The Whole Music Experience

Kevin Yazzie Love (Songs of the Native American Church) Canyon Records Porcupine Singers Alowanpi-Songs of Honoring Lakota Classics: Past and Present, Vol. 1 Canyon Records I’ve reviewed Dinè songwriter Kevin Yazzie’s CDs in the past so I’m going to give a brief review of his latest, Love (Songs of the Native American Church ).    Similar to another Dinè traditional songwriter Louis Gonnie, Yazzie’s vocals possess a strong spiritual resonance, especially when he sings in the lower register.   He offers 7 sets of songs or sung prayers to life, his family, his children, and to love. Unlike some peyote song recordings, the water drum and shaker don't sound jarring here, but still creates a sacred atmosphere in which the singer delivers his harmonized vocals.   I’m listening to the first song set as I type this review and I feel alert instead of spaced out.   I find this recording accessible and someone who has never listened...

Chillon Paddock Zephyr (Peyote Songs of the Native American Church) Canyon Records Kevin Yazzie Hope Harmonized Peyote Songs of the Native American Church Canyon Records It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed Native American recordings for WME. The 2 most popular types of music read on this blog are traditional Native American and Brazilian, thus far. And as far as the indigenous recordings go, peyote and pow-wow songs attract much attention. I just received 3 new recordings from Canyon Records, but for review purposes and the sake of time, I will focus on the peyote song recordings. First, Chillon Paddock, a Dinè woman peyote song practitioner debuts on the label. She also painted the beautiful artwork that appears on the cover of Zephyr (Peyote Songs of the Native American Church), and she practices massage therapy. So you guessed it, her sets of peyote songs (each set contains 4 songs), provide deep healing potential. Her uncle Louie Gonnie Jr. (who I have revie...

Louie Gonnie Songs from the Sacred Circle Canyon Records Kevin Yazzie Faith Canyon Records I will admit these CDs have been patiently waiting for me to review them. While I find peyote songs relaxing, I do need to be in a certain frame of mind to listen to them. Songs of the Sacred Circle marks the third Louie Gonnie recording that has come my way. A member of the Dine Tribe of the American Southwest, Gonnie pulls his inspiration from the natural world and its healing energies. In the past, he has shown reverance for the mountains that reside in four cardinal directions. On this CD of peyote songs of the Native American Church, Gonnie again travels deep into the Spirits of the Earth. He provides his listeners with 8 sets of peyote songs, a soldier's lament (since many Native Americans have been sent off to fight in Iraq), and a track, called Rendition, also concerned with battles. Personally I feel sad, even broken hearted that so many youth are sent off to fight ...

Northern Cree and Friends Vol. 7 Dancin' 'Til Sunrise Canyon Records Cheever Toppah and Kevin Yazzie First Light (Harmonized Peyote Songs in Dinè and Kiowa) Canyon Records Verdell Primeaux with Terry Hanks Stories Told (Harmonized Peyote Songs) Canyon Records Elk Soldier The Elk Way (pow-wow songs recorded live at Green Bay) Canyon Records Thee Express Express Yourself (Chicken Scratch) Canyon Records Canyon Records just released a slew of recordings. Since it would take too long to review each CD individually, I am reviewing the CDs in a group. And there are some recordings that have not been included. So I encourage you to visit Canyon Records' web site to see for yourself what is available. Northern Cree have joined their First Nation friends to dance another night away. The pounding drums and hearty vocals appear to be in rhythm with the driving and relentless rain outside my window. It's as if the rain is using my roof as its o...