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Post by Carl on Jan 9, 2021 6:19:20 GMT
I was fascinated to learn from a brilliant documentary shown recently on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) about the momentous cultural influence on American music of Native American musical traditions. Like many, I thought blues and jazz, country and folk were blends of folk music from European countries and the musical traditions of Africa. I really had no idea how influential Native American musical traditions were across all genres. When younger, I knew about Buffy Sainte-Marie, the Canadian folk singer of pure Cree bloodline, largely because she was beautiful. 
Charley Patton is a legend and pioneer of Mississippi Delta Blues who mentored Howlin' Wolf and inspired Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Led Zeppelin, Canned Heat and countless others. Like many in the rural South, his race was mixed. Considered by most to be Black, he was half Native American, either Cherokee or Choctaw. This 1929 recording of "Down the Dirt Road Blues", because of his childhood absorption of Cherokee culture, sounds for all the world like Native American tribal chanting. The lyrics have several lines which have become classic refrains over the years in the songs of his admirers.
Link Wray was three quarters Native American (Cherokee and Shawnee), born in North Carolina the same year Patton was recorded, 1929, when racial hatred compelled most who could to pass for White, as his family did. He was a gifted musician and well known locally until a spur of the moment improvisation made him an instant legend. Playing on a regional teen dance program on local television, one of the dancers asked the band to play a popular 1950s dance, The Stroll, which no-one in the band knew. Band leader Wray considered the basic chords and reached deep into his cultural heritage, the music he had heard throughout his childhood, and improvised the beautiful and groundbreaking "Rumble", astonishing young guitarists searching for the great new sound, including Jimmy Page, Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix. Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen were early fans and Pete Townshend claims this instrumental is what made him want to play guitar.
The Stroll [don't try this at home]
"Down the Dirt Road Blues"
I'm goin' away, to Illinois
I'm goin' away, to Illinois
I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long
My rider got somethin', she's tryin'a keep it hid
My rider got somethin', she's tryin'a keep it hid
Lord, I got somethin' to find that somethin' with
I feel like choppin', chips flyin' everywhere
I feel like choppin', chips flyin' everywhere
I been to the Nation, Lord, but I couldn't stay there*
Some people say them oversea blues ain't bad
(Why, of course they are)
Some people say them oversea blues ain't bad
(What was a-matter with 'em)
It must not a-been them oversea blues I had
Every day seem like murder here (My God, I'm no sheriff)
Every day seem like murder here
I'm gonna leave tomorrow, I know you don't bid my care
Can't go down any dirt road by myself
Can't go down any dirt road by myself
(My Lord, who ya gonna carry?)
I don't carry mine, gonna carry me someone else
* thought to refer to his trip to the Cherokee Nation in present day Oklahoma, where compensation was granted to some of the Cherokees forcibly relocated there from their ancestral homeland in North and South Carolina.
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Post by chrisb on Jan 9, 2021 10:51:27 GMT
Carl, phenomenal - a wonderful post! Buffy was also the possessor of a beautiful voice that was haunting in its pleas, I knew of Link of course, and he was on Later with Jools Holland once, still a showman and thrashing it out and Bob Dylan saying Link was his favourite instrumental group, and wasn't Redbone another with Native American heritage? with the Witch Queen of New Orleans, but I must confess I don't know much of their history.
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Post by mikael on Jan 9, 2021 11:42:40 GMT
When younger, I knew about Buffy Sainte-Marie, the Canadian folk singer of pure Cree bloodline, largely because she was beautiful.
Buffy Sainte-Marie became known in Northern Europe mainly on the strength of her theme song to the movie "Soldier Blue" (1970/71). The song actually became a major hit, and it has been played a good deal on Danish radio over the years. She has also appeared at the "Roskilde Festival", which is the largest of its kind in Denmark.
About the Roskilde Festival:
(The other artists I do not know, I must admit ...)
From the Roskilde Festival 1992 (broadcast by Swedish Television).
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Post by charleselan on Jan 9, 2021 16:52:15 GMT
What a great post, thank you Carl. So much information that has pretty much gone under the radar and seldom been recognised. I was going to mention Leon Redbone as well. Native American culture has always fascinated me, even as a small boy and when I became really interested in reading in my early teens I read the incredible "Buried My Heart At Wounded Knee".The two
As a slight diversion if I may, in the more modern times of the 1990's there were some albums produced in Europe that were a combination of indigenous music and sounds mixed with a sort of "Trance" or "Ambient" music. These were not groups as such but more the work of individuals or maybe more than one in a studio. The first that i became aware of was under the name of Enigma who had an early album that gained big success by using Gregorian chants with modern Trance/Ambient music, the second album was even more successful and had what I believe to be Native American chants incorporated into its stand out track, it was spell binding to listen to and so atmospheric.
