Customer Reviews

Sacred Spirit: Chants and Dances of the Native Americans

5 star:		(92)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album is really nothing short of brilliant. Native American chants are sung over a mostly modern backdrop of electronic instrumentation. The effect is positively gripping. The moment you stick this in your CD player, you'll be forced to pause and listen.

The chanting is marvelous because it has an authentic sound which hasn't been modernized or translated into English. Its power is in its pure authenticity. But at the same time, the modern instrumentation really represents "today's America", with the influences of all of our many races.

The one thing this is NOT is a dull chant album. It is exciting from the first beat. And while it is occasionally soothing, that isn't the point of it. In some ways, it's too powerful to be relaxing. Some songs, particularly the amazing finale, "Brandishing of the Tomahawk" are absolutely haunting.

I think the person to whom I would recommend this the most is someone who keeps an ecclectic and broad collection of music. This will be a one of a kind on your shelf - and among your most important and stirring albums.

"Sacred Spirits", IMHO, is one if the most successful blends of Native American Chants and Dance songs with "contemporary" musical instruments I have had the pleasure to personally experience. It touches the heart and soul in a very deeply primal and yet etheric way. This is not the usual haphazardly produced and repetitive Native Flute and/or drums music that all begins to sound the same real quick. It far surpasses anything else I've heard in the Native American genre. There is thoughtfulness here, and craftmanship and a sense of great care taken, both in the chants and prayers and in how the music underscores and enhances the words. The strings are hauntingly beautiful, especially the cello, and blend astonishingly well with and enhance both the traditional drumming and the voices. The arrangement of each track is superb. I have given this title as a gift to many people, all of whom have been struck by the impact it leaves on mind and body. This is a disc to spin over and over. The music truly has a sacred feeling about it, and it has a healing and soothing quality as well. It is grounding and uplifting at the same time. Your spirit will soar with these songs.

My husband is a Lakota off of the Rosebud Rez. He loves it. Makes him feel like he is home again. And I copy it for all my friends. We have lots of Native American music, this is one of the great ones.

I've had Sacred Spirits I and the original Deep Forest CD stolen twice. This is my third time buying this CD and Deep Forest--a mark of a great CD. I still have the Sacred Spirits II CD. I love Sacred Spirits I & II because they capture some of the sounds I heard visiting Cherokee City, North Carolina, while blending string, acoustic, and electric. I also recommend Coyote Oldman's "In Beauty I Walk" if you want Native American wind instruments blended with electronic.

If you are looking for a good CD to listen to in the car or at home that has a good beat and native interest, Sacred Spirit is for you. If you want a deeply moving, spiritual CD then you may want to look elsewhere. This CD is not meant for meditation or massage but it is uplifting to the spirit.

My favorites on this album are #10 "Heal the Soul", which leads you on an interesting journey of synths, spirited male chants and soft female vocals.. #5 "The Cradlesong", with inspirational female singing and soothing accent music... #6 "Advice for the Young", which is somewhat lively and has interesting vocals that prepare you for the 'advice' near the end given by male voices in native tongue... and finally #7 "Wishes of happiness and prosperity", which is actually a very moving song with chanting by someone who seems to be a medicine man. play this song after work to help soothe a hard day's events. This song helps to remind me to stay true to my path on this Earthwalk due to it's spiritual sounds.

Overall, this is a pretty good CD and I do highly reccomend it to anybody who is interested in their native heritage or even just in the Native American culture.

Sacred Spirit is one of the most gorgeous collections of music I've ever heard. Fusing traditional native American Indian songs & chants with contemporary synthesized arrangements, it succeeds on every attempted level. Each of the 11 tracks will haunt the listener well after the CD player has been turned off. I originally heard a portion of this album at the IMAX presention of "The Grand Canyon," as they played particular tracks pre and post show. The music here floored me so much more than the actual soundtrack and I bought one immediately upon returning home. (Right outside of the Grand Canyon, venders sell this CD for $35.00!) This is a classic that does not lose its freshness after many, many listens.

This is the first CD I purchased of true Native American music and I love it. Great to listen to as well as meditate. Recomend to other people who enjoy Native American music

I heard tracks from this cd while holidaying in Malaysia &
I got addicted to it instantly! These days I can't go to sleep without listening to track No.1 How The West Was Lost (Yeha-Noha), No.5. Cradlesong, The (Dawa) & No.7 Wishes Of Happiness
& Prosperity (Yeha-Hoha) Perhaps this is the best cd I've puchased recently. Tracks are simply terrific. Play these tracks on your home stereo system, switch off the lights in the room, close your eyes, lie down & relax in a rocking chair. Believe it or not, these tracks will take you to another world....a different world of music....it'll be really an experience... something that you never had and.....perhaps never will.

If people must know the person behind the voice of the hit single, "Yeha-Noha", his name is Kee Chee Jake, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.

His voice is also heard on Sacred Spirit II with the song "Yane-Heja-Hee".

And his voice is featured on Brule's album One Nation.

From the "Pure Moods" CD, I heard the track "Yeha-Noha" (Wishes of Happiness and Prosperity). The words and music just flowed all over, calming and soothing me so much that I was inspired to buy this CD. There are no English words or translation, so it allows you to form your own personal bond with each track. My favorite track is "Ya-Na-Haha" (Celebrate Wild Rice). The Native wailing backed by killer music just rip into my soul. This is one of my Favorite CD's. I highly recommend this one and the follow-up "Sacred Spirit Vol 2: More Chants and Dances of the Native Americans." Purists of tradition may be disappointed. However, I am HIGHLY satisfied with the mix of tradition backed by this music. The blend makes it more palatable for those who are new to Native American chants and dances. Those looking for "House Music" are missing the point and should look under that category instead.