Throat Singing (Eskimo, Inuit Music)

Alacie Tullaugaq, Lucy Amarualik

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 15, 2001)
• Original Release Date: January 15, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inukshuk Records
• ASIN: B000067BEM
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #267,284 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > North America > Eskimo & Inuit

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Alacie and Lucy are Inuit women from Puvirnituk, Nunavik (Northern Quebec) They are considered to be the best throat singers of the region. They strongly believe in keeping the Inuit Tradition alive by chanting (Throat Singing), which is why they do some teaching to young people to pass this on to the next generation. Alacie and Lucy learned how to chant at the ages 0f 9-10 from their mothers and grandmothers. They first became parners in the 1970's and since then have travelled around the world. Many of the songs are the imitations of the animals, and they are thev same songs that were sung by their mothers and their mothers mothers before them. Back then they were mainly chanting when in a gathering, celebrating someone's first kill (animal) when the men came back from hunting. The mothers would also chant to help put the children to sleep. But now it has become so popular that they have been travelling around the world giving performances and clinics. In the 1990's they both appeared in a show called Agaguk starring Lou Diamond Phillips. They have travelled across North America , Europe, and beyond in over 10 countries giving throat singing performances. Alacie Tullaugaq was born april 20, 1935 in a camp close of the actual village of Puvirnituk and has always lived there to this day. She has been married since 1955 and is mother to 8 children plus 2 foster children. She teaches throat singing to children from 6 to 11 years of age. Lucy Amarualik was born october 16, 1934 in an camp close of the present day community of Kangirsujuak. Her family established themselves in Puvirnituk where she now lives. She has been married since 1955 and is the mother of 8 children.

Product Description
Performed by two female Inuit artists, these chants, sounds and stories bring to life the nature, land and animals distinct to northern Canada. Recently chosen as the "Best Traditional Album-Historical" at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards ceremony in Toronto. The recording features 14 of their performances, including long and difficult songs, such as "piaramit Inaqutik" and Qimminilapik," which highlights the pair's unparalleled skill. For all those who seek to discover the unknown this CD provides the listener with an unforgettable experience.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY ORIGINAL !!!, May 23, 2002

By A Customer

Listening to this CD has been a discovery of a type of music I had never been exposed to. It is purely magical and very original. It has allowed me to connect with Canada's northern native peoples in an exciting way. I highly recommend this album to music fans who wish to explore new types of sounds and cultures.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Throat Singing (Katutjatut), May 23, 2002

By	Andre Brassard (Canadian Eastern Arctic (Nunavik)) - See all my reviews

This is an extraordinary recording on Inuit (Eskimo) throat singing. I now understand why it won Best Traditional-Historical album of the year at the Aboriginal Music Awards. The way they do there chanting to imitate animals you would think there were several of them doing those sounds, but it's only the two of them. Very impressive. Incredible.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting glimpse into Inuit culture, December 9, 2003

By	M. Rosen (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm so glad Amazon finally got more copies of this CD! No one else seemed to be able to find it, not even a store that specialized in Native American music. I was first introduced to throat singing by the Tuvan musicians Huun-Huur-Tu and wanted to see what the Inuit version was like. These two women create incredible and hypnotic sounds, imitating wild animals and other aspects of nature. The only reasons I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is that for one, this CD is very short; and, though I am pleased with it, I was expecting something a little more 'musical'. I couldn't get the track samples to work on my computer, so I ordered it 'blind', so to speak. This is a great record for people who like the sound of throat singing, or are interested in Inuit cultural artifacts, but it's not something you would listen to for musical enjoyment. It's also a little expensive, but at least the money is going to two worthy recipients, and not Britney Spears' private jet fund.