Customer Reviews

Medicine Dog

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

 

 

Coyote Zen's "Medicine Dog" always seems to be getting played at my house these days. I first encountered this breathtaking talent when in the Smoky Mountains a few years back. It was then that I purchased Jeffrey Gray Parker's previous album "Blood of Many Nations." The two efforts (this recording and that one) are quite different really. "Blood of Many Nations" was probably a bit more earthy in it's approach, the perfect companion to quiet reflection and/or meditation; I can't tell you the amount of times I've sat in contemplation listening to that awe-inspiring compilation. For all intents and purposes, "Blood of Many Nations" would probably best fall under the New Age category. But, in a very real way, Parker's music trascends and transmigrates such barriers, as well. But of course, I am not here to review that particular CD for you; just think of it as a bonus, because if you don't own the other you really should buy it!

"Medicine Dog" still has a few tracks that folks who enjoyed "Blood of Many Nations" will get pleasure from, especially track's 3,6, and 11 (Eagle and Coyote, Rabbit and the Mourning Star, Ancient Secrets- Ancient Lessons). However, there is a bit more salsa in the others that we might not have heard from Parker before. The CD starts right out with "Pueblo Puppy", which has a dynamic and upbeat feel to it (nice and easygoing) and ends with the climactic "Cow Hop", which has a primarily percussionist feel (definitely uplifting music). Jeffrey Gray Parker truly is an enormously talented individual who wrote and produced everything on this recording, with the talented assistance of a few fellow musicians he knows helping with instrumentation. If you have not heard of this "group", you better get with the program! Do not be fooled by the lack of audio samples on this one here at Amazon, this stuff blows Carlos Nakai or Mary Youngblood out of the water. I predict that within a few more releases (hopefully sooner) that they will begin to enjoy a much larger audience. Because, without any doubt, they are one of the most contemporary, melodious and all-round original talents of today. Music that will definitely touch and inspire your spirit! Why not let Coyote Zen take you on a modern journey through ancient times? These folks deserve a serious listen! Get "Blood of Many Nations" today along with it (if you haven't purchased it yet) - then you will see Parker's true appeal and unique musical diversity. Oh and Jeffrey...when's the next release?

I love it and play it regularly, it touches my spirit in ways that transcend words. Musically quite well articulated.

Awesome display of cross cultural polination...Very Tasty!