Customer Reviews

Joanne Shenandoah

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

 

 

I must concur that the Social Songs are quite wonderful -- and yes, the rest sounds country western -- but Joanne Shenandoah's voice is so powerful that they are still worth listening to. Not the best album to get the full strength and energy that Joanne Shenandoah can produce -- but her voice is so forceful and full that even the English worded County Western sounding songs only prove her greatness. This, I believe, is her first album and was originally self-produced. She has grown a great deal since this was first recorded. The Social Songs alone -- as short as they are -- are almost worth purchasing the CD for. So it gets a 3 and not a 5.

This CD afforded me the opportunity to experience the musical talents of Joanne Shenandoah in English. It was a wonderful treat for me and further increased my appreciation for her beautiful voice. The selections have a Country & Western flavor, with light accompanyment that allows her voice to remain the focal point. I was especially touched by 35 More Miles and They Didn't Listen. However, my favorite selection is Someone Who, which captured me the first time around and continues to do so. Repeated listening does not diminish my attraction to these selections.

I love the work Joanne does to preserve and popularize traditional Iroquoise music. My favorite in this album is the first cut, Iroquois Social Songs. To me, this is some of Joanne's best work. I would have bought this album if it had more songs like that on it, but the rest of them all sound like Country Western songs to me, so I didn't buy it.

I love her Oneida songs but not a fan of country music. I play her native music non-stop and would highly recommend her CDs.