Customer Reviews

Winter Moons

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

 

 

With honor given to both her Saulteuax/Ojibway and Jewish heritages, Tamara Podenski blends her love of her parents' teachings, their native languages and an outstanding voice. Tamara gives hope to all of us who are "half-breeds" and celebrate the beauty of diversity that lives in our dual or multiple heritages.

A fusion of languages, traditional and electronica musical styles and Tamara's amazing vocal talent, it is some of the best contemporary Native American music I've heard - and I own over 200 Native American CDs and heard countless more. Applause is highly due to this creative, respectful yet cutting-edge musical work!

What a good buy! I got this a few days ago, after being intensely interested in an artist from Canada whose father is an Ojibwa and whose mother is Israeli, and who sings in three languages.
I haven't got much music in my "World" section, but this is definitely near the top of the list.
The whole CD makes me want to close my eyes and feel its rhythms and melodies, and though at times, these can be a little repetitive, the use of Gregorian chant in the third track, "We Are Still Here," is gorgeous: you can feel the spirits of her (and your) ancestors, holding you close. This track in particular and the whole CD in general, could be described as "Enigma meets World."
And the 10th track, "Ahsayma (Tabacco)" is great: the voices haunt, and you can feel the gods gathering about to listen to your prayers. Other particularly good tracks include number 4, and 7.
Highly recommended!

Spirit Nation returns with another strong showing in their new-age meets native american meets electronica hybrid, placing themselves firmly at the head of the class for groove-laden spiritually-rooted modern electronic music. Once again, at the heart of Spirit Nation is the creative duo of guitarist Steve Rosen and keyboardist Jimmy Waldo. This time out vocalist Tamara Podenski is out front instead of Judy Crescenzo. Where before were songs sung in Lakota "Winter Moons" gives us songs in Saulteaux/Ojibway. Not speaking either language I have to say the personnel substitution will not be noticed by many, the transition being handled as smoothly and professionally as when Phil Collins replaced Peter Gabriel as the Genesis vocalist in 1975.

All the strong points of the eponymous debut are back in force, with the same stellar production presenting the songs in the best possible light. However, overly repeated grooves and the recycling of musical ideas from song to song is still the major drawback and weakness of Spirit Nation, but that one criticism shouldn't distract from the overall beauty of this excellent second album, which will even suggest Cirque Du Soleil's faux world-music fused with Pink Floyd atmospheres in places. After all, groove is at the center of what this band does, so emphasis
on groove over other ideas must be expected. Once again Jimmy Waldo turns to his mellotron to underscore the emotional impact of the compositions (though I have a suspicion that much of the strings and choir are samples this time around) -- making this again peripherally of interest to fans of progressive rock.

Album number three will show us if Spirit Nation have more ideas to offer or if they'll fall into the Enigma trap of making the same couple of records over and over again. Perhaps a slightly darker tone might help next time out, lads. If the debut didn't do much for you, then avoid this. But if it's well executed blend of cultures and styles grabbed you, jump on "Winter Moons".

For anyone interested in evoking the spirit of Native Americans, but who want something with a definite pop culture beat, this is the album for you. I bought it after initially hearing the first track Ododaymiwan, and was not disappointed. Still, I advise listeners to listen to at least one song from the CD first before buying, because much of the music is similar, and getting a feel for it will help you determine if this is for you.