Customer Reviews

Up Where We Belong

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This, I think, should be "The Best of Buffy", with several of her songs re-recorded using a more "modern flair", this is an exceptional example of Buffy's style and talent. As the original songwriter of "Up Where We Belong", she re-records this song the way in which she intended it to be. I highly recommend this CD, especially if you are a new Buffy fan. "Changing Woman" is good on this album (but nothing will beat the original!). If you don't order any other Buffy album, this is a GREAT one to own!! Lots of her Native-American heritage to be found here.

Late the afternoon before the morning of the Grand Opening of the National Museum of the American Indian, my wife and I walked past the Capitol and down the hill to see thousands of folding chairs spread out on the uncut grass under the old trees along the Mall in front of the First Nations Stage directly in front of the Capitol Building.

The empty chairs were reservered for the Tribes who would take their rightful seats the following morning at the opening ceremonies after first celebrating the opening of The National Museum of the American Indian with a glorious processional.

I stood among the empty chairs.

Someone was burning sweet grass.

I could also smell fry bread wafting through the cool afternoon air.

Laughter and joy was everywere present with those who had also arrived early to ' check things out '.

The sound tech where busy up on the stage getting all ready for the speeches,prayers,and songs of another day.

Then, a solitary figure walked out on the stage and took the mike and sang for an ' empty ' audience.

My God! It was Buffy!

Buffy Sainte-Marie sang her song STARMAKER.

She did not sing it just for Sharon and me and the few hundred souls present but she sang it, I know, for The Ancestors. She sand it for all they went through for us. All they went through for this ' triumphant moment ' that would take place the next day - the grand opening of the NMAI.

Many from those early days, when we listened to Buffy in the late '60's and early ' 70's while in Lame Deer and Pine Ridge, would not fill any of those seats spread out before her.

Many of their stories are known... many more will be told now that we have the NMAI.

Yes...sounds of laughter and joy...and a shed tear that night and many more the next day.

Hearts being healed.

AY WAY HEY O HEYA!

When we returned home, the first thing we did was get Buffy's UP WHERE WE BELONG!

This is the CD they should have named "The Best of Bu ffy Sainte-Marie." The songs are better than in any of her other CD's--or in most any CD's you can find anywhere. The rhythm moves your arms and feet for you; you won't be able to sit still and listen. The messages are strong. The sounds are awesome. Our whole family can listen to it for long periods of time daily. There are primal sounds in this CD that will touch your soul.

This album has made me a new Buffy fan. It's great Native American sound with a contemporary twist. Buffy achieves a great blend of Native American music with modern arrangements, yet does not lose the authenticity and feel of the traditional sound. 'Darling Don't Cry' and 'Universal Soldier' are great examples of this unique sound. Also contains the origin and history of each song, bringing the listener closer to the music. I can't wait until I hear the earlier albums.

This is one of Buffy Sainte-Marie's best. All you have to do is listen to "Starwalker" once and you will know this woman truly is a Saint in the manner of St. Joan: She is like holy fire. I relate to this album on a number of levels: As a woman I'm inspired by Buffy Sainte-Marie's fearlessness: who says a woman can't be a warrior? As a poet and novelist, I'm drawn in by the power of her words, and as a University Lecturer in Literature, I'm appreciative of her integration of political activism, historical point of view, and impeccable artistic form. This woman is intensely spiritual. Her songs are guided by Native teaching, emphasizing the WE instead of the I. Not all of the songs are as politically charged as "Wounded Knee" or "Starwalker." Some are folksy, lighter. Still, even these are not merely songs of personal angst: they are songs of collective grief and longing. These songs indicate just what is the right path for humans to walk. She is treasure.

I see people calling the song Bury my Heart At Wounded Knee gruesome. I'f you'd ever seen what happened at wounded knee, you might think otherwise. The song is downright tame compared to what happened there. It's also fairly restrained in terms of the anger that anyone who grew up on a reservation has a right to feel.

I looked for this song because of the cover of it that the Indigo Girls did, and although they did an awesome job, hearing Buffy sing it sends a shiver even deeper because of the reality of what she grew up with. Thank you Buffy.

SHE IS AWSOME--STARWALKER-WOUNDED KNEE-UNIVERSAL SOLDIER-AAHH MAN SHE'S GOOD THEIR ALL GOOD I LIKE THIS CD MAN CHECK IT OUT

If you are knowledgeable about history and are aware of the struggles of REAL INDIANS are still going through, the bury my heart at wounded knee song will affect you. If you want some fluffy Hollywood version of Indians and songs glorifying the 'manifest destiny' of America, check out the selection at Toys R' Us. I think Buffy St.Marie should be allowed to be herself without criticism of what an Indian should be. (I wish I was so brave)

I wanted the album, "Sweet America" because I wanted to play the original version of "Starwalker" for them. But, alas, that album is not available on CD (yet?). So, this was the album I could get, and I could get it as a digital download. The thing is, after I downloaded it, and played it, I found it very enjoyable. Buffy's voice is sometimes and acquired taste, but on this album she sounds so rich, and the vibrato is more under control. The big surprise for me was "Up Where We Belong". I'd only ever heard it as the big mega-engineered track from "Dirty Dancing". This version is intimate, close, and made me fall in love with the song. In fact, this album made me remember why I enjoyed Buffy so much. I do hope though that she will consider releasing "Sweet America" on CD...soon...please?

This is a super album.I remember back when I was a child,my mom had the song He's An Indian Cowboy In The Rodeo on record,and I would dance like crazy to it.She gives such feeling and emotion into her songs.YOU GO GIRL!