Heartbeat: Voices of First Nations Women

Heartbeat (Series) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 1995)
• Original Release Date: June 19, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000001DKR
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,355 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Powerful living music from Native women in the United States and Canada includes performances rarely heard beyond these artists’ communities. Ceremonial and social songs traditionally sung by women, other music now performed by women, and material that combines traditional and contemporary themes and musical forms. 34 selections present a seamless range of solo, choral, and instrumental pieces, forming pulsating and driving music, the heart of Indian Country. "A majestic offering." –Entertainment Weekly

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding CD, January 5, 2004

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Heartbeat: Voices of First Nations Women (Audio CD)

This CD is a must if you enjoy Native American music, dance and culture. Although most of the material is relatively short, it allows the CD to be filled with music representing almost every region or "culture area" of North America and a wide range of styles and periods, from contemporary to traditional and pretty much everything in between. Again, as I said this is excellent for authentic Native American music, but you should really be aware of what to expect before rushing out to get this CD. Powwow music can be rough on western ears at first. Once you get used to it though you'll really like it.

Theres a couple songs by the contemporary artists like Ulali (Cherokee) and Joanne Shenandoah (Iroquois) on here which are really great to listen to, along with Lakhota and Pueblo flute songs, love songs of the Ojibwa, social dances of the Iroquois and traditional Dine (Navajo) and Pueblo songs. Beyond that, theres also some more unusual and obscure stuff, like Betty Mae Jumper (former chief of the Seminole Nation of Florida) performing traditional Seminole songs and gospel, and Nancy Richardson (Karok IIRC) performing several songs of the Indians of northern California, including the Kick Dance which was used to initiate shaman.

Theres lots more too, including a Buffy Sainte-Marie's interesting (but quite enjoyable) mix of northern Plains style music with modern pop/rock. Overall, I cannot recommend this CD enough. Even though it only dwells on a small part of Native American music (that performed by women and even then limited to North America) it still does a wonderful job of sampling the diversity. More obscure stuff, such as that of the Nations of California and the Southeast, is included alongside contemporary and traditional music of the Plains, the Southwest and the north, so theres a really good mix. Obviously not everything was covered, but its still a nice introduction. Check it out.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautfiul album!, March 1, 2010

By 

Sonia M. Rosen "Sonia Rosen" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Heartbeat: Voices of First Nations Women (Audio CD)

I love this album, and we listen to it as I'm putting my 6-month-old daughter to sleep most nights. One of the songs, Mother (by Ulali), completely hypnotizes her and can get her to sleep and keep her asleep when I put it on repeat. What a lovely album.

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this CD!, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Heartbeat: Voices of First Nations Women (Audio CD)

Highly recommended! I don't know how I found it but I did and I really enjoy listening to it. There is nothing else like it and it will introduce you to many musicians and singers, including the amazing contemoprary group Ulali.