Tribal Fires: Contemporary Native American Music

Amazon.com
This collection of Native American music manages to avoid a lot of the problems common in compilations of this type. It lacks the new-age trappings of too much reverb and electronic "nature sounds." It focuses, instead, on contemporary songwriters with modern themes. Featured artists include Gerry Alfred, Robert Mirabal, Quiltman and Joanne Shenandoah, each of whom contribute strong tracks to the set. There are some techno attempts that fall pretty flat, with processed voices of tribal elders (this is supposed to give it a dream effect, I guess) and some hip-hop references that just don't work. But the tranquil beauty of Shenandoah and Quiltman, and the rhythmic groove of Mirabal more than counter the effect. --Louis Gibson

Tribal Fires: Contemporary Native American Music,Various Artists,Earthbeat,Ethnic Fusion,Int'l & World Music,Native American,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating: Some really good stuff A solid collection Shake up your workday!

Tribal Fires: Contemporary Native American Music Various Artists Manufacturer: Earthbeat ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Native American | North America | International | Styles | Music General | North America | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tribal Waters: Music From Native Americans Tribal Winds: Music From Native American Flutes Tribal Legends Sacred Spirit: Chants and Dances of the Native Americans Songs from Native Americans ASIN: B000003459 Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

1. Wash Your Spirit Clean - Walela
2. Pelly Song - Jerry Alfred
3. Wabakii Niizh - Jani Lauzon
4. Witch Hunt - Robert Mirabel
5. My House Is The Red Earth - Joy Harjo & Poetic Justice
6. For Our Ancestors - Keith Secola
7. Mahk Jchi - Ulali
8. Mo' Bridge South Dakota - Lunar Drive
9. Crazy Horse - Quitman
10. Kaluhyanu: Wes - Joanne Shenandoah
11. Across The River - Andrew Vasquez
12. Neon Sky - Songcatchers
13. Buffalo Moon - Brule

Amazon.com

This collection of Native American music manages to avoid a lot of the problems common in compilations of this type. It lacks the new-age trappings of too much reverb and electronic "nature sounds." It focuses, instead, on contemporary songwriters with modern themes. Featured artists include Gerry Alfred, Robert Mirabal, Quiltman and Joanne Shenandoah, each of whom contribute strong tracks to the set. There are some techno attempts that fall pretty flat, with processed voices of tribal elders (this is supposed to give it a dream effect, I guess) and some hip-hop references that just don't work. But the tranquil beauty of Shenandoah and Quiltman, and the rhythmic groove of Mirabal more than counter the effect. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Some really good stuff.......2004-01-31

This is a collection of previously published songs. Some of it is the typical New Agey sacarin from the likes of Walela and Shenandoah. Pee-yoo. Some of it is truly marvelous. Lunar Drive is incredible, awesome, magnificent. I'd never heard of them and now I'm searching for anything else they've written. I feel so lucky to have found Joy Harjo - her work is touching, transcendant, traditional, and deeply meaningful. Songcatchers blew me away. The song by Robert Mirabal is a disappointment - get Indians Indians and hear his best.

A solid collection.......2001-02-03

Most compilations or samplers like this one tend to be spotty at best, with a few good tracks surrounded by a lot of mediocre music. Not so with "Tribal Fires" - every single song is outstanding in its own right, and they actually function together quite well, making this seem like an actual album rather than a collection. Despite the range of styles represented and emotions conveyed here, there is not a downbeat or depressing track on the entire CD. It also offers a good introduction to contemporary Native American music. My personal favorites are the pieces by Jerry Alfred ("Pelly Song"), Joy Harjo ("My House is the Red Earth"), Quiltman ("Crazy Horse") and the Songcatchers ("Neon Sky"). Nevertheless, the entire CD is truly remarkable, I highly recommend it.

Shake up your workday!.......2001-01-11

Osiyo! Tired of that same old, new age "pow-wow the indian boy" type of native american flute music - what I call "Indian Light"? Tribal Fires is Electric with the power of contemporary Native American artists from many traditions, and moves you from one energizing piece to another. You can feel the air move through your eagle feathers as you soar through mountain passes with the heartbeat of the Mother's drum in your ears, only to find yourself stirring the smog between skyscrapers where taxi horns intermingle with ancient chants. Music which honors our ancestors, our nation and our power... this recording will have you bouncing in front of your computer, even late into the afternoon!

Pop Music:

1. Tribal Voices: Music from Native Americans
2. United We Stand
3. Vicky & Lovy Du Zaire [Import]
4. Voices Across the Canyon, Vol. 4
5. Zydeco Dynamite: The Clifton Chenier Anthology
6. Zydeco Force
7. #1 de #1
8. 1966/1967/1968
9. A Forca De Zumbi [Import]
10. A Tombeau Puvert [Import]

Pop Music