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Showing posts from September 20, 2009

In review--Poly-phon-y

Alex E. Smith, Cheevers Toppah & Nitanas Landry Rain in July (Native American Vocal Harmony) Canyon Records Barbara Furtuna In Santa Pace (Polyphonies Corses) Buda Musique (France) As far as I know, Rain in July is Alex E. Smith, Cheevers’ Toppah’s and Nitanas Landry’s follow-up to the Native American trio’s Harmony Nights (2007). The Native American vocal harmonies that appear on Rain in July sound as lush as an alpine valley. These gifted vocalists weave their voices into tight harmonies while mostly singing vocables. However, a few of the love songs supply lyrics sung in English. The most remarkable aspect of this trio is the inclusion of a female vocalist, Nitanas Landry who hails from Canada. Usually when you hear Native American harmonies, they involve two men vocalists. While the harmonies possess beauty in their own right, adding the feminine voice brings in a sacred balance that resonates well with the earth, and certainly wi