Enigma - "Return To Innocence"
Afro Celt Sound System - "Sené". This is not the track I was looking for which was from a much earlier album, but this is the type of music that this "group" produces, quite naturally a combination of Celtic and African sounds and rhythms.
The Deep Forest track come from The Solomons Island apparently which I was unaware of until recently.
Deep Forest - "Sweet Lullaby"
Apologies if I have diversified too much from the original topic.
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Post by Carl on Jan 9, 2021 18:14:38 GMT
All musical diversions are fascinating in their own right. Buffy Saint-Marie was still beautiful at 50 and her voice magical at the Roskilde Festival.
The chant featured in "Return to Innocence" is pure Native American and so beautiful, wonderfully incorporated by Enigma.
I loved the truly wonderful retro perfection of Leon Redbone, but he was born on Cyprus of Armenian parentage.
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Post by charleselan on Jan 9, 2021 19:18:59 GMT
Carl,
I have to hold my hand up to the ignorance of Leon Redbones heritage, I made the wrongful assumption that he may have had Native American ancestry.............Wrong! I knew only little of him to be honest only that amazing version he recorded of "Frosty The Snowman".
I did not comment earlier about Buffy Sainte-Marie, but have to agree she was beautiful and her songs and voice almost haunting. As Mikael has mentioned she will forever be remembered for the song "Soldier Blue", from the film that somewhat put to bed the Hollywood myths around the wild west and the gallant cavalry.
I know that he isn't a Native American but does not the great Willy Nelson carry the persona of one. Also back in the 1970's I was attracted to Rita Coolidge after hearing a track of hers called "My Crew"and subsequently purchased the album, the cover of which has her dressed in Native American attire.
John
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Post by Carl on Jan 9, 2021 21:29:15 GMT
John,
I didn't know about Leon Redbone's background until searching on Wikipedia. While living in Canada, he changed his name to one that certainly sounded indigenous.
I have great respect for Willie Nelson's songwriting and integrity. Considering the quality of the man and the music, he and Johnny Cash are two of the immortal greats of country music. As one measure of their human kindness, both men have advocated for Native American rights.
Although undeniable, the talent of Rita Coolidge was outweighed by her beauty. Sadly for Janis Joplin's troubled life, hers was the polar opposite experience.
-Carl
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Post by chrisb on Jan 10, 2021 9:22:51 GMT
As far as I know the song 'Witch Queen of New Orleans' was actually written by two native American brothers hence my inclusion but apologise that is the extent of my knowledge of them,
Janis was a very interesting character, sadly abused and troubled, always have a picture of her in my mind laughing uproarishly at something, I do think she had a great sense of humour despite her problems,
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Post by robmarsh on Jan 10, 2021 10:27:25 GMT
There was a group in 70/80s called Xit which based it's music on Native American music. The album I had was called Silent Warrior and tracks from it are available on YouTube. I think you may enjoy it.
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Post by Carl on Jan 10, 2021 17:49:12 GMT
As far as I know the song 'Witch Queen of New Orleans' was actually written by two native American brothers hence my inclusion but apologise that is the extent of my knowledge of them, Janis was a very interesting character, sadly abused and troubled, always have a picture of her in my mind laughing uproarishly at something, I do think she had a great sense of humour despite her problems, Chris, The members of Redbone were Hispanic with abundant Native American ancestry, so you were clearly right. I mistakenly thought you had meant Leon Redbone.
-Carl
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Post by Carl on Jul 4, 2023 18:40:29 GMT
More than any other quality in artistic endeavor, I value originality. At my age, outstanding musical originality often passes by unnoticed until my eyes and ears are opened to a great band and sound.
Singer/songwriter Michelle Zauner was born in Seoul to a Korean mother and American father. Her band, which has little to do either with Japan or breakfast, is Japanese Breakfast. I agree with music critics designation of alternative indie pop, on my scale also comfortably within New Wave, which is now comfortably old...
"The first song (Paprika) is euphoria in a bottle, and as good of a distillation as you’ll ever get to why certain musicians risk life and limb to perform onstage. “How’s it feel to stand at the height of your powers/To captivate every heart?” her lyric asks, before answering her own question in a burst of trumpets: “It’s a rush!”
- Quoted from Rolling Stone review of album "Jubilee"
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Post by René on Jul 4, 2023 19:14:37 GMT
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Carl.
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Post by Carl on Jul 5, 2023 16:24:37 GMT
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