The Whole Music Experience

Cheevers Toppah True Melodies Harmonized Songs from the Heart of Native America Canyon Records Native American traditional singer Cheevers Toppah (Kiowa/Navajo), captured my attention several years ago with his solo and collaborative efforts with Alex E. White and Nitanis Landry ( Harmony Nights , Canyon Records).   Similar to other Native American men vocalists, Toppah’s voice glides effortlessly between bass and baritone, while bringing soothing timbre to his harmonized songs.   As any singer will tell you singing a cappella and harmonizing with their self provides challenges, especially in the area of intonation.   Toppah’s training as a choral singer along with his years of honing Native American vocal traditions brings us a confident singer with a powerfully healing voice.   There are no shortages of healing voices on Canyon Records or among Native American musicians in general, Toppah joins the cream of the crop while also bringing his int...

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...

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...