Native American Music

[dave quam]

I know nothing about this. Does anyone? Love some recommendations.

[mudd]

smithsonian folkways has a massive catalog covering north and south american natives, but i can't really think of any specific entries that stand out. assuming you're looking for north american specifically, maybe check out the following:

http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails.aspx?itemid=733" onclick= "window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails ... temid=2302" onclick= "window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails ... temid=1243" onclick= "window.open(this.href);return false;

assuming canada still counts, there's this awesome disc of inuit throat singing that i can't remember right now. remind me sometime when i'm home and i'll dig around on my hard drive a little. no promises there, though, as i lost a chunk of stuff earlier this month. will see.

m

[surfer]

There is a lot of stuff that falls under the umbrella of Native American music, everything from new age flute music, to Buffy St Marie, to Robbie Robertson Red Road Ensemble, to field recordings, or contemporary drum groups. Even though I have a MA in Native American literature and linguistics from the UArizona, I really only have interest in the later, which is certainly not for everybody. You really need to see it (a drum group) in person to feel its power and drive. Nevertheless, this is a great recording which comes close to capturing it:



If you like this, and are interested in more, I can give you more recs, but this is my favorite drum group recording.

[franz bieberkopf]

welcome to the continent's blindspot.

population: nearly everyone.

aside for the aformentioned Sainte Marie and Robertson... the other recommendation i am capable of giving is for Tanya Tagaq Gillis--an inuit throat-singer whose work often crosses into polyphonic experimental territory. pretty interesting.
i think Karen Dalton may have at least a partial indigenous background.
any Buffy albums worth hearing aside from Illuminations?

[RFKorp]

I believe they like to be called American Indians. or sometimes First Americans.

After all, I'm a native American, damnit.

But, um. Since everyone else is going to suggest more "traditional" music, I'm just gonna come out and say you need to listen to a little Raven Chacon.

[psychedelic tickle]

I have also gained interest in music like this, but not strictly Native American. I'm just looking to find tribal music. I heard Yoshimi P-We mention in an interview that what got her into music was something entitled "The Heart of the Forest" by the Baca Pygmy Tribe, which I am unable to find.

[surfer]

I believe they like to be called American Indians. or sometimes First Americans.

People I studied with and those professors in the American Indian Studies Dept at the UofArizona used all three of those terms freely. As well as just 'injin'. Most prefer to simply be referred to by their tribal affiliations.

[RFKorp]

I believe they like to be called American Indians. or sometimes First Americans.

Most prefer to simply be referred to by their tribal affiliations.

Yes. This. It's the most accurate after all.

[kevin]

any Buffy albums worth hearing aside from Illuminations?

everything else i have heard is better than illuminations.
"It's my way" is a gem. her version of cod'ine is tops.

[dave quam]

so should i make an individual thread for each tribe?

Alright ill make myself more clear...

traditional music from the people europe stole north america from. All regions.

I guess non-traditional music can work too as long as it has a reason to be in here.

Definitely interested in mexico, south america and central america too, but ill leave that for another thread.

Canada certainly counts.

Thanks.

[grisha]

I believe they like to be called American Indians. or sometimes First Americans.

Most prefer to simply be referred to by their tribal affiliations.

Yes. This. It's the most accurate after all.

"Yes, he happens to be a dwarf. Or midget. I don't know what he's called exactly. But, uh, he's a little guy. Little Billy Barty. God rest. But thin fingers. Not the fat sausage fingers.

"Little people." That's what they like.

Yes. Uh, right. Little people."

[patois]

The Inuit vocal-games mentioned above are fascinating to listen to - there is a sector on UBUWEB entitled 'ethnopoetics' that has free-downloadable recordings of this pastime you might check out.

I have a heard a few recordings of native american music, but what i''ve heard tends to be badly recorded and with that, part of me feels its shouldn't and isn't meant to be recorded... but all the same many a rewarding experience to be had (probably even more so if you can join in, eh)

[Dohol]

Surfer's right, to experience Native American music go to a powwow ( yeah, that's what they're called ) and attend a drum circle..

The problem with wading through all the recordings of this stuff, is that it's been pre-opted by be most base, hideous practitioners of "New Age" music...

[RFKorp]

so should i make an individual thread for each tribe?

I'm sorry. It was just sort of an irresistible tangent.

[Jesse]

Dave, I can't help with recorded Indian music, sorry.
I wanted to say that I attended a half dozen powwows about ten years ago. Minnesota and Wisconsin include immense reservation land, powwows around these parts are easily attended. The drum circle experience is mind altering. You can feel the drums and voices enter your body. The Oneida tribe owns a big hunk of land just outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin. They maintain a large grounds for outdoor powwows. I attended the 24th anniversary powwow on that land 10 years ago. I can't convey the power of that chant-song.
I don't know where you live, Dave, but I highly endorse your attending a powwow. And best of luck with your search.
(Apropos of nothing, I discovered the Diplo/Radioclit mix tape on your blog that has an Indian chant as rhythmic underpinning, very cool. Best use of M.I.A. yet).

[Dohol]

Minnesota and Wisconsin include immense reservation land, powwows around these parts are easily attended.

Michigan's much the same, though the reservation land is mostly in the Upper Peninsula. Grand Rapids ( my former home ) has a very large urban Native American population...Powwows were a regular occurrence.


Those drums..

[dave quam]

I live in Chicago but most of my family lives in wisconsin so I'm up there often. Ill have to check one out. Thanks!