The Whole Music Experience

Louie Gonnie Pathway to Destiny Songs of Healing and Contemplation Canyon Records Native American traditional singer Louie Gonnie’s latest CD Pathway to Destiny begs to be listened to outdoors and near a body of water.   My intuition told met to take my portable player to the park and listen to Gonnie’s harmonized songs near the bay.   While I have not done this yet, I recommend this practice for anyone listening to this recording.   I tried to listen to the recording on my computer and it just didn’t make sense, given the titles and intent of the 14 prayer songs.  No, this recording begs for an outdoor listening experience. Gonnie pays homage to the natural world and the spirits that reside in this world.   He sings in a voice that ranges from bass to high baritone, while harmonizing with his own vocals.   If you listen to the recording through headphones, the reverb behind the vocals might conjure someone singing in a deep cave. ...

Cheevers Toppah Renewed Spirit Harmonized Church Hymns of the Kiowa Canyon Records Louie Gonnie Breathe Deep the Dusk Fall Songs of the Native American Church Canyon Records Antonio Woody Old Style Native American Peyote Songs Canyon Records I wrote an in depth article on the Native American Church and peyote songs several years ago which you can find on this blog (see links at the end of the review), so I’m not going into scholarly detail here. However, Kiowa Cheevers Toppah, Dinè Louie Gonnie represent the more prominent younger generation of harmonized peyote song singers recording these days. In fact, they’re prolific releasing at least one recording per year that showcases their talent and spiritual devotion. Antonio Woody, also from the Dinè people brings us the Native American peyote songs of his ancestors, performing them in the old style. While I’ve never ingested peyote myself or attended a Native American Church service, I will attest to the psychedel...

Louie Gonnie with Branson Emerson Rhythms Within a Turquoise Dream Peyote Songs of the Native American Church Canyon Records Rhythms Within a Turquoise Dream is the third CD by Louie Gonnie that I have heard and reviewed. I feel that Gonnie possesses some wonderful spiritual and musical gifts to share with the rest of us, and on his latest recording, he shares uplifting emotions from one of his dreams. He wrote in the liner notes, "The idea for this album came from a dream I had. I wanted to convey that dream through these songs. The dream made me feel good and that is why I made this recording." Gonnie, a Zuni-Dine tribal member and traditional musician grabs his inspiration from the natural world that surrounds him. On previous albums, mountains in four directions, and other natural elements inspired him. The peyote songs that appear here sport titles such as, Hopes and Dreams , Humming bird's Gift (I saw my first hummingbird of the year two days ago), ...

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 ...