Music for the Native Americans

Robbie Robertson

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 1994)
• Original Release Date: October 4, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002TOC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,009 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Commissioned to come up with a soundtrack for the 1994 Turner Network Television special The Native Americans, Robbie Robertson delivered some of his most haunting and evocative work to date. Combining the sleek atmospherics of 1991's Storyville with traditional tribal chanting and instrumentation, Music for the Native Americans often manages to sound both contemporary and timeless. Unfortunately, Robertson's lyrics are often as clunky as they are well intentioned--though brief, his liner notes are far more powerful and informative--and his gravelly speak-singing is consistently outclassed by Native American guest vocalists Pura Fe, Soni, and Jen, whose "Mahk Jchi (Heartbeat Drum Song)" is also the album's highlight. File under "flawed but interesting." --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary Native American Music, January 8, 2002

By	Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This CD is beautiful. Theres a ephemeral, spiritual sound to it, yet at the same time its so very modern. I can't think of a good way to explain it, but the music is wonderful. Someof the songs, such as "Coyote Dance", "Ancestor Song" and "Twistd Hair", call to mind beautiful spiritual images in your head. The sound effects and lyrics on "Twisted Hair" in particular still stand out in my mind. Others, such as "Mahk Jchi", "Cherokee Morning Song" and "Akua Tuta", blend traditional Native American music stylings with modern rhythms for a breath taking effect. Many of these songs incorporate other Native American artists, such as Rita Coolidge and Kashtin.
However, the most interesting songs on this CD are the ones that come from Robbie Robertson himself. The lyrics to "Ghost Dance", "It is a Good Day to Die" and "Skinwalker" are haunting and will almost certain stick in your mind long after you've finished listening to this CD. The sound effects and soft-spoken voices meld perfectly together with the powerful and moving lyrics to create a magnificent effect. This is one of my favorite Native American CDs and I simply can't recommend it enough, esecially for people unfamilar with contemporary Native American music.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truth & beauty, May 12, 2001

By	Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

I recently purchased this CD and it immediately became an all-time favorite. It has a mix of sounds, with some performances by Pura Fe, Kashtin, and Coolidge, but the entire CD is imbued with a peaceful spirit that transports me to another time and place, a place of simplicity, truth, and so much beauty.

There are tracks that have fabulous guitar work by Robertson (like "The Vanishing Breed"), but the songs that captivate me the most are the ones in which he does the vocals. His voice delights me and the 2 spoken pieces, "Words of Fire, Deeds of Blood" and "Twisted Hair" are riveting.

The arrangements and musicianship are perfection. This is simply one of the most beautiful CDs I've ever heard in any genre, and that covers a lot of territory, as my tastes are varied.

The booklet insert, with poetry and imagery that compliment the CD info and lyrics is a joy...not to be missed are the insightful "tidbits" written by Robertson...(who would have known those were crickets ?)...the entire package is a work of art, exquisite and incredibly moving...and makes me grateful to be alive, and able to listen, learn, and enjoy.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll take this one with you everywhere!, February 17, 2000

By	Janie Maas (Michigan - USA) - See all my reviews

When I first saw the TNT original, The Native Americans back in 1994, I just had to own a copy of the wonderfully haunting soundtrack. I rushed right out and bought this Robbie Robertson CD. Originally, my favorite cut was "Cherokee Morning Song" (Welela/Rita Coolidge & family). Then, I latched onto "Skinwalker" - a huanting pop/jazz offering by Robbie Robertson. This one tells the story of modern day Native American life (read between the lines). One by one, each song will become your favorite. Then, before you realize it, the whole album will grab your heart ... your very soul. Believe me ... it will bring you tears, love and an ethereal wonder (check out the harmony of the cricket song to the Creator in "Twisted Hair"). Mahk Jchi is sure to grow on you until you are humming it all the time. Be sure to devour all of the liner notes and the lyrics. You will be telling all of your friends to listen to this one - forever! Happy listening.