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...

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...

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 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 ...