Native American Odyssey

Amazon.com
The goal of this Putumayo collection is to present contemporary music as rendered by indigenous peoples of the Americas--North, Central, and South. It succeeds as an appealing and diverse affair. While the 13-track package showcases a number of acts nobly seeking to preserve musical traditions in a contemporary world, the album's chief attractions lie in the modern spins several acts put on their musical heritage. The album's first six selections are the most intriguing, starting with a mystical folk rave, driven by acoustic guitar and passionate violin, as conjured up by members of Kashtin, a group spawned by the Montagnais Indians of Quebec. Their language, Innu, may be undecipherable to most, but the group's earnestness and urgency is easily comprehended. An Inuit (Eskimo) duo, Tudjaat, casts an Enya-like spell with the vocals of Madeline Allakariallak. Apache member Andrew Vasquez delivers an image-rich, spoken-word soliloquy, followed by rousing pop-folk from Mohican Bill Miller, followed next by an inventive blend of acoustic guitar, traditional flute, and percussion from the Ute trio Burning Sky. As the album stretches to Central and South America, the selections become more traditional and perhaps not quite as bewitching to modern listeners. The cheerful interplay of pipes, charango, and handclaps on "Tema de Maimara" from Peru's Los Incas is a charmer for sure, yet it is this noteworthy project's earlier tracks that leave the most lasting impressions. --Terry Wood

Native American Odyssey,Various Artists,Putumayo World Music,Int'l & World Music,Native American,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating: Will Putumayo return to Native American music? Great! Simply excellent A Real Jewel Mellow

A Native American Odyssey: Inuit to Inca Various Artists Manufacturer: Putumayo World Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Native American | North America | International | Styles | Music General | North America | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music North America | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music International | Putumayo World Music Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Mediterranean Odyssey: Athens To Andalucia Music From the Tea Lands Islands Celtic Tides Putumayo Presents: South Pacific Islands ASIN: B00000DFED Release Date: 1998-11-10

Tracks:

1. Akua Tuta - Kashtin
2. Qingauiit - Tudjaat
3. Wind River - Andrew Vasquez
4. Ghost Dance - Bill Miller
5. Native Funk - Burning Sky
6. Nendaa-Go Back - Jerry Alfred & The Medicine Beat
7. La Tortuga - Jaramar
8. Ni' Bixi Dxi Zina - Binni Gula'za
9. Araruna - Marlui Miranda
10. Vale Do Javari - Regional Vermello E Branco
11. Tema De Maimara - Los Incas
12. Chayantenita - Bolivia Manta
13. Ollantay - Expresion

Amazon.com

The goal of this Putumayo collection is to present contemporary music as rendered by indigenous peoples of the Americas--North, Central, and South. It succeeds as an appealing and diverse affair. While the 13-track package showcases a number of acts nobly seeking to preserve musical traditions in a contemporary world, the album's chief attractions lie in the modern spins several acts put on their musical heritage. The album's first six selections are the most intriguing, starting with a mystical folk rave, driven by acoustic guitar and passionate violin, as conjured up by members of Kashtin, a group spawned by the Montagnais Indians of Quebec. Their language, Innu, may be undecipherable to most, but the group's earnestness and urgency is easily comprehended. An Inuit (Eskimo) duo, Tudjaat, casts an Enya-like spell with the vocals of Madeline Allakariallak. Apache member Andrew Vasquez delivers an image-rich, spoken-word soliloquy, followed by rousing pop-folk from Mohican Bill Miller, followed next by an inventive blend of acoustic guitar, traditional flute, and percussion from the Ute trio Burning Sky. As the album stretches to Central and South America, the selections become more traditional and perhaps not quite as bewitching to modern listeners. The cheerful interplay of pipes, charango, and handclaps on "Tema de Maimara" from Peru's Los Incas is a charmer for sure, yet it is this noteworthy project's earlier tracks that leave the most lasting impressions. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Will Putumayo return to Native American music?.......2006-06-16

When Putumayo launched its odyssey series,its first couple of tries weren't the best.I give them the benefit of the doubt.They were newcomers to world music,and one of the first world music labels.

This album has some highlights-Jaramar has a haunting song about the mystical turtle,Marlui Miranda has talent,Tudjaat is enchanting,and Andrew Vasquez,Bill Miller&Burning Sky meld Native American traditions with contemporary folk.The rest is quite repetitive (the same problem I had with "Cairo to Casablanca:A North African Odyssey")

I'm surprised this album is still in print.While Putumayo still explores Latin American&Brazilian music,it's too bad it hasn't gone back to Native American music in the interim.Perhaps some time in the future.I hope they go back to this genre;there's plenty to listen to!It's not just Carlos Nakai.

