Posts
"This family band from Flagstaff, Arizona, pump up their politically driven punk with some serious medicine - a unique Native American worldview that informs their music as it sets them apart from other message rockers. Navajo (Diné) siblings Klee, Clayson, and Jeneda Benally are joined by elders both spiritual and geneological on One Nation Under, which features Joey Ramone on two tracks as well as proud papa Jones Benally, a champion hoop dancer and pow-wow singer. There's no starker depiction of the Blackfire dichotomy, and the band make the tensions between hallowed tradition and the urgencies of modern rock work for them again and again on this CD, which handily netted a Native American Music Award in 2002. Blackfire drive home their reservation blues with traditional percussion and vocals deployed over a taut rhythm section recalling the predatory post-punk of Fugazi. There's plenty worth shouting about, as the scandalous situation of America's first people is rich with enough bad faith, cynicism, and exploitation for a hundred Minor Threat albums. But while the social injustices may be specific to the Diné and their kin, there's resonance with the struggles of oppressed folk everywhere. And it's to them that Blackfire offer their hard truth, promising survival to those strong enough to maintain their culture, with all the incongruities, rage, and humor that this modern age demands. May they long practice what they preach."
01. No Control
02. Exile
03. Stand Strong
04. One Nation Under
05. Prove Them Wrong
06. Is This Justice
07. Dine' Gourd Dance Song
08. Many Farms
09. What Do You See
10. It Ain't Over
11. Lying To Myself
12. Someone Else's Nightmare
13. Level
14. Shattered
15. Downfall
Clayson Benally - Drums, Vocals
Jeneda Benally - Bass, Vocals
Klee Benally - Vocals, Guitar
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
Joanne Shenandoah is a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. Fittingly, she also has a beautiful voice with which she expresses her spirit and heart. Orenda, an Iroquois word meaning "the soul of all things," features her sweet vocals in harmony with Lawrence Laughing. She sings these ceremonial songs in their native languages. The instrumental accompaniment, by Tom Wasinger and Mark McCoin, is subtle and low-key. This is Shenandoah's CD. Her gentle style is both dynamic and serene. It fills the heart and soul of the listener. Laughing's harmonies are smooth and graceful.
"Multitalented, award-winning composer and musician Joanne Shenandoah gets better with every album. On Orenda, the singer and instrumentalist, herself of Iroquois descent, is joined by Mohawk Lawrence Laughing; and their duets, including "Deer Dance" and "Unity," are among the album's strongest tracks. Shenandoah's voice is a rare gift; on Orenda, it's rich and clear, and never falters. The mix of backing instruments works well, including several percussion and wind instruments as well as guitars, while the spare arrangements allow Shenandoah's and Laughing's voices to stand out. The blend of the traditional and the contemporary in her music works very well indeed, bringing out the best of both."
01. Passage (Prelude) [(Across the Sky Prelude)]
02. Across the Sky
03. I Am Your Friend [Mohawk Standing Quiver Song]
04. Creator's Song
05. The Great Feathered Horse
06. In Love [Mowawk Rabbit Song]
07. All My Relations [Four Cousin Songs]
08. The Four Legged Ones [Garter Dance Intro]
09. Garter Dance
10. Deer Dance [Garter Dance 2]
11. Life Giver [Mohawk Women's Dance]
12. You Are My Friend [Mohawk Friendship Song-omega]
13. Hunting [Mohawk Stomp Dance]
14. Unity [Haudenosaunee Round Dance]
15. Prophecy Song
Joanne Shenandoah (vocals, stomp dance)
Lawrence Laughing (vocals, percussion, stomp dance)
Tom Wasinger (wall harp, mouth bow, dulcimer, guitar, vocals, Native American flute, ocarina, percussion, autoharp, gopichand, bass, cittern, hammered tremoloa)
Mark McCoin (percussion, wooden & resonating stone slit drums, udu, wooden flute)
Link
pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com
