Customer Reviews

AKA Grafitti Man

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

John Trudell's music is difficult to categorize. The lyrics are spoken rather than sung, but they are integrated into the music so that they have the feel of songs rather than poems set to music. The musical backing is tough, spare, gritty alt-rock. Trudell's spoken vocals are never less than compelling, and on a few cuts there are choruses sung by members of his band. The main appeal though is clearly the lyrical content. Trudell is an extremely smart, articulate, radical Native-American activist, and his songs lash out at various targets - corporate greed, political corruption, middle-class complacency, sexism, militarism, etc., seldom failing to hit their mark. The stand-out track is "Bombs Over Baghdad", a searing condemnation of the 1992 war with Iraq set to a propulsive rock beat, and listening to it today (October 2002), one cannot help but think that it is even more true now than then. Sample lyric: "New world order is an old world lie. Fighting for peace, see how they die. Dragging in God, as they turn violent. God says nothing, he just remains silent." I also really like "Baby Boom Che", which is about how Elvis Presley first began (unwittingly) to sow seeds of counter-culturalism in the 50's. John Trudell's music will appeal to those who are pre-disposed to respond to his politically-left point of view, to those with a particular interest in Native American culture, and to those who enjoy literate, passionate rock 'n' roll. I'd think that fans of New York junkie poet/rocker Jim Carroll would be likely to like Trudell, as these two artists are actually very similar, although their lyrical concerns are worlds apart.

Trudell has renewed the spirits of social justice concerning the state of Native Americans and all Americans in general. The idea that music should speak to the issues near and dear to all of us---war, poverty, racism, and economic justice---comes alive again with this work. The dream still lives and hope carrys on. Trudell has been there and done that--he has more than earned his due. The musical genious of Trudell is never more apparent than "Graffiti Man." Thanks brother John for the excellent work. Now let's get brother Peltier out of the depths of hell and make President Clinton promise to do better as he promised in 1992

If you have not yet listened to John Trudell, you are missing out. If you have any interest in contemporary Native American music you MUST get your hands on some. If you have any interest in powerfull, truthfull, poetry set to well written and played music you NEED to get your hands on some. I got "Blue Indians" by accident (see my review there) and fell in love. This is my second CD by John and the review below is right, I'm on my way to owning them all. It's hard to pick a favorite song, although "Bombs Over Baghdad" grabbed me immediately. This stuff goes beyond its birth as "Native American" to become truth that touches us all.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that this is the last recording made by Jesse Ed Davis before his death. J.E.D.,one of the world's greatest guitarists, and -absolutely- the world's most under-known great rock/country/blues/ guitarist. A must-have.

john trudell was recommended to me many years ago by a friend when i said i loved lou reed.I've bought everthing since---including some stuff only available on cassette.He NEVER disappoints and should be heard by everybody.

A spoken-word approach (it has music and backing vocals) and somewhat Native American (it's all in English). He's pretty good at it, really hitting it with "Grafitti Man" and "Wildfires". Interesting and novel, it's hard to imagine he would be without an audience.

One thing all followers and fans of John Trudell have in common is that they do not (and simply cannot) own only one of his albums. They, to a person, have them all. This first commercial release tells you why. The album is, quite simply, 54 minutes and 19 seconds of unadulterated truth, and you will discover, as Rolling Stone Magazine did in their review of this, "the truth rocks"! When Dylan toured with the Grateful Dead back in 1986, this is the album he insisted be played in the arenas prior to the beginning of the show. He told anyone within earshot that Trudell was writing stuff other artists can only dream of doing. This album has NO weak link. All compositions are solid and meaningful. If you need an introduction into Trudell's works, this is it.

This is an incredible album. 1/3 great rock, 1/3 poetry from someone who has felt and observed more than most of us will in a lifetime, 1/6 absolutely irresistible nouveau Native American rhythms, and 1/6 meditation. Trudell is one of a kind; absolutely fabulous!

John Trudell's written poetry is so good it made me cry. His music... not so much.