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June Movie Review Native American Music In keeping with Socrates’ recent summaries of Savages of Gor and Blood Brothers of Gor, I am reviewing my CD picks from Native American music to listen to while re-reading those two Gor series books. I try to attend the annual Pow-Wow in Denver. I am probably the only white guy in the crowd who does NOT claim to be “part Cherokee.” I love the dancing and the regalia and the vendors. As a Boy Scout, I was a member of the local Order of the Arrow dance troupe, and we would dance with the Native American dancers on certain occasions. I can therefore follow the traditional dancing with a somewhat-knowledgeable eye, while I just sit and enjoy the modern “fancy dancing.” This year. I was especially impressed with three of the drum groups, and I decided to purchase CDs. I came away with Straight from tha Rez by The Bad Nation Singers and Young Bird Midnite Express Southern and Northern Style Pow-Wow Songs by Young Bird and Midnite Express. I continue to be happy with my purchases. Young Bird Midnite Express is solidly traditional. It is everything that should be expected. Young Bird performs intertribal songs, while Midnite Express performs war songs. The CD alternates between the intertribal and the war songs. Young Bird, a Grammy nominee from Oklahoma, and Midnite Express, from Minnesota, are each composed of members of various tribes. You just couldn’t ask for for a better portrayal of consistent talent. The Bad Nation Singers, composed of Lakota members, speak to me in a different way. The style of singing is distinct from that of Young Bird and Midnite Express, and I frankly prefer it. There is no guarantee when it comes to musical taste, so my delight in the style exemplified by The Bad Nation Singers may or may not reflect your reaction. The “hook” for me comes in part from the high notes and in part from the updating that The Bad Nation Singers provide. When I was dancing, and here we’re talking about 1969-1972, there would from time to time be attempts to update the words to the traditional music. One of the more infamous examples was the English-language piece converted into a chant: “Ev'ry time I go to town / the boys all kick my dog around. / Makes no diff'rence if he’s a hound, / they ought not kick my dog around. / Hey-ya, Hey-ya, Hey-ya Ho! / Hey-ya, Hey-ya, Hey-ya Ho!” Non-traditional lyrics from the younger folks pissed-off some of the elders, perhaps intentionally so. There was a feeling that chants/songs should not be modernized as to theme, at least in the part of Washington state where I was growing up. The Bad Nation Singers make that transition official. One of the songs is Kruzin’ Kooz, and on first blush you would never guess that said song does not date from the 1880s. Any group that can do that successfully gets my wholehearted support. There has to be a place for traditional expressions to reflect changes in society and give voice to contemporary concerns. Music has to be able to let generations hold hands in mutual respect. Straight from tha Rez Bad Nation Drum Song Young Bird Midnite Express Southern and Northern Style Pow-Wow Songs Intertribal Happy Listening! I wish you well, Hersius |