Great!.......2002-08-09

Excellent way to get turned on to many new artists at once. Not a dud on the CD. : )

Simply excellent.......2002-03-10

Didn't know quite what to expect and bought it just to see. The music is very varied and original. Some very beautiful pieces in diverse languages. Highly recommended.

A Real Jewel.......2002-01-07

Let me tell you, this is a real jewel. It is an excellent introduction to the contemporary music of Native America, or a great addition to your collection if your interested. One of the great things about this is that it takes Native American music from across both continents. Too often I've seen Native American music CDs that ignore Latin American Indians completely. This one is an excellent break from that and includes Native American musicians from almost every region, ranging from Alaska and Canada, into the United States, down to Mexico, into the Amazon and over to the Andes.
The musicians on this album are all top notch. Among them, include legendary flutist Bill Miller, Marlui Miranda, who incorporates Amazonian tribal music with modern music, the hauntingly beautiful duo of Tudjaat and the Incan pan pipes of Bolivia Manta. Most of the songs, such as "Vale do Jauari", "Akua Tuta", "Nendaa - Go Back", and "Ni'bixi dxi Zina", have a wonderful ephemeral sound to them. Simply breath taking. I cannot over emphasize how wonderful this CD is.

Mellow.......1999-12-25

I bought this CD antiscipating another "Sacred Spirit" album but what it lacks in intensity it makes up for in diversity. The style is more Joanne Shenandoah with soft country than flute and drum music. What is important about this album is how it is an authentic synergie of the western influence upon indigenous peoples lives. It may not appeal to purists who are expecting the fiery vocals of defiance from "Sacred Spirit" because most of the songs from the North American Native peoples are sung in English on this album However it has its own quiet dignity none the less.

Average customer rating: Buffy's Best Great songs; less than ideal format

Native North American Child: An Odyssey Buffy Sainte-Marie Manufacturer: Vanguard Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Revival | Folk | Styles | Music Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Folk | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Buffy Sainte-Marie Coincidence & Likely Stories The Best of Buffy Sainte-Marie, Vol. 2 Up Where We Belong Illuminations ASIN: B00003W8BR Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

1. Now That The Buffalo's Gone
2. Isketayo Sewow (Cree Call)
3. He's An Indian Cowboy In The Rodeo
4. Poppies
5. It's My Way
6. Moonshot
7. Soldier Blue
8. Way, Way, Way
9. The Piney Wood Hills
10. My Country 'Tis Of Thy People You're Dying
11. Native North American Child
12. Little Wheel Spin And Spin

Customer Reviews:

Buffy's Best.......2000-05-28

If you haven't heard of Buffy then this is a great starter with a wide selection from her original Vanguard Studio Albums of the 1960s-70s.

You'll take a trip through a variety of genres from her haunting Native North American Sounds, Folk Roots, 70s Orchestrations, Controversial Soundtracks (ie Soldier Blue), Nashville Country and Unreleased Bonus Tracks.

The Ultimate Surprise was to hear a Remastered, Cleaned up version of her European Hit song 'Soldier Blue' from her album She used to wanna be a Ballerina. That alone is wonderful !

Great songs; less than ideal format.......2000-02-14

This compilation album was released by Vanguard after Buffy Sainte-Marie had left the label. Its main appeal for her most ardent fans is the inclusion of two tracks previously not released on CD. Also, the sound quality of "Soldier Blue" is slightly (though only slightly) better than on the "She Used to Wanna be a Ballerina" CD release.

The song selections are less scattershot than Vanguard's two other Buffy Sainte-Marie compilations ("Best of, Vols. 1 & 2"), but Sainte-Marie's 1996 "Up Where We Belong" CD, featuring new recordings of some of her best work, is a more nuanced retrospective.

Pop Music:

1. New World Party
2. Non Stop Non Stop
3. Ojitos Lindos
4. Old School Zydeco
5. Only the Strong Survive
6. Pagode In New York [Live]
7. Per un Amico [Import] [Limited Edition]
8. Primavera 2002 [Import]
9. Quella Vecchina Locanda [Import]
10. Quicksilver Messenger Service [Import]

Pop Music