Customer Reviews

Coincidence & Likely Stories

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This should have been a major comeback album for Buffy Sainte-Marie when it was first released back in 1992. Although it was favorably reviewed in several music publications, it sank with hardly a trace. This is a shame, because it is not only one of Buffy's finest hours, it is a great record, period. There is not a single dull moment in the set, for one, and the best of Buffy's own songs, "The Big Ones Get Away," "Fallen Angels," "Starwalker," and the one cover, Cliff Eberhardt's "Goodnight," are, plain and simple, just gorgeous. There is an incredible fusion here of voice, content and musical accompaniment, most all of it created and performed in Buffy's own studio, with many of the instruments played by her, rarely matched by any other singer/songwriter, save for maybe Joni Mitchell, Bjo'rk, or Tori Amos. However, Sainte-Marie is a true original, and sounds like no one else. Returning to the content, the political stuff, much of it aimed at big, corporate targets, hit the bull's eye back when these songs were composed, but if anything, it is all even more relevant now..."The Priests of the Golden Bull," a mostly spoken rant about corporate greed, with spooky music in the background, is hair-raising, and "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" is Buffy at her most angry. "Bad End" rocks hard, while "I'm Going Home," "We're Only Getting Started," and "Starwalker" use real Native American chanting to great effect (Ironwood Singers, Earl Bullhead, and others). Buffy's voice has mellowed with age, and the trademark vibrato is used more selectively than in earlier years, so even those put off by her odd voice in the past may warm to it now (this last comment is not negative criticism on my part; I always found her voice strangely beautiful, and I own copies of all her recordings in one form or another). This is a five-star album all the way, but then, so are many of Buffy's others. If only "Sweet America" and "Changing Woman" would come out on CD! I'm still waiting for those (and keeping my vinyl copies in safe storage). For those of you reading this who are interested, "Starwalker" exists in an even better performance on "Sweet America," but since that album is currently unavailable, the version here will do nicely.

This CD has the greatest music Buffy has ever recorded. Songs like Starwalker, Burry my heart in Wounded Knee, Fallen Angels are amazing. The music is well produced with synthesizers, accoustic and electric instrumentation, and occasionaly Pow Pow singers. It boggles my mind that the music industry did push this CD for Radio airplay. They would have sold a gazillion copies. "Goodnight" is a favorite song for my 2 year old song to go to sleep to. Buy this CD for yourself or even better yet buy it as a gift for a friend. You can't go wrong.

There are songs on various Buffy Ste.-Marie albums that are favorite singles, but this album is the pinnacle of her career and a unique contribution to popular music, comparable to Paul Simon's explorations of international music (Rhythm of the Saints, etc.).

Every cut on this album is clearly "Indian," from the political screed of "Gold Bull" to the painful portrait in "Emma Lee" and the footstomping exuberance of "Starwalker." That's not to say the album tries to embrace the entirety of American Indian experience, but that she has written an entire album of mainstream music that is planted firmly in Indian America.

There are only a handful of "rock musicians" who are likely to be remembered for their art in the next century. Buffy Ste.-Marie is one of them, and this is her best album. Out of print for years; grab it now.

I've always respected and admired the work of this woman both in and outside the music world. I had her album Illuminations back in 69 and it was on the edge of experimental in an extremely experimental time. I loved that album for its uniqueness. Ofcourse I love the quiver in Buffys voice, but my wife hates that, so decide if you like a voice that injects a quiver from time to time. On this album she quivers less and isn't off on any experimental tangent. This is just a more straightforward musical presentation of well written and delivered songs. I like the rockin rebellion of Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee the best. I play that over and over. I also like the native chants in Starwalker. As usual there are political messages in several songs which I appreciate. Luckily for me, since I don't like country music, she didn't do the usual mix of country here. There are some good softer rock/pop type ballads here. I'm glad I found this and recommend it. By the way Buffy has a new album coming out in late 08 or early 09. Can't wait for it.

Buffy Sainte-Marie is a ground-breaking legendary artist still going strong who shot to stardom as a unique original in the great musical sixties...forward to the bland musical 90's to this masterful collection which takes one on a fascinating musical journey beyond compare & this mesmerizing collection mostly penned by this musical genius should have been a major "Grammy Award" winner & would have been huge if given deserved exposure...rocking, haunting, funky & deeply soulful magical gems feed the mind and satisfy the soul & with a few pays this musical kaleidoscope is totally addictive...timeless classic & brilliant completely original work is a keeper to be enjoyed over and over and no need to go in to individual song descriptions as they are all incredibly great and memorable! Thank you Buffy Sainte-Marie for a wondrous musical treasure!!!

Coincidence & Likely Stories is Buffy's best album. Shame that it was out of print so long. Sung from a Native perspective of what has happened in this country, "Third worlders see it first...", and musically based on Native music which provides most of the background. This album ranks up with John Trudell's AKA Grafitti Man in telling it how it is. Really a beautiful album!

I loved this recent CD I have all of her LP's now converting to CD's.
I love them all.

I hope everyone buys this album. Buffy at her best. And now you can buy it in the U.S. instead of only in England. You can't go wrong with this album.

Amy, the album you are looking for is Sweet America by Buffy. It came out in 1976 and the song your are referring to is
"Qu'appelle Valley, Saskatchewan. The lyrics are:
You can travel all alone
You can travel all alone
Or you can come along with me
Walk the old way
heyo ha heya

Wrap me in your blanket dance me around
Wrap me in your blanket dance me around
Take me back to where my heart belongs
Qu'appelle Valley, ho Saskatchewan
Qu'appelle Valley, ho Saskatchewan

You can travel all alone
You can travel all alone
Or you can come along with me
Walk the old way
heyo ha heya

track length 3:21
Hope this helps.

The entire cd can be listened to multiple times. A must have for a Buffy Sainte-Marie lover. My favorites include "The Big Ones Get Away," "Starwalker"
"The Priest of the Golden Bull," "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" and "I'm Coming Home" Enjoy!!!