Customer Reviews

Rainbird

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4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Coyote Oldman, a.k.a. Michael Graham Allen, long known for innovate and original Native American Flute music has taken flight with the new two-disc recording "Rainbird." "Rainbird" is a "return of the ancient Anasazi Flute" and an ethereal journey into efficient melodies written on stars. Coyote Oldman use the Anasazi and Hopi flutes primarily on this album. It opens with a shimmering, squeaky paen called "Entrance." It moves through various airy tracks that sound at times like Whale Song, a mellow Soprano Sax, fingers running along the rim of a wine glass and what Planets must sound like spinning through space.

The meolodies seem happier than other Coyote Oldaman albums. It may be that the Anasazi flute has sunnier intervals. An ambient song on the second disc called "New Mexico Road Trip" includes bass and drum as does the track "Dark" which is laced with a cool guitar riff very Joy Division/New Order feeling. The track is over 10-minutes and knowing that the Pueblo Indians sometimes dance all night in ceremonies--I'll call it "Anasazi Trance." Respectfully. Disc two is an enhanced disc with two films of a Rainbird in flight accompanied by the title song. It is stunning. The larger file film requires Quicktime (TM).

The songs on "Rainbird" are of a reflective palate. They move easily one to the next and inspire beautiful images. "Updraft" is one of the most gorgeous NAF songs ever recorded. It sounds like an Anasazi lullaby played under a New Mexico moon under more stars than one can imagine. If you listen to Coyote Oldman or love the Native Flute presented in rich, textural beauty then BUY THIS CD!

Coyote Oldman has done it again, this time with the ancient flutes of the Anasazi, which are challenging instruments that have nearly disappeared from the Americas. Through these haunting instruments which no one else has attempted to record an album, Coyote Oldman has created a beautiful, sonic journey of the Rainbird. Close your eyes and enjoy the grace of flight.

Michael Graham Allen has given the listener something entirely different by ressurecting the ancient Anasazi flute and breathing new life into it via Rainbird. It is a recording unique unto itself in that there is nothing like it on the market. One could not even say it is comparable to the Shakuhachi (Japanese notch blown flute). The Anasazi flute is so different and played so well by Coyote Oldman you can almost see the ancient Anasazi people in your minds eye as he weaves a mysterious and haunting musical tapestry.

Ahhhhh, Coyote Oldman - simply one of my favorites!!!
Beautiful, moving, haunting music - and I mean that in the most positive way.
I have listened to this album many times over as I paint, design, relax and meditate. The cats seems to like it too! It just makes us feel peaceful.
Coyote Oldman has been a great inspiration and is in part why I play Native American style flutes. He has also influenced my playing on silver flute as well.
Thank you for your music!!

A friend of mine was very "into" Native American Music, and I decided to try and get her something for Christmas by an artist that she did not already have. Naturally, I was interested to see if she would like it, and opened the case, when the package came, to preview the music. Guess I'll just have to buy her another one! It is music to just sit back, take off your shoes, put your feet up, close your eyes, and let your mind and thoughts just go with the amazing sound of the flutes.

Here in North America, we have a unique gift; that of musical traditions from many, many parts of the world. The tradition that is most closely knitted to the land is that of the Native Americans, and Coyote Oldman and others do a great job of helping to ensure that the most uniquely American music of all stays alive and vibrant. This is music all Americans can appreciate and get a spiritual lift from. So put aside the rock and roll for awhile, and really feel this music. My only beef is that I must have gotten a defective CD, because there are some screechy, metallic overtones in a lot of the selections that are really distracting. Has anyone else gotten one of those??

The music just comes off as fabricated for new age listeners and dull, much like the Jonas Brothers is created for tweens. I don't sense any soul inside the ambient sounds other than the rhythm to make money off this swill. There are better and truer artists out there making music, so I would recommend avoiding this travesty and moving onto something more real.