CD Release February 26, 2009
At Dixiefrog, we were struck by the incredible diversity of these recordings. All of them had something in common. Musically, even those that weren't "ethnic" recordings retained many specific traits of traditional Indian music, a plaintive sound and the same sense of pride, dignity and
suffering that was once found in African-American blues music. Several words and phrases came back relentlessly, song after song: Reservation, Ancestors, Mother Earth, Brothers & Sisters, Genocide.
Indigenous people have no claim to perfection but they consider themselves the biggest contributors to the Americas. There's no denying that melancholy, anger and revolt of the never ending struggles, still linger in the heart of these artists daily lives. And still their music bears the dignity and spirituality of their people.
The spirit of their ancestors still blows on the majestic landscapes that surround them, the blood of the original Indian warriors runs through their veins ("We've been fighting terrorism since 1492," as they sing) and they have kept a strong sense of their communion with Nature. They believe all
living things are related, that you cannot own "mother earth" or "father sky", and that this respect is very much present in their culture. They believe Human beings are the last creation, a small part of a great whole and "great mystery sacred" (GOD), far beyond anything comprehensible. This
message, so close to the teachings of ecology and Buddhism, can no doubt prove useful to our planet today.
In the light of this compilation, Native people don't have much in common with the Hollywood stereotype of "Indians" in feathered headbands who play the flute and beat on drums. The time has come for us to meet the "Real Indians" of today who express their rebellion through hip-hop, performing
highly original music that carries traces of blues, rock and country. It is time we realize the strong influence and culture of the indigenous, "First Nations" people of the Americas have had since the beginning of American roots music.
Musically speaking, who would have thought that there was still so much to discover in the USA? For those who show an interest in the social, political and geographical reality of North America, it's indigenous music is a true gold mine. The strong spiritual and philosophical thinking of these
little-known cultures could even teach a redemptive lesson to the world at large, and more specifically to mainstream America, uncontested champion of pollution and over-consumption.
INDIAN RESERVATION BLUES
Featuring Joy Harjo
3 CDs, 3 hours of music, 30 minutes of video, 33 Artists, and
a 48-page booklet
A unique project presenting the best Native American and First Nations music
of today Blues, AlterNATIVE Blues, Country and Folk music, Traditional songs
and chants, Native Americana...Even some R'n'B and Hip-Hop music, Indian
style!
This 3-CD collection sets the record straight about the reality of Indian
music, highlighting its strong influence on American music in general, and blues in particular.
Here are some of the videos included on the
3 CD set.
