love "Ghengis Blues" you need to get your heart checked out right away, and I'm not talking about going to a cardiologist! (Your eyes will be really clean afterwards, and in a good way...) Erik SwansonRead full review
What happens when a bluesman from San Francisco travels to Tuva, a country between Tibet, Mongolia and China to sing with the locals? A lot, when the local brand of 'throat-singing' sounds like 3 voices singing different notes. Paul Pena, the blind singer/songwriter was a ham radio buff, and heard the singing late one night over some distant Russian channel. He pursued the sound for many years before he found out what it was, then was offered the chance to go there and participate in an annual contest. With his mighty National steel-body guitar, he won the hearts and minds of the Tuvan people, who nicknamed him 'Earthquake" for the low rumbling style he specialized in. Paul wrote the song, 'Jet Airliner" made famous by Steve Miller. Paul's version is kicking, and shows Steve how it's done. You will be amazed at the journey this American treasure travels to find acceptance in a nomadic and ancient people of the mountains.Read full review
This quirky and unique movie, the first by this youthful brother duo,Roko and Adrian Belic, is from the heart and goes to the heart. The film centers on the quest of the somewhat legendary, aging, and ailing blind blues musician, Paul Pena's trip to the tiny, almost lost, land of Tuva to compete in a Tuvan throatsinging contest. You may not have heard of Tuvan throatsinging, or like it (it's an aquired taste), but you will appreciate this slice of arania. The film is also an exciting travelogue into an interesting and alien part of the world by an energetic team of young filmakers escorting a small band of aging hipsters on the trip of their lives. The people of Tuva are proud descenents of the notorious Ghengis Khan, hence the film title. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and highly recommend it.Read full review
I just love the quirky characters and the music is great
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Genghis Blues is an exciting documentary of a musical genius who extends his talent and daring in to new terriorty carrying you and his crew along with him. Great music, fast paced and just the tip of the iceberg that is Paul Pena. I loved it. Discover all that is Pena.
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