Spirit of a Woman

Radmilla Cody | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Canyon Records
• ASIN: B0009YGD94
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,013 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

With an angelic voice and a turbulent past, Radmilla Cody has come back from an experience that would end most careers to make a beautiful, soulful record.
A survivor of domestic violence, Radmilla served time in prison for being involved with a boyfriend who was engaged in illegal activities. She now uses her personal experiences to create music and to advocate strongly against the epidemic of violence. It is an issue she has become very passionate about.
As a biracial woman she communicates positive messages about her dual identity, as children who are biracial or multiracial still bear the brunt of prejudice.
Cody, winner of the 20002 Native American Music Awards Best Female Artist for her CD Seed of Life, and 1998 Miss Navajo Nation, was the singer of the national anthem at Kennedy Space Center as the space shuttle launched the first American Indian into space. Today, Radmilla is grounded on a renewed foundation.
Radmilla continues to maintain Navajo culture by recording music that children sing with pride and lyrics her Dine elders can be proud of. Spirit of a Woman (Canyon Records) includes a mixture of contemporary and Navajo songs that celebrate womanhood. This CD is a collaboration between Herman Cody and Radmilla Cody, and features flutists Robert Tree Cody and Miguel Batista, who pitches professionally for the Toronto Blue Jays and makes his musical debut playing the flute on three songs. Acoustic guitar is contributed by the multi-talented Klee Benally from Blackfire.
Several songs stand out, particularly a version of 'My Country 'tis of Thee' sung from the Navajo perspective.
She includes a touching tribute to Lori Piestewa, the first Native woman to die in the Iraq wra (She's My Hero), and other songs that pay tribute to flutes, water, and the Creator.
Her deepest lyrics come from her own recent experience of being incarcerated. She sings in 'Blessing in Disguise:' 'As I lay here looking at these walls/Afraid of what now lies ahead/I may be scarred but refuse to fall/I have the power to look beyond it all.' --By Sandra Hale Schulman - News From Indian Country / October 17, 2005 'Radmilla Cody: Spirit of a Woman'

Product Description

Navajo singer Radmilla Cody continues her musical exploration of the cultural treasures of the Dine in newly composed traditional and contemporary songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, August 15, 2006

By 

P. Antwerp (middle of nowhere) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spirit of a Woman (Audio CD)

Beautiful, inspiring and tranquil. Track #7 is a touching tribute to Lori Piestewa, the first woman killed in combat in Iraq. The blend of voices in both Navajo and English and the flute is brilliant. Radmilla Cody has done the Navajo Nation proud with this CD.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome and strongly recommended addition, November 3, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirit of a Woman (Audio CD)

Navajo singer Radmilla Cody has a distinctive voice that is put to good use as she continues her musical exploration of her Native American music, both traditional and contemporary, in her CD album, Spirit Of A Woman. The listener is treated to fourteen memorable works including Prayer to the Creator (2:08); A Beautiful Dawn (3:31); A Child of Water (3:01); Grandmother and Mother's Legacy (3:24); My Horses (3:31); The Fancy Dancer (3:28); She's My Hero - Ode to Lori Piestewa (3:12); Possession Song - Yodi Biyiin (2:53); Keyah Baa Hozho - My Country 'tis of Thee (2:41); Remembering the Taino (2:07); Blessing in Disguise (4:21); Guaraguao (2:03); Tears (3:55); and the title piece, Spirit of a Woman (3:19). With a total running time of 44 minutes, 31 seconds, Spirit Of A Woman is a welcome and strongly recommended addition to any personal, community library, or academic Native American Music collection.