Customer Reviews

Heron Smiled

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
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The best pop music of yesteryear had a way of moving us and making us think in ways that became integrated into our consciousness. This disk by Annie Humphrey proves that music that is alive with its own heartbeat of meaning can still be counted as a vital force in today's video driven world of fast food pop and Humphrey's simple style of emotional honesty coupled with music that is at once melodic and upbeat demonstrates how pop music does not need to be so narrowly focused in order to become a viable part of pop culture.

With its combination of ringing folk/rock guitar and violin coupled with drumming and Native American flute, Humphrey's disk is clearly geared towards the contemporary folk/rock market, however; it is the simple honest arrangement and lyrical message of Humphrey's music that ultimately sets the disk apart from much of the singer songwriter music that is being churned out these days.

Although Humphrey's music comes from a Native American perspective, her themes are universal: "See Her", a song about a single mother trying to survive, could be about the struggle of every woman who has found herself carrying this heavy burden alone. "DNA", with its lyric, "Who thought of teaching Johnny's soul the color of God's skin..." speaks to how oppressor's throughout the ages have used God to justify their means and could be a song for anyone who has ever felt the sting of religious bigotry.

Why Humphrey's music is not being played on radio stations across the Country is a mystery. Unlike most of today's bubble-headed pop queens and foul mouthed bad boys, Humphrey actually has something to say. Unfortunately it is the fact that she does have something to say that may be the very thing that is keeping her off of the airways. Sadly, in this world of slickly produced homogenized pop, there appears to be little room for lyrical thought and this disk, with its perfect example of how pop music can move and satisfy the soul is in a sense a throwback to the days when pop music still meant something.

That said, this disk should have wide appeal for those who listen to and like artists like Shawn Colvin, Ani DeFranco, or Sarah McLachlan, and if the radio friendly sound of songs like "Spirit Horses", "DNA", and "Falling Down and Falling Apart" fail to make in today's music mainstream it is only because popular culture has lost its heartbeat.

Annie Humphrey is the most important new artist of the 21st century. Her music and her message have more depth and meaning than the first three Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Joni Mitchell albums combined.
These are not just songs. These are revelations!
The song "500 Years" is a contemporary folk masterpiece of epic proportions. In just eight minutes, this one song describes the entire history of the saddest story in America over the past "500 Years", the near extinction of Native America.
Co-written with John Trudell, Carson Gardener, and others, "The Heron Smile" is a classic album and truly, "One for the Ages"! Thank you Annie for providing us all with something we rarely hear anymore, the truth! -Peace-

Did you ever have a fantasy about having a fantasy?

When music is really done right, it eliminates everything that is extraneous and becomes it's own reality.

The first time I heard "Spirit Horses", I was driving in Atlanta. Within 30 seconds, I had to pull off to the side of the road because I could no longer concentrate on driving. I had to absorb everything about this incredibly mesmerizing tune, and about that time, the visions took over.

I suddenly realized that I was on horseback in Southern Utah, and I was vividly reliving an experience I'd had 10 years before. It was late in the afternoon in October, and I could see the ghosts of the people who lived there for thousands of years before.

It was hard to really say where one fantasy ended and the other began.

But the point is, that Annie Humphrey's songs had that kind of a powerful, immediate effect.

Her songs are hardhitting and honest, but at the same time, they also project optimism and strength. Unlike a lot of "folkies", she doesn't whine or condemn... no excuses, but a lot of pride.

She sings about real people and real issues, and though they have a Native American perspective, her songs can describe universal emotions.

Want to hear some real music with lyrical content that has meaning. Listen to this. This is not country music. It sounds like "relevant" music to me. Great folk songs, and rock that harkens back to the deeper stuff written in the sixties. If you are tired of the mindless drivel that takes up 99.9% of the airwaves today listen to this Ojibwa women sing. If you can't stomach the "powers that be" listen to this. No drivel here.

Then after you listen to this get John Trudell's Bone Days cd, more mindfull music in these careless times.

Then try Quiltman's Three Sisters cd.

Then think about where we have been taken in the last 35 or so years. Not a pretty place. We can smile again though.

Steve (a 53 year old white man)

This CD is simply one of the purest, honest and beautiful collections of music I have heard in many years. Spirit Horses w/John Trudell is my favorite, with 500 Years in close second. Annie has a beautiful voice.

This Ikwe "Lady" is so genuine. When I first heard "Spirit Horses" it was on the movie SKINS. I looked around and thought I'd take a chance to see if it was on Amazon. IT WAS, and am now buying her CD. I listened to all the tracks, and the songs just keep getting better. I love music, but once in a while a song will catch my heart and I will listen to it over and over. The Heron Smiled is worthwhile! Way to go ANNIE! Am anxious to hear more!!!!! Miigwetch "Thank You"

After seeing Annie perform twice (once at at benefit for the Native American Health Center in Oakland, CA and once outside the NMAI in Washington, DC) I was very interested in getting this CD. She is as wonderful in the studio as she is live! She has a gift for songwriting and a beautiful voice.

In The Heron Smiled, Native American folk-pop singer and songwriter Annie Humphrey showcases some of her best work to date and documents the reasons why she has become so popular with her songs of heartache, loneliness, commitment, love, and Native American heritage. The selections comprising The Heron Smiled include: Spirit Horses (3:51); But This Love (3:00); Same Old Years (3:18); Much Sense (3:07); DNA (4:17); Falling Down and Falling Apart (4:20); I Can Hear You (4:01); The Heron Smiled (2:55); Another Horse (4:30); See Her (4:24); 500 Years (8:01); Call Me (3:49); and Spirit Horses with John Trudell (3:50). Total Time 55:30

THIS GIRL CAN SING AND HAS SOME DEEP THOUGHTS JUST LIKE -JOY HARJO- REAL GOOD MUSIC LIKE -MUCH SENSE, DNA, BUT THIS LOVE AND FALLING DOWN FALLING APART- IF YOU LIKE JOY HARJO YOU WILL LIKE ANNIE TOO.

Annie Humphrey sings from the heart with songs that have meaning. She sings from her Native American experience, from her female experience, and her life experience. What you won't hear here are brighty, poppy, bubble-gummy songs. What you will hear are songs with meaning sung by a woman with a beautiful alto voice. Enjoy.